Someone Said Only Lazy People Are Hungry In Nigeria And I Can't Sleep

I saw the headline this morning, the Apena of Egbaland saying only lazy people are hungry in Nigeria. I read it twice to be sure I was not misreading. Then I looked at my account balance: 1,240 naira. My feeding budget for today was 2,500. Do the maths.

This is the thing that gets me. The people who say hunger is laziness have never had to choose between data and garri. They have never counted coins at a buka in Enugu wondering if the woman will reduce the price small. They have never watched petrol hit N1,430 per litre and calculated how that same increase will quietly climb into the price of bread, transport, everything.

I am a 300L Economics student. I tutor JAMB students on the side. I write freelance pieces at night when the hostel gen is on. By every definition, I am working. And I am still hungry most days. So when an elder stands up and calls that laziness, I want to ask him one question. Who exactly is he talking about? Because it cannot be me and it cannot be the millions like me.