- Professor Adam Okene Ahmed Abere highlighted the weaponization and politicization of hunger during a speech at a Ramadan lecture
- He emphasized challenges in Nigeria including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and piracy, along with global turmoil and leadership failures
Professor Adam Okene Ahmed Abere, the Provost of the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja, emphasized the alarming trend of weaponization and politicization of hunger in Nigeria during a speech on Sunday. He made these remarks at the 21st annual national unity Ramadan lecture organized by the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, which focused on the theme ‘Ramadhan: Coping with the Current Challenges’.
Represented by Dr. Ismail Zakari, a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Strategic Research and Strategies, NDC, Abere underscored the global turmoil and Nigeria’s grappling with many challenges. These challenges include kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, insurgencies, piracy, and human trafficking.
Abere lamented the dire situation in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, where banditry and terrorism threaten stability. He highlighted famine, drought, food scarcity, leadership failures, and the politicization of hunger as pressing issues facing the continent.
In his address, the National Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, Sheik Fuad Adeyemi, advocated for financial support for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria. He announced a partnership between Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to raise funds totalling N1 billion for IDPs by June.
Sheik Adeyemi expressed optimism in achieving the fundraising goal within the stipulated timeframe.
Additionally, Imam Abdulrahman Alalubosa, Sharia Compliance Officer at Jaiz Bank, spoke on ‘Waqf: Combating Poverty,’ stressing the significance of charity in Islamic doctrine. He urged affluent Nigerians to prioritize almsgiving to alleviate poverty in the country.