- We’re dying of hunger, Nigerians lament
As economic hardship becomes almost unbearable for Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu has been urged to seek help and solutions as his government appears overwhelmed with the challenges rocking the nation.
Expressing their discontent with President Tinubu’s administration, following the lingering economic hardship that accompanied the fuel subsidy removal, The Point observed that citizens’ dissatisfaction is already culminating in resentment and frustration, as there is noticeable widespread anger among the poor masses.
The economic hardship, which is manifesting in skyrocketing prices of foodstuffs and essential commodities, inflation, and a high cost of living, has continued to generate reactions from the people.
Majority of Nigerians, especially low-income earners, traders, artisans, and commercial transporters, have been lamenting their inability to provide basic needs at their various homes, owing to the increment in the prices of commodities.
They noted that there is increasing hunger and starvation, which might lead to an upsurge in crime.
“Anger is bottling up as people are getting tired of the hardship, something urgent must be done to address the situation, or else Nigeria might witness another EndSARS protest,” declared Mr. Jide Afolabi, a social analyst.
As of the time of filing this report at the weekend, a bag of rice was sold at N70, 000, a bag of beans was N107, 000, a crate of eggs was N3, 500, a carton of noodles was sold between N5, 000 and N7, 000, a congo of garri was N900, while a bag of cement was N9, 500 in Osogbo, capital of Osun State.
In an interview, a resident of Osogbo, Mrs. Abiona Owolabi, said her family has canceled lunch in their menu and reduced the snacks and drinks their children take to school due to the high cost of foodstuffs and other commodities.
Owolabi said her family has also resorted to cooking with charcoal because of the increase in the price of gas, noting that the current economic situation demands management.
She said, “The hike is not only on the price of foodstuffs alone, even sweets, drinks and biscuits meant for young children are also expensive beyond our financial capacity. You can no longer get N10 sweets in the market, normal biscuits now sell for N50.
“We have canceled lunch in our family; we only take breakfast, which is not what we used to take, and dinner. I have also reduced the quality and quantity of snacks and drinks that my children take to school when things are too costly to afford. I am not ashamed to tell you that we are now using charcoal to cook at home because of the increase in the price of cooking gas. We save money on gas and use it for another thing.”
Residents of rural areas were not also left out in the economic hardship experience, as they also lamented the cost of food and other commodities in their environment.
A resident of Oyo, Kabiru Dele, lamented that his family could no longer afford to buy rice again because of its high cost.
“We are facing hunger here; the general or common foods are no longer available for us because we can’t afford to buy them again. Imagine if garri is being sold at N700, a congo of rice at N2500, and a congo of beans at N2, 200. How can we afford that?
“Economic hardship is everywhere; prices of foodstuffs and other commodities are going higher, and we are not making money, our income is not increasing,” he decried.
A Lagosian, Bolaji Alao said, “The removal of fuel subsidies and inflation are making things tough for people. We spend more money on food items now than before, and we are unable to do any other things because of that.
He added, “A bag of rice that was sold for N58, 000 three weeks ago costs N70, 000 now. A bag of garri was sold for N35, 000 two weeks ago, but it is now N45, 000. Food prices have increased in general. We have been rationing food at our various homes. People spend more money to buy food than before, and that is affecting other aspects of our lives.”
Consequently, some public affairs analysts have accused Tinubu of running trial and error governance, saying his policies and failed promises showed he was not prepared for the presidency.
In their separate interviews, they advised the president to ask his former presidential candidates including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar to team up with him and rescue Nigeria from collapsing.
An analyst, Bishop Seun Adeoye, said, “This government doesn’t know what to do. It is only trial and error. If I were President Tinubu, I would just lower myself and invite Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar among others and say gentlemen, let us have a government of national unity. You speak of this economy during your campaign, let us come together and handle it.”
For another analyst, Bamigbola Gbolagunte, “Government is not sensitive enough to realise all this suffering. That is to show you that the government doesn’t care about those who voted them into power. Government is not bothered about protests or strikes. Those of us that are suffering should shut down Nigeria in protest so that our government can know that there is hunger in the land.
“It is frustrating that this Federal Government has never made any significant impacts in the lives of Nigerians. The wage award and palliative cannot solve our problems. People who are not civil servants are not benefiting anything. Government should ameliorate the suffering of the masses by ensuring that policies that can go round are implemented.
“The Federal Government promised to bring out CNG buses, pay workers wage awards; none of these have been fulfilled.”
In his submission, another expert, Funsho Babatunde called on all state governors to look inwards and see how the huge monthly allocations they have been receiving can alleviate poverty in their respective states, adding that, “The president should ask for help, ideas and solutions to solve the problems.”
