25-12-2024.

I intended to write on Christmas 2024, but because some religious bigots might read the article upside down, and arrive at the wrong conclusion that I was not competent enough to write on the subject, because I am a Muslim. I therefore opted for a different topic, and leave my festival comments for ‘Babbar Sallah’, when we, Muslims, slaughter rams as Divinely ordained by Allah, to celebrate the occasion with fanfare. Hence, the reason for the topic above.

I do not intend to mention names of the philanthropists known by me who are already engaged in providing FEEDING assistance to multitudes of poor people in the country, else it would be misconstrued that I am writing a Public Relations (PR) for such people. Nothing can be further from the truth, because my writings are informed by my passion for my religion (Islam), my region (North) not my (tribe), and my nation (Nigeria).

None of the philanthropists cum business people I often write about their entrepreneurship or assistance, has so much as acknowledged, not to talk about appreciating, what was written about them. But the fact did not get yours sincerely free of the suspicion from some editors, of both off and online publications, that some of my writings were paid for PR jobs.

Anyway, times are extremely hard in Nigeria at this material time. Not many people can afford the luxury of three square meals a day, but many citizens go to bed on an empty stomach. The times therefore, call for massive FEEDING assistance from the wealthy to the poor in the country. And the redoubling of same by those already FEEDING the poor every day.

We are witnessing the result of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expertise in misrule. He did not come prepared to lead Nigeria, he came with the ephemeral slogan that it was now his turn (EMILOKAN) to be president of Nigeria. He said so, even if not in as many words. I stand to be corrected, if my assertion is incorrect.

And if the president can be so sadistic and vengeful in his first term, especially to the region where he massively ‘bought’ his electoral ‘victory’, then the second term would be something not to think about. His second term (May God forbid it) would be twice as bad, or even worse.

His former die-hard supporter, Mr. Onopasa, even believed that the president was ‘possessed’ by some evil spirit, which made him a Sadist, regularly visiting Nigeria with hard economic policies. But if the president knows how he, his immediate family, his ministers and other favourite aides, as well as members of the National Assembly, can accumulate stupendous amount of money, he must be as sane as you and I are.

But in a recent interview with an Arise Television team of three, Mr. Onopasa executed a surprising about turn, becoming a virulent opposer of President Tinubu, saying, “Prices keep on skyrocketing out of control. I don’t know what is happening to Asiwaju, seriously. He behaves as if he is possessed by some evil spirit. In fact, I have taken to visiting Catholic Churches to be booking Masses for him. Whatever is his problem, let God deliver him from it.

“Honesty, I can’t understand it, you are the president and prices keep skyrocketing. If you can’t reduce the fuel price, can’t we feed people? People are HUNGRY. And it is a shame, A VERY BIG SHAME that Asiwaju seems DETACHED from the reality of the majority of Nigerians”. He concluded by EMPHATICALLY saying “NOT AT ALL”, to the question of whether he would vote for Tinubu in 2027 or not.

The unfortunate stampede that occurred in the South East during the distribution of free food items by a Church, is the sign of the poverty and hunger that are ravaging every part of Nigeria. The stampede led to the loss of some lives, including infants’s, who were with their mothers at the time. It is a sign of the desperation of the people in the country.

Today is Christmas Day, but most of our fellow Christians observed a very dry occasion, the first time in many life times. The severe poverty and hunger affect every part of the country, not limited to its intended target. The traditional Christmas Turkey was absent from the menu of many Christian homes. The large bird was way out of the affordability of many Christians in the country, courtesy of the very harsh and hostile economic environment brought by the unending negative policies of ‘know it all’ President Tinubu.

In my outing yesterday, I told of what two ‘daughters of the soil’ from Lagos who told me about how extremely difficult it was for people in the area, because of the overwhelming poverty which discriminated against those outside the top echelons in the Villa and the politicians in the National and State Assemblies, as well as their cronies and other ‘yes your Excellency’ people.

The sated Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode A. Egbetokun, said that his office must be notified in advance of any intention to distribute food items to the needy. The statement is so laughable but unfortunate, because by the time the Police’s approval to such requests came (if it is ever given), many people would have died of starvation, waiting for its arrival to their expected benefactors.

A civilian dictatorship that could not be stopped on its tracks before it gets out of control by the military and and the other agencies who have the monopoly of coercion in the country, was definitely inviting a violent uprising against the status quo, by the shortchanged people, whose Commonwealth appears to have become the personal preserve of the so called leaders. It appears to be their own for the picking all the time, while majority of its owners wallow in abject poverty and hunger.

May God bring an end to this man-caused poverty and hunger in Nigeria. May He also give power to only those who would be fair and do justice to all, but not to those who have no fear for Him. And also not to the weak ones in the country, like yours sincerely, who would touch money even if it belongs to the Commonwealth, even if it is not for accumulation purpose.

Malumfashi wrote from Katsina.