BY TUNDE OLATUNJI
I have read versions of the same broadcast message on WhatsApp and Facebook recommending how N100 billion can be shared among 40 million Nigerians with BVN, claiming it is an amount below the National Assembly’s annual budget.
One version said it is possible for each Nigerian with BVN to go home with N250,000 while another said it is N25,000 per head. Anyway, for the sake of clarity, both figures are wrong. When you divide N100 billion among 40 million people, each can only go home with N2,500.
One of the major problems with us in Nigeria is that we are always quick to put up sensational messages even when they are wrong, unverified and misleading. In fact, the home of deliberate falsehood might actually be this clime.
Firstly, it is extremely important for us as a nation to realise that what is needed now is to allow humanity to rise above all forms of primordial sentiments of politics, ethnicity, religion, etc.
This is the time for sober reflection and seriousness of leadership and citizenry. To read about 500 ventilators to 200 million people and the self imposed hardship of increasing the cost of hand sanitizers by almost 250% and that of reusable face mask by well over 500% should let us be ashamed of ourselves.
In navigating this very trying moment, politics is useless and unfit for purpose; only good governance and leadership is needed.
Ethnicity or any form of jingoism has no place here; it is either a united people or nothing else.
Mere religion is meaningless; it is only Godliness and wisdom that are required. After all, “every man’s devil is his ignorance.”
To think of the American stimulus package example cited in one of the posts is like living in denial of a nation that is poor and not productive despite being blessed by nature. We are obviously comparing tangerine with watermelon.
For the records, the American $2trilllion coronavirus economic stimulus package is over 75% of the entire GDP of Africa as at end of 2019 and it is bigger than Nigeria’s entire budget since our return to democracy over 20years ago.
Most of these posts flying around are mere sensational commentaries that are often misleading and not needed or helpful at this time. We need posts on solutions, precautionary measures, health, hygiene, nation building, leadership, good governance, responsible followership, etc. Those who cannot survive without politicising every matter should just take time to think of those who are ravaged by this deadly virus and the threat it poses to humanity.
There is a global crisis at hand and we all need to come together as one united people to proffer true, patriotic, scientific, economic, Godly and practical solutions to this problem.
For Nigeria, this period of adversity is a golden opportunity for us to lay foundation for the advancement and prosperity of our dear country. We must be ready for patriotic and hard choices that will redefine our nation and lead us out of obscurity forever.
What if we still depend on importation of same quantity of rice like before at this time of global partial or total lock down? It would have been worse than what we’re witnessing today.
This is time for us to say no to the usage of our Commonwealth to fund unnecessary medical tourism. We must just make our hospitals function and be of global standard! We must say No to reckless importation of just anything “importable”, including water, honey and even mushroom. An import dependent economy is a PRECARIOUS economy.
As a nation, let’s think, let’s get serious; let leaders get accountable, let citizens get responsible. Let’s build this country and let’s work for a functional and prosperous Nigeria.
May God heal our land. We shall overcome!
Please stay safe.
Olatunji is Chief Whip of Osun State House of Assembly
