Nigerians have taken a dim view of the Federal Government’s surprising decision to plead for donation of ventilators; from billionaire entrepreneur and Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, to aid its fight against COVID-19.
In fact, equally befuddling was the fact that the request had been made openly on Twitter.
Since the tweet came to light; Nigerians have taken to their respective social media accounts to call out the Federal Government. For many, the development is an act of desperation and unbecoming of a country such as Nigeria. Indeed, the majority have taken the Federal Government to the cleaners over the matter.
Specifically, trouble began when technology entrepreneur, Elon Musk; posted a tweet, disclosing that he had a number of ventilators available to ship to hospitals worldwide.
‘‘We have extra FDA-approved ventilators. Will ship to hospitals worldwide within Tesla delivery regions. Device & shipping cost are free. Only requirement is that the vents are needed immediately for patients, not stored in a warehouse. Please me or @Tesla know.’’
We have extra FDA-approved ventilators. Will ship to hospitals worldwide within Tesla delivery regions. Device & shipping cost are free. Only requirement is that the vents are needed immediately for patients, not stored in a warehouse. Please me or @Tesla know.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 31, 2020
Thereafter, the tweet got to the attention of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning. Subsequently, the Ministry had responded with its verified official handle; pleading for some ventilators to be shipped to Nigeria to fight COVID-19.
‘‘Dear @elonmusk @Tesla Federal Government of Nigeria needs support with 100-500 ventilators to assist with #Covid19 cases arising every day in Nigeria.’’
Dear @elonmusk @Tesla Federal Government of Nigeria needs support with 100-500 ventilators to assist with #Covid19 cases arising every day in Nigeria.
— Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (@FinMinNigeria) April 1, 2020
Consequently, Nigerians who were flummoxed at the ill-advised tweet, had immediately gone on the offensive.
Indeed, the FG was accused of reducing Nigeria to a laughing stock. Also, reference was made to successive national budgets and recent donations by influential Nigerians; with many demanding to know what had happened to those funds.
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Additionally, on a lighter note, many also accused the FG of shamelessly resorting to begging; with the phrase – bambiala – used often by beggars in Nigeria recurring among the tweets.
Meanwhile, 1st News has put together some of the striking and funny tweets on the matter.
Hay God!! Ministry of Finance has entered bambiala twitter. Next thing you know, CBN will be dropping account number under Bill Gates' tweets.
Jehova!! ??♂️??♂️?? https://t.co/65zDXQL3DZ
— Ugö (@Ugomandias) April 2, 2020
A whole Nigeria Ministry of Finance. Nigeria. Big Nigeria. Economic giant of Africa, begging @elonmusk for ventilators on Twitter. https://t.co/7kYXvFesal
— Rebecca Enonchong (@africatechie) April 2, 2020
I am ashamed that the Nigeria Ministry of Finance is begging for ventilators on Twitter. This is the same ministry that released $15.3M to buy cars for 469 lawmakers but cannot release just $2.7M to renovate hospitals for over 200 million Nigerians.#COVID19Nigeria @Gidi_Traffic https://t.co/sazlcEEwlX
— J.O Mustapha ?????????? (@Pathogenolilis) April 2, 2020
If ever you feel too proud to ask for giveaway, remember, Lagos State and our ministry of finance did bambiala. Our ministry of finance is begging Elon musk for giveaway ??
— Chris (@iam_xtova) April 2, 2020
Ministry of Finance openly begging Elon musk has to be the height of bambiala twitter
What a Federal embarrassment!!! pic.twitter.com/8Nlang9gnj
— Khal BUSSIE (@iam_bussie) April 2, 2020
If Ministry of Finance could do bambiala, who am I to be doing shakara?
— Arizona (@_MzJayde) April 2, 2020
Lol if you are broke better do bambiala with your full chest even our ministry of finance dey do, if you still dey form na hunger go wound you
— YH (@Yemihazan) April 2, 2020
Elon Musk: "We have extra FDA-approved ventilators. Will ship to hospitals worldwide within Tesla delivery regions".
Ministry of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: "Baba, pls i haven't benefitted from any of your giveaways, show me love. It'll go a long way in…"
— Dr. Maxvayshia™ ?? ?? (@maxvayshia) April 2, 2020
More than 10 Billion Naira has been donated by corporates and HNIs in Nigeria to combat Covid-19, but the Ministry of Finance & Budget has reduced itself into Bambiala Twitter to beg Tesla owner Elon Musk for equipments.
This country does not deserve me I swear.
— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) April 2, 2020
If Ministry of Finance could do bambiala, who am I to be doing shakara?.please, where can I drop account number??
— IMRAN (@saliujaleel1) April 2, 2020
Wait! Is that Bambiala from the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning???
— Uncle Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) April 2, 2020
It is now official, Ministry of Finance have joined Bambiala Twitter.
Min. displaying some tactics in Elon Musk mentions.
At the end, everybody want to survive these days, even the Country.— Premier (@SodiqTade) April 2, 2020
Nigeria’s Ministry of finance are lining up under Elon Musks tweet and begging for giveaway for ventilators after the government has squandered all our money and failed to invest in healthcare to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
The Nigerian government will embarrass you. ??
— ✨10 ? DaddyMO? 10✨ (@therealdaddymo1) April 2, 2020
If the ministry of finance can beg for giveaway, who am I to not beg.
— Ádëlákûñ? (@_Adelakun_) April 2, 2020
Ministry of finance >>>>>>>>>> Ministry of Bambiala
— Bossmann™ (@RealBossmann) April 2, 2020
Its okay to ask for things but I honestly don't understand why the Ministry of Finance of a nation would publicly be begging for ventilators on Twitter!!!
Are there no other diplomatic channels?But what do I know ?
— ‘Bunmi (@bummite) April 2, 2020
More than 50 Billion Naira has been donated to Nigeria to combat Covid-19, but the Ministry of Finance & Budget has reduced itself into Bambiala Twitter to beg Tesla owner Elon Musk for equipments.
This country is a joke ??
— ? King Tunde Ⓜ️ (@iamwytunes) April 2, 2020
I don’t see what is shameful in begging for what you do not have , nor manufacture. Moreover, Tesla’s technology savvy could churn out thousands of most modern ventilators within the twinkle of an eye Maybe many of you criticizing the FG don’t realize that Toyota’s or Elon Musk’s annual budget far surpasses that of the FG annual budget. For life and death matters you do not allow shame to cover your sense of reality on ground. By the way 57 Billion naira donation is just $150 mill. Pocket money for a Saudi Prince if oga coro were not around. $2.64million = N1Billion, After all I heard someone recently bought a jet for $62million. If you cant beg pls employ me to come help una beg.