“Don’t just buy cars. Help the poor.”
That was the charge from the Nigerian First Lady to Burna Boy, Davido, Asake and other celebrities.
Ma, with respect, that is kettle calling pot black.
Let’s do the math. A bulletproof SUV in the Villa convoy costs more than 2000 bags of rice. One state banquet costs more than 500 scholarships. One trip abroad costs more than a primary health center.
So when the mansion tells the mansion-on-wheels to stop buying cars, the poor man in the street is confused. Who should we listen to first?
This is not to excuse celebrities. Yes, Burna, Davido, Asake, you have billions. If you can buy Bugatti Veyron worth $9Billion in…, you can also fund three classrooms. Charity is not optional when you have that much light.
But leadership must lead by example. You cannot preach “austerity” from a bulletproof German Bomber Cadillac. You cannot tell an artist to feed the hungry while the cost of rice is ₦90,000 and government palliatives cannot be traced.
“He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.”
Help the poor? Yes. All of us should. Churches, mosques, CEOs, influencers, politicians, everyone.
But let it start from Aso Rock to the street. Cut one convoy. Pause one renovation. Redirect it to school feeding. Then call Davido and Burna. They will listen.
Because Nigerians are tired of sermons from sirens.
Don’t just talk cars. Don’t just buy them. Help the poor. Starting with those who hold the budget.
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