September 17, (THEWILL) – As at the time of writing this report, the United States (US) Dollar exchange rate to the Nigerian Naira is nine hundred and seventy (N970). The price of petrol has also increased to six hundred naira (N600) per litre, and transportation fares in all parts of the country have skyrocketed.
This ugly development is drastically reflected in the prices of foodstuffs, diesel, liquid gas, electricity bills, mobile phone tariffs, university tuition and hospital bills.
The unprecedented difficulties being faced by Nigerians have forced them to engage in profitable activities that can add value to their lives. Everybody is struggling to make ends meet for the proper upkeep of the family.
Businessmen and women, Civil and public servants, Artisans, religious cum traditional leaders, and entrepreneurs are finding it difficult in times like this. Farmers across the country are battling the cattle rearers that have wreaked havoc on farmlands. In fact, herders’ activities have immensely contributed to the shortages of foodstuffs in all parts of the country.
Also, flood, as a natural phenomenon, is another factor that is threatening farm crops, thereby leading to scarcity of food. In all, there is a problem. The Summary is that things are hard in Nigeria! If the President Bola Armed Tinubu-led administration can, at least, boldly tackle the epileptic electricity supply in the country, the issues of constant blackouts and removal of fuel subsidy should not be worrying Nigerians, who are bitterly facing the brunt. Nigerians are hardworking people and resourceful. They can comfortably create something out of nothing only if electricity is restored steadily.
Federal and State Governments are disoriented about what to do as measures to quell the challenges facing the citizenry get worsened. The hardship is biting harder on Nigerians. It was heartwarming that President Bola Tinubu announced the sum of N54 billion to be shared among the States in Nigeria. It was shared among the Governors, who also distributed the largesse to groups in many States.
This is a critical time when the aid of international foundations is needed in health, education, agriculture, commerce and industry, finance, human capacity development, skills acquisitions and empowerment of the poor in Nigerians. Even the media practitioners (qualified Journalists) are not exempted from getting foreign assistance to cushion the negative effects of the fuel subsidy removal.
In times such as these, philanthropists in Nigeria and outside the country should not cease to keep up the tempo of exhibiting their humanitarian activities of ensuring the needy in society are made happy with handsome gifts.
As part of corporate social responsibility, medical doctors should always temper justice with mercy while billing their patients. In times like this, the rich should give aims to the poor, and those in the high places should remember those people whose lives appear to be miserable.
Millions of Nigerians are down with cancerous diseases, which require urgent attention for their survival. These patients have continued to wallow in pain because of little or no attention to their difficulties. Also, many of them had gone to the world beyond due to a lack of proper care.
I could remember years back, in 2012, when former President Goodluck Jonathan tried to remove subsidy on petroleum products, the knocks from Nigerians were so heavy that the leader was forced to do the needful. Everyone was against the system, arguing that it would not be favourable to Nigerians.
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) raised the alarm that the removal of fuel subsidy will lead to inflation. This is the problem that we face today. Commercial activities, offices, schools, and various programmes are hampered. In Owerri, commercial bus fares doubled because of this.
Let me emphasise here that some organisations have, in the past years, contributed to a better society. They include the Ikon Health Foundation (IHF), a charity group that has donated medical equipment to hospitals in rural areas around the world and provided free health services to poor women, children and others.
IKON believes that good health is the key to a flourishing society. Therefore, through sharing what they learnt, collaborating with others and building people’s skills and knowledge, the foundation can be said to be visionary in making a difference in the health sector towards contributing to a healthier population.
This is a call to other patriotic Nigerians to immediately engage in this noble cause of empowering Nigerians. Saving the lives of others is one of the greatest things one can offer irrespective of social status.
Private companies in Nigeria are sacking their workers because of the high cost of maintenance of their establishments. The employee can no longer pay everyone. Their inability to pay salaries has led to their diplomatic discharge by the top earners. There is no time when Nigerians need assistance than now. May God help us.
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