I Don’t See The Level Of Hunger Nigerians Complain About – Bayo Onanuga

Bayo Onanuga

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, has said that he does not believe that the level of hunger often described by critics reflects the reality across Nigeria. He recently had his say during an interview on Arise Television, and Nigerians have been reacting.

Insisting that many Nigerians are benefiting from policies introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Bayo argued that several government initiatives have delivered tangible benefits to citizens.

Onanuga added that the president’s road projects have significantly improved travel experiences for many Nigerians.

His words, “One day I was traveling from Ibadan to Lagos, and Google Maps told me that there’s a go-slow in the approach to Lagos, and I decided to take Ijebu-Ode via Shagamu. What struck me most was that I just found myself on a paved road, concrete road. I said, ‘Wow, when was this one built?’

I found that our people, I mean, our Ijebu people, have stopped complaining. I said, ‘Oh, no wonder they now have a brand new road that’s not just an asphalt road, a concrete road.’

I live in Ajah. Anytime I go to Lagos, and I ask Google Maps to tell me how soon I will get home, Google Maps will tell me one hour, seven minutes.

Before, it was two hours, 30 minutes, and the reason for that is that we now have a coastal road that has shortened my travel time.

Is that not beneficial? What are people talking about really?

If you are a parent and you have four children in university, and they’re able to access federal loan, which is interest free, are they not benefiting?

If you are a civil servant and you can access the credit card, very cheap loan at below interest, it is about seven per cent. Now people can access that loan at single digit. Are they not benefiting as well?

We have been pigeonholed into certain assumptions, certain conclusions.

I think the President went to Lagos, he was coming from the Central Mosque, and somebody now did a voice-over saying ‘Ebi n pawa o,’ and that means we are hungry. Since then, people have been saying that.

I’m a Nigerian. I have people working for me privately. I don’t see the level of hunger people are talking about because I see them, and I keep asking them questions: how are things, how are they adjusting, what are the problems?”

WOW.