IT’S been a brief break, but I’m thrilled to be back with you all. While I was away I took time to read the numerous feedbacks and comments from you, my esteemed readers and I promsie to publish them soon but some of those comments really got me cracked up especially those who mentioned how I write with lots of youthful exuberance and I wonder who told them I am actually an elderly person – yours truly is a youth. But that’s that.
Life and work sometimes call for a little pause, but the conversation never stops. I’m excited to dive back into the topics that matter most and share fresh perspectives with you. Thank you for your continued support — let’s get back to it. Nigeria our country…
Nigeria is a country rich in resources, but it is also home to millions who struggle with hunger, poverty, inadequate healthcare, poor education, and insecurity. Despite this, governors and political leaders often focus on high-profile projects—such as constructing flyovers, renovating schools, distributing rice, and one I heard recently on the radio was the distribution of Maggi cubes and cooking oil while fundamental issues that directly affect citizens’ daily lives remain unresolved. This disconnect raises important questions about the priorities of leadership and the true meaning of governance.
Hunger and Food Insecurity are at the forefront of the real struggles of Nigerians. According to reports from the United Nations and local agencies, hunger is a growing problem in Nigeria. Millions of Nigerians face food insecurity, particularly in rural areas, where access to affordable food, is limited let alone, nutritious food. Despite being an agricultural powerhouse, the country imports large quantities of food, and internal distribution remains inefficient.
The government’s approach often emphasizes “feeding programs” (which is always rice distribution), but these are often short-term measures rather than sustainable solutions. The Nigerian government needs to focus on sustainable agricultural policies that can reduce dependency on food imports and make food more accessible to the population.
Investing in agricultural infrastructure, providing support for farmers, and addressing the inefficiencies in food distribution can make a far bigger impact than distributing rice during holidays and festive seasons. While these initiatives sometimes provide immediate relief, they do not address the structural issues that contribute to food insecurity, such as poor agricultural policies, lack of access to affordable food, and inadequate infrastructure for food distribution.
Nigeria has one of the highest poverty rates in the world. According to the World Poverty Clock, over 80 million Nigerians live below the poverty line. Poverty is compounded by a lack of social safety nets, low-paying jobs, and high unemployment rates. As more Nigerians struggle to survive on less than $1 a day, in a more realistic sense, can’t afford 1 meal per day. the lavish expenditure on infrastructure projects often seems out of touch with the urgent need to address basic welfare.
With kidnapping, armed robbery and terrorist activities ,Insecurity is a major issue affecting various regions. People live in constant fear, and many are displaced from their homes. Instead of focusing on providing adequate security for citizens, governors and political leaders often allocate funds to infrastructure projects that do little to address the root causes of insecurity. Effective governance should prioritize the safety and security of its citizens.
Governors should focus on increasing funding for local security forces, improving intelligence-gathering mechanisms, and addressing the root causes of insecurity—such as poverty, unemployment, and the lack of social opportunities. Rather than building flyovers, government funds could be better spent on bolstering law enforcement and creating community security programs.
Despite claims of “renovating schools, I mean blocks,Nigeria’s education system remains in crisis. A lack of investment in education, poor infrastructure, and underpaid teachers means that many children are not receiving quality education. Then there’s the increasing costs of education every now and then, making many families unable to afford school fees. Giving birth to many out of school children.
The focus on renovating schools can be misleading if it doesn’t address the deeper issues of access to quality education. Renovations are often symbolic gestures that make headlines, but without the corresponding reforms in teacher training, curriculum development, and student welfare, these renovations offer little more than cosmetic fixes.
Education is a long-term solution to poverty and inequality, yet the state of education in Nigeria is dismal. Instead of focusing on symbolic renovations, there should be a commitment to improving the quality of education. This includes better teacher salaries, modernizing curricula to align with the needs of the global economy, and ensuring that education is accessible to all children—especially girls and children in conflict zones. Educational reforms should be at the heart of any government agenda, as an educated population is more likely to break the cycle of poverty and drive national progress.
- Kabara, is a writer and public commentator. Her syndicated column, Voice, appears on News Point Nigeria newspaper on Mondays. She can be reached on hafceekay01@gmail.com.