So it seems everywhere the people turn, they experience acute and ceaseless pain as the sole definition of their interactions with the government.

We are in the midst of a pandemic, which governments in other climes recognise that it is impossible for their citizens to go through this season without the active support of the governments and have therefore rolled out visible and systematic palliative measures.

Here, in Nigeria, the story is different and it is for the worse for the people.

It is against this backdrop that I vehemently kick against the imposition of N25,000 COVID-19 test fee for the precious children, attending private schools in Ogun State.

At a time, when parents, who have never enjoyed social protection from the Nigerian state and are compelled to run their families as Local Government Chairmen and are at their lowest ebb economically and socially, it is most insensitive to impose any form of levy on the parents.

The state of the Nigerian people as they relate successive governments seem to be getting worse. The government of Ogun State by this imposition seem to be saying to the parents as
Rehoboam to the people of Israel, ‘my father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’

I think this is an unjust levy that the parents must not only reject by all noble means necessary but must also be supported by all men and women of good conscience to reject in the best interest of the precious Ogun State children.

I remember the words of Martin Luther King Junior, ‘injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’

If we don’t kick against the Ogun State insensitivity, don’t be surprised if other state governments come out with even worse policies on the same subject matter.

Do have an INSPIRED evening.

I am Taiwo AKINLAMI
I speak for the precious African child.