By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The federal government has been advised to pay stipends into citizens’ accounts so that they can buy food while staying at home during the fight against the coronavirus disease.
Former assistant on social media to ex president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, said such money could afford the citizens the means to buy food and stay alive as the country battles the disease.
“40 million Nigerians have BVN verified bank accounts. It will cost the FG only ₦100 billion to pay ₦2,500 into each account so Nigerians can buy food during the #CoronaVirus lockdown. That’s less than NASS budget! We shouldn’t only share money during elections,” he said.
Former second Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Monday Onyekachi Ubani, also advocated for payment of stipends to poor citizens to afford food during this lockdown.
He argued that hunger was more deadly than the virus, hence the need to address the two at the same time.
He said in other climes, their governments are making provisions for their citizens’ feeding while under lockdown.
“I called my cousin in London this morning and he informed me that he is in the office for national reason. He works in the Social Service Sector of the economy – they provide succor to the unemployed, needy and poor.
“They work 24/7 and in this terrible time of COVID-19 they are to ensure citizens who fall into the category outlined above are paid money into their accounts with no contact to papers for now as the issue of paper work will be dealt with when situation normalizes. The ultimate objective for now is to keep citizens alive first.
‘”He also informed me that foods are delivered to the homes of the poor and the needy in Britain presently because of the total lockdown to avoid people dying of hunger. Most revealing is the contributions of the rich, stars and philanthropic persons and organizations to buying of kits, foods, medicines for those that need them urgently at this trying times. They are also contributing to research on the possible curative medicine for this destructive virus.
“This act of love and care for the citizens I am told is not only in Britain but all over Europe, Asia and American continents. African continent has no such plans and are not even contemplating it. Very very sad,” he said.
He advised the Nigerian government to immediately figure out how to address the challenge of hunger while at the same time dealing with the infection.