The recent stampede in Okija, Anambra State, which claimed 19 lives during the distribution of Christmas rice, is yet another grim chapter in a series of avoidable tragedies that underscore the deepening crisis of hunger and desperation in Nigeria.
This devastating incident comes on the heels of similar calamities—a stampede at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan that left 35 people dead, and another in Abuja, where 10 lives were lost as people scrambled for palliatives.
These heartbreaking events expose the painful reality of our national condition: the chronic impoverishment of the people and the glaring failures of leadership.
It is shameful that rice, a basic staple, has become a symbol of survival in a nation that should be self-sufficient.
The act of distributing rice—ostensibly as a gesture of goodwill—has devolved into a spectacle of desperation and chaos. This is not benevolence; it is an indictment of a system that has abandoned its duty to ensure the basic welfare of its citizens. How have we come to a point where lives are defined by the pursuit of food handouts?
These stampedes are not random occurrences; they are the inevitable consequences of a nation where governance prioritizes optics over substance.
Nigeria, blessed with fertile land and vast resources, should not be relying on imported rice as the centerpiece of its humanitarian efforts. What happened to our farms and agricultural industries? Where are the policies and investments that should have empowered local farmers to produce food for the nation? Instead of focusing on these critical areas, our leaders seem fixated on projects that offer immediate political gains but little lasting impact. Roads, while necessary, cannot feed the people. Where is the regional water supply infrastructure? Where are the state-owned enterprises that could drive agricultural and industrial growth?
It is particularly troubling that rice—a commodity likely imported—has become the focus of these distributions. Why not yam, cassava, garri, or beans—foods that could support local farmers and boost our economy? The over-reliance on imported rice not only weakens our agricultural base but also perpetuates a dependency culture that keeps our people at the mercy of politicians. This approach is not sustainable, and it does little to restore the dignity of a people once celebrated for their resilience and ingenuity.
The loss of lives during these stampedes also highlights the systemic collapse of order and planning. Poor organization, lack of crowd control, and inadequate safety measures are symptomatic of a larger failure of governance. These deaths were avoidable. Proper planning and respect for human dignity could have ensured that food distribution was orderly and safe. However, the bigger question remains: why should food distribution even be necessary in a nation with the potential to feed itself and its neighbors?
Leadership in Nigeria must move beyond the politics of handouts. It is time to embrace a vision that uplifts citizens through sustainable development, not temporary palliatives. Investments in agriculture, the creation of industries, and the revitalization of local enterprises must take center stage. Nigerians deserve the opportunity to work, earn, and live with dignity—not to risk their lives for a bag of rice.
As we mourn the lives lost in Okija, Ibadan, and Abuja, we must also reflect on what these tragedies say about us as a nation. These deaths are not just statistics; they are a damning indictment of a society that has allowed hunger and desperation to thrive. The victims of these stampedes were fathers, mothers, children—individuals whose lives were cut short because of systemic failures. Their loss should galvanize us into demanding better governance and accountability.
The narrative of hunger, dependency, and despair must no longer define Nigeria. We have the resources, the talent, and the potential to build a nation where no one has to risk their life for food. But this will only happen if we reject tokenism and demand real leadership—leadership that invests in people and prioritizes their welfare over political theatrics.
Enough is enough. The government must take responsibility for these tragedies and commit to building a society where every Nigerian can live with dignity. Until then, the rice stampedes will remain a painful reminder of how far we have fallen—and how far we still have to go.
Maazị Tochukwu Ezeoke, Media Executive, writes from Ezinifite, Anambra State.
