The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Katsina State has expressed concerns about the level of hunger and poverty in the country.

It implores the Federal Government to reconsider the ban on importation of food products as an interim measure pending the time the country will be self-sufficient in food production.

The CSO declared on Saturday, ”The coalition is seriously disturbed by the level of poverty and hunger caused by unemployment and high cost of living, both of which are making it difficult for majority of Nigerians to afford even two meals per day.

” For a country of over 200 million people to be able to feed itself, the agricultural system must be largely mechanised. It is on this background that the coalition calls on the Federal Government to reconsider its stand on the ban on food importation till when the country becomes self sufficient.

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“The ban should be lifted as an interim measure to bring down the soaring costs of foodstuffs especially.”

The coalition made the declaration in its 61st Independence Anniversary message signed by its chairman, AbduRahman Abdullahi.

The said that the nation’s 61st anniversary should be a period of sober reflection and well wishes for the country.

It added, “The coalition uses this opportunity to call on the good people of Katsina State not to relent in their prayers for sustainable peace in our dear state and the nation in general.

“Certainly, we have never had it so bad, security-wise. We should also give our support and cooperation to all the efforts government is making in addressing the situation.”