Bishop Bakeni
By Sam Kaye
The Chair of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Borno state, chapter Bishop John Bakeni has said that the biggest insecurity Nigeria is facing as a nation is food insecurity.
He said that it was extremely dangerous for residents in the country who have been used to having surplus food to suddenly find themselves hungry at any time in their existence either through policy summersaults natural means like flooding which engulfed Maiduguri September last year.
Catholic auxiliary Bishop Bakeni who reviewed the state of the nation in 2024 with this reporter recently noted that the fact that Nigerians rush for food to feed their families at this auspicious time in our economic history was a dangerous signal that food security must be fixed quickly.
Reacting to the various loss of lives that occurred in Nigeria in 2024 after stampedes over food, he said that food insecurity was the greatest threat to the existence of the average Nigerian now.
“It was very unfortunate that Nigerians would have to loose their lives in such a way. It points out to something bigger heading towards desperation, hunger and hardship in the land.
” You only need to go out and try to distribute anything to the residents today and watch how people will scramble for it. It would confirm what I am telling you. I don’t want to believe that it was only Catholics that were in the tragedy that occurred in Abuja. There were many others there too because as a church our doors are always wide open for everyone.
“When people are hungry and desperate, it would be difficult for them to listen to commands and orders to go about things the proper way. I think it was unfortunate that it was in that situation people had to die. But anything open like this can end up in stampede like the one that equally occurred in Ibadan.” He stressed.
Speaking on the myriads of economic policy summersaults like the sudden withdrawal of subsidy which brought about this hardship on the people the bishop regretted that the nation is not yet out of the woods.
“We have not conquered poverty due to economic policies yet, there is hardship and and a lot has to be done to address these issues. Sometimes leaders shielded in all theses palaces may not be in tune with the realities on the ground. It’s only us that mingle that would know. And don’t forget they have the same 24 hours like us.
” Look, its not enough to tell a leader that your people are hungry. You have to go out there to feel the pulse of the people yourself because the largest insecurity in this country is food insecurity. Once there is disconnect there is a big problem which we see all over the place.
Speaking on what happened in the Catholic Church in Abuja last year, he went on: “What happened in that catholic church in abuja is beyond being well organized as you say we are. The biggest challenge we have now is not the bandits alone but it has to do with food insecurity. And it is all because of the sudden adjustment of the economy which most residents are finding it difficult to adjust to today. That itself is food insecurity. Not knowing how to afford the next meal.
” Food security is key to every thing affecting the residents and there is no substitute to safety and overall security of the people. Its the primary role of every leader and if you cannot fulfil this to your people then you should look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself the truth.” Said Bakeni.
Post flood message of hope to Christians ,
for 2025
Asked for his message to residents in the State, the chairman charged Christians to hold on to hope without which there would not be any need to exist.
He warned residents regardless of faith not to sink to a low level of despondency that they will discard hope which is what should carry them around at this time of economic challenges affecting the state of our nation.
“There is no doubt that 2024 was a tough year for every one. Even the high and mighties were affected by the turmoil. It was a year of hardship, hunger, insecurity, a lot of drama, natural and man made challenges that we cannot forget easily as a people.
” What I have for them is that we have to be a people of hope. Let us believe and hope in our God. We have to equally believe in our state and nation in the face of any challenge or calamity because it tells you how much we can do as a people.
“We are a very resilient people so let’s hold on to that resilience and weather through the storm of 2025 as it comes. The Lord will see us through. There is no promise that it is going to be a bed of roses
” It is said that people can live without food for a month and water for at least a week but you cannot live without hope for a second.. The moment you loose hope and despondency sets in you lose everything. ” said Bakeni.