IT IS NEEDLESS to say that Nigerian economy is in a crisis. The hardship in the country today is unprecedented. Many families are struggling to stay afloat. Many cannot afford a miserable meal a day. It is that bad! Many others have cut down on expenses in order to survive. The downward adjustment seems endless.
Many countries understand the danger of hunger and have strategic policies to guard against it. They do this by supporting agriculture and protecting agricultural infrastructure. Some countries subsidise agriculture to make food cheap and also keep farmers in business. Others build silos to store food during bumper harvests and use same to supply during scarcity. Our leaders are aware of these things. In my opinion, they only lack the willpower. So sorry is our case.
Ironically, our leaders, who are the drivers of the economy, show no sensitivity to the plight of the masses. They call on the masses to make sacrifices for the growth of the country yet they are unwilling to sacrifice.
Former Vice President Namandi Sambo lived in an official residence without complaint. The same for Vice President Prof. Yomi Osinbajo. But it is at this time when there is hunger in the land that our government chooses to invest in building a befitting vice-presidential palace. A shameless show of affluence from borrowed money. Exotic vehicles are being given out to our legislators and prayers are being sent to their emails at this moment.
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The masses are suffering hardship, our legislatures are collecting hardship allowance. Laughable indeed! “As e dey pain us, e dey sweet them.” There is God oooh!
This article will take a look at some of the causes of the hardship we face in Nigeria today, the effect of this hardship on families and how to manage a household in this crisis situation.
A combination of factors has pushed Nigeria into this dire situation. One is corruption. Another is bad governance. Last, but most importantly, is insecurity. The high level of insecurity in the country is essentially responsible for the hunger we are experiencing in our country today.
The Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, herders/farmers clashes and a host of others. There have been calculated and sustained attacks on farmers and farm lands in the food belt, a region comprising of states like Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Plateau and Niger. Failure of the government to understand the immediate and future consequences of this action on the economy has brought us to where we are today. The ineptitude of government to nip this problem in the bud has escalated to famine.
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Many countries understand the danger of hunger and have strategic policies to guard against it. They do this by supporting agriculture and protecting agricultural infrastructure. Some countries subsidise agriculture to make food cheap and also keep farmers in business. Others build silos to store food during bumper harvests and use same to supply during scarcity. Our leaders are aware of these things. In my opinion, they only lack the willpower. So sorry is our case.
For those who indulge in vices, this is the time for a renewal of temperance and virtue. If you have been keeping a side chick, this is the time to let her go. Look for a flimsy reason to pick a quarrel with her and leave. You could tell her that your pastor says she is bad luck. Just do anything to let go. Your family needs you now. Focus on your family. Those who drink alcohol every day, you must be born again now. Save your money to care for essential needs. The crucial need now is food. Good nutrition is good health. If you feed well you will spend less on health. Invest more in food now than anything else. Good nutrition boosts the immune system. If you don’t eat well, you will spend well on drugs. And believe me drugs are very, very expensive now.
How can we manage a household in the face of this food crisis?
First, there is a crucial need to understand that this is not a time to indulge in wants but to focus on needs. It is a time to cut down on irrelevant wants. Allow me to be detailed here.
For instance, if you have a fleet of cars, this is the time to cut down to using just one or two. Private vehicles are a liability. You spend a great deal on maintenance and fuel. Sometimes with your money in the pocket, you go around begging to buy fuel. Save yourself that stress.
You can also save on cable television. In Nigeria, cable televisions don’t use the pay-as-you-go model. Here, when you pay a subscription it doesn’t matter if you use it or not. In thirty days, your subscription will expire. Now is a good time to downgrade on your subscription bouquet. There is no point spending money on something you won’t enjoy.
Again, this is certainly not a time to indulge in luxury items of clothing and gadgets. Some people have the disease of following latest trends in fashion and technology. Such people buy a device before they get home, they realise that another one is out and they begin to work towards getting that new one. It is a vicious cycle. Such people find no rest, for manufacturers want to remain in business so they continue to do the same product with a slight variation as a unique selling proposition. iPhone 1 came out. It didn’t take long for iPhone 2 to be launched and so on. This is the wrong time to be a gadget or fashion freak.
For those who indulge in vices, this is the time for a renewal of temperance and virtue. If you have been keeping a side chick, this is the time to let her go. Look for a flimsy reason to pick a quarrel with her and leave. You could tell her that your pastor says she is bad luck. Just do anything to let go. Your family needs you now. Focus on your family. Those who drink alcohol every day, you must be born again now. Save your money to care for essential needs. The crucial need now is food. Good nutrition is good health. If you feed well you will spend less on health. Invest more in food now than anything else. Good nutrition boosts the immune system. If you don’t eat well, you will spend well on drugs. And believe me drugs are very, very expensive now.
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As a family, this is the time to show understanding to whoever is providing for the family. Children will do well to understand with their parents if they fail to provide all their needs. Wives must understand with their husbands too. Understanding will make the family resilient in the face of this crisis. No ordinary person is enjoying this situation but we must continue to exercise faith in God to see us through it. Of course, we must back our faith with work. “Faith without work is dead.”
We cannot afford to be picky about jobs now. No matter how low-paying a job is, it is better than nothing. At this time, the family must be united. Every member must be willing to lend a hand. If you have an existing job, you must cherish and protect that job. This is no time to lose a job especially if it depends on you.
Besides, learning a trade now is wisdom. White-collar jobs are on the decline. It is a smart move to learn a craft to sustain life. Most Nigerians only get to realise the importance of handiwork when they travel abroad. Life is practical. Grammar alone can no longer put food on the table.
As we pray to God to deliver us from evil, we must work along with the prayer. Just going to church Monday to Sunday will not add any value to our households. God blesses the work of our hands not idle hands. It is absolute foolishness to idle away in the church expecting miracles to drop from heaven. Remember the church you are attending is another man’s work. You must find work that God can bless!
A word is enough for the wise!
Godwin Aondohemba Abeghe, Life Coach, is a graduate of the University of Jos and a prominent speaker on Family and Family Relationship. He lives in Lagos, Nigeria and can be reached via email: torjomabeghe@gmail.com or WhatsApp: +234 705 257 1353.
