Buhari, As You Are Fighting Covid-19, Help Citizens Fight Hunger -By Caleb Ijioma

I have watched and digested the different opinions of citizens on the covid-19 and the lockdown made mandatory by the Federal Government and State Government as a way to curb the deadly pandemic that is currently “taking over” the world. Obviously this is a very delicate and crucial moment for us as citizens especially with the Lockdown, with no money or food;the negative effect this can have on the country is unimaginable.

Our youths are now subscribing to armed robbery and prostitution, with the mindset of “the country won’t feed them if they don’t find means to feed themselves”. A lot of people are asking questions about the future of Nigeria as a country, no reasonable answers are coming forth, people are dying and the poor can’t feed even with the palliative the federal government promised.

Unknowingly to our selfish leaders, when you lock people down with no adequate provision, you release criminals, frustration and anger, because an average Nigerian feeds from the street. Since they can’t return to the street, they find unacceptable ways to get food, at least, not to die during this period.

The Government have however continued to feed Nigerians with lies about how money were disbursed to poor and vulnerable people with uncertain figures; Palliative materials are suddenly disappearing into thin air leaving Nigerians to suffer and dye slowly from a disease more dangerous than covid-19, HUNGER.

2020 haven’t been so good to lot of Nigerians. People have lost their shops to fire outbreaks, some of their hopes dashed and finance crumbled, they’ve had to deal with lots since the beginning of the year and now they have to battle with this pandemic that have forcefully taken away food from their homes; main reason why armed robbery have increased within the period of  one month.

Nigerians are no longer afraid of the virus, their main focus presently is on the insecurity that came with the Corona virus. They have to shield themselves from armed robbers, sneaking and breaking into homes, stealing from the poor and needy. Our leaders with big bellies are sleeping safely and the next morning, they write motivational quotes on their different platforms to pacify citizens.

Remember, some of these people you see go into armed robbery do not have criminal mindset, some have nothing to feed on, hunger day and night, hunger day and weeks, they see an opportunity to rob, they think about it deeply, their thoughts begin to control them, at least they’ll satisfy their tommy, they go for it, some die, some survive,   their country turned them this way. I just hope neighbors will not start eating fellow neighbors to feed.

Where did we go wrong? Did we go wrong by electing leaders with analogue brains who can not map out a strategy to feed Nigerians? Or will you tell me the Government does not have enough money to make sure every house get palliative materials? What about our BVN, can’t it be used during this period? The tax we pay, can’t we enjoy it now? All this questions are begging for answers. People are getting devastated day by day.

Students are at home, attending online classes with hunger and the Government is mapping out ways to educate more students via different media platforms. So you expect students to listen to the radio or television and start learning when “their tommy is shouting and crying for food”? Pathetic.

The Government should know that the face mask is only to cover our nose and mouth and not our eyes and hands, we see and hear of the billions being donated and they don’t see the need to help dying citizens. Corrupt, irresponsible and unreasonable Government.

Buhari, as you are fighting Corona virus in the country, help your citizen’s fight. Now is the time to do something tangible for them. You ordered mandatory lockdown in some states, you can equally order mandatory palliative materials be given to every single citizen

Caleb ijioma is a journalist and a youth advocate, he can best be reached via email at calebijioma@gmail.com