KEY POINTS

• The hunger crisis needs urgent attention to prevent more deaths, NANS asks.
• FG’s ‘nonchalant’ response to growing poverty receives student body’s condemnation.
• NANS calls for economic reforms and accountability by all levels of government.

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) condemns Nigeria’s worsening hunger crisis and demands that the Federal Government address the famine while lamenting that failure to act could lead to more deadly stampedes.

Meanwhile, the student body condemned recent terrible stampedes in Ibadan, Abuja, and Anambra with a statement signed by NANS Senate Clerk Abdul Yekinni Odunayo.

Odunayo described the situation as a “national disgrace”, saying that deep seated poverty and hunger had left Nigerians desperate.

The failure of government at all levels is responsible for the situation worsening, but do not have the political will to seek lasting solutions to poverty confronting Nigerians, he added.

NANS criticised FG’s response and demands economic reform

He critized the government for insensitivity and, while calling for condolences and compensation to the victims, said it was not sufficient to address the causes of the tragedies.

It has never been this bad for Nigerians. It’s a tough situation and it really is something the government should be taking seriously. He said: ‘We are tired of excuses and ineffective palliatives.’

NANS called on the Federal and state governments to fulfill their constitutional duty by stimulating the economy and tackling hunger across the country.

The association warned that this is a problem affecting every part of the nation and there is an urgent need to address the problem to forestall further loss of lives of the innocent.

In its condolence messages to families, NANS asked the Federal government to act fast so that Nigerians don’t die ‘like chickens’ due to hunger and poverty.