17-10-2024.

The difference between some scrap metal dealers and thieves is the difference between half a dozen and six. In other words, the two are the same, the difference being that one is doing his business in the open, while the other does his own in secret.

Some scrap metal dealers are thieves in disguise, because even if they are not involved in direct stealing, they encourage it in strong terms by buying whatever is brought to them by anybody, without asking any questions other than the price expected by the ‘owner’. They are like fences, who buy any second hand item brought to them in the name of the seller ‘needing’ some money immediately.

Many so called sellers of scraps to scrap metal dealers ‘stole’ the item they are selling from somewhere. Some of them even ‘take’ the valuable item from their houses. The item may even belong to the spouse of the dispenser.

A lot of the so called Almajiri ( the innocent looking begging child) go to unsuspecting houses with three things in mind: to beg, if noticed, otherwise, to  ‘steal’ or to ‘report’ the place to their secret senders (sponsors).

If however, government cannot summon the political will to ban the business totally, then some officials of unimpeachable integrity should be assigned to the places of such business to monitor the sellers and the items that are brought to them for sale.

Even at the best of times, Nigeria has unenviable reputation as a country led by corrupt officials, and a people who are susceptible to criminal activities. Now that things have never been so bad, not a few people have taken to criminal activities to make ends meet. The habitual outlaws face a competition from otherwise none criminal compatriots.

Nigeria is faced by the bad reputation of being a country with lots of drug pushers, cultists, advanced fee fraud experts (419ers) and terrorists in the land, to make the citizens targets of overzealous officials in foreign airports. Western, Middle Eastern and (some) Asian countries’ airports are hostile to Nigerias.

We are living in very trying and challenging times really, when having one meal in a day is a luxury millions cannot afford. But in the same country, there are a handful who live in obscene luxury, financed by the sweat and toil of the people. 

As I write now, Nigeria is on autopilot with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the first to leave the country on a working holiday, and his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima, to later fly out of the country, to leave nobody in charge. Nothing seems to be working in the country of nearly 230 million people. No food for millions, no light for most of the country, no water in the taps, weakness in the purchasing power of the national currency, the Naira, and no smiles on the faces of most citizens, replaced with anger, instead.

Even the big and the mighty of the society’s ‘untouchables’ like the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, has agreed with the poor people in the country, urging for a review of some economic policies of the President Tinubu administration.

Speaking in Abuja today’ (Thursday), the Bauchi state number one citizen asserted that even people in his position, were facing threats of lynching by frustrated Nigerians, many of whom somehow managed to survive the harsh conditions that was visited on them by the federal government.

Describing the bad situation of ordinary Nigerians, the governor warned that hunger, economic hardship and anger have created a volatile situation in the country for both leaders and the led. He also queried about power in the country, which he noted had remained elusive, “despite the exorbitant hike in the tariffs which most of the people cannot afford to pay. We are on the brink of being lynched. These policies are not working. We must review them”.

A television program on News Extra called #JABIRI, had four ladies discussing the terrible economic situation in the country. Everyone of them recounted her, or the experience of someone she knew that was not pleasant to the ear, especially joining the queue at NNPC stations in Lagos to get some fuel in the car. They also narrated the horrific experiences of female acquaintances going on alternate days without eating so as to ensure their little ones are fed at least twice a day.

All the four were of the opinion that such a state of affairs should not be happening in Nigeria, a country so blessed by God in mineral resources, but very unlucky to have the kind of leadership that works for its self aggrandisement. They even shouted in unison at what the ‘President meant to turn Nigerians into’.

Still, my appeal to the business moguls is for them not to get tired of their daily feeding programmes. If anything, they should even redouble their efforts and FEED additional people in the country. The situation is that BAD.

May God make things work out better for Nigerians, and see the people survive the locust time of the present administration.

Malam Malumfashi wrote from Katsina.