Why Palliative Policy as a Solution to Cushion Effect of Ailing Economy is Dehumanising Nigerians

Palliative arguably come into Nigeria political society during the 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic year that pushed everyone inside to curtail the spread of the pandemic, since then palliative has become regular word for Nigerian politicians to cushion  the effect of ailing economy that pushed many citizens into poverty. Governments of federal and states have reasoned along this line that palliative could ameliorate the effect of hardship, it has become increasingly unbearable many Nigerians struggle to contain the aftermath of abrupt policies that have deepened the wounds of the economy.

The question is whether palliative provide any kind of cover to the ailing economy, while the money would have been used towards revitalising the economy or how many days does 7kg bag of rice expected to last in a household, are they expected to be eaten rice every single day? This is just a heap of questions surrounding the effectiveness of palliative as alternative to cushion the effect of hunger. The mode of sharing palliative is antithetical to civil society and further dehumanising Nigerians. Seven people died in February in stampede trying to have access to 25kg bags of rice at a reduced rate from Nigeria Customs Service office in Lagos.

The death of two students in Nasarawa State University in scramble to have access to palliative program organised by the government is a mockery of all Nigeria students. Such incident only happen in a polity run by a complete tyrant who has no regard for humanity and rule of law, or could probably be as a result of incompetent and poor leadership which has overtly manifested across the nation over the decades. Whoever thinks sharing palliative is better alternative for university students as opposed to awarding of bursaries, free foods in cafeteria and reduction of tuition fees, must be as a result for poor understanding of leadership, what would make of parents of these two students who send their children to school just to die due to stampede for sharing of palliative.

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The palliative program has been marred by widespread of corruption, lack of accountability and credibility, government officials hoarding palliatives leading to direct confrontation with the citizens and looting spree of warehouse to cart away with these items. Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs have posited itself as the  channel for diverting and siphoning funds provided for public use. The suspended minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu has fallen into that hole for alleged diverting public funds into private account. Her predecessor suffered similar fate for alleged mismanagement of N37.1 billion allocated for social intervention. This kind of scene is a cancerous ‘practice’ that has eaten deep into Nigeria political atmosphere.

Palliative, in this current state of economy in the country provide little or no gain to achieve anything whatsoever. There are many elements to contain in this country ranging from social, economic and political crisis which through well organised structure and policies will bring positive results. Which people are going to get palliatives from the government? The kidnapped? Those who are scared to move freely within their locality due to high level of insecurity. Sharing palliative has turned to political propaganda, using hunger to weaponized and make mockery of citizens, there is everything wrong with sharing palliative, while they should put all efforts in revitalising the economy.

 It seems like economic situation in the country is leaning towards anarchy and lawlessness. The incident in Ondo State calls for serious concern. Residents overpower truck driver who stopped to repair faulty truck, and turned it into looting spree items which were rice, beans and garri branded in President Tinubu’s name, looters were in numbers among them were road side hawkers, artisan and commercial transporters. This is dangerous dimension palliative can take, at the end it all make mockery of the people, it means might is right.

Bishop Matthew Kukah has likened distribution of palliative in Nigeria to a warring state. “We need to see a much more robust programme designed by the government to help us go away from just lining up and collecting palliative when we are not at war,” the Catholic cleric said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics

“I think it is the height of indignity to see Nigerians lining up every day under the sun and waiting to collect bags of rice which probably never come not because money has not been given but because everybody who gives out money in Nigeria from the Federal Government knows that a good part of this money is always stolen. Nigerians are not looking for handouts.”

”There is a feeling that at the top there is no political will…I believe the Nigerian military is pretty well-equipped. The question we should ask ourselves is why fighting insecurity has been so much institutionalised”

“Ordinary farmers just want to go back to their farms. People just want to be able to get back to their lives. Ending insecurity is the beginning of this healing and a decisive programme and plan to end is the beginning of the healing,” Bishop Kukah insists.