When anger “jams” hunger

Dr Kayode Ogunjobi, January 13, 2023

The twin problems of fuel scarcity and naira redesignation have expanded the challenges being faced by the masses. The situation has drastically increased the tears and sorrows of Nigerians. It appears that the lamentation is increasing daily with no visible solution around the corner. Despite the assurances by the Federal Government, the insignificant improvement in the situation is dealing a terrible blow on the people.

Following the developments, Nigerians have demonstrated diverse attributes to convey their frustrations. One of the videos showed a woman who removed her clothes in a banking hall. Perhaps if she had not received a prompt attention , she would have gone ahead to remove what was remained of the clothes on her. If the woman exercised some restraints, the video of a man who was completely naked in a banking hall is a sorry case. Despite being naked, the man was also crying profusely. That was the husband and father of someone. All these extraneous attitudes are indications that there is tension in the land. Palpable tension! To some of us, it has never been this bad.

There have been spontaneous reactionary demonstrations in some states across the country which led to the damage and stealing from ATM machines of some banks. Thank God that that the potential whirlwind was quenched in good time otherwise, only God knows what would have happened.

The build-up was not hidden! University students were at home for eight months only to return to school and start struggling with fuel crisis. They sure have reasons to be angry. Many youths have graduated from the University with no job and many who have jobs cannot successfully feed themselves. It was therefore a case of anger ‘’ jamming” hunger as the people tend to want to take law into their hands to convey their annoyance and frustration. While there is nothing bad in being angry, it is Imperative that the anger is managed such that while expressing our disappointments, we do not create other problems. For example, the people that destroyed the ATM machines in their neighbourhood will have to wait for the installation of new machines if the naira is even available in excess today. We have continuously challenged our leaders that they have not done enough. However, destroying the inadequate facilities is inflicting pain on ourselves. We need to wise up!

Managing the collision between anger and hunger is even more important as we go into the elections. It behoves on all of us at different levels to as a matter of responsibility educate our youths that the blood of a Nigerian is too sacred and precious to be sacrificed for the transition process. We must realise that destroying any infrastructure in the name of displaying the effects of the collision of our anger with hunger will only widen the gap between the oppressors and the masses. It is a time that youths must walk away from any provocation. The signs are visible even to the blind that people are provoked and this simply means that what was normal as a discussion months before now may drift from a heated argument to fisticuffs. Because there are many people who are angry and hungry, a small altercation can easily snowball into a crisis.

Surely, this time too shall pass away! However, we must be intentional in ensuring the time is well managed. It is not a time to prove that your opinion is superior to that of your neighbour. Let mothers, fathers, uncles, brothers. etc talk to their children and let the youths hearken to the voice of wisdom of the elders. Let us engage constructively! Let us realise that a manifestation of the collision of anger and hunger can only produce destruction and retrogression . Regardless of our political affiliations and leanings, let us realise that the politicians will always align and realign after elections. God forbid, if there is a crisis, politicians have a means of escape while the followers will be engulfed in crisis.

To those fanning the embers of discord and manufacturing propaganda to cause crisis, let us realise that in the event of a crisis, no one is sure of anything. Those that have witnessed election crisis before should go a step further to do the needful.

One terrible thing that the “jamming” of hunger and anger has done is that there is so much noise from the political environment such that the electorates cannot even have the opportunity to evaluate the people they want to vote for. Is this another gimmick from the political class? While there have been series of cross-firing from the candidates without concrete actionable plans for the people to interrogate, the followers are being knowingly or unknowingly and psychologically wired for a crisis. We must watch this!

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Definitely, we do not need a crisis on our hands as we may not have the capacity to manage one. Therefore, we must deliberately be committed to ensuring that we manage the collision of hunger with anger. This time shall surely pass away!

Protest is a tool towards achieving a goal but calling for a protest in an atmosphere of hunger and anger is like acting as a catalyst to a crisis. I have seen peaceful protest becoming I would think that we will appreciate that the social media as beautiful as it is can increase the impacts of the collision of anger with hunger. We should therefore strive to influence our little corner and followers positively rather than ‘’ charging them for a show – down. The political class have released so much propaganda that the masses must strive to contain otherwise if the effects of anger and hunger is not mitigated, it will do our nation no good. Must you send a video or message that could instigate a man crumbling under the influence of hunger ?