Overthinking has become a pastime these days. With the current situation in the economy, one can’t help but ponder. Are Nigerians really good at ‘suffering and smiling’?. A study claimed that we are one of the happiest people in the world. I think that has to do with our level of adaptability and resilience. Just like metals, we are malleable. It is the Nigerian spirit!
The state of the nation especially in this coronavirus pandemic is a cause of concern. Nigerians woke up to the news of fuel pump price increase. While we were still digesting, analysing and strategising on the recent development, the government decided to give us back to back with increased electricity tariff. Should we still expect more ‘surprises’?
Given that the country is in serious debt crises, the government is making conscious efforts to settle their creditors. Hence, they have turned to adjusting prices in sectors where human needs are more apparent.
This goes without that saying that the minimum wage still remains unchanged. Thus, the purchasing power is limited because of static income. Some people are even more disadvantaged. In the phase of the coronavirus pandemic, they have out of jobs, others have had to settle for a slash in their income. As the average Nigerian is faced with piles of bills to settle, how he pulls through is still a mystery?
Yet the economy is not smiling. Whenever, there is an increase in fuel pump prices, it affects every other sector. Food prices go up. The cost of transportation also rises. The cost of accommodation is not left out, it also experiences an increase. The standard of living is high. This results to high crime rates. People have to make ends meet and they might end up doing so by hook or crook.
We are Nigerians, we are built to survive any situation. In the meantime, no need to overthink but take one day at a time. All will fall into place.