National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Ekpenyong Emmanuel
The recent stampede deaths in Nigeria have shed light on the country’s deepening humanitarian crisis, sparked by widespread poverty and hunger. At least 213 people have lost their lives in separate stampedes over the last 11 years, with the majority of these incidents occurring during food distributions.
The latest incidents, which claimed the lives of about 72 people in Ibadan, Anambra, and Abuja, have sparked outrage and concern among Nigerians, who are demanding that the government take immediate action to address the root causes of the crisis.
According to experts, the stampedes are a symptom of a larger problem – Nigeria’s struggling economy and the government’s inability to provide for its citizens. “The fact that people are willing to risk their lives for a bag of rice or other food items is a clear indication of the desperation and poverty that many Nigerians are facing,” said Dr. Bode Okedayo, a leading economist.
The Nigerian government has been criticized for its handling of the economy, with many arguing that its policies have exacerbated the poverty crisis. “The government’s focus on austerity measures and its failure to invest in social welfare programs have left many Nigerians without a safety net,” said Amaka Anku, a social justice activist.
The stampedes have also highlighted the need for more effective crowd control measures during food distributions. “It’s not just about providing food, it’s about providing it in a safe and dignified manner,” said Anku.
As the country struggles to come to terms with the scale of the humanitarian crisis, many are calling for a more comprehensive approach to addressing poverty and hunger. “We need to move beyond just providing food and focus on creating sustainable livelihoods for Nigerians,” said Okedayo.
The Lagos State Government has warned prospective donors to ensure strict compliance with safety measures during the yuletide season and beyond. The government has also called on event organizers to make adequate preparation on crowd control before embarking on any philanthropic gestures and events to forestall stampedes.
In the meantime, Nigerians continue to suffer, and the death toll from stampedes continues to rise. As one survivor of the Abuja stampede noted, “We’re not just fighting for food, we’re fighting for our lives.”
