Nigeria’s Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, has urged Telecommunication and Cable TV companies to ease the pain of Nigerians during this battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

Indeed, the pandemic is ravaging the world at the moment. Businesses are down, the economy is down, plus people are locked down in their various houses.

Therefore, they need airtime and data to keep in touch with their loved ones who aren’t close by.

Also, they need to remain subscribed to their Cable TV in order to withstand the boringness of this social distancing.

To that effect, the Minister urged two of the most popular Cable TV companies in Nigeria, DStv and StarTimes, to extend all existing subscription by at least one month.

“As one of the Ministers entrusted with the welfare of Nigerian workers, I politely urge DStv Nigeria & StarTimes Nigeria to extend all EXISTING subscriptions by at least one month, free-of-charge, as their own contribution to [easing] the pains of Nigerian workers at this time of lockdown,” Festus Keyamo wrote in a tweet.

He also urged MTN, 9mobile, Airtel and Glo to consider giving Nigerians some token airtime and data to help them communicate with family and authorities in cases of emergency.

“I would also urge @MTNNG @9mobileng @AirtelNigeria @GloWorld to consider giving Nigerians some token airtime and data to ease their pains and to ensure that communication with individuals & authorities is ensured in cases of emergencies, especially when toll-free numbers are busy,” he added in another tweet.

Festus Keyamo was the spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the Presidential campaign. He was then appointed a Minister after the APC emerged victoriously. His call for free cable TV access and airtime is indeed a good one.

However, let’s not forget that the owner of Globacom, Mike Adenuga recently pledged a huge sum of 1.5 billion naira to help in the fight against COVID-19.