Nigerians, before the confirmation of the country’s index case of the dreaded COVID-19 (Coronavirus) had expressed pessimism over the preparedness of their leaders to combat its spread when it eventually manifested.
Of course, when it broke out in the WUHAN Province of China on December 30, 2019, the question on the lips of Nigerians was not if, but when it will, like others before it, berth in the country.
As usual, it took President Muhammadu Buhari over 48 hours to officially address Nigerians on the issue.
In a statement signed by one of the spokespersons in the Presidency, on March 1, a Sunday, Nigerians were asked not to panic.
“Instead of panicking, Nigerians should strictly observe the advisories disseminated by the Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation (WHO), on the best way to prevent infection”, the statement added.
Yes, though the Federal Government through its National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had set up emergency control centres across the states with special attention on strategic entry points, including Lagos, which equally boosted its preparedness with the setting up of an Incidence Monitoring Committee headed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the nation did not have to wait much longer as it recorded its index case of the virus last Friday, February 28.
Again, Nigerians are not really sure of the sincerity of those in positions of authority to control the spread of the virus without using the opportunity to engage in one ‘hanky-panky’ or the other.
Other serious countries like the United States of America, Italy, France and others including the China, where the dreaded virus emerged from have adequate records and have engaged researchers to look for cure.
Nigerians on social media have even insinuated that the ‘COVID-19 spirit’ may be allowed to linger like that of Boko Haram so that some ‘pockets may be enlarged and made to smile to the banks’.
Of course if this kind of ‘evil spirit’ is allowed to fester by Nigerian leaders, there will not be any hiding place for any ‘golden fish’.
COVID-19 is real, both leaders and followers must cooperate to ensure that the spread is prevented at all cost.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
