Abuja based Real Estate and Hospitality tycoon, Mr. Nwaora Augustine David aka Austyn David has warned that if relief materials are not sent ahead to poor and under privileged families, before a totally shut down of the country, so many Nigerians might die of hunger.
Nwaora is of the opinion that poor families would be the most affected and hunger may be a bigger concern to them more than the coronavirus the country is fighting.
“It would be grossly insensitive to order people to shelter and stay home without offering a reasonable economic relief plan” he said.
While speaking to newsmen from his Abuja office he added that “this economic relief plan has to be far reaching, all-encompassing and robust: it has to meet firstly the needs of the common man and woman on the street as well as struggling families; to meet their basic economic needs for a potential nation-wide lock down. People won’t continue to hunker down as hunger will probably kill them faster than some virus would. A social-distancing measure that does not take into consideration the peculiarities of the Nigerian state will be counter-productive”.
The 31-year old businessman and entrepreneur who hails from Anambra state but born in Kano state on November 2, 1989 is the director of Bentell properties Limited and CEO of Suave properties limited.
He ventured into the real estate business after inheriting the craft from his parents, Chief Ben Nwaora and Chief (Mrs) Ethel Nwaora 8 years ago and successfully built a reputation for himself in the real estate and hospitality industry.
The graduate of philosophy from the University of Ibadan also added that Nigeria is in for tougher times in the coming weeks due to the COVID19 pandemic stating that the low incomes earners will be the most hit during this time of crisis.
“In a country that is pervasive with the mismanagement of funds; accountability of donations and its expenditure needs absolute thoroughness and transparency if we are to curtail this virus from becoming wide spread”
Mr Augustine who also has a Masters Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Nile University of Nigeria and a PhD in-view in Political Science with specialization in International Relations advised the governors of states across the country to see this crisis as a lesson to be more prepared and not to wait for a viral outbreak before erecting hospitals and medicals facilities as well as acquiring personal protective equipment for medical professionals in their respective states in order not to be taken by surprise in the future. “This is a moment in history that will be remembered and defined, among others by how the governments of countries responded to a global virus that doesn’t respect creed, race or nationality. If these measures are taken into consideration, I am sure that we will beat this virus and be better prepared for any future viral threat on a state and national level”.