Peter Obi laments Nigeria’s reliance on war-torn Ukraine for food

The Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, during the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has lamented the way Ukraine, which is currently at war with Russia, donates food to Nigeria. 

Reacting via an X post today, 4th of March 2024 to news of The Ukrainian Government providing 25,000 metric tonnes of wheat to support the World Food Programme (WFP) in providing emergency food assistance to 1.3 million crisis-affected people in the North East

Peter Obi expressed with dismay how Nigeria, which was once economically confident, had to rely on war-torn Ukraine for food assistance. 

Obi appreciated the Ukrainian government, noting that the donation says a lot about the kindness and generosity of Ukrainians  but shows leadership deficit bedeviling Nigeria’s development. 

His statement reads: 

“Let me begin by sincerely appreciating the war-torn nation of Ukraine for their generous donation of tons of grains to Nigeria thereby aiding  our current  fight against nationwide hunger. 

“As laudable as Ukraine’s kind gesture is,it speaks volumes for us as a people endowed with all needed human and natural resources, that a country officially prosecuting a brutal war of national survival with its powerful neighbour, Russia, is generous and kind enough with their food supplies to help us who are officially at peace. 

“For the people of Ukraine, this act of human solidarity testifies to a rare generosity of spirit which should earn them greater global solidarity. It demonstrates our shared humanity.

“However, a situation like this underscores vigorously the importance of sound political leadership as the first concrete requirement  for any nation desiring to develop and enhance the standard of living of its citizenry.

“It is disheartening that our once economically confident nation, blessed with vast arable land and abundant natural resources, now relies on a war-torn Ukraine for food assistance.

“This national disgrace stems from years of leadership failure, necessitating urgent reflection and a reordering of our national priorities and resource management and allocation. 

“Instructively, Ukraine, with a population of 43 million on 603,728 km2, outshines Northern Nigeria, covering 744,249 km2 with a young, energetic population exceeding 100 million. 

“In 2015, Ukraine’s GDP per capita was $2125, compared to Nigeria’s $2680. By 2022, despite being at war, Ukraine’s GDP per capita exceeded $4000, while Nigeria’s regressed “to $2184. Ukraine cultivates over 60% of its arable land, whereas Nigeria has over 60% uncultivated arable land. 

“Despite the conflict, Ukraine feeds itself, and exports agricultural products worth over $ 25 billion which is about the same value as our crude oil export earnings, and it serves as a strategic global food supplier, even providing aid to a peaceful yet unproductive Nigeria.

 “To overcome this embarrassment,we must aggressively reorder our priorities by investing resources in productive sectors like agriculture. 

“Addressing insecurity is crucial for farmers to return to their fields, enabling a productive manufacturing sector and supporting small businesses.

“In 4 to 5 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.