We are Hungry, Angry,189M Nigerians Tell FG
By Our Reporters
Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown directive issued by the Federal Government,189 million Nigerians have cried out in anger that they can no longer stay at home due to hunger.
Though globally, Nigerians are recognized as resilient people but with the lockdown, many are forced to stay indoors to stop the spread of the ravaging virus.
In some climate, US and Canada for instance have set aside palliative measures to businesses in terms of soft loans and individuals get weekly or biweekly supply of groceries to support them and their family.
However, the case is almost similar in Nigeria except for the fact that government is toying and insulting the intelligence of 189 million Nigerians through measures that could have helped put a smile on faces.
In the last couple of days, stories of four derica (Large size of empty canned tomato paste), of rice, beans, garri (cassava flakes) and four loaves of bread for 100 Lagosians to share among themselves were awashed on social media. This gesture was from the Lagos state government with a population of 22 million people.
Nigeria is a country of over 190 million population , where children and ordinary citizens without political affiliations are estimated to be 189 million.
In the northern states, portioned bags of rice and other foodstuffs were lined up for invisible people.
Though, Lagos state said, the plan was just for 200,000 people and meant only for the seniors.
According to Benjamin Adekunle, a Lagosian, We know that coronavirus is deadly but don’t insult our sensibilities at all.
“Every country knows that Nigeria is rich in all ramification but no, the leaders would not assist but would hand down historical facts that I have heard since my grand father was alive. Our great nation would not be proactive in such things. At least, we appreciate that not many deaths are recorded in Nigeria.
“The pandemic is another avenue for politicians to make more money and laugh at our faces. Some people’s brain need to go back to factory settings because we are the millennials”.
On some Facebook walls, Ayaba Esther had written satirically, “Thanks to Lagos State Government, two streets: Tolani Babatunde and Aro -Oloye comprising of over 100 houses each are given four derica measurement of rice, beans, garri and 4 loaves of bread to share. Up COVID-19 Team. You guys are doing greatly… At least a grain of bean, one grain of rice and a bite of bread will enter my apartment. Kudos to Lagos State govt oooo. I Weep for this nation”.
Samuel Ajayi had also written, “I am the chairman of the Community Development Association, CDA, for my area. And my CDA consist of six streets.
I was about driving out to Ayobo, a Lagos suburb, to see a family friend and also, as a journalist, see how people were observing the stay-at-home order, when I received a call that our stimulus package for CDA was ready.
“I had to change to the car with bigger trunk expecting to carry a big consignment.Well, the package for six streets in my CDA. Few days ago, I was called for another package. That time, it was six loaves of bread and 24 eggs. They said it was from a politician at the federal level. I identified some old people and widows in each street and gave them.
“My problem now is , how do I share these four bags among six streets with the street with at least 18 houses. Some people are aware that state package had arrived. Am I not in trouble?”
Meanwhile, angry Nigerians have flouted the directive of the 14-day stay-at-home order issued by the federal government and enforced by the Lagos State government.