TURN would like to thank the Nigerian government and its agencies, especially the NCDC and other agencies for the strides taken so far to tackle the COVID-19 global pandemic. TURN commends the federal and state governments who reacted proactively enough by closing schools and taking measures to restrict the movement of persons as the first step towards mitigating the effects of the pandemic on the Nigerian populace. While a substantial chunk of decisions so far made by government is commendable, TURN would like to point out some of the perceived errors made so far and to offer some suggestions going forward.
TURN however notices with dismay the lackadaisical attitude of some state governments and the unfortunate pronouncements of some otherwise respected religious and community leaders. TURN would like to say that COVID-19 is a global pandemic that needs the resolve of government, non-governmental organizations and the entire citizenry if it is to record any level of success.
A system where government issues directives and some people chip at those directives with counter directives and non-scientific pronouncements portends grave danger for the curtailment of the spread of this virus with no known cure and no immediate vaccination. In tackling such a pandemic, all hands must be on deck and efforts must be coordinated at all levels.
While thanking providence that COVID-19 has so far not hit Nigeria with the same ferocity with which it has hit several other nations, TURN opines that except a multi-pronged coordinated approach is adopted with immediate effect, even the relative successes recorded so far could be reversed with devastating consequences on life and living in Nigeria. We state this with trepidation; mindful of the impact a big hit of this virus could have on densely populated and unplanned communities where there is no coherent and efficient pandemic response programme. A mild possibility of what could happen nationally is visible in Lagos, Kano and several other major towns and cities.
