It is another Valentine’s Day, and as people are celebrating love, many Nigerians are marking the day amid biting hunger and increasing hardship.
Development Diaries reports that while lovers give and receive gifts, and partners reflect on the strength and value of their relationships, many citizens have been left brokenhearted by President Bola Tinubu’s policies.
President Tinubu has spent eight months in office, and in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we have identified four ways the president has shown ‘love’ to Nigerians.
High cost of food
High costs are making it impossible for many Nigerians to afford simple foods that provide the bare minimum of nutrient requirements.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that food inflation, which constitutes 50 percent of the inflation rate, rose to 33.93 percent in December from 32.84 percent.
It is no longer news that the government is failing in its responsibility to take care of the welfare of its citizens.
Additionally, nothing is being heard about the social welfare measures that were announced by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
The measures, or palliatives, that were introduced to alleviate the burden on the most vulnerable segments of the country have done nothing to achieve their purpose.
President Tinubu can show love to citizens by adopting realistic measures to tackle food inflation so that people can afford food to eat.
Non-functioning refineries
Not a drop of crude has been refined in the Port Harcourt refinery, despite strong promises by the President Tinubu-led administration that the nation’s refineries would begin operations before the end of December 2023.
Nigerians still await the announcement of the resumption of crude refining at the Port Harcourt refinery.
Insecurity
Insecurity has assumed a dangerous dimension, whereby gunmen enter people’s homes to kidnap them and kill them if ransom is not paid.
The increase in kidnappings, armed bandits, and other criminal activity that jeopardises national security and peace is still a source of agony for Nigerians.
Some citizens can no longer sleep with both eyes closed in the country for fear of bandits or unknown gunmen attacking them.
The government can show love to its citizens by ensuring their protection at all times.
Power grid collapse
President Tinubu, in his speech to mark the beginning of the New Year, promised upgrades in the power and oil sectors in 2024.
A month down the line, the national grid collapsed, causing total blackouts in many parts of the country. Nigerians, both rich and poor, continue to bear the brunt of this.
Finding realistic solutions to the woes faced by citizens at this point would be a demonstration of true love from the Tinubu-led government.
More importantly, President Tinubu needs to come up with measures to ensure that citizens can put food on their table, because, as they say, a hungry man is an angry man, and it would be unfortunate to allow this situation to lead to a state of anarchy.
Photo source: Bola Tinubu
