A Rich Nation Where Children Go to Bed Hungry by Hon. Rahman Owokoniran, ADC National Vice Chairman, South West Zone
Economic failure remains the greatest threat to our nation. Despite generating substantial revenue from oil and other sectors, Nigeria continues to struggle to meet even the most basic obligations to its citizens. The inability to sustain a realistic minimum wage in the face of rising inflation, widespread unemployment, and escalating food shortages is both troubling and unacceptable.
The cost of living crisis has deepened significantly over time, with no clear or sustainable policy direction to address it.
This has led to a disturbing increase in the number of out-of-school children, rising unemployment across all age groups, and a surge in poverty levels.
Consequently, these conditions have fueled a noticeable rise in criminal activities across the country.
It is evident that the current assessment of Nigeria’s situation by the Federal Government does not align with the lived realities of the people. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive shift in economic policy, one that prioritizes productivity, social welfare, and inclusive growth.
From the standpoint of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), we strongly affirm that the welfare of Nigerian citizens, especially children, must be at the center of governance. It is a moral failure for any child in this country to suffer from hunger. Every Nigerian child deserves access to at least three square meals daily, quality education, and proper care. These are not privileges; they are fundamental rights.
The ADC firmly condemns the continued misallocation of public resources toward non essential luxuries such as extravagant government spending on vehicles, foreign trips, and opulent residences. These expenditures do not yield meaningful returns for our communities. Instead, we advocate for a redirection of national resources toward critical sectors such as education, healthcare, vocational training, electricity and youth empowerment.
We believe that investing in human capital is the surest path to national development. By equipping citizens with the necessary skills and opportunities, we can significantly reduce poverty, stimulate economic growth, and restore dignity to the lives of Nigerians.
The time to act is now. Nigeria must embrace responsible governance, fiscal discipline, and people-centered policies. We can and must end this cycle of waste and economic hardship.
Hon. Rahman Owokoniran is ADC National Vice Chairman, South West Zone
