Address hunger crisis, Osun APC chieftain urges President Tinubu
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently tackle the escalating hunger and starvation affecting millions of Nigerians.
Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, Oyintiloye highlighted the severe impact of the current economic hardships on the populace, many of whom are struggling to afford basic meals.
“The harsh economic conditions have left many households unable to secure three square meals a day,” Oyintiloye stated.
He expressed deep concern over the United Nations’ prediction that 82 million Nigerians, roughly 64% of the country’s population, could face hunger by 2030 if the situation is not addressed.
Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Oyintiloye noted that the food inflation rate soared to a record high of 40.66% in May, surpassing the previous month’s increase of 40.53%.
This surge in food prices he noted, has made common household items such as rice, beans, and garri increasingly unaffordable for the average Nigerian.
Despite President Tinubu’s efforts to implement various intervention programs, Oyintiloye argued that their impact has been insufficient in mitigating the crisis.
He emphasized that corruption and an overreliance on crude oil revenue distribution have hindered the government from developing a self-sufficient and productive economy.
Oyintiloye urged the president to declare a state of emergency on hunger, starvation, and poverty, warning that hunger poses a significant threat to national peace.
He also called for the implementation of price control mechanisms to curb exploitative practices by traders and suggested reopening the Benin Republic border to facilitate food imports.
Addressing issues such as inadequate farm inputs and insecurity, Oyintiloye stressed the need for better incentives to attract young people to agriculture.
He encouraged Nigerians to support President Tinubu, expressing optimism that with the ongoing economic interventions, the nation could overcome its challenges.
“Hunger is a threat to national peace, and that is why the president must act very fast,” Oyintiloye concluded.
