A group of youths in Adamawa have called on the federal government to take urgent action to address rising hunger, poverty, and social injustice in the country.
The youths, under the platform of the Movement for Transformation of Nigeria (MOTION), made the call during a peaceful protest on Friday in Yola.
The protesters, who marched through major streets, urged the government to implement effective policies to reduce hardship, insecurity, and unemployment, especially among young people.
Mr Musa Andrew, State Coordinator of the movement, said the protest aimed to draw attention to the worsening economic situation and the exclusion of youths from governance.
“We are out here to speak against social injustice and hardship, which we describe as hunger. Many Nigerians go to bed hungry, while children go to school on empty stomachs.
“We are tired of insecurity in the North-East, North-West, and across the country. Too many of our young men, soldiers, and policemen are being killed,” Andrew said.
He urged the government to take proactive measures to tackle insecurity and ensure equitable distribution of national resources.
Andrew also lamented corruption in the pension system and the continued neglect of retirees, calling for greater transparency and accountability.
He further called for youth inclusion in governance, noting that the promised 30 per cent representation for women and youths had yet to be implemented at the federal level.
“Many of our leaders started leading in their 20s, yet they have refused to give the younger generation a chance. Leadership is not inheritance,” he said.
Another protester, Mrs Blessing Musa, a mother of three, decried the high cost of living, saying many families could no longer afford basic necessities.
“Hunger is killing us. Food prices may appear to be gooding down, but people dont have money to buy. A man begged me to buy rice for N1,400 at the market, but I couldn’t afford it,” she said.
“Over 80 per cent of Nigerians are living in poverty. We can’t send our children to good schools because government schools are no longer functional,” Musa added.
She appealed to the government to strengthen public education, address poverty, and empower citizens to afford food and basic needs.
Mr Dennis Babangida, a youth leader, described the level of hunger in northern Nigeria as alarming and called for increased agricultural support and employment opportunities.
“Fertilizer prices are too high, and farmers can’t afford them.
“If the government can subsidize farm inputs and support youth employment, it will reduce poverty and hunger,” Babangida said.
He urged authorities to act swiftly to prevent a deeper social crisis, warning that prolonged hunger could lead to unrest among citizens