Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, has called on Nigerians to take proactive steps towards addressing food inflation by cultivating their own food, rather than continuing to criticize the government of President Bola Tinubu.
Onanuga made the appeal on Sunday through a post on social media platform X, sharing an image of himself holding a basket of potatoes harvested from his garden in Lekki-Ajah.
“I harvested some potatoes today in the garden beside my house in Lekki-Ajah. Grow some food; your little effort can help reduce food costs. Do something, not just tweet criticism of the government,” Onanuga wrote.
His post sparked mixed reactions online, with many Nigerians dismissing the suggestion as impractical and overly simplistic in the face of the country’s ongoing food crisis.
While some criticized the call as insufficient to address the broader issues, others pointed to the difficulties of farming amidst rising inflation.
Onanuga’s message mirrors a similar sentiment expressed by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who had earlier shared a photo of herself planting vegetables in her garden, urging Nigerians to emulate her efforts.
The call for individual action comes as the country grapples with soaring inflation, which has increased by over 34% since President Tinubu’s administration took office in May 2023.
Food prices have reportedly surged by more than 100%, intensifying the struggle for millions of Nigerians.
In the face of these price hikes, the country recently witnessed tragic scenes of stampedes at rice distribution points in Ibadan, Anambra, and Abuja, where more than 65 people lost their lives.
This tragedy followed a series of protests across the country, which have been largely attributed to the government’s economic policies, including the controversial fuel subsidy removal and the unification of the exchange rate.
The policies have contributed to skyrocketing fuel prices, which have increased from N145 to over N1,000 per litre, while the naira has plunged to around N1,700 to the dollar.
These changes have compounded the already dire economic conditions for many Nigerians.
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
