By Chris Onokpegu

However, it is pertinent to note that everything that has advantage also has its own disadvantages and the present situation is not an exception as it also has iits own advantages.

We also have to understand that good things don’t come easily, you can ask successful people in life. You can also ask the present ISRAEL what they went through to get to the promised land.

Anyway, apart from the many benefits to the country especially concerning those who stock money in soakaway, overhead tanks and other places, there are other benefits to individuals too.

This period has made many to be prudent and probably save for the rainy days. For instance, I have been spending N1,000 cash for the past three weeks, ordinarily, that wouldn’t have been possible when there was cash. I buy fuel with POS, I have biscuits and water in my car, anytime I am hungry, I chew it and drink water until I get home. The cash is for any emergency, e.g. pumping of tyre, paying for parking space, etc. This is an option for car owners. I really pity those who don’t have car and wonder how they get money to move around.

Before this cash crunch, some of us would have spent more than 50,000 and above in a week or month depending on what we use cash for but we have been able to manage ourselves with the little cash at our disposal.

The scale of preference nowadays is food and health. Nobody is thinking of how to buy clothes, shoes, or any other thing. Food is the priority now. By so doing, you have been able to save money and whenever cash is available in the country, your money which you have not be able to access will still be intact.

This season has also forced some people to abandon their lifestyles. Some are good at eating fish, drink pepper soup, drink beer and so on on daily basis but due to cash scarcity, many have not been but those that cannot do without it have either reduced the number of times or use POS, transfer or even consume those things on credit but many are actually saving money from that venture.

Nowadays, some people have also adjusted their eating habits. They eat once in a while, or something light for breakfast, e.g. – tea and bread or biscuits. Some people have also learn how to eat opa (moi-moi-like) especially for people that are based in Abuja down to the eastern part of Nigeria because it can actually take somebody throughout the day with enough water.

Another way some are surviving is through fasting. Some people believe this is the best time to reach out to God not because they don’t have what to eat but for God to intervene in their affairs and that of the country.

It is worthy to note that fasting is good spiritually and medically. You can consult a medical personnel on the importance of fasting for your body, however, by so doing, you are also saving cost. But ensure that while fasting, you must pray and read your Bible.

The people that are enjoying this season to the fullest are the housewives especially those that their husbands don’t stay at home. Due to cash scarcity, some men cannot afford to eat or hang out again hence they are always available for madams and even though the economy is not favourable to everybody, they might just be praying internally for it to last longer.

Another angle is that people don’t drive aimlessly again especially when they don’t have anything or anywhere going. They will rather rest at home and save fuel for another day because they are not sure of when they will get the next fuel.

Many people don’t know what it means to save and many have been forced to do that for the first time. According to one of our pastors, “Some people have their houses, cars, businesses in their stomachs.”

Truly, that is how to describe some people. Any money they get, everything goes into their stomachs, they eat, and eat while some buy expensive clothes, shoes, wristwatches, etc and wear on their bodies.

I am very convinced that some must have realised that they can actually save or do other things with money instead of consumption every time.

When my friend was building, he did not buy clothes for almost a year and when he eventually bought, he got cheap ones because of his target. Today,, he can afford to wear anything but yet he doesn’t still because there is need to invest for the future.

A time will come when you will need to go abroad for shopping but not now. It is better to hustle and sacrifice now and enjoy tomorrow at a younger age, not at 55 and above, you are still running from pillar to post to feed yourself and family.

People must learn to stop complaining at every situation because God is using this period to teach us lessons. Somebody jokingly said, “God brought in Buhari to teach Nigerians lesson. Truly, before now, some people were so wasteful and not prudent in their spendings. Some people don’t plan for tomorrow but now, many must have learnt their lessons.

Also, we must be in constant touch with our Maker (God). He knows the beginning from the end. He said in the book of Jeremiah that before we were formed in our mother’s womb, He knows what will become of us. As we speak, many people are not experiencing the so-called hardships because of the covenant they have with God. What has been happening in Nigeria in the past years did not just started, it also happened during the times of Abraham, Jacob and Isaac but they were not affected.

We must also learn to create relationships with people especially in key areas. E.g. if you have a good relationship with the person managing your account, he would be able to guide you or help, the person might even help if you misplace your ATM or notice manipulation in your account.

Also, if you have good relationship with where you buy fuel your car (ask after the attendant’s welfare, ask after the family members, parents, send something to his or her child(ren) – not compulsory, ask after his or her salvation and others), when there is scarcity, of course such person will rally round to help. But it is not only when you need something from people that you help, because Bible says, “If you close your ears when the poor cry, He will also not hear you when you cry for help.” Also, it is always good to give a helping hand, because you never can tell where you will need help tomorrow and moreover, you never can tell who will take care of your children or family members, let’s be our brother’s keepers if you can, especially in this trying times.

There is also need to keep money at home, no matter how small. Those that have cash at home are the ones not complaining and most importantly, there is need to have foodstuffs at home. Anything can happen at any time as long as the government of the day is concerned. I did not experience hardships as a bachelor because I always stock my house with foodstuffs, even if I don’t have cash, I will always have something to eat.

Election is around the corner, in less than five days, we will go to the poll. This is the best time to stock your house with foodstuffs because you never can tell how the election will go but our prayer is that it shall be successful and the right person that has the fear of God will emerge.

Please don’t judge me with this piece, I have also learnt a lesson from this present situation. Once again, stop complaining and put God first so that you can be part of the people that will see and enjoy the good of the land of Nigeria. Do have a wonderful day ahead.