Hunger: Expert Proofers Solution
Apparently worried by hunger ravaging the masses in Nigeria, an economic expert, Mr. Samson Olutayo Olorunda has called for collaborative effort of the three tiers of government to combat the menace.
Speaking exclusively with THE GLITTERS ONLINE in Ikinyinwa-Ijesa, Obokun local government area of Osun State, Olorunda said our hunger cannot be fully satisfied by the federal government alone adding that it is crucial for state and local governments to engage in agricultural initiatives similar to what Niger State is doing.
Olorunda noted that relying on massive food importation by the federal government is a misconception, especially considering the forward contract arrangement involving our crude oil sales, which the immediate past federal government had committed to projects.
His words: “The present federal government is not receiving dollar revenue from the current crude oil sales; today’s dollar income has been used to borrow money yesterday”.
To enhance federal government efforts, Olorunda suggested a patriotic national assembly that would pass laws for a percentage of their emoluments and those of other political office holders to be set aside for palliatives.
Olorunda charged state government to ensure that money designated for palliatives are prioritise for immediate impact adding that they should avoid diverting them to self-serving white elephant projects.
He warned that we should not play politics with what is happening in our land, noting that economic pains are worldwide at a time like this.
His words: “The federal government bears the responsibility for securing farmers for massive food production. I strongly suggest to our states to follow Niger State’s example, fostering a food revolution, reorienting and organizing youths, and able-bodied men for farming. Establishing silos and stocking them with excess food to sell to other states is a viable option.
He urged Nigerians to direct their “we are hungry” towards governors, House of Representatives members, and Senators in the National Assembly adding that political leaders should emulate Senator Adeola Olamilekan, aka Yayi and a couple of others like him by providing meaningful intervention to their communities.
He charged South West Governors to deploy Amotekun properly to secure farmers, engage farm rangers, forest guards, and Amotekun to provide security and rid our forests of criminal activities.
The elder statesman also charged them to make Odua conglomerate more functional adding that instead of pressuring it for dividends, they should encourage it to plough back, build silos, and warehouse food to intervene for the masses, continuing the tradition of the western region in the past.