Oneness Foundation Raises Alarm Over Rising Cases Of Hunger, Warns Against Its Security Consequences

The founder and President of a non governmental organization called Oneness Foundation International, Lady EdithMary Tabitha Price, has raised alarm over the rising cases of hunger in the country occasion by the astronomical rise of food items.

She made in an exclusive interview NewsTrack Nigeria (NTN), saying that if nothing is done urgently, it might cause serious crises that will pose worse security challenges.

The President of the Foundation attributed the present impasse to the economic downturn occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic coupled with unimaginable destruction of the socio-economic aiding facilities due to insecurity across the country.

“It is agreeable that Covid-19 pandemic had an adverse effect on the world economy, of which Nigeria is a part. However, we cannot rule out the fact that security challenges have done more harm than good.

“We as non non-governmental organisation feel the need to play a proactive role towards averting avoidable crises that the present situation might snowball into.

“We are aware of the ongoing federal and state governments efforts to sustain the IDPs in the North East and other strategies through the Central Bank of Nigeria to give support to households and small and medium scale enterprises.

“The fact is that the federal and other levels of government have good intentions but surely need partnership with experienced NGOs and CSOs to meet the set out goals”, she stated.

On the effort of the NGO she superintends, he revealed their efforts in sponsoring a bill on foster care for less privileged children. “I was in Nigeria when Oneness set out to help out in the area of foster care. I moved round the country literally pleading with Senators and House Representatives members to support the bill to help the less privileged. We have orphans, homeless and others all around but the politicians failed to pass that bill. I invested so much resources as I toured virtually all the states of the country lobbying, making presentations to both politicians and traditional rulers.

“In the present circumstance, we are ready to partner with like minds and other well meaning Nigerians to bring succor to the families that are going through hard times. We have been doing some hunger relief programmes but that’s the much our resources can carry.

“Our challenges border on the fact that we cannot carry this alone. We would love to partner with the governments at various levels to manage certain demographics so as to avert future security crises.

“Keeping quiet means nursing and grooming hardened criminals that would take to armed robbery, willingly enlist in terrorist groups and take up arms against the state and innocent individuals. A stitch in time saves nine.”

The Chief Executive of Oneness Foundation also hinted of the forthcoming “Back To School Programme” coming in Imo State, where they intend to share bags to school children, especially those from poor backgrounds who are doing well in schools to take the little burden off the parents.

“We have sent over a large number of school bags from our United States Office to help out this time while we continue with our hunger relief programmes for the poor aged and homeless children.”