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| Anayo Nwosu |
The
economic hardship that will befall on countries like Nigeria after and during
COVID-19 is better imagined than experienced. It is akin to what the Igbos
suffered after the war. Unfortunately, even the Igbos whose population are now
mostly post-1970 have lost the post-civil war economic survival experience and
may be exposed to the same hardships other Nigerians would suffer in months to
come.
The
worst of is that foreign nations who normally come to our aid are also
challenged because the suspension of economic activities due to coronavirus has
hit them so hardly. They will first focus on their recovery than to look for
who to help. Nigeria will have to enjoy all their years of maladministration
and lack of focused leadership.
All
can testify that both Federal and State governments could not reach out to
everyone with COVID-19 palliatives despite their best efforts. They simply
cannot because there is no enough money or resources to achieve that. Even
those charged with distribution needed the palliatives more than the intended
targets. So, it boils down to "onye ọbụla chebe onwe ya" meaning
"everyone should fend for himself or herself" also know as OYO.
Only
those who escaped abroad before now shall be better of as most western nations
have closed their borders to tourists and immigrants. We are all trapped in
here. "Ma eze ma ochi ikpe" meaning "we all" shall now use
those hospitals we refused to equip or even abandoned, the schools we failed to
adequately staff and equip, the roads we refused to build or built on TV and
social media.
In
weeks to come, many employers of labour will shed some weights. Marriages
standing on one foot are waiting for relaxation of lockdown and curfew to
collapse. The federal and state governments would begin to delay or owe
salaries because oil and other revenues have dipped or not received. States who
depend only on federal allocation would beg to be merged with other states.
Southeast will soon find out that they only need one house of assembly not
five. Other states will realize the same thing and cry for restructuring will
rent the air.
With
high unemployment rates, crime rate will rise and the rich will park their SUVs
at home and fly okada (which will have to be unbanned) to avoid being noticed
as rich. The prostitutes will be offering credit sales while many junior
pastors will revolt to start their own business centres.
Many
former almajiri youths in the north will move en mass towards the south for
economic survival. The massive movement being noticed now is going to be a
child's play when inter-state lockdown is lifted. Southern states must plan to
build a holding accommodation for them since there is no law prohibiting the movement
of any Nigerian. Don’t think it’s a northern agenda to send soldiers to
islamize the south. No, it is akin to southerners' migration to Europe where
they plead for economic asylum. Don't they engage in economic malfeasance and
drug peddling there? The almajiris will of course arrive with their own vices.
Many
youths will no longer go to church as they have learnt during COVID-19 that
churches offer no immunity to a common virus not to talk about their
existential issues. They would feel that some people have been scamming them.
The orthodox churches would suffer what their western counterparts suffered
that made them unban homosexuality to attract members.
It is
going to be a chaos. But how do you as a person feature in all these? The
following are suggested ways you could navigate through the coming economic
psunami:
1.
Hold on to your cash. Cash is king. There will be a lot of opportunities for
those who have cash in hand. So, save as if your life depends on it. Foreigners
will sell their businesses to leave Nigeria. Many people will sell their prime
land or houses at a give away prices.
2. Get
ready for sack. Organisations must reduce cost to survive. If you are not the
owner of the business or are not an essential staff, start thinking of an option
B now. Don't be deceived by rhetorics. All jobs are under threat. Many have
already sacked their drivers and other domestic servants in the name of
COVID-19 safety concerns. Many of them may never return. Same goes for side
chicks and side women. Guys are now learning how to only plug to the same
sockets.
3.
Start thinking of going into agriculture but you must study the risk properly.
If you’re a white or blue collar job person please start from sales or
distribution of farm produce. That’s where the money is made. Farming is more
of a passion except for commercial farming which is capital intensive.
4.
Forget getting into selling of goods purchased abroad which prices are
denominated in foreign currency.
5. As
a new timer, avoid fashion, beauty products business, gold and other giffen
goods now as the mass market are in existential goods.
6. Cut
off all unuseful friends; all those “bros take or give me one bottle attitude”.
Not now. Learn how to drink alone at home for now. You need some tincture of alcohol
to think straight at this time. If you cannot drink please pray and shout a
lot, it has the same effect.
7.
Read a lot to acquire new knowledge. Read motivational and professional books
online if you cannot buy.
8.
Stop pursuing or the craze to invest in government contracts. It is more
dangerous now as you may not be paid. Get involved only if the advanced payment
would cover your cost and profit. Governments have so much to do with reduced
revenue.
9. Get
married to someone who can help carry your load as Simeon de Cyrene.
10.
Pray a lot for God’s direction and grace.
The
bad times would only get worse for anyone who doesn’t get prepared now. A war
foretold doesn’t consume the cripple.
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