The tragic death of three students of Nasarawa State University (NSUK) in a stampede while struggling for food palliative has sent shock waves across Nigeria.
Hunger is slowly claiming the lives of Nigerians and Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi, has chosen not to be silent about it.
Obi has expressed sadness over the death of the three students.
The incident happened on Friday at the convocation square in Keffi.
That was where the bags of rice were kept awaiting the arrival of the state Governor, Abdullahi Sule, for the commencement of distribution.
But hunger could not allow people wait for the appointed time. Sadly, three persons responded to the call of life.
Worsening Level Of Hunger
In a statement via his official X handle on Friday, Obi said he was disheartened by the death of the students.
He described the stampede which led to their death as tragic.
According to him, the very worsening level of hunger in the nation has continued to claim the lives of innocent citizens.
The former government added that Nigeria should have no business with hunger and poverty if the leaders were caring enough.
Obi, therefore, commiserated with the bereaved families of the deceased students, the entire Nasarawa State University and the state government over the painful incident.
Daily Companion
He wrote: “Somehow, disheartening and tragic happenings have become our daily companions as a people.
“In yet another very sad development, I am disheartened by the reports of the death of some students from Nasarawa State University (NSUK).
“They died in a stampede while struggling for food palliative from the state government.
“Just a month ago, about 7 Nigerians, in a similar sad situation, lost their lives.
They died while trying to buy rice cheaper from a customs warehouse in Lagos.
The very worsening level of hunger in our nation has continued to claim the lives of innocent citizens.
Acute Hunger
“Earlier in the month, a report by UNICEF indicated that about 31.5 million Nigerians will face acute hunger.
“And there will severe food crisis between June and August this year.
“This is, unfortunately, happening in a country that is richly blessed.
“A country blessed with human and natural resources with vast arable lands for agriculture.
“Nigeria should have no business with hunger and poverty if we the leaders were caring enough.
“It is unimaginable how we have sadly descended to a level where people now take unthinkable risks in order to survive.
“Now again, our children who were sent to study in a university, challenged by hunger, have lost their lives because of our national unproductivity.
“I do hope that these ugly incidents will nudge our government into taking urgent measures to end the current food insecurity.”
A Time To Unite
“By moving the nation from consumption to production.
“We cannot be accepting food aids from war-torn Ukraine.
“When we have the energetic population and vast uncultivated lands to feed our nation and the rest of Africa.
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“Time has come for Nigerians to unite in purpose and solve the challenges facing us.
“Hunger, as I have maintained, knows no tribe or religion.
“I commiserate with the bereaved families of the deceased students.
“Also, the entire Nasarawa State University and the government of Nasarawa State over this painful incident.
“May God give all of us the fortitude to bear this loss and grant them eternal rest”.
