Prophet Isa El-Buba, the Global Convener of Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently address the devastating hunger crisis in Nigeria. El-Buba expressed concern that the increasing hunger and poverty levels might lead to a full-blown revolt by the suffering masses if not addressed promptly.
He highlighted the challenges contributing to the hunger crisis, including the rapid depreciation of the naira, pervasive inflation, attacks on farmers by terrorists, and the displacement of people from farming zones. El-Buba emphasized that the situation is not limited to specific regions, affecting the entire country due to the high cost of energy and transportation, leading to a surge in food prices.
El-Buba urged the federal government to release grains from its strategic reserve depots and ensure their distribution to hungry Nigerians at affordable prices. He acknowledged the need for both short-term and long-term measures, suggesting collaboration between the government and private sectors, technology deployment, and access to low-interest credit to support smallholder farmers.
He commended Governor Kefas Agbu of Taraba State for initiatives such as the establishment of a palliative market, where food and non-food items are sold at cheaper rates. El-Buba encouraged other state governors to develop local initiatives aligned with their realities to bring relief to their people.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of addressing insecurity and called for leadership in containing the security challenges to prevent a ripple effect on the economy. El-Buba proposed the resettlement and restoration of farming villages in Plateau and Benue States, providing a N20 billion grant to enable affected communities to resume farming activities.
Finally, El-Buba called on Nigerians to return to farming to collectively contribute to food production and self-sustenance.
