From Jibrin Miachi, Kaduna
As Nigerians applaud the effort of Nigerian government particularly the states over the issue of Corona virus, federal government is advised to consider releasing grains from stock towards addressing hunger arising from pogrom policies with telling effects on families even before the corona outbreak.
Most people who spoke over the weekend in reaction to the strange and unexpected virus currently ravaging the world with death threat, acknowledged the approach of federal and state governments to protect Nigerians.
Muhammed Useni, a trader in Abubakar Gumi Central Market Kaduna lamented that it is unfortunate for Nigeria and Nigerians to experience this development at a time when most people are living from hands to mouth.
It is difficult, he said, for people to feed conveniently twice today not to talk of saving money for eventuality. Useni who blamed what he described as unfortunate on unemployment regretted that people had to go out daily for “labourer” job to survive with their family.
“As a victim of government pogrom economic policies, I know what people who do not have gainful employment are passing through and with the programme of this government which appears to be similar in nature all over, one has no doubt to believe that the problem facing helpless Nigerians is the same across the country.
“I think it is important government consider releasing grains into the open market at highly subsidised rates for people to buy and feed. Nigerians are hungry and the resultant effects we all know,” Usani said.
It would be recalled that governors of the 7 states that made up North West geopolitical zone met in Kaduna on Wednesday with an agreement to close schools in the area for 30 days as part of measures to tackle the outbreak of Corona Virus in the country.
A communiqué after the meeting called on the respective states to discourage large gatherings with a view to mitigating the spread of the pandemic.
Consequently, the states decided to close down schools for a period of 30 days effective from today Monday 23rd March 2020, just as they resolved to intensify campaigns to encourage citizens to uphold personal hygiene, including hand washing and environmental sanitation.
