FG argued that Egypt gets about 60 percent of its grains from Ukraine and that the gesture does not make it a failure
By Kehinde Okeowo
The federal government through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has replied to criticism by the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
TheNiche had earlier reported that the former Anambra State governor condemned the decision of the FG to accept grains donated to Nigeria by Ukraine.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja, while receiving the ‘Leadership Politician of the Year 2023′, Obi said: “Ukraine has no reason to give us grain. Niger State can feed Nigeria, Africa with over 73, 000 square meters of land.
Reacting to the statement at the same event on behalf of the FG, Idris admitted that President Tinubu’s government is having some challenges.
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He, however, added that Nigeria’s decision to accept grains from Ukraine does not mean the country is weak or a failed state.
The minister went on to stress that Egypt gets about 60 percent of its grains from Ukraine, adding that the gesture does not make it a failed state.
Idris said: “Egypt gets about 60 percent of its grains from Ukraine. The fact that Egypt gets about 60 percent of its grains from Ukraine does not make it a failed state.
“The fact that we are having challenges at the moment does not make Nigeria a failed state.
“Therefore, accepting grains from Ukraine does not make Nigeria or Egypt failed countries.
“It is a normal thing because countries exist to depend on one another.
“It is true that Nigeria is facing some challenges and President Bola Tinubu is aware of this and he has been making efforts to address the situation.
“Nigerians voted for Tinubu with the deeper understanding and conviction that he has the capacity to turn things around for the better and that is what he is doing.”