Economic Hardship: We Are Dying Of Hunger, OAU Students Cry Out

Some students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, have cried out to the Federal Government to lament the hardship facing them.

The students in separate interviews with OSUN DEFENDER on Tuesday, in the wake of the economic hardship facing the country.

Speaking with the medium, a student from the Department of Arts and Social Sciences Education who simply identified himself as Tunde said that if not for his friend who rescued him, he would have died of hunger.

He said, “Before the economic downturn, I could afford my daily needs and enjoy decent meals. But now, even the food I can buy isn’t enough for me. I almost died of hunger when I ran out of money and couldn’t borrow any because of debts and pressure from creditors. It made me realize how tough things are in this economic crisis.”

Corroborating him, Ayoola Yusuf, a student of the Department of Electrical Engineering, noted that the economic hardship has drastically reduced his cost of living.

According to him, “The present economic situation has reduced my purchasing power as the transport fare and high cost of living have impacted the way I buy things. I used to enjoy some level of financial freedom, but now I find myself carefully budgeting every naira just to make ends meet.

“Even necessities like food and clothing have become luxuries I can barely afford. It is disheartening to see how much my quality of life has declined due to factors beyond my control.”

In his opinion, Onifade Akorede of the Department of Chemistry said the economic hardship has affected his academics.

Akorede said, “The ongoing economic crisis has affected my academics in a bad way. The stipend I get from home is not even enough to get what I need. I constantly worry about tuition fees, course materials, and other educational expenses.

“It’s challenging to focus on my studies when the financial stress weighs heavily on my mind. I often find myself sacrificing essential resources just to keep up with my coursework. The situation is truly frustrating, and I hope for a swift resolution to this economic turmoil so that I can pursue my education without constant financial strain.”

In a statement on Sunday, the Students’ Representative Council of the Great Ife Students’ Union, led by the Speaker, Ganiyu Yusuf, the Deputy Speaker, Akande Peter, and the Clerk, Praise Adesoji, lamented the inability of the Federal Government to tackle the economic downturn and insecurity facing the nation at large.

They charged the Federal Government to take all necessary steps to tackle the crisis and prioritise the welfare of Nigerians.

The union noted that Nigerians can no longer tolerate the failure of the government to prioritize the citizens’ welfare and safety.

They also implored the Federal Government to heed the cries of the citizens and take immediate action to address the economic crisis and insecurity plaguing our nation.

The union emphasised that the failure of the government to end the lingering economic hardship and insecurity would only lead to an imminent nationwide revolution by the citizens.

According to the statement, “The Students Representative Council of the Great Ife Students’ Union, representing the voice of the students of Obafemi Awolowo University, stands in solidarity with the Nigerian populace in condemning the Federal Government’s inability to tackle the dire economic challenges facing our nation.

“The staggering inflation rate of 29.9%, the highest since May 1996, coupled with the daily devaluation of the Naira to an alarming exchange rate of #1590 per dollar in the parallel market, reflects the sheer negligence and incompetence of our leaders. This alarming economic downturn has led to an unbearable cost of living, making it increasingly difficult for the average Nigerian to afford necessities.

“Furthermore, the rampant cases of insecurity, including kidnapping and banditry, have reached unprecedented levels, instilling fear and apprehension in the hearts of citizens across the nation. The government’s failure to prioritize the safety and security of its people is utterly unacceptable and cannot be tolerated any longer.

“We cannot but underscore the government’s neglect of the education sector, evident in insufficient budget allocations and underfunding of tertiary institutions, and how deplorable this show of shame is on the part of a government whose trademark is ‘Awolowo’s free education’. Their dismissive attitude towards the legitimate concerns of educators, as seen in failed agreements with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, only exacerbates the crisis. We need to recall how failing to prioritize education risks a brain drain, stunting our nation’s growth.

“Not only, it’s germane we reemphasize how the high cost of governance, coupled with misplaced priorities and selfish policies, further complicates the suffering of the Nigerian populace. The Great Ife Students’ Union, SRC vehemently condemns these actions and calls on the government to prioritize the welfare of its citizens above all else.

“It is imperative that the government takes immediate and decisive action to address these pressing issues before they spiral out of control. We urge the authorities to implement practical solutions such as diversifying the economy to reduce dependency on crude oil and reopening borders to facilitate the abundant supply of essential commodities like rice, wheat, and milk. The closure of borders has only exacerbated our woes, resulting in a scarcity of goods and a surge in prices.

“As the saying goes, “A hungry man is an angry man.” It is high time the government recognizes the urgency of the situation and takes concrete steps to alleviate the suffering of its people. This includes addressing the insecurity plaguing the nation, as without security, both foreign investors and locally produced goods will suffer.

“Furthermore, the subsidy removed should be reinvested in empowering more Nigerians or increasing the minimum wage to ensure that all citizens can enjoy a decent standard of living.

“In conclusion, the Great Ife Students’ Union implores the Federal Government to heed our cry and take immediate action to address the economic crisis and insecurity plaguing our nation. Failure to do so will only lead to an imminent nationwide revolution by the citizens.

“Because for every action, there is always an equal and opposite reaction. To avoid this ticking time bomb of dissents from frustrated Nigerians, it’s only honourable for all arms of government to yield this clarion call of responsibility.”