My Fear For Our Dear Country: by Fabiyi Oladimeji

In times like this, the people stand united, a country stays together to fight a common enemy. Covid 19 is a foe , not just to Nigeria in our own case , also the global community.

Unfortunately, we have a country that has no culture of humanity, proper management of men, resources, and strategy. This has been the case for decades, our weaknesses and recklessness when it comes to human values and dignity has been called to question many times. Our  aged long attitude has once again been exposed by the outbreak of Corona Virus.

I have restrained myself from taking a swipe at the manner in which our Government is managing this common menace that have ravaged the length and breath of the globe including Nigeria.

I hope in the next few days our country Nigeria will not be the talk of Africa, like the Britain, Italy, Spain in Europe and United States of America. How long will our government continue to run away from realities. Covid 19 has thrown big challenge at us as a nation and individuals.

The challenge of the capabilities of our health institutions, the capacities of our military, as we see in other climes, the challenge of glooming economic and business future. The challenge of how much truth our Government can push out there, letting them know about our realities.

Our lack of effective strategies about how we manage the Covid 19 portend a great danger in the coming days.

By now it is expected that there should be constant meeting between the State Governors and the President on how to manage the shut down, how the palliatives will get to the common people, how donations and support being made by well meaning individuals and organizations will be effectively shared and used to the benefit of common man at this critical moment. Rather, every state government is doing different thing without synergy with the center.

For instance, Kogi, Benue and all other states surrounding Abuja, FCT are planning total shut down and closure of land borders, should this take effects, what will happen to the FCT the seat of Government?

How will essential things like food and others get into Abuja? Are you thinking what I am thinking? (Security Challenge)

Governor Wike of Rivers State has ordered total shutdown of the state , including land, sea and air borders, as good and proactive this may sound, the question is, if the shutdown last for at least 3 months, does Rivers State have  enough to take care of her people? This question goes to all other states who are planning shutdown without proper strategy and arrangement for the people.

Even if a Governor choses to pay 3 months salary ahead like the Governor of  Borno State, who has paid the month of March salaries of the workers ,the question  remains, if there are no foods and other essentials to buy, what happens to the money? the money become useless.

The import of this, is that we lack strategy and synergy by and among our structures of Government, how then will it work. The local Government areas should have been made to effectively function in our strategy outline in this regards.

Another concern is the palliative measures being touted by the Government, as far as I’m concerned it has no direct bearing on the common people. Even if it does, the fear over this is that, NIgerian are the enemies of themselves, you will realise that those in charge will take the advantage of the situation and only use the opportunity take care of their families and friends.

Today, Germany is placing food on the street for people who can not afford to get food, it will never be bastardized or abused by any German. That is a Government that is thinking and acting outside the box. However , large or small we are as a nation, we must use our size as an advantage.

Before the outbreak of Covid 19, a popular supermarket in Abuja sells hand sanitizer for N690 ( Six Hundred and Ninety Naira) immediately,  hand sanitizer became essential commodity, occasioned by Covid 19 challenge, same supermarket wickedly raised the price to  N1,690 ( One thousand Six hundred and Ninety naira). This is wicked and barbaric to our fellow Nigerians.

Lastly, it was very cheery and commendable to read the statement credited to the Former Vice President, ATIKU Abubakar, few moment ago on the palliatives measures and how they should be handled and managed, to bring about relief to our people that should be supported in times like this. ATIKU has again shown  leadership, and his passion for Nigerians believing, this is about our country and our people, that this is beyond political, religious, and ethnic bias. One can only, but hope that the Federal Government will take up these wise councel for immediate implementation.

God bless Nigeria!!!