An unnamed widow, accompanied by her three children, tragically collapsed from hunger while navigating through a bustling market in Ibadan, Oyo State, drawing attention to the dire circumstances faced by many families in the region.
The distressing incident unfolded in full view of bystanders and was soon captured on a viral video circulating on social media platforms. In the footage, the widow appeared visibly weakened, lying on the bare ground at the roadside, with her children by her side and concerned onlookers offering their support.
Reports from witnesses revealed that the widow, hailing from Amuloko in Ibadan, had embarked on the journey with her children to Oja Oba Iso Ololubo market, intending to secure credit for a much-needed bag of sachet water. However, her already precarious situation took a turn for the worse as she collapsed, with one of her children strapped to her back.
Witnesses recounted the scene of empathy and assistance that followed as traders and passersby rallied to aid the distressed family. Contributions of monetary support were poured into a modest black plastic bucket, while the youngest child was tenderly provided with nourishing pap.
Unable to articulate her plight due to her extreme weakness, the widow reportedly disclosed that she had endured four days without sustenance, a heartbreaking testament to the severity of her situation.
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In the video, the widow’s eldest child, a young girl, spoke in Yoruba, revealing the family’s desperate struggle for survival.
“We’ve not eaten for four days,” she lamented.
“My mother said all of us should come to carry water and sell it so that we can find money to eat. We were walking from home, and she fell here.”
The harrowing incident underscores the pressing socioeconomic challenges faced by many families across Nigeria, prompting widespread concern and calls for action. In response to the growing economic turmoil, the Nigeria Labour Congress has announced a two-day nationwide strike scheduled for February 27 to 28, 2024, aiming to address the prevailing hardships gripping the country.
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