Odita Sunday 
World Food Day: GOMEP-NG Warns of Deepening Hunger as Insecurity Empties Nigeria’s Farms
Abuja – As the world marks World Food Day, the Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) has raised the alarm over worsening hunger in Nigeria, warning that persistent insecurity, rising food costs and the displacement of farmers are deepening the country’s food crisis.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the guild expressed concern that, while some countries are advancing towards technological prosperity and greater food security, millions of Nigerians continue to struggle to put food on their tables, let’s not shy away from the truth.
The organisation described the situation as a troubling reflection of the country’s growing social and economic challenges, particularly at a time when food security should be a national priority.
GOMEP-NG said insecurity across several farming communities had left many farmers afraid to return to their fields, with banditry, kidnapping and insurgent violence threatening agricultural production and rural livelihoods.
It expressed particular concern over reports of killings, abductions and sexual violence against vulnerable members of farming communities, including women and elderly people. Able-bodied men who attempt to resist armed attackers, the guild said, also risk losing their lives.
The consequences, it warned, extend far beyond the affected communities. When farmers abandon their land for fear of attack, food production suffers, supply chains are disrupted and the cost of essential commodities rises, placing further pressure on households already struggling with the cost of living.
The guild called on the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to strengthen protection for farming communities, tackle criminal networks operating in rural areas and ensure that farmers can return to their land without fear of violence.
It also urged the authorities to treat food security as a matter of national urgency, Just as the Guild Commends Niger state Governor on Agriculture, arguing that sustainable agricultural production would remain difficult to achieve without lasting peace and security.
GOMEP-NG said World Food Day should serve not merely as an occasion for celebration but as an opportunity for sober reflection on the country’s food challenges and the urgent need for decisive action.
The guild further called for greater investment in agriculture, improved support for farmers, stronger rural infrastructure and policies capable of making food more affordable and accessible to ordinary Nigerians.
Drawing attention to the contrast between Nigeria’s food insecurity and China’s technological and economic advancement, the organisation stressed the importance of long term planning, innovation and effective public policy in building a more prosperous society.
It maintained that Nigeria’s agricultural potential could help secure the country’s future, provided farmers were protected, rural communities were made safer and food production received the attention it deserved.
As World Food Day is observed around the globe, GOMEP-NG said the central question for Nigeria remains painfully simple: how can a country blessed with vast agricultural land and human resources continue to struggle to feed its people?
For millions of Nigerian households, the answer is not found in celebratory speeches but in the daily struggle to secure their next meal.
The guild called on government at all levels, development partners and other stakeholders to work together to confront hunger, restore confidence in agriculture and ensure that no Nigerian is left to face food insecurity alone.
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