Following the extension of the lockdown in Nigeria by the Federal Government on Monday, Nigerians have been trending a #PayUsViaBVN on micro blogging site, Twitter.
In a national broadcast yesterday at 7p.m., President Muhammadu Buhari stated that the restriction of movements, lockdown in Lagos where the country has recorded the highest number of cases (54 per cent), Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory (17 per cent), would continue for the next two weeks.
Buhari, who thanked Nigerians, especially states affected by the lockdown, for their sacrifice, urged all Nigerians to continue to take responsibility for the recommended measures to curb the continued spread of the coronavirus, while admitting that the country could only take control of the spread of the viral disease by “sustaining these measures combined with extensive testing and contact tracing.”
As if to dampen the flint hope raised by some Nigerians affected by the previous 14-day lockdown directive, the president stated, “It has become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun states as well as the FCT for another 14 days effective from 11:59 pm on Monday, April 13, 2020.”
However, many Nigerians are not happy with the extension and have taken to twitter sphere to express their displeasure via #payUsViaBVN.
A twitter handle with the username @seyitanfumi wrote, “Dear @MBuhari, E don red for here o. I can no longer afford to buy food. I had to start a soap diet this morning. And even the soap cannot last me for another 14 days. Please #PayUsViaBVN.”
@Engr_Series, who compared Nigeria to Namibia that had allegedly paid some “reliefs” to its citizens, wrote, “BVN is basically to address identity theft. According to NISS, 38.5m accounts has BVN identity as at 2019, which means there’s a database… If Namibia is said to pay their citizens ‘reliefs’ for COVID19 through their bank accounts, why can’t the Nigerian govt #PayusviaBVN.”
While @TzOlawale corroborated by tweeting “Canadian government is giving its citizens one million COVID-19 relief money. Sinzu money, better tell them to #PayUsViaBVN.”
Rita, an engineer with the handle @EgwuRita1, wrote, “Over 80m Americans to get paid before Wednesday. Log into the designated website, input your details and get your relieve package (in form of cash). But here in Nigeria, we only hear about billions distributed to invisible millions of households. Fed Government! Everyone needs help now! #PayusviaBVN.”
User handle @OtunbaCoff asked why monies are being shared in other states not affected by the lockdown. He queried, “I’ve never seen a government more fraudulent and shameless as the Federal Government of Nigeria.
How can they be sharing money in states that aren’t on lockdown? Why embezzle at every chance y’all get? Nigerians are having hard times for crying out loud! #PayusviaBVN.”
Another handle, @ayemojuba, opined, “It is only a transparent and an accountable government that would consider the #PayUsViaBVN option. How will they loot?”
The second round of the lockdown will last for another 14 days.
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