Rivers State: A Dangerous Gamble, By Magnus Abe

Related stories

China Snubs U.S. Crude for Third Month, Even as Ethane Trade Restarts

China has avoided buying U.S. crude oil for three...

Super Eagles Icon Peter Rufai Passes Away at 61

By Abiola Olawale The Nigerian football community has been thrown...

Dakuku Peterside’s Beneath the Surface Book Out in October

By Abiola Olawale Masobe Books, a renowned publisher has announced...

Oil Prices Dip on Confirmation of Inventory Build

Crude oil prices opened weaker today following Wednesday’s release...

Buhari In Stable Condition – Ex-Aide Confirms

By Abiola Olawale Ahmed Bashir, ex-aide to the immediate past...

I am constrained to say these few words on the worrisome development in my dear state, Rivers.

The demolition and auction of private property, the closure of all sources of survival for citizens of Rivers state without due consideration for their means of sustenance in the name of the battle against COVID 19, are draconian measures that will prove counterproductive in the long run.

Lockdowns must come with clear provisions for the sustenance of the people, particularly the vulnerable population (the young, the old, the sick and the infirm) and exemptions must be made for emergency and essential services, such as foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, press, medical care and security services, electricity, telecom, fuel supply etc.Rivers State

Read also: Uproar As 82 CSOs Kick Over Buhari’s Newly Constituted Police Trust Fund

To do otherwise even in times of physical warfare is a war crime, for power without compassion is tyranny.

The Rivers state war against COVID 19 at this rate runs the risk of dividing the state into two distinct camps, those who support the Governor and will justify, glorify and applaud any action taken by the Rivers state government no matter how callous and ill-advised, and those who oppose the governor and will oppose every action of the state government no matter how well thought out or well-intentioned the action may be.

In the face of glaring excesses, everyone will be compelled to choose one side or the other, and our state will suffer.

This need not be so, there is still time for the Rivers state government to reconsider its strategy, and understand that this is a scientific war against a virus and all of us will need to be involved.

At this rate, the government may win the lockdown battle and lose the war.

COVID 19 is going to be here for some time and we need the goodwill and cooperation of the majority of our people to win the war against this virus.

True victory will be when we survive united in utmost solidarity and our economy rebounds as we hope for recovery and prosperity.
This war is fundamentally about collective humanity, it must, therefore, be fought on strictly humane and just terms.

NB: Senator Magnus Abe is a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Babajide Okeowo
Babajide Okeowohttps://newdiplomatng.com/
With a career spanning over a decade spent across the Business, Political and Entertainment beats of prominent media organizations in Nigeria, Babajide Okeowo has carved a niche for himself as a Journalist of repute. As a newsroom guru, he has penned several weighty narratives and designed content that speak to a news medium's values, vision and mission while ensuring that the content resonate pretty well with a variety of critical audiences across Nigeria and beyond. A consummate storyteller whose coverage of the business industry is valuable, Okeowo is blessed with a vast analytical mind and data interpretation skills. In his spare time, he interprets data for a Leading American University while also volunteering for a Non-Governmental Organization on Mindset Transformation. Okeowo is the Content Editor of The New Diplomat.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
China Snubs U.S. Crude for Third Month, Even as Ethane Trade RestartsSuper Eagles Icon Peter Rufai Passes Away at 61Dakuku Peterside’s Beneath the Surface Book Out in OctoberOil Prices Dip on Confirmation of Inventory BuildBuhari In Stable Condition - Ex-Aide ConfirmsBREAKING: Ex-President Buhari sick, hospitalised abroad2027: Abure, Usman Clash Over Peter Obi’s Rising Profile in ADC CoalitionMTN’s Dabengwa Tier III Cloud Data Centre: A New Era for West African Tech and AIGanduje: Why are they resigning?OPEC Reports a Global Oil Production Decline in 2024IMF Warns FG to Overhaul 2025 Budget to Prevent Economic Meltdown2027: Peter Obi Vows, Says ADC Coalition 'll prioritize Nigerians’ WelfareTragedy! Liverpool Star Diogo Jota Dies in Car Crash in SpainFamily Announces Burial Date of Ex-Kwara Governor, Cornelius AdebayoSex Scandal: Baltasar Engonga, Ex-Equatorial Guinea Anti-Corruption Boss Bags 18 Years
X whatsapp