These are interesting times and there really is no need to pretend or assume that all is well in Nigeria and by extension and inclusiveness, Yorubaland.
At Parrot Xtra/PMParrot.com, we are proudly ‘Yoruba-centric’!
The reality on ground is that hunger has come visiting and the rapacious monster is not about to take its leave.
To say that the prevailing insecurity in the country is the harbinger will not be out of place.
As a result of this, farmers have gradually started winding up their businesses of tilling the lands. Even the boldest are now dragging their feet. Venturing into their farmlands without being accompanied by a battalion of soldiers is now being considered suicidal.
But then, how many of our farmers can afford to hire vigilante, members of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) or even a policeman?
It is, therefore not surprising that gari and other food items have jumped out of the reach of the masses. And it is natural that when this kind of situation prevails, crime rate will skyrocket too.
There cannot be a better time for governors of Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Osun and Ekiti specifically to come up with pragmatic solutions – on how to come to the rescue of their people. Hunger can give birth to anything if it is allowed to continue to run riots.
In addition to fighting insecurity, it is time for them to officially launch ‘Operation Feed Yorubaland’.
By doing this, general attention will be drawn to the imperativeness for all to return to the farm. Funds should be provided for massive sloganeering, hyping on radio, social media and others.
The egg-heads at the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN Commission) may need to be fully engaged to come up with modus operandi…
If the volume of people interested in farming increases, this perhaps, will encourage professional farmers who are already thinking of veering into other vocations to keep their farms. Marauders and kidnappers (Fulani herdsmen or not) may become overwhelmed. Especially now that ‘Anti-grazing bills’ are being processed by the states’ Houses of Assembly.
These conscious moves, effort and others are needed for South West Governors to protect their people from hunger and other challenges threatening to collapse the society.
A stitch in time, saves more than nine!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
