Priscilla Christopher-Akpanettot
Those jumping on the maize, akara and kuli-kuli trend are, in my opinion, only rubbing salt into our already wounded sensibilities.
It is not enough that the First Lady has seemingly sized us up and pointed us toward the trenches. Isn't that what we call see finish?
At a time when the rest of the world is racing to embrace technological innovation and economic advancement, we are being encouraged to adopt an outdated survival strategy—and, instead of questioning it, we're making memes and catching cruise with it.
I understand that Nigerians often use humour to cope with painful realities. It is one of our greatest coping mechanisms. But not every issue should be laughed away, and this is one of them.
I can confidently say that none of those frying akara, selling kuli-kuli or roasting corn would willingly choose that path if better opportunities existed. Why would anyone deliberately wake up at 4:00 a.m. to sort and wash beans, head to the mill before dawn despite the prevailing insecurity, return home to endure hours in front of scorching fire and hot oil, and then still hawk the products if customers don't come?
Or what exactly is amusing about sitting in the cold, frantically fanning burning charcoal to roast corn while enduring smoke, heat and flying sparks that leave burns on the skin?
Which of these alternatives can Her Excellency realistically attempt herself?
More importantly, how many women in the akara, kuli-kuli or corn-roasting socioeconomic class can comfortably send their children to even a modest private school? How many can pay rent without anxiety, feed their families consistently, or afford life-saving medical treatment if their husbands become financially incapacitated?
May we never find ourselves in such circumstances. I reject and refuse it with every fibre of my being. Neither my biological sisters nor my sisters by circumstance should ever have to endure such a life.
To our mothers, aunties and sisters whose youthful glow has faded under the weight of this backbreaking labour; to women whose dignity and feminine charm have been eroded by an economy that continues to fail them, all I can sincerely say is, "Sorry." "E go beta". Abi wetin I wan talk pass that one?
Nigeria is not for the faint-hearted, and this is yet another reminder.
We cry daily about insecurity, banditry, unemployment, the unbearable cost of living and incessant fuel price hikes. Now, we're asked to go find a means of survival...it is finished!
This must be the reason Jesus wept—in capital letters.
