The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a stark warning to the Federal Government, urging immediate action to address the worsening economic hardship and hunger affecting millions of Nigerians.
The student body cautioned that failure to act could result in more tragic stampedes as citizens scramble for food and basic necessities.
In a statement signed by the Clerk of the Senate, NANS National, Abdul-Yekinni Odunayo, the association described recent stampedes in Ibadan, Abuja, and Anambra—events that claimed numerous lives, including those of children—as a “national disgrace.”
“These avoidable tragedies reflect the dire economic situation in the country,” Odunayo said. “The failure of the government at all levels has allowed this situation to worsen without any meaningful solutions to address the poverty facing Nigerians.”
Odunayo decried the rising levels of hunger and poverty, stating that even hardworking Nigerians have been driven to desperate measures. He warned that the government’s lack of effective action risks causing further tragedies.
“Arrest the suffering and hunger in the land. The root cause of the stampedes is deep-rooted poverty and hunger,” he stated. “Nigerians have never had it this bad. The situation is tough, and it should be a serious concern for the government. We are tired of excuses and ineffective palliatives.”
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He criticized what he termed the government’s “nonchalant and insensitive” attitude, arguing that condolences and compensations offered after such incidents cannot restore the lives lost.
“No amount of words or compensation can undo the deaths caused by these stampedes,” Odunayo emphasized. “The government must act decisively to address the economic hardships pushing people to such desperate extremes.”
The student body urged the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, to fulfill its constitutional obligation to provide for citizens’ welfare and take steps to stimulate the economy. Odunayo stressed that hunger and poverty are not regional issues but national crises that affect every part of the country.
He also called on state governments to prioritize economic recovery and poverty alleviation, warning that further inaction could lead to more fatalities.
“If the government fails to address this situation, we may see more hunger-induced stampedes that will cost even more innocent lives,” Odunayo said.
NANS extended its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the recent tragedies and reiterated its demand for urgent government intervention.
“We can no longer watch Nigerians die like chickens due to hunger and poverty. The government must act now to prevent further suffering and loss of life,” the statement concluded.
The student association’s plea underscores the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s deepening economic crisis and ensuring that no more lives are lost due to preventable tragedies.
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