COVID-19 lockdown and hunger

There is no gainsaying the fact, COVID-19 pandemic which is ravaging the world has no cure. Even the Republic of China which the killer virus was first discovered was able to contain the spread of the disease through social distancing. This measure has tremendously assisted China to overcome its COVID-19 challenges. Interestingly, Wuhan province that […]

There is no gainsaying the fact, COVID-19 pandemic which is ravaging the world has no cure. Even the Republic of China which the killer virus was first discovered was able to contain the spread of the disease through social distancing. This measure has tremendously assisted China to overcome its COVID-19 challenges. Interestingly, Wuhan province that was the epicentre of the pandemic has never been in the news for new infection. The cheering news has encouraged many countries to adopt similar method to tackle the global pandemic. For instance, many countries affected by the pandemic have banned social gatherings, wedding, religious and other social gatherings-which are viewed as the fastest ways of spreading the disease.

In Nigeria, since the virus was first recorded in Lagos, the government at all levels have quickly adopted proactive measures to curtail the menace. The federal government and state governments have declared total lockdown. Under this arrangement, the movement of people have been halted. People are forced to, or directed to stay at home and avoid mingling with crowds. President Muhammadu Buhari, during his address to the nation on the COVID-19 pandemic on 19 March, announced the drastic and palliative measures the government deployed. Mr. President has directed that, henceforth the school feeding should be continued and the conditional cash transfer to the vulnerable people should be paid.

Sadly, in spite of these palliative measures, the stay at home frustrated Nigerians who are living from hand to mouth. While government has adopted the lockdown for the safety of Nigerians, it has failed to assist poor vulnerable Nigerians. Prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, majority of the Nigerian population were groaning under abject poverty. It is estimated that over 80% of the country’s population lives on less than a dollar per day. Besides, many average Nigerians struggle or toil day and night to eke out a living. With the shut down of the economy and the only means of survival, Nigerians have surrendered their fate to the hunger.

There is an urgent need for the government to think outside the box and create avenues to reach out to vulnerable households. Unless succour comes to the people’s way, hunger will surely force Nigerians out. God forbid!

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna state   [email protected]