According to the report from the Sun News, Mr. Anthony Sani, former Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has issued a grave warning about the escalating poverty in Northern Nigeria, describing it as a powder keg waiting to explode. His comments highlight the urgent need for action to address the dire economic situation in the region.
Sani noted a significant paradox in the North, which, despite being a major food producer for the country, is grappling with high food prices. He pointed out that, “It is true that the North, which produces most food for the country, should not be the one crying loud about high prices of food,” especially since many northerners are farmers.
However, he criticized the Vice President for overlooking critical issues such as the sandbags which insecurity puts on the path of farming in the North.
Additionally, Sani highlighted the difficulties faced by farmers due to lack of farming inputs. He suggested that “if governments would secure the farms and help farmers with farm inputs, that will bring about increased farming and, thus, food security.”
Addressing the broader issue of insecurity that continues to plague Nigeria, particularly the North, Sani called for a two-pronged approach. On the punitive side, he stressed the need for enough trained and equipped security personnel who are well motivated to secure the nation. He emphasized that effective security requires a well-resourced and motivated force.
On the preventive side, Sani advocated for addressing the root causes of insecurity by improving the volume and quality of education to combat ignorance and poverty, which he believes contribute to the proliferation of insecurity.
He pointed out that the current level of out-of-school children does not guarantee security, underscoring the importance of educational reform as a means to enhance long-term stability.
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