By Emmanuel Osanebi
“In 2014, the world avoided a horrific global outbreak of Ebola, thanks to thousands of selfless health workers — plus, frankly, thanks to some very good luck. In hindsight, we know what we should have done better. So, now’s the time, to put all our good ideas into practice, from scenario planning to vaccine research to health worker training.”
The above is an excerpt from a much-applauded speech delivered by co-founder of Microsoft and global philanthropist, Bill Gates, at an official TED conference in March, 2015. Ironically, it was captioned: ‘The Next Outbreak: We Are Not Ready. True to the augury in Bill Gates’ speech, the world is now facing an unanticipated outbreak of a novel Coronavirus strain codenamed COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has sent shock waves that have pervaded all continents of the world. It started with a few deaths in Wuhan, China, with the index case reported on November 17, 2019. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared this new viral outbreak a global pandemic.
Between 31st of December, 2019 and 19th of April, 2020, some 2,281,714 cases of COVID-19 have been reported globally, including 159,511 deaths. In Africa, 21,057 cases have been reported and the five countries reporting most cases are South Africa (3,034), Egypt (3,032), Morocco (2,685), Algeria (2,535) and Cameroon (1,016).
According to figures released on Monday by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Nigeria has 665 confirmed cases of the virus; 188 cases have been discharged and 22 deaths have been recorded so far. A lot of medical experts have posited that when tackling a virulent virus like COVID-19, early interventions are crucial to stay ahead of the disease.
The Federal Government has issued a lockdown order in Lagos, Ogun States and in Abuja —Federal Capital Territory. Most State Governors have also issued lockdown order, for citizens to stay at home, with some imposing curfews. This has resulted into many socio-economic issues among the people especially the “vulnerables” in our society.
The Coronavirus pandemic is not just a medical crisis, but a social and economic one too. If our response towards curbing the spread of the disease is to be effective, it must take into account all variables, and must be delivered in a coordinated way. In particular, it must answer the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities.
As governments try to flatten the curve of the infection, it is not out of place if well-meaning individuals and those in positions of authority develop a strategic means of giving back to the poor and the downtrodden in our society. On the basis of this logic, the Deputy President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has initiated a cash splash palliative programme of N85 million Naira for 17,000 households across Delta-Central Senatorial district of Delta state.
According to the Distinguished Senator, the gesture is to provide five thousand Naira per individual who fall into the category of the aged, physically challenged and the less-privileged in his Constituency. So far, the cash disbursement team has been efficient in the style of disbursement as instructed by the DSP in reaching out directly to the elderly, the aged and needy in rural communities. This again has clearly portrayed the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, as a leader who prioritises the rich African tradition of respect for the elderly.
Some of those who have benefited from the ongoing exercise are too old to leave their rooms. Some are physically challenged. So, imagine the other option for this category of people having to leave their homes, walk to a meeting point, endure the headcount under the scorching sun or the rain as the case may be, just to benefit from the cash palliative initiative of the DSP. The mandate he gave the disbursement team was clear and empathetic; go to their homes. Meet them there and give them five thousand Naira each. This, the very effective team has done for over a week.
As expected, very few detractors have cast aspersions on the process. But with huge commendations that have trailed the process, it is safe to assert that this noble initiative is another success for the DSP and his team. So far, the team has visited two local government areas (Ethiope-East and Ughelli-North) and reached 4,400 households. The DSP’s cash disbursement palliative team has done a great job with many beneficiaries covered and the testimonies from the field are really touching and uplifting.
If only we could have more influential politicians and others in the top echelons of society embracing similar palliative approach – especially with the hardship occasioned by this COVID-19 lockdown and stay at home order on the most vulnerable in our midst –the cushioning effect of that would have been enormous.
We are all in this together. I believe with concerted efforts if we collectively adhere to the hygienic measures of washing hands with soap and water, observing social distancing, using hand sanitizers and face masks, as a nation, we will defeat COVID-19. Apparently, a lot of people are becoming more despondent. It is therefore a time that well meaning individuals, corporate and responsible citizens should demonstrate some level of love and responsibility, in complementing government’s efforts at defeating a common enemy for our collective good and wellbeing.
Observing the stay at home order should offer an opportunity for us to reflect on our priorities as individuals or community and even as a government. As a people, we must rise up to support humanity. Covid-19 pandemic is not the fight of the government alone. The government is playing its role, we must stand firm, continuing to follow all given directives to ensure a successful curbing of the virus; we should reach out in genuine love to one another and let the world be a place of harmony. The world will certainly bounce back from this Covid-19 pandemic sooner or later.
Emmanuel Osanebi, a Public Affairs Analyst writes from Asaba, Delta State.
