In a compelling and urgent plea to the nation, the Convener of the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), Prophet Dr. Isa El-Buba, has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating crisis of hunger and poverty ravaging the Nigerian populace. Speaking on the 8th of February, 2024, Prophet El-Buba emphasized the critical need for immediate action to avert what he described as an “implosion” fueled by the anguish of the suffering masses.
“It is undeniable that Nigeria is long overdue for a revolution,” Prophet El-Buba declared, his voice resonating with conviction. “The relentless onslaught of hunger and poverty, if left unaddressed, will inevitably ignite a full-blown revolt by the marginalized and downtrodden.”
Citing the poignant example of a desperate mother in Port Harcourt driven to deadly violence in her quest to feed her starving children, Prophet El-Buba painted a grim picture of the desperation gripping the nation. “This is the grim reality we face in Nigeria today,” he lamented, “where basic survival instincts override the principles of morality.”
Despite the government’s proclamation of a “state of emergency on food security,” Prophet El-Buba highlighted the ineffectiveness of current measures in stemming the tide of rising food prices and rampant insecurity plaguing agricultural communities. “Terrorist activities and incessant attacks on farmers have decimated food production,” he stated, “while inflation and economic instability have pushed essential commodities beyond the reach of the common man.”
In response to this dire situation, Prophet El-Buba outlined a comprehensive roadmap for immediate action:
1. Release of Strategic Food Reserves: Urging the government to release grains from strategic reserves and ensure their distribution at affordable prices to mitigate the burden on impoverished Nigerians.
2. Collaborative Efforts: Emphasizing the need for collaboration between government, private sector, and civil society organizations to implement sustainable hunger alleviation measures, drawing inspiration from successful models such as China’s support for smallholder farmers.
3. Local Initiatives: Calling on state governments to spearhead localized initiatives tailored to their specific needs, akin to Brazil’s Zero Hunger program, to empower communities and address food insecurity at the grassroots level.
4. Infrastructure Development:** Advocating for investment in rural infrastructure, including road networks and storage facilities, to enhance agricultural productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.
5. Youth Empowerment: Proposing long-term investments in training and mentoring programs to equip youths and rural farmers with modern farming techniques, thereby boosting food production and alleviating poverty.
6. Security Measures: Urging decisive action by the government to tackle insecurity head-on, with a focus on restoring peace in food-producing regions and holding perpetrators of violence accountable.
7. Resettlement and Restoration: Calling for the resettlement and restoration of farming villages displaced by conflict, with a dedicated grant to facilitate their return to agricultural livelihoods.
In a poignant appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Prophet El-Buba drew attention to the soaring prices of cement and its ripple effects on food affordability, urging swift intervention to alleviate the burden on the populace.
In conclusion, Prophet El-Buba issued a rallying cry to all Nigerians, urging collective action and a return to farming as a means of achieving food sufficiency and national self-sustainability. “May God save Nigeria from an impending implosion,” he prayed, echoing the fervent hopes of millions facing the specter of hunger and despair.
