COVID-19: PALLIATIVES MEASURES, RISE OF INSECURITY, A CALL FOR URGENT AND ADEQUATE ACTION.


Could this be the second coming of Jesus Christ as it is written in the bible? Among all planets, earth is inhabited by humans who are refers to as the strongest and most intelligent of all species. But the advent of CORONA VIRUS has exposed our weakness making people to turn to God for the first time in world’s history irrespective of colour, race or religion.
As a Nigerian, I have kept praying to GOD to divinely intervene because of the recent and ongoing activities of the world’s deadliest virus in the developed nations of the world. It is no longer news that the most advanced countries of the world in terms of intelligences and technology are now engaging a TRIAL AND ERROR technique in combating this virus. Despite their level of knowledge and intelligence, no one has been able to come up with a permanent cure for the virus leaving countries such as THE MIGHTY USA with the highest cases of corona virus despite their world power, financial capacity, knowledge and medical apparatus.

NIGERIA AS A CASE STUDY.
Nigeria is a country in the western region of Africa with a population of approximately 200 million and can be categorised as a developing country. Nigeria has so far recorded less than 400 cases of corona virus infection making the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to extend the lockdown in some of its states namely Lagos, Ogun and the FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY. The two weeks lock down extension has generated a lot of reactions from Nigerians who inhabit in the lock down states, majorly because of the effects on their survival during this lockdown period.
The recent rise in crimes such as robbery, burglary and theft in some part of the country under lockdown such as Lagos and Ogun is very alarming and I will like to dwell more on the cause of this shameful and unpatriotic act displayed by some hunger motivated individuals who turn out to be energetic youths in the country.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has claimed to release palliatives to some vulnerable individuals during this pandemic period, but Nigerians keep asking questions on the means at which the government got their data and register of the vulnerable people in Nigeria. Nigeria is a country we all know not to have adequate data base for all its citizens. The method of sharing the palliatives has been questioned without the government being able to come up with a reasonable and convincing explanation.
WITH THE RECENT PRONOUNCEMENT OF TWO WEEKS EXTENSION , WHAT IS THE FATE OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THEIR LIVES EVERYDAY WITH A DAILY INCOME OF LESS THAN $1/PER DAY?

OGUN STATE AS A CASE STUDY

Ogun state is a state in the south western region of Nigeria that borders Lagos, Oyo and Ondo and it is being refers to as THE GATEWAY STATE. Ogun state has recorded 9 cases of corona virus recently.
The state government has gotten donations from different sectors and individuals in monetary terms and in materials. A week ago, the state government embarked on distributions of palliatives to the vulnerable in the state as done by the federal government but the food items shared in different local government was greeted by displeasure and great disappointment by the people. The palliative measures didn’t address the youth who amounted to a larger percentage of the unemployed in our society.
The recent alarming robbery, burglary and theft which has created panic and unrest in some areas of the state could be linked with the non-ability of the youths to feed themselves during this lockdown as many youths in the state rely on daily income to sustain themselves and their loved ones.

PEARL BAILEY SAYS ‘HUNGRY PEOPLE CANNOT BE GOOD AT LEARNING OR PRODUCING ANYTHING, EXCEPT PERHAPS VIOLENCE’, which is the end result we are experiencing in Ogun state and some other parts of the country. It’s high time for the government to live up to its responsibilities as governance is a responsibility.
Having discussed hunger as a major challenge, government should engage intellectuals, knowledgeable individuals, corporate organisations like the telecommunication companies and banks etc as they will assist in generating viable data of its citizens and also the opposition in contributing their own quota as the issue at hand is a one that affect all and sundries.

Solving the problem of hunger will provide a solution to the uprising robbery and other crimes being experienced in recently. I equally commend all law enforcement operatives for their role in this trying time. Also, I commend all patriotic Nigerians for not taking advantage of the happenings in the country to perpetrate violence. Let’s all join hands with the government in putting an end to this world deadliest virus.
COVID-19 IS REAL...
STAY SAFE, STAY AT HOME.

SIGNED:
COMRADE BAMGBOSE TOMIWA
CHAIRMAN NANS OGUN JCC.
08039617682