Aare Afe Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekiti, didn’t hold back in his criticism of the Federal Government’s recent distribution of palliatives. He argued that these handouts, meant to help people in tough times, are actually pushing Nigerians towards poverty and turning them into beggars.
Babalola expressed these views during a visit from the Prestige Sisters League at his university. Reflecting on recent protests across the country, he said that the protests stem from genuine hunger and frustration, as everyone can see the widespread hunger in Nigeria.
“People protesting against hunger are not exaggerating—they’re really hungry,” Babalola stated. “A hungry person will go to great lengths to express their anger. The government doesn’t need anyone to tell them there’s hunger in the land. These protests are real, and the government should pay attention.”
He further explained that the government’s role is to ensure the well-being of its citizens. But with ongoing security issues, like farmers being attacked in their fields, many people are too afraid to work, leading to widespread hunger.
“It’s wrong for the government to distribute food like garri, beans, and rice as palliatives. This approach is turning people into beggars and discouraging them from working. The government should focus on creating an environment where people can earn a living and feed themselves,” he added.
Babalola also voiced his support for the Patriots’ call for a new constitution, though he disagreed with the idea of holding a constitutional conference. Instead, he suggested that Nigeria should return to the 1963 constitution, which he believes worked well for the country.
“I agree with the Patriots that we need a new constitution,” he said. “But we don’t need a conference for that. The parliament should simply bring back the 1963 constitution and reenact it, just like how the old National Anthem was recently reinstated without a conference.”
Source: Vanguard
