This is Nigeria (2)
If Akpos, whose minimum wages cannot afford a bag of rice fail to understand that we're facing an existential crisis, then something is definitely wrong
If people who live in countries where their governments spend so much on agricultural subsidy to ensure food prices does not go beyond the financial capacity of the lowest 20% of the population, are preaching to you on the merits of government removing all forms of subsidies in Nigeria, and you're nodding like Agama lizard, then you are one of the problem.
I remembered some months ago when some people were supporting prices of foodstuff. I laughed in silence for fear of being labelled an enemy of progress.
Some people gave excuses that it was because they were out of season food crops that was why prices were high. But what about now that the seadon is here. I smiled like Ismail.
Pray, how is the price of a tuber of yam today? We've all celebrated the New Yam festivals yet the price remained at the rooftop.
What happened to pepper, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, even my beloved ginger and garlic, all have maintained a N500 minimum prices.
I was discussing about Crayfish today with someone who is a dealer in foodstuff. In August I bought a paint for N5k, in October it was 8k, in November it climbed to N9k, but today it is hovering around N13k.
People are presently fighting to be alive. Many who are sick can't even visit the pharmacy. If you have anyone in the pharmaceutical line, ask them what their observations have been.
One media outfit carried out a survey of pharmaceutical products recently and the findings were quite frightening. Some pharmacists were alarmed that many of their customers on routine drugs have stopped coming to make purchases. And you know what that implies.
In the words of Adams Oshiomhole it is a "go and kpai" situation because the price increases for essential medications is worrying. Hmm! This is Naija.
On Blood Pressure medications ordinary Amlodipine has grown wings: Prices range from N1,400 for the 5mg tablet to N1,700 for the 10mg dosage.
Ramipril: The 10mg tablet costs between N2,500 and N3,000, depending on the pharmacy.
Lisinopril: Prices vary by dosage, with the 5mg tablet at N1,500, the 10mg at N2,500, and the 25mg at N4,000.
Moduretic: A common diuretic for hypertension is sold at N400.
Co-approval 10/150: A combination drug, now priced at N15,000.
For basic antibiotics; Amoxil: The 250mg tablet is priced at N2,000, while the 500mg dosage costs N3,500.
Augmentin: Prices range from N9,000 for the 457mg tablet to N18,000 for the 1g dose.
For Cholesterol management drugs such as Atorvastatin: Costs N3,500 for the 10mg tablet and N4,500 for the 20mg dosage. Simvastatin: Available at N3,000.
Plagerin: Priced at N5,500, further emphasizing the financial burden on those managing chronic conditions.
Have I even talked about transportation? You see, many people have tendered their resignation letter because the transport fare to work is more than their monthly salary. Just go and check the stats. Hunger mortality rate has increased drastically.
In this kind of situation, what can the poor masses do? We've protested "end bad governance" and nothing came from it, rather, innocent youths were locked up in prison. This is Nigeria, where Akpu now drag size with egg.
My advice is that no matter the situation, let's try and stay alive, if not we will fulfill the expectations of our rulers. May we receive sharp health into the new year.
Living in Naija is actually an extreme sport
Thankx for reading
This is ckole the laughinggas
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