Nigeria vs Corona Virus

The Corona Virus eventually landed in Nigeria through an Italian that came to Nigeria and other returnees from abroad. Initially, we thought the virus will not visit Nigeria . We have a very good weather and we believe that the virus cannot survive our weather. No doubt Nigerian weather is hostile to the virus but it is still spreading like wild fire.

The Virus had entered Europe and USA before it came to visit the most populous black African Country. It shows that we are not immune to the virus as we thought.

In fairness to Lagos State Government , the governor tried to contain it right from the Airport and the first Italian guy who brought Corona Virus was quickly isolated and quarantined . He has now recovered. We learnt that 5 others have recovered.

Corona Virus arguably started in Wuhan region in China . Wuhan was eventually locked down and the whole China was locked down. This started since January 2020.
Europe was a bit careless and italy and Spain suffered most with more recorded death even more than China. The world has never experienced this kind of pandemic. I have searched through the pages of history. I couldnt find anything that is close to this when the whole world closed border against each other and we are not in time of war. Let me describe Corona Virus as an Alien Warlord that is fighting against our universe. Time is running against us to stop it. In vain is our sophisticated weapons of war against Corona Virus, our Supersonic jet is of no effect, the virus is defying our best scientists , the pshychist are helpless , the Doctors and nurses are overwhelmed with some succumbing to the cold hand of the virus. We never knew that we, of this modern world can be helpless like this.

Back to Nigeria , the numbers of those who are infected with the virus are rising on daily basis with one death of a 67 year old man with underlining health problems. It was reported that the man just returned from the United Kingdom where he has gone through Chemoteraphy and he was also diabetic. The effect of Chemoteraphy was the fact that it will destroy both good and bad cells of the body and thus the person becomes susceptible to secondary illness because the immune system become weak. One is therefore not surprised that the victim succumbed quickly to the deadly virus.

The State Governors of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo are handling it well but the Federal government is not prepared and have no sense of direction on the matter . The Chief of Staff ABBA Kyari has tested positive to the virus , Bauchi Governor and Kogi Governor have tested positive . Many have isolated themselves and cannot come out Openly.

As of today there are over 50 people infected in Nigeria but considering that not many people have been tested so far and maybe the numbers are higher than that.

The Hospitals in Abuja in Aso Rock have only 2 ventilators. Billions of Naira are the budget of Aso Rock Hospitals every year and yet no syringe , no pain killers and no ventilators, one does not need to be a genius to see why ABBA Kyari chose to be treated at Lagos, the people he hates with passion. President Muhammed Buhari always come to london for treatment, that is now impossible. The border is shut, no one can travel from one country to the other now except by special arrangement . Corona Virus has created division in the whole world, the best of friends are now shutting doors against each other. No, to visitors is now the beginning of wisdom.

We can contain it in Nigeria if we are serious enough about it . The Federal Government must step in with all seriousness. USA have passed a stimulus budget to help the people of America. The UK has provided stimulus budget to help her people . USA and UK have locked down but their people will not go hungry. Provisions have been made for them.

What provision has the Federal Government of Nigeria made for her citizens where partial lockdown is in progress. Things were hard for the people of Nigeria before the emergence of Corona Virus and it is becoming harder now. The Federal government must provide her own stimulus for our people.

Life was difficult before and it is becoming more difficult for the people now. We need to think of traders and Artisans who their livelihood depends on daily trade and their daily business. Markets have been shut down. The Bricklayers cannot go to work. The Iron benders etc. Our Hospitals are not well equipped to deal with this kind of situation. Even the Federal Capital has nothing and the chief of Staff ( ABBA Kyari) that tested positive to the virus,, he is coming to Lagos for treatment. If the numbers keep rising then millions of Nigeria will be infected and there are no adequate provisions yet . Hunger is looming large on the country.

The people also are displaying ignorance of the virus and they are going about carelessly. They attend Parties, Churches and Mosques . They do not observe social distance advocated by the government. It is the people that should enforce the rules, the rules cannot enforce itself , the people have work to do and need to listen to the government . Unless the people co-operate with the government, it will spell disaster for Nigeria.

The virus has created classless society and yet there is a long way to go. The government must create more awareness to educate the people about the danger of spreading Corona virus. It takes one person to infect hundreds of people .

Social distancing must be enforced. Cleanliness is next to godliness, cleaning and washing of hands are very important at this time. Using of disinfectant is absolutely necessary to combat Corona virus. The weapons to fight the virus include obedience to the authority and observing strict hygiene

There may also be solution from our local herbs. The race is on in the world to find a cure and vaccines are being developed in Europe and America; What are we doing in Nigeria to find the cure? we should not wait for the Western world , we can develop our own through tbe use of local herbs that may be useful for the whole world . We also need those who are wealthy in Nigeria to emulate ‘Jack Ma’ who has sent help to Nigeria by contributing their quotas towards the poor in these trying times. We commend a few individual in nigeria who have also risen to the occasion by donating cash and materials like sanitizers and food stuff to help the poor.

Let us do our best and look after ourselves while we pray that the darkness will soon be over with light at the end of the tunnel.

I call on the Federal Government to announce her Stimulus package for the people of Nigeria to alleviate their sufferings.

Niyi Aborisade is a legal practitioner in the UK and the president of the international Movement for Positive Change & National Movement for the Positive Change