Eventually, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the governor of Kano state has confirmed what we've feared for some time. Ganduje who had done almost everything to dismiss fears that coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, is spreading at an alarming rate in the state, took many by surprise when he raised an alarm that Kano is in trouble as a result of the virulent scourge. You must be definitely rattled but that is the truth the governor has struggled for so long to admit.

Speaking at a brief ceremony to take delivery of a COVID-19 Mobile Testing Centre donated to the state by the Dangote Foundation, Ganduje said that "there is no doubt that Kano is in trouble. And there is no doubt that we started on a shaky foundation." But as usual, the governor tried to absolve himself of any blame for the exploding number of coronavirus infections.

For him, it was the inability to have test results in time because "when samples were taken to Abuja for 7 hours and came again in 7 hours, that was the shaky foundation I'm talking about." But he was not done, Ganduje added that "we then lodged our complaint to President Muhammadu Buhari, who ordered for the establishment of a Testing Centre at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, which after take-off was shut down for some days if not weeks. That was what escalated the transmission of the disease up to community transmission."

Unfortunately, Ganduje came out late to admit what almost everyone knew is ravaging Kano state. Perhaps, the governor is cornered by the findings of a presidential panel that coronavirus, not "complications arising from hypertension, diabetes, meningitis, and acute malaria" were responsible for the surge in deaths recorded in Kano state recently.

I've always wondered on how the governor would respond when he can no longer hide the truth about the rate of infections in Kano, and when Dr. Nasiru Sani Gwarzo-led presidential panel suggested that coronavirus is deep in the state than thought, the alarm by Ganduje that 'Kano is in trouble' stirred serious fear in me. Yes, the governor mentioned Kano as being in trouble but the implication of the state facing such health trouble is that no place in Nigeria is entirely safe.

As you can probably tell, I shared similar fear in a previous article entitled "Kano should worry all of us", where among other things, held that "the frightening thing is that if the spread of disease as contagious as coronavirus go unchecked in Kano, it would pose a grave threat to neighbouring states and other parts of the country." It is almost certain that we all have something to be worried about because Kano, as we know it, may seem far to your present location in a real sense, but it could be closer if you look at it objectively.

What I'm trying to tell you is that, with Kano in trouble, it would easily spread to neighbouring states, and exposed other parts of the country to the invisible enemy. And it shouldn't require a lot of analysis for anyone to understand this simple truth. It should be something everyone should know by now and take necessary precautions to ensure safety.

However, let me stir your consciousness if you seem not observant enough. Just as experienced in Kano sometimes ago, some northern states are also reporting a surge in unexplained deaths. In the space of five days, a local government in Jigawa state, Hadejia lost about 100 people to mysterious deaths and like Kano in the initial stage, they are attributing their deaths to "high fever, diabetes, and high blood pressure".

When you take into consideration that most of the deceased are those advanced in age and that Hadejia local government is about 177 kilometers from Kano, then you'll have more than enough reason to be apprehensive. As this confusion was going on, many states in the north are reporting an increase in the rate of infections, and some unexplained deaths as well.

But that doesn't really capture the issue at stake. This trouble as admitted by Ganduje cannot be measured only as per what is going on in that state or neighbouring states, but the possibility of it becoming a national problem. The disease is moving at a disturbing pace and authorities that should be pushing strong resistance, are too engrossed in denials than fighting the common enemy.

Who knows how widespread the disease has gone as authorities try to pretend things are in control but not walking their talks? This week alone, I've read news of states experiencing rising incidents of unexplained deaths, and that is to tell that the trouble may have gone beyond that of Kano alone. To tell you the kind of fix we are, as I'm writing this piece, a text message from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed my fears.

The agency responsible for the control of disease outbreak said "There are coronavirus cases in almost all Nigerian States, even those who have not traveled. Anyone can be affected. Follow guidance from health authorities." After reading that text, I know that, indeed, Kano is not the only one in trouble. Things, it seems, are not under control as the government tries to make us believe and everyone, as I've always advised, should take necessary precautions to keep themselves safe.

Don't go out if you have no reason to do so, and when you do, ensure you use a mask to shield your nose and mouth from droplets that could come from an infected person, and consistently, watch your hands thoroughly. The time to live under the illusion that all is well is not now, so, go about your day with caution and don't make a costly mistake of thinking anywhere is safe. Stay healthy because we'll definitely win this enemy.

Written by Oke Umurhohwo, a Political Analyst and Strategist. He tweets via @OkeStalyf and can be reached via oke.umu@gmail.com

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ignis:
G

GeoandSONSLTD:
N

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gbebodye:
O

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obembet:


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ImmaculateJOE:
Olright

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You never know these days. Uninvited guests may force you to take an unplanned trip to an unknown destination; doesn’t hurt to be in your Sunday clothes.