Compassion in challenging times

BY: JOHN OLUWADERO

Sometimes In late 2015, during one of my evening shifts at the community pharmacy where I work, a woman in her mid-30s approached us. She looked weak and tired, struggling to climb the two-level steps at the pharmacy’s entrance. I immediately went to assist her, and she informed me that she needed medication for her sick 5-month-old baby. Unfortunately, she only had N200 on her, which was barely enough to cover a fraction of the cost of the drugs needed for her baby, let alone for herself. Remarkably, her concern wasn’t even for her own health but for her child’s well-being. Thankfully, that day, I was able to help her out of my pocket, as many other pharmacists, doctors, and nurses often do to aid poor patients in dire need.

Back in 2015, the fuel price per litre was 87 naira, but now in 2023, it has skyrocketed to N617. The dollar exchange rate to naira has also worsened, increasing from N250 to N800. You might wonder what the fuel price has to do with a sick woman’s struggle to access healthcare. The answer is everything. In Nigeria, the cost of almost every good and service, including healthcare, is influenced by fuel prices and the dollar exchange rate.

While we may have varying opinions on fuel subsidy removal, one thing remains certain: it will make fuel available but not affordable, especially given the prevailing corruption and inefficiency in our political and economic landscape. The rising cost of fuel, inflation, and economic hardship is a grave concern, particularly for the rural and urban poor, unemployed youth, retired parents struggling to feed their households, and the elderly whose children can barely afford to support them. Even the beggars on the street, who used to receive some help, now find it scarce due to the worsening economic conditions.

Although I would normally want to write about the poor policy implementation of the fuel subsidy removal process and the controversies around the national social protection programme, I believe it’s more important to appeal to Nigerians to work together in improving our collective well-being, despite the challenges posed by the neoliberalist-led federal government. 

Some might view this economic hardship as an invitation to depression, corruption, or crime, but I urge everyone to see it as a reminder to be kind to our fellow Nigerians. The daily struggles an average Nigerian faces call for us to show compassion and support one another. Let’s strive to make choices that do not cause harm or burden others, even amidst economic hardship.

If you are a civil servant, resist the temptation to exploit those seeking services by demanding bribes or engaging in corrupt practices. If you are a school teacher, nurture the children under your care with empathy and understanding during these difficult times.

To my fellow youths, let’s assess our lifestyle and ensure it doesn’t add to the pain and suffering of others. Drive responsibly and avoid reckless behaviour. Don’t burden others with unnecessary expenses or risks. Don’t force ‘asoebi’ or attendance of your party on others. Instead, invest your time and resources in activities that uplift and empower yourself and others.

To survive this economic hardship together, we must adapt our lifestyles accordingly. Reducing work and school days to 3 or 4 days a week, with 40% of non-practical university classes conducted on Zoom, can help ease transportation costs. Churches and mosques should exercise consideration in the frequency of weekly services, programs, revivals, meetings, and conferences they organize. It’s time to move away from guilt-tripping individuals for what may be perceived as spiritual irresponsibility due to their absence in church programs, particularly when no transportation assistance is provided. Moreover, it becomes unreasonable to expect someone to consistently attend a church that requires over an hour’s drive, especially when the cost of transportation consumes nearly 15% of their salary. Finding a Bible-believing local church closer to one’s residence is more reasonable. By doing so, individuals can actively participate and maintain regular attendance, ultimately fostering a stronger commitment to their faith community.

This challenging time is the perfect moment for corporate organizations and businesses to exemplify compassion towards the less privileged through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Let your CSR endeavours focus on directly alleviating hunger and enhancing the livelihood and well-being of both rural and urban poor, who collectively constitute more than 60% of the Nigerian population. Nigerians in the diaspora should view this as an excellent opportunity to collaborate and impact the lives of those in need. For instance, diaspora-led town/city progressive unions, Nigerian students, young professional groups, or even groups of friends can come together to support various projects aimed at alleviating the current hardships faced by their fellow citizens. One such initiative could be providing financial assistance for purchasing books in local schools or contributing to any other project they find fitting and impactful.

Churches, in particular, should redirect funds from extravagant programs to support needy families in their communities. It is more in line with biblical principles to prioritize helping those in need than spending 10 million naira to host three different conferences in a year, featuring top gospel artists and popular Pentecostal pastors, along with all the extravagant LED screens, while your members are struggling to put food on their tables. 

It is time for strategic youth engagement and entrepreneurship empowerment initiatives to be spearheaded by local churches, while still upholding their apostolic mandate. It is crucial to abandon the practice of giving false hope and promoting the narrative of ‘this administration will favour me,’ especially when your members and the people in your local community are enduring great hardships. Instead, let us focus on fostering church growth not only in major cities like Portharcourt, Abuja, Lagos, Warri or Toronto, London, or Chicago, where the biggest of tithes and offerings could be raised but also in smaller towns and rural communities where the impact of local churches is desperately needed. In this time of economic darkness, it is our responsibility to shine a light of hope and progress. Local churches, with their strong sense of community and connection, are well-positioned to lead these social impact initiatives in our communities. 

Let us be the driving force behind change, reaching beyond familiar territories to touch the lives of those in need. By doing so, we can spread the message of hope, love, and empowerment to all corners of the country, leaving no one behind. Now is the time to take action and make a lasting impact. Together, let us be the guiding light that illuminates the path to a better tomorrow for all Nigerians.

John Oluwadero is the co-founder of Building Nations Initiative (BNI), and a doctoral student at the Biden School of Public Policy, University of Delaware.