Nigeria will Suffer Food Crises if Banditry and Insecurity in the Country continue – By Orji Uzor Kalu
It could be disturbing when our people avoid the fundamental concerns in the country to pursue primordial sentiments.
Insecurity is at its peak in the country coupled with the global food crisis. But rather than talk about this, more people are engrossed with the less important issues.
Food systems in many countries are on the edge of collapse, and the cost of living crisis across the globe is a timely reflection.
Since the war in Ukraine began, we have seen disastrous effects on global food prices and availability – particularly in the Middle East and east Africa, where millions are already facing ongoing economic setbacks from Covid-19.
Countries such as Somalia were already inching closer to famine before the war in Ukraine started. Now the war has added fuel to the fire, driving global price increases and supply shortages that are threatening to push millions of people toward starvation and poverty.
The unfolding global food crisis is an ominous window on the challenges Nigerians will collectively face if the Ukraine war goes unresolved and the banditry and insecurity in the country continues.
The wave of insecurity rocking the country in the form of banditry, communal clashes, militancy, farmers-herdsmen conflict and the rise of Boko Haram insurgency has further threatened the development of the food sector as most farmers have been killed or displaced from the native lands and their farm.
The consequences is that food production will decline as more farmers will rather choose staying alive than risking their lives in the farms.
I urge the security forces to consider the future of the nation by putting more energy and tactics in securing the country. If our farms continue to face security problems , we may be geared towards what will be better imagined than experienced in the future. The prices of food items will not just be on increase but unavailable. This won’t be what we wish for our country.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is the chief whip of the 9th Senate
