Hunger and famine are parts of human existence. Every generation at one form or the other would face its kind of economic crisis. But it is the duty of people in leadership positions to proffer ways of ending hunger in the world. When there was a revelation of seven years of economic boom and seven years of severe famine in Egypt, it was Joseph who advised Pharaoh on how to handle the future economic problem. Silos were built to store farm produce gathered during the bumper harvest.
Indeed, when the famine was too severe for people in the region to bear, the sons of Jacob went to Egypt to buy food for their survival. People suffer a lot when there is no enough in the land to quench the hunger.
And people suffer also when there is no money to purchase the food in the market.
For about one year now, Nigerians are worried over what they purchase with money. Tomato that was common in the market was invaded by pest. The attack caused the surplus tomato to cease. Rice that was at the reach of Nigerians became gold for few individuals Nigerians. A bag of rice in this part of Nigeria is about twenty thousand naira while in the North is about fourteen thousand naira. A basin of garri which was N1300 has jumped to N2,700. It is worrisome to see the sky-rocket increase in prices of staple or common commodities. Nigerians are wearied and troubled of buying goods exorbitantly. Everything has gone out of the reach of common Nigerians who depend mainly on staple food. House rent has gone high beyond the reach of the masses. Many Nigeria have been sacked from their jobs. The transport had been increased. And strike upon strikes are witnessed everyday in the country.
Indeed, the poor state of the economy is not only the Nigeria thing, it is global. For instance, in Venezuela, the citizens are gnashing the teeth as Nigerians do. But the question is, should this economy agony continue? There is no money in circulation. The few controls the money and have access to food stuff at any time. Many Nigerians buy food stuff through the nose. The suffering to buy kerosene is another hurdle for Nigerians.
People suffered beyond their expectations to get what to eat. Yet, Nigeria as a country does not feed her citizen through aids from donor nations. Something should be done urgently to stop the imminent food crises. Many Nigerians find it difficult to eat food these days. This is not as a result of lost of appetite but as a result of lack of money and inflation. People cannot get access to fishes again, because the rivers and seas are polluted. The little fishes available are expensive. There is an untold hardship on Nigerians.
Nigerians all over the country are suffering from one form of economy crisis or the other. Therefore, the government as a matter of urgent national issue, should embark on aggressive mechanize farming. As Nigerians has arable and fallow lands that can be cultivated for commercial farming. Nigerian has Atlantic oceans seas, rivers, creeks that can boost fish farming. Nigerian does not need to import fish to feed her population. It is a pity that Nigeria imports fish for local consumption. No wonder, few months ago some Chinese were apprehended with trawlers fishing in Nigeria’s high sea. If fishing trawlers from China can come to Nigeria territory for fishing, what does it tell the world about Nigerians?
Frank Enewaji Ogwunuonu
08028901682
