“National Disgrace”: Obi Fumes as “War torn” Ukraine Donates Grains To Nigeria

• Opposition presidential hopeful in Nigeria, Peter Obi, has commented on Ukraine’s donation of 25,000tons of wheat to the African country
• Legit.ng reports that as a move towards tackling the emergency food crisis affecting over 1.3 million people in northeast Nigeria, Ukraine recently donated 25,000 tons of wheat to the nation
• Reacting to the development, Obi, a former governor of Anambra state, lauded Ukraine’s gesture but pointed out Nigeria's woes

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public journalism.

FCT, Abuja - Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 Nigerian election, on Monday, March 4, 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”.

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In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) page, Obi asserted that “this national disgrace stems from years of leadership failure, necessitating urgent reflection and a reordering of our national priorities and resource management and allocation”.

He stated that for Nigeria to “overcome this embarrassment”, the country must “aggressively reorder our priorities by investing resources in productive sectors like agriculture”.

Nigeria Info reported that the government of Ukraine donated 25,000 tonnes of wheat as emergency food assistance to 1.3 million vulnerable, crisis-affected people in northeast Nigeria amidst rising inflation and food price spikes in the country.

Obi's tweet reads in full:

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Read more about Ukraine

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• African leaders set for peace mission to Ukraine, Russia
• My life took a huge turn: Nigerian Ukraine-based doctor who lost everything to Russia’s invasion

Russia bombs Ukraine’s grain stores

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Russia unleashed airstrikes that destroyed Ukraine's grain storage facilities at the Black Sea Port in Odesa, dealing a big blow to dozens of countries that depend on Kyiv's grain to meet shortages.

Reports indicated that Ukraine has lost nearly 15% of its grain storage capacity amid its invasion by Russia, threatening its role as a key food supplier to the world.

Source: Legit.ng