The United Ndigbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide has sent a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on Nigeria’s worsening food crisis. The council has raised alarm over the growing number of deaths caused by food-related stampedes across the country, particularly among children, youths, and the elderly.
The plea follows tragic incidents reported in three locations on Saturday: Okija in Anambra State, Ibadan in Oyo State, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. In Okija, many people, including entire families, lost their lives, while others sustained serious injuries during a struggle for rice distributed by the renowned Obi Jackson Foundation. Similarly, stampedes in Ibadan and Abuja claimed more lives as citizens scrambled for limited food supplies.
The Director General of UNIEC, His Lordship, Justice Alpha Ikpeama, visited the scene in Okija and was moved to tears at the sight of the large number of dead and injured victims. He described the scenes as harrowing, recalling reports of similar tragedies in Ibadan and Abuja that same day.
Justice Ikpeama decried the increasing prevalence of hunger-induced tragedies in Nigeria, stressing that the primary essence of government is the security and welfare of the people. He called on the Tinubu administration to take immediate action to address the food crisis, warning that continued inaction would further endanger the lives of millions of Nigerians.
“The Federal Government cannot remain idle while citizens die of hunger and starvation on a regular basis,” Justice Ikpeama said. “This is a national emergency that demands urgent and decisive measures to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.”
The council urged the government to prioritize finding sustainable solutions to mass poverty, disease, and hunger, which it identified as the root causes of these tragic incidents.
UNIEC Worldwide also extended its condolences to the families of the deceased across Okija, Ibadan, and Abuja, while praying for the repose of their souls. The council wished the injured a swift recovery and called on humanitarian organizations and philanthropists to intensify efforts to support vulnerable Nigerians.
These tragic developments highlight the urgent need for coordinated efforts by the government, private sector, and humanitarian organizations to address food insecurity and improve the welfare of Nigeria’s citizens.
