By COVID19 – PREPARING FOR THE WORST: Letter to President Muhammadu Buhari by Durojaiye Akeem Olalekan
Dear President Muhammed Buhari,
President, Federation Republic of Nigeria.
I have no doubt you know that everybody, every nation and every household no matter the location is scared by the uncontrollable fast spreading of the plague called Coronavirus 19. For the record, let me tell you the virus is now in Nigeria and it has a tendency to spread like wildfire with no preference to anything I can think of. Our Country has so far recorded 12cases with 1,300 contacts tracing ongoing. It may get really messy if not properly contained.
Mr President, in the last 2-4weeks I have seen several world leaders take to the screen to talk to their citizens to give hope and announce extremely drastic measures to curtail transmission of the virus. Majority have totally shut down their borders and restricted human movement among other strategies, such as frequent encouraging handwashing with soap, sharing of hand sanitizers and enforcing social distancing.
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Sir, Nigeria has not fared too badly so far but we have to prepare for the worst. The next few weeks will be very challenging and we must brace up to face it. You, as our President, need to show leadership by showing effective leadership at this crucial time. I am not so surprised you have not felt the need to directly talk to Nigerians in order to calm our nerves and openly support what some state and non-state actors are currently doing but I was only surprised to hear some supposedly intellectuals justify your obvious nonchalant attitude towards us.
The second best time to do anything is now hence you can still engage us, Sir. Please do not mind the sycophants.
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Furthermore, on behave of Nigerians I wish to commend everybody who is working genuinely round the clock to contain the transmission of this deadly virus and also make my 10kobo recommendations below as we prepare for the worst scenario:
- Recalling all non-practising medical doctors while also preparing medical/Paramedical students on protocols to manage the situation if the situation gets out of control.
- After closing down schools, the Government should immediately set-up makeshift hospitals/ emergency Homes in tertiary institutions using the already emptied Universities Hostels (especially institutions with Teaching Hospitals). All that is needed to do is to get the hostels fumigated, equipped with basic living needs and medical equipment. We must prepare for the worst-case scenario.
- Close down public places and events centres except for pharmacies etc. People should go out only when it’s highly necessary.
- We need to urgently assemble a team comprising naturopathy doctors, trado-medical practitioners, scientists and other conventional researchers to get us the cure. We might be lucky. Donald Trump announcing Chloroquine shows we should not discard anything at this point. we can get the drug compound also in plants and herbal combinations. Probably the cure lies there in our plants and herbs. I don’t think we should wait for any solution from abroad or any WHO approval. Let the trial begin with mice.
- To avoid job loss and keep investors, all registered companies and businesses on the government platform should be encouraged to keep their workforce and pay them while working from home especially banks, Hospitals, Gas stations et al. Government may grant tax exemption spread across certain periods or tax reductions after the coast is cleared.
- Farmers, supermarkets and Fcmg companies should be encouraged to continue producing and making goods available. Online purchases/order should be encouraged. The government should support the group with the immediate release of funds.
- Customers can order online/call then go pick up their packages. Alternatively, vehicles can be provided for home delivery at no cost to the buyer.
- Unfortunately, the hard to reach community are in Majority who are into small (Informal) businesses and medium scale enterprises, therefore, the government needs to devise a way through Community Development Associations (CDAs) or community leaders and Bank BVN. This is the time to fulfil the promise you made to the poor when you campaigned to occupy this office you are now. I suggest N15,000 to each family identified.
- We are lucky that Nigerian average age is 17.5years who are largely at low risk of death even if they contracted the virus; however, we must properly restrict the movement of people above 45years and those with compromised Immune systems. Only visits to the hospital on appointment should be allowed for the category of people.
- Security men and women should be drafted and put on standby to ensure compliance and enforce directives in a very civil and subtle way.
- If the situation continues, all borders are to be closed and full restriction of movement (Total lockdown for at least a month.
- Free distribution of Hand sanitizers to Nigerians.
- Last but importantly, you should speak to Nigerians to eat to boost their immune system through healthy eating (majorly fruits and vegetables) and indoor exercises.
Your excellency Sir, I know this is a very challenging period not for only you but for all Nigerians. We are ready to follow if you lead like a General, the way other leaders are doing across the globe. I have no iota of doubt, Nigeria can stand where others are falling. We are lions and we are not timid. We are ready to shame the pandemic. We can lead the world.
Accept my best regards, Mr President.
Durojaiye Akeem Olalekan
