PARALLAX SNAPS: Let’s Reenact Obiano’s Ugbo Azu Uno, Not a Return to Eating Insects – Una shame dey shame me

By Tony Okafor

I am still trying to wrap my head around the suggestion that Nigerians should start eating insects again. It feels like we are being pushed back to square one, back to the diet of the early man.

Yes, insects may be rich in protein, but is this really what Nigeria has been reduced to in the 21st century?

I remember my grandmother telling me stories about how our ancestors survived on insects during hard times. Those were the days of scarcity, not progress. I never imagined I would live to see a time when, instead of meaningful policies to tackle hunger, leaders and experts would seriously put this forward as a solution.

The thought that people might now rummage through bushes or gutters for crawling things to survive is not only heartbreaking—it is dangerous.

A younger generation that cannot distinguish between edible and poisonous insects may poison themselves in desperation.

Our problem is not lack of alternatives; our problem is priorities. While hunger grows like wildfire, our leaders pour billions into airports where none is needed and amusement parks that entertain nobody.

Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs reminds us that food, clothing, and shelter form the very foundation of human survival.

What is the sense in chasing prestige projects while ordinary families cannot afford a pot of soup? Nigerians need food security before fun cities. We need bread before circuses.

Instead of telling citizens to eat insects, let us draw inspiration from homegrown solutions.

Former Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, gave us a blueprint through his philosophy of Ugbo Azu Uno—backyard farming. Under his watch, Anambra became a hub for agriculture.

The state produced the famous Anambra Rice, vegetables in quantum, and even became a focus for vegetable exports.

His vision was simple yet profound: every household could cultivate something, no matter how small, and collectively we could guarantee food on every table.

The movement became infectious across the Southeast and was beginning to spread beyond. That such a lofty and practical project died immediately Obiano left office is both regrettable and shameful. A serious society would have built on it and made it a national policy.

The truth is simple: no serious country tells its people to go back to eating insects. That is not policy; it is an admission of failure.

Leadership is about guaranteeing safe, affordable, and nutritious food for every citizen. Nigeria cannot continue to normalize hunger or romanticize survival diets. Our leaders must rise to the occasion and put food security at the heart of governance.

I am tired of seeing Nigerians struggle to survive. We deserve better. A hungry nation is a broken nation, and no government can thrive on empty stomachs.

Let us reenact Ugbo Azu Uno—not return to eating insects. Una shame dey shame me.