Aare Afe Babalola, founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has sharply criticized the Federal Government’s handling of palliatives, accusing it of perpetuating poverty and reducing Nigerians to a state of dependency.
Speaking during a visit from the Prestige Sisters League at the ABUAD campus, Babalola condemned the government’s approach as inadequate and counterproductive.
Babalola’s critique was directed at the distribution of basic food items such as garri, beans, and rice, which he described as insufficient and symbolic of a deeper systemic failure.
“The government’s current method of providing palliatives is turning Nigerians into beggars and leading them toward greater poverty,” Babalola said. He argued that such measures are only a temporary fix and fail to address the root causes of the economic challenges faced by many Nigerians.
According to Babalola, the core issue is not just the provision of palliatives but the government’s broader failure to ensure the welfare and security of its citizens. He highlighted the current situation where many people are unable to move freely due to safety concerns and have abandoned their farms due to fear of violence. This has exacerbated the problem of hunger and poverty.
“The duty of the government is to ensure the welfare of the people. People are being killed on their farms, and many are choosing to stay in safer areas. This failure to secure lives and livelihoods has led directly to hunger,” Babalola stated.
He also voiced his support for the Patriots’ call for a new constitution, aligning himself with those advocating for a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s legal and governance frameworks.
Babalola emphasized that the existing system has not adequately addressed or resolved the deep-seated issues affecting Nigeria.
The Prestige Sisters League’s visit was aimed at expressing gratitude to Babalola for his contributions to education and societal development. During the meeting, Babalola reiterated his belief that the government must create an enabling environment that empowers citizens to work and sustain themselves, rather than relying on temporary aid measures.
Babalola’s remarks reflect growing discontent among various segments of Nigerian society regarding the government’s strategies for addressing economic and security challenges. His call for more substantive reforms and a new constitution highlights a broader push for systemic change in Nigeria.