Oby Ezekwesili Criticizes FG’s Stance on Philanthropy Amid Nigeria’s Food Crisis

Food Stampede Highlights Desperation: Ezekwesili Calls Out Government’s Blind Outrage

Former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili has criticized the Nigerian government’s response to recent food distribution stampedes, highlighting a lack of empathy and understanding of the public’s hardships. She stated, “These self-indulgent folks are cocooned away in luxury and blind to how desperate the times are for their fellow Nigerians.”

Ezekwesili’s remarks follow tragic incidents in Ibadan, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory, where over 60 lives were lost during food distribution events. President Bola Tinubu attributed the mishaps to “indiscipline” among beneficiaries and poor coordination by organizers.

Ezekwesili contends that such tragedies are indicative of the government’s detachment from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians. She emphasized the need for public officials to acknowledge the dire circumstances leading people to risk their lives for basic necessities.

She further expressed concern over the arrest of individuals involved in organizing the food distributions, urging the courts to act with empathy and understanding of the broader context.