Coronavirus Pandemic in Nigeria: General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) missing in action, what hope for the Citizens?
Leading up the 2015 elections in Nigeria, the then opposition party - All Progressive Party (APC) and its flag bearer, candidate General (rtd.) Muhammadu Buhari on several occasions during the campaigns promised Nigerians that he will lead from the front.
On February 26, 2015 he went before the world at Chatham House, London
and proclaimed "We will always
act on time and not allow problems to irresponsibly fester, and I, General
Muhammadu Buhari, will always lead from the front and return Nigeria to its
leadership role in regional and international efforts to combat
terrorism". By extension General Buhari did not only make
promise to Nigerians, he took an oath to defend Nigeria and Nigerians from any
form of aggression and affliction. He has not only violated the oath of the
office of President of Nigeria, he has failed in the primary function of
Government which is the protection of life, liberty and rights of citizens.
When on December 31, 2019 the world woke up to the outbreak of
Coronavirus Pandemic in Wuhan China, we all knew it was a matter of time before
it spreads around the world. From Americas to Europe and Africa, countries
started to brace for the worst albeit slow in some aspects though experts had
warned of the eminent spread. In Nigeria however, the government did little or
nothing to prepare for the virus. There was no orientation of citizens, no
preparation, no test kits, no PPE for health workers, no isolation centers,
hospitals have no ventilators, etc. To many citizens especially the uneducated,
Coronavirus: is “China Virus”, a “White man’s disease”, “It will not get to
Nigeria”, they said. Little did they realize that it will hit home so soon.
While several world leaders, medical experts and the World Health
Organization were monitoring the coronavirus situation in China, the oil
prices plunged following the oil war between Saudi Arabia and Russia,
further heightening the tension around the world and global market. As we know
Nigeria is a monolithic economy dependent largely on oil dollars to run every
aspect of governance. So, as the oil price dropped, Nigeria took her eyes off
the pandemic ravaging China and some Asian countries and focused more on how to
rejig the national budget.
Meanwhile, despite the global oil market crises, the outbreak of the coronavirus
in Wuhan intensified, killing dozens. Many Heads of Government around the world
immediately reached out to their citizens in China and brought them home, but
Nigeria did nothing to help her citizens stranded in China even as they cried out
for help to return home. Nigerians trapped in Wuhan, China wrote several
letters to the Government through Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM),
headed by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and SSA to President Buhari on Diaspora
Affairs, but their government cared less. They were left to suffer their fate
because the President’s attention is fixed on the oil prices, not the plight of
his fellow citizens. Their President, a man who promised to lead from the front
was nowhere to be seen or heard. General Buhari and Nigeria let those citizens
down.
By January 15, 2020 Health officials in Thailand and Japan had confirmed
the cases of Covid-19 in their countries so they immediately began to screen travelers
returning and entering their countries especially those returning from Wuhan.
Other countries followed with intense airport screening especially passengers
from China. And soon the US recorded a case. By this time the World Health
Organization had issued travel warning and precautions even as China had been overwhelmed
by the cases and deaths despite their best effort at building a historic
Huoshenshan 1,000 bed Hospital in 1 week. How China achieve this still remains
a mystery.
According to the World Health Organization, the “Coronavirus are a large
family of respiratory viruses that can cause diseases ranging from the common
cold to the Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and the Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). In case of symptoms suggestive of acute
respiratory illness before, during or after travel, the travellers are
encouraged to seek medical attention and share travel history with their health
care provider.
- Frequently
clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water;
- When
coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue –
throw tissue away immediately and wash hands;
- Avoid
close contact with anyone who has fever and cough;
- If you
have fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and
share previous travel history with your health care provider;
- When
visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of novel
coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and
surfaces in contact with animals;
- The
consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw
meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid
cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety
practices.”
As the virus began to spread around the world, various countries began to
react by closing their borders and shutting down non-essential services to
curtail the spread of the virus but Nigeria, the sleeping giant of Africa
carried on as if she is immune from the rest of the world. The government did
nothing to prepare for the eminent danger, not for the lack of information as
WHO released the above warning and precautions as early as January 10, 2020. The
government’s focus was more on the oil market and the sudden shortfall in
oil-dollars; not the protection of her citizens and borders.
Like everything Nigeria, the system was asleep when on February 25, 2020 an
infected Italian citizen came into the country through the Murtala Muhammed
International Airport, Lagos. The Italian who incidentally became the index
case in Nigeria when he tested positive on Feb 27, 2020 made contact with
several people in Lagos and Ogun State. And by March 9, 2020 a second case was
confirmed. A person who had contact with the Italian. Between March 9 and the
time of publishing this article on March 29th total confirmed cases
of Covid-19 in Nigeria has hit 97 with 1 death. This figure could be more as
many contact persons with either in the index case or other cases cannot be
traced. Some who have symptoms are scared to come out for fear of stigmatization
or lack of testing centers and kits. The Latest updates from World Health
Organization put the global figures at: Confirmed cases - 575,444; Confirmed death – 26,654; affected countries,
areas or territories – 202.
By mid March 2020, the pandemic has shut down the world’s economy, global
market and way of life of the people have come to a halt. But several world
leaders have equally stepped up efforts. Donald J. Trump of USA, Emmanuel
Macron of France, Justin Trudeau of Canada, Boris Johnson of UK, Cyril
Ramaphosa of South Africa, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, to mention but a few, have
risen to the challenge posed by the virus by providing daily updates, direction,
relief, equipment, hospital supplies, stimulus and palliatives to mitigate
spread of the virus and impact on their citizens and businesses affected. However,
in all of this, one President has been sleeping, conspicuously missing and derelict
his duties. He is General Muhammadu Buhari. Same man who vowed in Chatham House
“We will always act on time” But
when it mattered the most, the former General was no show even as his surrogates
scramble to give reasons. One of his aide – Mr. Femi Adesina make bold to say, “It’s a matter of style…The president’s
style is that when he gives you an assignment, he leaves you to do it”
As General Muhammadu Buhari continues to miss in action in the face of
the global pandemic ravaging the world including Nigeria further fueling
speculations by Nigerians as to his state of health and mind after his Chief of
Staff – Mr. Abba Kyari tested positive to the Coronavirus, one thing has become
obvious, he is not fit for the office of President of Nigeria and the rigors of
the office.
In all we must not fail to appreciate the dogged and spirited efforts of
the team at the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) lead by Dr. Chikwe
Ihekweazu, the various State Governors especially Lagos State – Mr. Babajide
Sanwo-Olu who is constantly providing daily briefing, updates and efforts by
the State Government. And to the corporate bodies and Billionaires who have
made contributions in cash and kind, Nigerians remain eternally grateful. It is
my hope that as Nigerians grapple with the pandemic, the resultant economic
loss, the socio and psychological impact of lockdown and Social-Distancing, to
reduce the spread of the virus, this monies donated by these individuals and
entities will be used judiciously and to reach Nigerians whose means of
livelihood have been greatly impacted for no fault of theirs.
The National Assembly should immediately reconvene to pass a Palliative/Stimulus
package that will put some money in the pockets of Nigerians who are forced to
stay home. This can be achieved through the registered Bank Verification Number
(BVN) of citizens domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria while small, medium
and large businesses should be supported with loans and tax breaks to enable
them retain their workforce to avoid a total collapse of all sectors of the
economy. From US to Canada, to UK, to France, etc., we are seeing similar
initiatives/palliatives to assist citizens affected by the pandemic. Nigeria
must also copy from them now, after all when it’s convenient we refer and
quotes these western countries.
While General Muhammadu Buhari sleeps on duty, Nigerians must look out
for themselves at this perilous times because Coronavirus know no colour, gender,
age, religion, economic status, and or tribe. We are all in it together and the
time to act is now!!!
- Warisenibo Shedrack Fubara, a public affairs analyst writes from
Alberta, Canada.
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