Presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, in the February 25, 2023, poll, Mr. Peter Obi has said it was a national disgrace, that Ukraine, a country at war with its neighbour was sending food aid to Nigeria that is not at war.
The former Anambra State governor, said to overcome this embarrassing situation, Nigeria must aggressively reorder its priorities by investing resources in productive sectors such as agriculture.
Obi in his X, said: “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.
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“Ukraine cultivates over 60 percent of its arable land, whereas Nigeria has over 60 percent 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 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,” he added.
