NANS Urges Federal Government To Address Hunger Crisis Amid Stampedes.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to address the worsening hunger crisis in the country, which has led to tragic stampedes during the distribution of palliatives.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, NANS described the recent stampedes as a “national embarrassment.” The student body pointed to incidents in Ibadan, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and Anambra State, where lives were lost, including those of children, during chaotic attempts to access relief materials.
NANS warned that the rising hunger crisis, if not addressed promptly, could result in further tragedies. Odunayo criticised the current administration for what he termed a “nonchalant and insensitive” response to the plights of Nigerians, emphasising that hunger and poverty have reached alarming levels.
“The situation in the country is really tough and should be a serious concern for a government that knows its responsibilities. Nigerians are hardworking people who rarely resort to scrambling for freebies, but the reality of hunger has driven many to their untimely deaths,” the statement read.
The student body lamented that the failure of the government to implement effective economic solutions has exacerbated poverty, forcing citizens into desperation. Odunayo noted that no amount of condolences or compensation could atone for the loss of lives during these stampedes, describing the events as both “unfortunate and a national disgrace.”
He also criticised the ineffectiveness of existing palliative measures, stating, “We are tired of excuses and palliatives that fail to reach the poorest of the poor. If the government had empowered Nigerians through meaningful interventions, the situation would not be this dire.”
NANS urged the Tinubu administration and state governments to fulfil their constitutional duties and take decisive action to revive the struggling economy. “Hunger and poverty are real, and no region of the nation is immune to this crisis. Urgent measures must be implemented to reverse this trend, or the government should prepare for more hunger-induced fatal stampedes across the nation,” the statement concluded.
The association’s plea highlights the critical need for sustainable policies to address the root causes of hunger and poverty, ensuring that no more lives are lost to preventable tragedies.
