Hunger and the Insensitivity of Mr. President
I watched with deep concern the statement made by President Bola Tinubu to the Catholic Bishops who visited his office, that there has always been hunger in Nigeria, even before he was born.
While it is true that hunger has been a part of human life and has existed in our country for decades, such a statement appears insensitive to the plight of the millions of Nigerians who face worsening economic hardship today. More importantly, we must focus on the facts and the measurable outcomes of governance.
Before the present administration assumed office in 2023, an estimated 17 million Nigerians were facing acute food insecurity, primarily caused by insecurity, armed conflict, widespread banditry, and devastating floods. Today, less than three years later, that number has risen to about 35 million Nigerians. Instead of improving the situation, the crisis has worsened significantly under the current administration.
The same trend is evident in poverty. Before this government took office in 2023, Nigeria’s extreme poverty was estimated at 87 million people. Current projections suggest that this number is approaching 140 million people, making Nigeria home to the largest population of people living in extreme poverty anywhere in the world.
No one disputes that this administration inherited serious challenges. However, leadership is measured not by the challenges inherited but by the results achieved. The government must honestly acknowledge that its response has fallen far short of what the situation demanded, with millions more Nigerians pushed deeper into poverty and hunger.
The combination of persistent insecurity, poor economic management, fiscal indiscipline, wasteful public expenditure, and inadequate investment in productive sectors has compounded the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
A responsible government must prioritise investment in education, healthcare, agriculture, security, and small businesses while pursuing policies that create jobs, expand production, and lift people out of poverty. That remains my commitment to the Nigerian people.
A New Nigeria is Possible. PO
“I Took a Loan of £75,000 From the UK to Come and Invest in Nigeria Because the Government Said We Should Come Back and Invest. But the Same Government Is Destroying Our Investment. As I’m Talking Right Now, I’m Actually Thinking of Counting My Losses, Packing My Things, Tearing My Nigerian Passport, and Going Back. I Have Friends Who Have Destroyed Their Nigerian Passports Because of Things Like This.” ~ Man Cries Out After His Investment and Business Were Destroyed and Demolished in Abuja Without Any Notice or Warning.💔🤦🏾♂️
Strengthening Development Through Partnership
Yesterday, I met with the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Egloff, and we had a productive and engaging discussion on our country’s developmental journey, with particular emphasis on the critical sectors that drive development: education, healthcare, and lifting people out of poverty.
I expressed my gratitude for the invaluable contributions of the Swiss Confederation to Nigeria’s development, especially its support for critical economic, cultural, humanitarian, and peace-building initiatives, particularly in the North-East.
Building stronger partnerships founded on shared values and a commitment to human development remains essential to creating a more prosperous and inclusive Nigeria.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Hermano,
Has ganado el mundial. Has hecho historia. 🥹❤️
Pero más allá del trofeo, gracias por esto: has hecho que millones de inmigrantes como nuestros padres se sientan orgullosos de que sus futuros hijos algun dia puedan vivir lo que tu has vivido y de que millones de españoles empaticen con nuestra historia que no es solo la nuestra sino la de todas las personas que dejan todo atrás por un futuro mejor, porque has tocado el cielo con los dedos y has demostrado que con trabajo y esfuerzo todo es posible.
Hoy el mundo te ha conocido mas si cabe y has puesto nuestro apellido en el infinito, por lo siglos de los siglos.
Te admiro. Te amo. Campeón del mundo ✊🏿🏆🥹
“My dad is from Cameroon and my mum is from Algeria. I grew up with more Cameroonian culture than Algerian culture. If there was an AFCON final and I had to choose one country to represent, I’d choose Cameroon and send my brother to help Algeria” — Kylian Mbappé