Lagos Residents Express Hunger Fear As Ramadan Approaches

Some residents in Lagos state have expressed their hunger fear as the holiest month of the Muslim calendar, Ramadan, approaches, colliding with the lockdown directive from the federal government.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on April 13, extended the initial 14-day lockdown by another 14-days as a measure to curtail the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Ekohotblog visited the Lagos State emergency market at Fagba Junior Grammar School, Iju and Stadium Junior Grammar School, Low-Cost Housing Estate, Ifako to sample the opinion of residents of the state.

A resident of Alamutu area of Ifako-Ijaiye, Mrs Adijat, said that Ramadan is coming at a very wrong time as it will only add to the hardship the people are suffering.

She said, “I heard that fasting would start on Friday and personally, I can say this is coming at a very wrong time. People are already fasting. Do you think people still eat thrice daily? No. Remember, people are on lockdown and can’t go out to get their daily income. So, how will they cope? I am a Muslim, and I don’t think I will fast.”

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Another person who identified herself as Madam Joy said she only came out to see what is happening at the market.

“My brother, I am here to feast my eyes. I have been home for a long time but decided to stroll out and see what is happening. Some of us are battling ‘coronahunger’. I am not a Muslim but I feel for my Muslim friends. Some of them have been lamenting to me on how to survive when the fasting starts. In the past, a lot of people will feast others during Iftar. But now, I am sure a lot of people will be breaking their fast alone because of the uncertainty of this coronavirus,” she said.

A resident of Ajoke Estate, Mr Gbenga Badru, pleaded with the government to see what it can do for people during the Ramadan period.

According to him, “We have stayed home for close to a month now. People have complained bitterly during this period. Last night, Lagos State recorded another 59 cases of coronavirus. It is looking likely that the lockdown would be extended, meaning people would be home again. So, how do they survive? When people embark on fasting, it is advisable they eat healthily, take fruits and the likes. Where will all these come from when they can’t go out to work? Government has a lot to do, honestly.”

For Mrs Ajoke (Iya Basit), a resident of Odejobi street in Agege, when you mention Ramadan, what comes to mind is hunger.

“Fasting is going to meet fasting. We have been fasting for three weeks now. I have three children and I am a widow. I sell children’s products beside Oluwole Memorial Primary School but we can’t display our wares at this time because of the lockdown. I have been living from hand to mouth. This Ramadan will only add to the hunger,” she lamented.

An Hausa trader, Ibrahim from Kano, said that sales had already dropped and nothing is looking promising as Ramadan approaches.

Speaking in pidgin English, he blamed the lockdown on the drop in business while maintaining that this would be the worst Ramadan ever.

He said, “Business is no good. People no get money to buy anything. Make Ramadan no come now at all because people no get money and hunger go catch them.

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