BREAKFAST FAST BECOMING A LUXURY
By Ayomide Adegoke
This article should not be confused as a diatribe on the other kind breakfast—which is now served in various innovative ways (and is also a luxury, I must say). Rather, this is a bitter lament on the harsh fact that the increase in the price of food items and fuel has done more than try our patience as students, but has also honed out our inner economic management tactics.
The average UI student—emphasis on average—has, recently, either considered skipping breakfast entirely, or considered cutting down their morning and evening ration by a considerable amount.
Why?
The allowance of the aforementioned average student has increased only by a fraction (if at all) due to the country’s alarming economic decline. Yet, as a result of said decline, the student’s expenses have all doubled. Lunch has already been removed from the daily diet of many, and with the rate at which Nigeria’s economy is regressing, we earnestly hope that breakfast isn’t as well.
The fact that the daily income of 82 million Nigerians was less than a dollar in 2020 is alarming. Now that a dollar is almost 600 Naira, this means that alongside the current economic inflation, the poverty rate has skyrocketed.
What can we average students do?
Always be on the look out for opportunities. Try to broaden your horizon. Be alert to student friendly job opportunities, innovative ideas, scholarships, reliefs, competitions and internship opportunities. Even if they all don’t work out today, they’ll definitely propel your tomorrow.
Look for ingenious ways to make money—legally. Be open to new ideas. Offer your two cents for the improvement of Nigeria. Do your part.
Although I’d like to tell you to not allow the crippled state of Nigeria’s economy rub off on you, its direct impact is inevitable. So, rather, I’d encourage you to keep a positive attitude in spite of that. Keep the belief that your compulsory fasts today are for a greater good.
