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| Atiku Abubakar |
As the corona virus
pandemic ravages the world, I applaud the various Nigerian state governments
who have proactively taken measures, such as issuing stay at home orders, and
shutting down non-essential markets and other places of mass gatherings, while
also giving guidelines for social distancing.
However, we must
accept the fact that much of the Nigerian public have a subsistence existence.
A large percentage of our people do not have the financial capacity to
withstand long periods of self isolation and even lockdown. It is, therefore,
incumbent on the Federal and state governments to provide palliatives to the
Nigerian people to enable them survive, even as they abide by these necessary
measures put in place for their own safety.
At an approximate 30
million households or thereabouts, government should devise modalities to
distribute N10,000 as supplement for food stuff to each household,
among other palliative measures, with no one left behind.
It is thus time for
the National Assembly to reconvene in an emergency session, perhaps by teleconference
(in line with the demands of social distancing), to legislate a Stimulus
Package Act that will cater for all Nigerian citizens.
I also call on all
Mobile Telephony Companies in Nigeria to urgently develop mobile money
platforms so that government can reach the unbanked with financial assistance.
I also urge these telecommunications firms to offer each of the 100 million
mobile phone lines in Nigeria free credit of at least ₦1500 per mobile line, so
that Nigerians who show symptoms, or those who just want information, can call
the nearest available health facility, or even an ambulance service, as the
case may be.
I commend all all individuals
and corporate organisations who have one way or the other provided some form of
relief for the Nigerian people. This is what makes Nigeria great, when we help
each other at such crisis times as this, irrespective of any differences. I
further call on more more corporations and individuals with capacity, to assist
the public in these trying times.
To this end, Priam
Group pledges N50 million on my behalf as my humble contribution to a relief
Fund that will form part of the stimulus package.
May God bless Nigeria.
Atiku Abubakar
Vice President of
Nigeria, 1999-2007
Abuja
25th March 2020
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