Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, on Monday, told First Lady Remi Tinubu that hunger and starvation have become more alarming since her husband, Bola Tinubu, assumed office in May 2023.

“The hunger and starvation, though, didn’t start with this government; the situation has become more alarming and needs urgent attention,” Mr Bayero said when Mrs Tinubu visited his palace on Monday.

Mr Bayero also decried the spate of insecurity in Nigerian communities and sought urgent actions to curb the menace.

“The issue of insecurity is another serious problem we are facing. I know your government inherited it, but something more seriously should be done to take care of the threats,” he stated.

The emir said he communicated the reality to Mrs Tinubu because she is a better channel to reach her husband.

“Although we have several means of communicating to the government on our needs and requests, your way and means is the surest way that you would tell the president the actual happenings in the country,” said the emir.

Mr Bayero further said, “The much talks about the relocation of CBN and FAAN to Lagos; I think the government should come out clean on this matter and talk to Nigerians in the languages they would understand.

“Do more enlightenment on this matter. I, for one, cannot tell the actual intentions of the government; we should be made to actually understand why the relocation of the CBN and FAAN offices are now to Lagos.”

Mr Bayero’s position on alarming hunger and starvation in the country followed protests in Kano, Niger, Osun and Lagos State last week over high food prices. 

A market survey by Peoples Gazette last Wednesday showed that prices of virtually all food items have sharply increased by almost 100 per cent in the past nine months since Mr Tinubu assumed office.

In response to public outcry on the rising cost of food, the president directed the Ministry of Agriculture to release about 42,000 metric tonnes of grains, including maize, millet and garri.