Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka on Friday warned of imminent food scarcity in Nigeria with the displacement and killing of farmers in various parts of the country by the Fulani herdsmen.
Soyinka warned that if nothing was done urgently to stem the tide of killings and sacking of farmers by herdsmen, the dark cloud of violence could plunge the country into a major food crisis.
READ ALSO: Story of a thief who steals to go to jail, begs Magistrate to go to jail
The renowned playwright and author of Kongi harvest, Prof. Wole Soyinka who spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, during a conference session on African Drum Festival, said a period like the on – going drum festival, demands a moment of sober reflection on the onslaught by herdsmen against the primary producers of food in the country.
Soyinka who is the consultant for this year’s African Drum festival, however, added that the appalling situation should not be allowed to completely dampen the spirit of creativity.
READ ALSO: OAU SCANDAL UPDATE: Why I recorded conversation between me and my lecturer – Ms Monica Osagie
He called for the immediate restoration of displaced farmers to their traditional base, as a first step towards ensuring that this country is good habitation for people .
In his address, Governor Ibikunle Amosun observed that the intellectual angle to the festival was an innovation powered by Soyinka thanking him for putting the event together.
Nigerians may not have known the implication of incessant attack of local food producers not until next year when it is the time of harvests. It is no longer news that Fulani herdsmen were on the rampage killing and maiming innocent people and burning their houses in Benue, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Taraba state.
A day hardly passed without the news of attacks across these states with people wailing and mourning for their loved ones.
www.sojworld.com © April 21, 2018
Leave a Reply