Piece written by Sammy Ajufo
YOU THE POOR MASSES
I suspect the word “Masses” took a stronger
dimension from the days of Babangida’s MAMSER
Programme of the 80s or it may have taken root a lot
earlier. Today, it has turned into the preferred lexicon
of the average Nigerian. The average Nigerian is known to generalise a lot; exaggerate and throw up
incredible statistics that lacks credibility. The average
Nigerian is quick to quote that there is suffering and
hunger in the land even when there is no recorded
occurrence of famine and death by starvation
anywhere in the land, rather we are investing heavily in Agriculture.
The average Nigerian claims the masses are suffering
and that parents can’t send their children to school
even when currently; even with the exorbitant rates
for private schools, not one has closed up shop. Not
one! The average Nigerian claims the masses are dying;
frustration is killing them all. They will however fail to
mention that our entertainment industry is the second
(or third) highest money spinner after oil. Are
entertainers feeding fat from lonely people? Is
frustration the cause for the upsurge in beer parlors and our unbinding fixation to the EPL, UCL and Bet9ja
and the likes?
The average Nigerian says there’s no money in the
land and that EVERYONE IS POOR, but we’ve not heard
of any bank close up shop for lack of deposits neither
have we heard of luxury goods owners sell at giveaways because of lack of customers. Landlords,
agents and lawyers in most cities feed fat off house
rents that hover in the region of a quarter, half or a
million. Where does the rent come from? Why is DSTV
still here? What’s MTN still doing here for heaven’s
sake? I checked online and saw rent for 2/3bdr apartments in Abuja and Victoria Island in the region
of 2.5m, 3.5, 5m & 6m! Whose paying for these?
Angels?
Times are hard! Food is costly! Bills are piling up! People are suffering! Nigeria is a useless nation! My dear friend! Keep deceiving yourself, keep up with your pessimism – you are building followers and I’m
not one of them!
