That Tinubu's 8,000 Naira Idea - Kehinde Akinlade

Since the news break about the intention of the Tinubu led Federal Government to be giving 8,000 naira monthly to selected poor families in the country, I have read opinions of people about the matter but unfortunately, the opinions I have read are not from those that fall into the categories of those the Federal Government designed the 8,000 naira monetary palliative for. 

The opinions that I have read online are no doubt from people belonging to families that are better than those the Federal Government is targeting for the N8,000. They consider the money too small coming from the government as a cushion against the effect of petrol subsidy removal. A commentator divided the money and said it amounts to 276 naira per month. Too little according to him but to the poor that it is meant for, it is 8,000 naira cash and not 276 per day.

No doubt the money is not much but it is better than nothing as both the rich and the very poor fight the harsh after effects of subsidy removal. Thinking the government could have done better does not mean 8,000 will be useless in the hands of poor families. For the poor that the money is meant for it will certainly take care of some essential needs, food in particular. 8,000 naira worth of grains like rice and beans would not be exhausted in a day. No family will expend the money at the rate of 276 naira per day. Not even the rich.

The very poor that are sending their kids to Owambe parties to scavenge for food who themselves don't know where the next meal would come from will celebrate getting 8,000 naira from the Federal Government. Women hawking pure water in traffic to feed their families and those using head to haul good for a fee in markets and those doing same at sawmills carrying planks for a fee will appreciate every penny that makes up 8,000 naira.

Yes it is not enough for a month but it will help in getting them through the month for the period the collection of the amount will last.  Beside, there are other palliatives that the government plans to roll out alongside the 8,000 that will directly or indirectly impact on the lives of the very poor. Internet commentators rejecting the amount as small should know it is not meant for their deep pockets, the very poor are real.

I think the cyberspace commentators should try and interview the very poor in their neighborhoods and the rural areas to get their views on the development before concluding based on their own rate of spending money that the Federal Government idea is too little. It is for the poor not for you that is capable of buying a month worth of data that is not food at 5,000 naira minimum.

To the comfortable internet commentators, the amount is 276 naira  per day but to the poor it is meant for, 8,000 means 8 red plastics of rice and beans in the market. The very poor would not see 276 naira but food worth 8,000 naira. The internet commentators may reject it but I am certain, those that the money is meant for will not reject. 

Kehinde Akinlade ©️

Kehinde Akinlade is a Social Affairs Commentator and Media Manager of Senator Solomon Adeola Campaign Organization.