Leadership Failures Amplified By Ukraine’s Food Aid To Nigeria, Obi Voices Concerns

Eko Hot Blog reports that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Nigerian general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed dismay over the recent donation of 25,000 tonnes of wheat by Ukraine as emergency food assistance to 1.3 million vulnerable people in Nigeria’s northeastern region.

While acknowledging Ukraine’s gesture as laudable, Obi emphasized that it speaks volumes about the failures of the Nigerian government to cater to its citizens’ needs.

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In a thread posted on X (formerly Twitter), he asserted that this development underscores a national disgrace that “stems from years of leadership failure, necessitating urgent reflection and a reordering of our national priorities and resource management and allocation.”

Obi lamented that Nigeria, once an economically confident nation blessed with vast arable land and abundant natural resources, now relies on a war-torn Ukraine for food assistance.

He highlighted the importance of sound political leadership as the first requirement for any nation desiring to develop and enhance the standard of living of its citizenry.

Citing economic indicators, Obi pointed out that while Ukraine’s GDP per capita exceeded $4,000 in 2022 despite the ongoing conflict, Nigeria’s regressed to $2,184 during the same period.

He also noted that Ukraine cultivates over 60% of its arable land, whereas Nigeria has over 60% of its arable land uncultivated.

To overcome this “embarrassment,” Obi called for a reordering of priorities by investing resources in productive sectors like agriculture, addressing insecurity to enable farmers to return to their fields, supporting small businesses, and reviving the manufacturing sector.

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“In four to five years, this concerted effort can reverse the current trend, leading us toward a productive and new Nigeria that I believe is possible and within reach,” Obi stated.

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