In times like this, one of the major concerns of a working government should be the protection of its citizens and in this case the elderly ones in particular, since they are more vulnerable to the effects of the disease but, unfortunately the reverse is the case.

Some days back, my mum told me that she got a text message from the Oyo state pension commission, stating that there'll be an accreditation by the end of this month (July), and that anybody that fails to come for the accreditation will have his or her name removed from the database.

I don't have any problem with the accreditation, but, my major concern is with the timing. This is a very critical period and gatherings like this should be discouraged. My mum is in her mid- Sixties, coupled with the fact that Oyo state is among the top five States with the highest number of reported cases of COVID-19. She is also currently in the South-south region of the country, and this means she will have to travel a long distance (another risk).

I'm wondering why the accreditation is so important at this point that it cannot be postponed till the coast is a bit clearer. It's really a cause of worry for me.

Mods, I'll be grateful if this can get to the promised land.