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Nigerians Are Spending Their Entire Earnings On Food, Peter Obi Laments
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has continued to express his concerns amidst the escalating hardship caused by the continuous spike in commodity prices.
Obi, in a post on his official X account on Wednesday, expressed worry that many Nigerians now allocate their entire income to food purchases alone.
The former Anambra Governor, referencing the hunger index forecast, lamented that the situation was growing increasingly complex
He further urged the Nigerian government to secure the nation’s farmers and provide them with adequate support to enhance food production. Obi’s statement read, “I was alarmed when, in January 2023, the Cadre Harmonisé, a publication by UNICEF, indicated that nearly 25 million Nigerians were at risk of facing hunger between June and August 2023 if urgent actions were not taken.
Like every concerned Nigerian, I was very worried and called on the government to take immediate measures to stem the tide of impending hunger in the nation. By the end of 2023, approximately 26.5 million Nigerians were reported to be at risk of hunger. This concern extends into 2024, with an estimated 26.5 million Nigerians still at risk. “It is saddening to note once again that the same publication, Cadre Harmonisé, is warning that an additional 31.5 million Nigerians are at risk of acute hunger and severe food insecurity between June and August 2024.
The situation has become more dire with the soaring cost of living and the high inflation rate afflicting our economy. Currently ranked 109th out of 125 countries on the Global Hunger Index, Nigeria is considered among the top 20 hungriest nations in the world. Many Nigerian households now spend almost their entire income on food alone, leaving the budget for other family expenses unimaginable. I have consistently argued that the most effective way to combat hunger in Nigeria is by transitioning our nation from consumption to production.
This involves aggressive investment in agriculture by fully exploiting and cultivating our vast arable lands, especially in the Northern parts of the country. Given the warning of the impending crisis – the additional number of Nigerians expected to face hunger by June this year – I strongly advocate for immediate actions to enhance food production in the country to counter the escalating hunger and consequent frustration among the populace.
With the high level of insecurity and terror attacks in many parts of the country preventing farmers from engaging in agricultural activities, and the management of our monetary policies adversely affecting small businesses in the agricultural sector, it is imperative for the government to secure the farmers and provide them with the necessary support to boost food production.
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See Photos of World’s Tallest and Shortest Women Meet for Afternoon Tea in London
The world’s tallest woman and the world’s shortest woman met for the first time this week, sipping tea from china cups — and bonding over what they have in common while celebrating their differences.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Rumeysa Gelgi, from Turkey, stands at 7 feet and 0.7 inches, while Jyoti Amge, from India, is 2 feet and 0.7 inches.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
“You’re so beautiful,” said Gelgi, 27. “Thank you — you too,” replied Amge, 30.
Their meeting, over afternoon tea at London’s Savoy Hotel on Tuesday, came ahead of Guinness World Records Day, which is held annually in November to mark record-breaking achievements and encourage people to attempt records. The pair have been honored as “World Record icons” in the 70th anniversary edition of the Guinness World Records book.
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“Meeting Jyoti for the first time was wonderful,” Gelgi said in a release Wednesday. “She’s the most gorgeous lady. I was waiting to meet her for a long time.”
Gelgi said the pair bonded over their love for makeup, jewelry and doing their nails.
Video footage showed them sitting down for tea, cakes and sandwiches stacked next to them, with the London Eye visible from the window.
Amge said in the release that she was “so happy to look up” and see the world’s tallest woman, whom she called “good-natured.” She added that it was difficult at times for the pair to make eye contact “due to our height difference.”
“Guinness World Records is all about celebrating differences,” its editor in chief, Craig Glenday, said in a statement ahead of Guinness World Record Day, which is on Thursday.
“By bringing together these two amazing, iconic women, they can share their perspectives on life with each other and, also, with us,” Glenday said.
Gelgi’s record-breaking height is due to a rare genetic condition called Weaver syndrome, which causes rapid growth, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
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The primary symptom is growth and bone development that occurs faster than usual, making those affected taller than average. People with Weaver syndrome may have rigid muscles and difficulty extending their elbows or knees.
Gelgi used a walking aid for support during the pair’s meeting. Her case of Weaver syndrome was the 27th ever diagnosed and the first in Turkey, according to Guinness World Records.
Weaver syndrome is generally caused by changes in the EZH2 gene, according to the NORD, though the organization notes that some people with Weaver syndrome do not have a mutation in the gene.
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Amge, an actor who played the character of Ma Petite in the television series “American Horror Story,” has a genetic growth disorder that occurs in the early stages of fetal development, known as achondroplasia.
According to Johns Hopkins, the condition causes shorter bones, abnormally shaped bones and shorter stature. While the genetic defect can be passed from parent to child, in about 80 percent of cases, achondroplasia results from a spontaneous mutation that occurs in the developing embryo.
On Thursday, Gelgi shared photos on Instagram of the two exploring London despite the cold weather, posing side by side in front of Tower Bridge.
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