Death, often a shadow in unexpected corners, has emerged in a grim and peculiar form in Nigeria hidden in the bags of rice meant to stave off hunger. Recent stampedes across the nation have claimed the lives of scores, casting a harsh spotlight on a country struggling under the weight of food insecurity. These tragedies paint a picture of desperation, where the effort to survive is met with fatal consequences.
In a nation not at war, the sight of citizens dying while scavenging for food handouts is both shocking and heart-wrenching. In Ibadan, Oyo State, 35 children lost their lives in one such stampede. In Okija, Anambra State, 20 perished in a similar tragedy, while 10 more met their untimely deaths in Abuja. Although thousands gathered at the Lagos residence of President Bola Tinubu for a similar distribution, they returned home alive, narrowly escaping the fate of others.
The hunger crisis has become so pervasive that some leaders view it as an unfortunate badge of national unity. Senator Ali Ndume of Borno State shamefully expressed satisfaction that hunger, once predominantly a northern plight, now afflicts the South. This warped sentiment underscores the cold indifference of those in power, whose policies have pushed a resource-rich nation to this point of desperation.
Nigeria, a country blessed with vast natural resources, now struggles to feed its people. The National Bureau of Statistics reports that over 80 million Nigerians live below the poverty line, a figure that highlights the government’s failure to address the basic needs of its citizens. Instead, the response has been superficial, reducing governance to what some have dubbed riceocracy a system where food handouts are used as a political pacifier.
This reliance on rice distribution as a tool of governance is as ineffective as it is demeaning. The limited supply often ends up in the hands of corrupt officials, leaving the intended beneficiaries in dire straits. The government’s failure to prioritize food security and address systemic corruption has plunged millions into desperation, making them vulnerable to the risks of food stampedes and other tragedies.
The recent events in Okija highlight this grim reality. Obijackson, a well-known philanthropist, organized a food distribution event that tragically turned into a death trap. Many of the victims were refugees from neighboring Imo State, fleeing insecurity only to fall victim to the hunger crisis in their new community. This underscores the government’s dual failure: an inability to provide both food security and physical safety for its citizens.
Beyond the immediate tragedies, the broader picture is equally bleak. Under successive administrations, Nigeria has spiraled into an economic quagmire. During the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari, the price of a 50kg bag of rice skyrocketed from under N8,000 to over N50,000, and it now exceeds N110,000 under the current administration. These figures starkly contrast with a newly approved minimum wage of N70,000, highlighting the impossible struggle faced by ordinary Nigerians.
The removal of fuel subsidies, though touted as a necessary economic reform, has further exacerbated the crisis. President Tinubu’s insistence on this policy, despite its devastating impact on the cost of living, has drawn widespread criticism. For a nation teetering on the brink of economic collapse, such policies have only deepened the misery of its citizens.
The tragedies in Ibadan, Okija, and Abuja should serve as a wake-up call for the government to address the root causes of food insecurity. Blaming the victims for unruliness or the organizers for lack of planning is not only unfair but also misses the point. The real issue is the systemic poverty and desperation that drive people to risk their lives for a few grains of rice.
Instead of hounding those who try to help, like Obijackson, the government should focus on creating sustainable solutions to hunger. This includes investing in agriculture, providing security for farmers, and ensuring that public funds are used to benefit the people rather than being looted by corrupt officials. Compensation for the families of the victims is a moral imperative, but it is not enough. Long-term strategies to prevent such tragedies must be prioritized.
As Nigeria marks over 60 years of independence, the persistent cycle of poverty, corruption, and mismanagement remains a stain on its legacy. The hunger crisis, compounded by inflation and insecurity, is a testament to the failures of successive governments. It is time for leaders to rise above tribalism, selfish interests, and incompetence to deliver the progress and prosperity that Nigerians deserve.