CurrentReport Blog Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has raised alarm over the growing economic distress in Nigeria following a series of tragic stampedes in Ibadan, Okija, and Abuja, which claimed numerous lives during food distribution events.
In a heartfelt statement on her X handle, Ezekwesili expressed sorrow for the families of the victims and criticized the state of Nigeria’s leadership and emergency response systems.
The first incident occurred in Okija, Anambra State, where at least 20 people lost their lives in a stampede during a rice distribution event on Saturday. The same day, another tragic stampede in Abuja claimed an unspecified number of lives as a Catholic church distributed food items to vulnerable individuals.
Earlier in the week, over 35 people, mostly children, died in a similar stampede at a carnival in Ibadan, Oyo State. These events, happening in quick succession, have shed light on the severity of food poverty and economic hardship in the country.
Ezekwesili stated, “The serial losses of several children who went in search of free food should send the strongest message yet to all self-indulgent ‘leaders’ in Nigeria’s public offices.” She emphasized that widespread food poverty, particularly among low- and middle-income families, has reached critical levels, leading to these devastating outcomes.
She also noted that the organizers of these charity events likely underestimated the overwhelming number of people in need, highlighting the urgent need for stronger social welfare systems and emergency response capabilities.
The incidents have sparked widespread conversations about the worsening economic conditions in Nigeria and the urgent need for government intervention to address food insecurity and poverty.
