By Salem John
Every day, it becomes harder for the average Nigerian to eat. The prices of food items like rice, flour, sugar, and milk are increasing weekly. Even though the government has opened the borders and guaranteed that things would become better, nothing has changed. The poor are still complaining, and many can no longer even eat one decent meal daily.
In most homes today, children are sleeping hungry. Parents cannot make ends meet, and small businesses that are based on foodstuffs are shutting down. You take N5,000 to the market and come back home with some items. This is not how it should be.
More agonizing is the fact that Nigeria is endowed with land, farmers, and resources. Our people are hungry, though. The exorbitant price of fuel has resulted in high transport costs of goods, which makes everything in the market very expensive. Even garri, food for the poor, is no longer affordable.
When people cannot buy food, crime becomes rampant. Hunger drives people to steal, to get involved in bad gangs, and to resort to desperate measures just to live. How can there be progress and peace when stomachs are empty?
The government must act now. It is not a case of opening borders or promising. There should be serious efforts to lower food prices. One such effort is to introduce food price control on basic foods like rice, flour, sugar, milk, and even cooking oil. Let there be a ceiling on how much these foods are sold. So that the poor can afford to eat.
Also, the government must help the local farmers with equipment, fertilizers, and better roads to bring their produce to the cities. They must refrain from relying on importation and help boost local food production.
This hunger problem is a national crisis. People are frustrated, tired, and hopeless. Hunger is not selective in terms of tribe or religion. It affects everyone, especially the poor. If the government does not take action now, the suffering will continue to intensify. If necessary, I am open to revisions to align with your editorial guidelines. Please let me know if you require any additional information.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.
Best regards,
Salem John
07063656346
