The novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) is ravaging the earth as economic and social restriction continues with no end in sight. As of April 14, Covid-19 has infected over 1.9 million persons and killed almost 200,000 globally. In Nigeria, the confirmed cases are still fairly low – but on the rise. 323 cases and 10 deaths has been reported as of the aforementioned date.
For one thing, Covid-19 has proven to us that the world is a global village and we are one single family. When Nigerians heard about a virus outbreak in China late last year, many never thought it would reach the country, not to speak of eliciting lockdown.
The grand upside and downside of life is its mystery; our inability to know what course our life will take. Some of those who died of Covid-19 never owned a passport. Many have never visited the airport. Others have been denied visas repeatedly. By implication, they never saw abroad, but died of a foreign disease. Thus, one must be thankful for live, and obey the Covid-19 preventive measures, particularly on social distancing and hygiene. After obedience comes survival.
Successive failed governments have groomed Nigerians to always endure difficulty, but the upshot of the Covid-19 lockdown is breaking the resilient masses. In truth, Nigerians must brace up for the tough days ahead as things will get much worse before it get better. Here are tips on how to survive during the lockdown.
Avoid Waste
These are very abnormal times. Hence, some of our normal expenses are no longer normal, they are, in the meantime, a waste of resources. Don’t spend on direct calls when you can communicate via WhatsApp. It’s understandable if you detest WhatsApp because ‘reconnecting’ disrupts your conversation. But then, it is better than nothing or spending high on calls at this time. Manage WhatsApp calls, at least, for now. Those who eschew WhatsApp call out of pride must humble themselves before brokenness humbles them. People in advanced nations make WhatsApp calls without rating themselves poor – and people don’t consider them poor.
Cut your costs. Buy less fuel and go for cheaper digital satellite television subscription. It’s irrational to pay high for Supersport when all tournaments have been suspended. Don’t bother to renew your subscription, if you are broke and can’t provide yourself constant electricity. Feed yourself instead. You may rely on the internet for news and entertainment. Multi-using your data for calls, news reading and entertainment is wise. Avoiding watching long videos to make your data last. Entertain yourself with non-internet powered radio, if your phone has the function.
On food, plan your meal wisely and eat cautiously. Don’t fry eggs with sardine. Fry only egg and use the sardine for other meals. Don’t waste food. Put only what you can finish on the plate. Don’t take much, but eat some, and waste the rest. Refrigerate your leftover and consume it at the earliest possible time or give the needy. It is irresponsible to waste food, especially now that people are starving.
Avoid alcohol and smoking or reduce your intake. Smoking damages the lungs, which makes people die fast, when they contract Covid-19.
Endeavor to Share
Don’t keep all you have to yourself and family, thinking the pandemic will last forever. No, it won’t. It’s unkind to hide bags of rice at home when other people are famishing. Don’t chop-belle-full while your neighbors sleep on empty stomach. Share with them.
Share the kindness you receive from your superiors – to your inferiors. Let the largesse trickle-down. For instance, if someone gift you 20,000 Naira (N), don’t pocket the money and turn a blind eye to the penurious souls around you. Ensure you bless others too. Dash someone in need N2,000. Bless another person N1,000. Gift another poor individual N500. Let the money trickle-down. The N20,000 won’t be yours, if your benefactor is also an ‘aka gum.’
Sharing of food and funds is basically for the poor. Exchange of knowledge and ideas is for the rich and average class. Now is the time to share your business, investment and project ideas with those who might help. Your target mentors and experts will almost certainly hear you out now. Book a voice or video call appointment. Ask them to share their knowledge and experience with you. This will save you from sinking before you fly. Don’t be unwelcoming if you are a success. Share knowledge and give out helpful contacts to the newbies and promising.
Please Ask
Don’t stay lacking without asking those who can help. Some well-off people will never help, until you ask. Your friends and relations may not think about you, or rather conclude you’re doing fine, if you don’t put forward a request. Some of them who wish to help may be held back by your likely rejection. Others may be scared of your offensive reaction, thinking you may conclude they offered to help because they rate you poor. Don’t be shy to ask, if you are in need. Everyone knows we are in a difficult time. People will honor your request, especially if you’ve not been milking them before now.
Ask out of need, not out of greed. It’s foolish to hide your food and go about exploiting others. It’s wicked to pocket your money and help others exhaust theirs. Ask only when you’re in need – for just what you need.
Help Right
I have a friend who never gives. He will never help, even if you’re dying. Another is terrible on oversight and good at turning a blind eye. Conversely, he won’t let you rest when he has a problem. Am not alone. Everyone has such receive-and-never-give person(s) in their life. Disregard them this season. Focus on those who truly need your generosity to survive. Except you are one, ignore helping friends who spend most of their funds partying and womanizing. Allow them to suffer; that will transform them to start saving for the rainy days and live responsibly.
Family Care
Make sure you check up on your family members regularly. Ask about their welfare. Don’t neglect them, even if you are in conflict. They need your support, especially if you are wealthy. Give them hope, if you have no money. Let them feel loved. Frustration is making many think suicide, but they’re keeping on because they don’t want to hurt their nearest and dearest.
Dine-in and Eat Healthy
Don’t eat out during this lockdown. It’s risky to patronize restaurants, sharing spoons and plates. Doing so increases your chance of contracting Coronavirus. It’s sensible to do takeaway, but advisable to save cost by cooking at home. I recall my grandma always preach home catering to save cost. She often condemns eating at a sitting with “owo ikoko obe” – meaning “money that can prepare a pot of soup.” Embrace her viewpoint: Don’t use the money that can prepare a pot of soup – which will feed you for days – to eat at a sitting during this lockdown.
Stay away from all outdoor foods, including snacks. Shun egg-roll, meat pie, suya, and other foods that suffer frequent touch. Avoid Agege bread for the industrial packed ones. Try to consume balance diet and citrus fruits or vitamin C to boost your immune system.
Eat for survival, not pleasure. A lot of people eat anything; everything; anyhow; anytime. They lack food manners and discipline. Now is not the time for careless eating. Eat when necessary, and responsibly to avoid obesity.
Be Considerate
Whether you’re a girlfriend, fiancée, wife, or side chick, do not bill men unreasonably this season. Don’t insist on having your hair done when there’s no occasion to rock. For the men, ensure your family needs are met before passing money to your side chicks. They are most likely not taxing you only, but many other men. They will be fine without you, but your mother may just not be. Remember her and those who stood by you during hard times. Man or woman, be considerate if you want your relationship and marriage to outlive the Coronavirus.
Employ Customer Loyalty Reward Tactics
Getting foodstuffs to buy despite holding cash has become difficult, but you have a lifeline. Call your patronages – the store owners, traders and market women you patronize regularly – to reserve foodstuffs for you. They will oblige because you are their loyal customer. It’s the likes of you that has kept them in business and they need your patronage to stay on after the pandemic. Making early request prevents you from lacking. Put those you’ve always patronized on duty and you’ll never run out of stock. Try it. It works.
Desist from Greed
Don’t buy all the goods because you have the funds to. Buy some and leave the rest for others. Don’t join the have-nots to fight for the despicable food government is sharing, if you are better off. Think of the incredibly poor. Except you are at the bottom of the ladder, leave the food for those poorer than you.
Advocate for Government Support
Support the call on government to provide better palliatives. Successive Nigerian governments don’t act till there’s public outcry and the Buhari administration is worse off. Don’t play ‘I don’t care’ because you’re comfortable. Those who need the palliatives need your voice. Moreover, everyone stands to benefit, if government award far-reaching palliatives such as free electricity, tax waiver, rent payment deferment, internet and satellite TV subscription price slash, etc.
Contribute Your Skills
Use your high in demand skills to assist your community or make money. Start sowing face mask if you are a tailor. If you’ve switched to another enterprise, now is the time to dust your machine and start sewing. Distribute the face masks to the community or sell at a reasonable price. You will thank me after counting how much you’ve made when the pandemic is over.
Don’t just sit idle when your skill is in high demand. If you are a pharmaceutical scientist, produce large quantities of hand sanitizers for the community or teach people how to do so. Volunteer your service, if you are a retired nurse/doctor. Don’t turn a blind eye because of your unpaid pensions and gratuity. Don’t think about the leadership failures and how badly Nigeria has treated you. Think about humanity.
Be Up-to-date
Listen to news daily. Keep up with the most recent updates on Covid-19 preventive measures and healthy living. Be aware of the latest information. Use the social media, but fact check every information before sharing. Don’t purvey fake news; it ruins faster than virus.
Be Vigilant
You must take up the responsibility of personal and communal protection by being vigilant. Monitor your environment and promptly report any suspected cases of Covid-19 to avoid community spread. Reporting such cases doesn’t make you an intruder or bad blood. No one is at loss if you err, but everyone stands to gain if you are right. In addition, set up a vigilante group or join existing ones to protect your community against attack and robbery.
Get Busy
Polish your skills and read informative papers. This will make you come out of the lockdown a better, well informed person. Also, use the movement restriction opportunity to retrospect. Examine yourself critically; there’s always something to change, stop or improve on. The best time to figure out those things and create a better you is now. Seize the moment!
End Note
“It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.”― Leon C. Megginson
Omoshola Deji, a political and public affairs analyst, wrote in via moshdeji@yahoo.com
The Armed Forces of Nigeria has made it clear that the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE bombed Boko Haram targets at Shokotoko Village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State and not civilians a some media reports indicated.
A statement today, April 14, by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, said that the air strikes conducted on the night of 9 April and early hours of 10 April 2020, was based on credible intelligence reports, obtained from land forces and other security agencies as well as reliable, vetted informants, which confirmed that the target location was occupied solely by Boko Haram Terrorists.
The statement said that as it is customary, the attack helicopter that executed the mission was accompanied by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to ensure proper targeting for avoidance of collateral damage.
It stressed that Nigerian Air Force pilots, by training and in line with extant Rules of Engagement (ROEs) for the operation, do not attack any location if it is observed that non-combatants, especially women and children, are present.
“In such cases, the pilots would rather return to Base with their munitions unexpended. Consequently, on the strength of the foregoing, the location was considered a legitimate target.
“Nevertheless, to allay public concerns occasioned by the aforementioned media reports, an investigation is being carried out and subsequent actions will be taken in line with extant regulations and best practices, while remaining accountable to the Nigerian people.
“We wish to reassure the general public that the AFN, in keeping with its professional responsibility, will continue to work assiduously to rid the North East of all terrorist elements with a view to facilitating a return to normalcy that would enable Nigerians in the area pursue their legitimate aspirations.”
Something must definitely be wrong with Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) if they would, as they did yesterday, dismiss the important national broadcast by President Muhammadu Buhari as “disappointing,” a speech for which the European Union, through their Ambassador to Nigeria, congratulated the President, describing it as ‘‘a very powerful address to the nation last night.”
But by no means is this the first shocker for Nigerians from a party that sees itself as the alternative government.
The PDP has opposed every single decision taken in the interest of national security by the Buhari administration.
The week before, they celebrated a foreign leader who they invited to come and tutor President Muhammadu Buhari, an army General and a successful war commander, on how to fight Boko Haram terrorists.
This is a leader who has transformed the armed forces in the last five years and brought them to a respectable standing among nations.
They questioned the bravery of our soldiers and spread false rumors that their preferred foreign leader had routed out insurgents on the Nigerian soil “and freed Nigerian territories and soldiers held captive by terrorists in northern part of Borno State.”
PDP’s corruption and ineptitude allowed Boko Haram to occupy 18 local governments to be captured and millions to relocate. Nigerians have not forgotten and are waiting for them in 2023.
For a political party that led Nigeria for 16 years pursuing wrong policies and strategies that destroyed not only the armed forces but have destroyed the nation and its economy, there won’t be much from them to shock the citizens when they say that they see nothing good in the enormously successful war that the Buhari administration has waged against the Covid-19 global pandemic.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres have at different times praised Nigeria and commended its anti-Covid war as worthy of emulation.
This is on account of the fact that from the moment of its importation into the country, the government has done a lot of work to strengthen the health sector to stem the spread and defeat the virus.
Government has succeeded in uniting the whole country- its religious and community leaders; business leaders and employee unions; students and civil society and a large number of political parties- with perhaps only the PDP yet to decide to joins a massive and an unprecedented coalition of Nigerians-saying we are all in this together-fighting to defeat the coronavirus.
Of significant interest in this circumstance is the leadership that the governing All Progressives Congress, APC has shown through an ongoing public enlightenment campaign on the rules of hygiene beaming from radio and TV station in many parts of the country.
The PDP won’t do any of these. No, to do this will be disruptive of their campaign of disorganization. They would rather attack the President as he attacks terrorists and coronavirus. They don’t realize that the times have changed and the country has changed. Their leaders continue to show an abysmal lack of understanding of the sentiments of the people.
When they voted in his government in 2015, some said it was because Nigerians wanted to see the back of the PDP.
In voting massively for his second and final term, Nigerian people backed his return for the work that he is doing on all parameters, promoting the welfare of the people and providing modern infrastructure.
The decisions so far announced by the President in dealing with coronavirus will benefit the whole country- leaders and followers, farmers and consumers, manufacturers, producers and traders, youngsters and the elderly, Muslim, Christian and non-believers-all sections of society. The PDP should make the choice of reconnecting with the people by joining this coalition and stopping the unnecessary distractions; recognizing the efforts of the people led by the government or simply shut their mouth if they have nothing important to say.
The nation is more important than politics.
Garba Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity)
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to allow Nigerians enjoy free electricity to make them more comfortable staying at home in this coronavirus period.
“You know I am very passionate about electricity for our people. Interestingly I brought it up today and we discussed that with the President and hopefully in a matter of days he will meet with the stakeholders on electricity.”
The speaker, who spoke to newsmen today, April 14 at the presidential villa in Abuja, said: “I impressed on him (President Buhari) my position, the DISCOs have their issues, no question about it but at this point in time we need to put that aside and think of the Nigerian people.
“The President listened very attentively and I think hopefully whatever the issues are we will be able to resolve them at least for these two months and then long-term, how electricity will not be an issue but what is imperative right now, is when you ask people to remain at home, you must make that home a little bit comfortable for them.”
The leadership of the National Assembly has raised eyebrow on the management of the money individuals and corporate bodies donated for the fight against coronavirus, suggesting proper coordination.
Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, who spoke to newsmen today, April 14, shortly after an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari, along with the speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila said: “the various donations that we are receiving should go into a single account and should have a fund management committee that would be in charge of releases. Accountability and transparency require that we have that separation.”
While commending Nigerians and corporate bodies that have made the donations, the Senate President insisted that there should be more coordination as far as the management of the funds donated is concerned.
He however commended the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for working hard to address the challenge confronting the nation.
“I believe the Presidential Task Force is doing a very good job, they have been very proactive and they deserve our commendation.”
The Senate President also called for a review of the way the social investment programme of government is being implemented, so as to reach more Nigerians, especially the category of people the programme was meant for.
“We also believe that it is time to reform the way and manner we implement the social investment programme, This is a very important programme that is meant to help poor and vulnerable Nigerians and we believe that having implemented it for four years or more, we should be reviewing to evaluate the efficacy efficiency with which we have been implementing the programme.
“I believe that we also need to legislate on how to fight poverty in Nigeria because this is one issue that has been there for quite some time and therefore there is need for us to have a very clear and well spelt out processes and procedures on how to tackle poverty.
“There should be very little or no room for discretion so that we have a programme that will be very transparent and should go deep down to those who really deserve to have the support and should be such an equitable and fair programme as far the geographical spread across the country is concerned.”
The Senate President said the National Assembly is on standby to reconvene and thrash the issue of the N500 billion stimulus package on cushioning the effects of COVID-19 proposed by government, when presented to it.
The European Union (EU) has donated the sum of N21 billion (50 million Euros) to support Nigeria’s efforts at controlling the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The EU delegation to the country, led by Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, at the presidential villa today, April 14, hailed the nationwide broadcast yesterday by the President Buhari, describing it as “bold.”
The leader of the delegation was emphatic about what he called ‘‘a very powerful address to the nation last night.
“Indeed, the current situation is no joke and we wish to commend you for taking bold and necessary measures.’’
Ambassador Karlsen described the donation, channelled through the UN coronavirus basket fund as, so far, the largest single contribution to the response in Nigeria and the largest support that EU is providing anywhere outside Europe.
‘‘We heard your call for assistance and the EU has reacted swiftly as a demonstration of our true partnership.”
He said that the Union is mobilising other sources of funding and that they have already paid 1.2 million Euros to UNICEF, and goods purchased through that funding are expected in the country soon.
Responding, President Buhari said that the donation would go a long way in supporting Nigeria’s efforts at controlling and containing the virus to prevent community spread, as well as revitalise the national health care systems.
‘‘Although the EU is facing significant challenges due to this pandemic, I am indeed touched and grateful that the European Union still had the vision and foresight to remember its friends, partners and allies across the world.”
The President commended EU on the recent launch of the “Team Europe” package to support countries in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences.
The President noted that the intervention, which is a collaboration between EU, its member states, and financial institutions such as the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, would go a long way in ensuring the impact of this pandemic was controlled and contained.
‘‘Indeed, this brotherly support will save millions of lives. Nigeria, Africa and many beneficiary countries across the world will remain grateful for generations to come.”
The President recounted some efforts which his government had done to fight against coronavirus, saying: “so far, the number of confirmed cases in Nigeria is 343. Our efforts as a Government have focused on controlling and containing the virus to prevent community spread.
‘‘I want to assure you that in this fight, Nigerians are united and by the grace of God and the continued support from our partners, we shall succeed.”
The President used the occasion to express the condolences of the Government and people of Nigeria to EU-member countries and families who lost their loved ones as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
‘‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and communities impacted. We are confident from history that the resilience of Europe and our global collective will enable us to emerge stronger from this tragedy.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has announced that so far, 92 percent of all coronavirus contacts across Nigeria have been identified.
He said that the government had doubled the number of testing laboratories in the country, raising the testing capacity to 1,500 tests per day.
“We also trained over 7,000 Healthcare workers on infection prevention and control while deploying NCDC teams to 19 states of the federation.
“Lagos and Abuja today have the capacity to admit some 1,000 patients each across several treatment centres.”
In a broadcast to the nation yesterday, April 13, President Buhari said that many State Governments have also made provisions for isolation wards and treatment centres, and that similar centres have also being built near airports and land borders.
“Using our resources and those provided through donations, we will adequately equip and man these centres in the coming weeks. Already, health care workers across all the treatment centers have been provided with the personal protective equipment that they need to safely carry out the care they provide.
“Our hope and prayers are that we do not have to use all these centres. But we will be ready for all eventualities.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has described Nigerian health workers and volunteers as the heroes of the coronavirus ravaging the world.
In a broadcast to the nation yesterday, April 13, the President recognised the incredible work being done by the healthcare workers and volunteers across the country, especially in frontline areas of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
“You are our heroes and as a nation, we will forever remain grateful for your sacrifice during this very difficult time. More measures to motivate our health care workers are being introduced which we will announce in the coming weeks.”
Buhari said that as a nation, Nigeria is on the right track to win the fight against COVID-19, adding that he however remain concerned about the increase in number of confirmed cases and deaths being reported across the world and in Nigeria specifically.
“On 30th March 2020, when we started our lockdown in conforming with medical and scientific advice, the total number of confirmed cases across the world was over 780,000.
“Yesterday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases globally was over one million, eight hundred and fifty thousand. This figure is more than double in two weeks!
“In the last fourteen days alone, over 70,000 people have died due to this disease. In the same period, we have seen the health system of even the most developed nations being overwhelmed by this virus.
“Here in Nigeria, we had 131 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 12 States on 30th March 2020. We had two fatalities then.
“This morning, Nigeria had 323 confirmed cases in twenty States. Unfortunately we now have ten fatalities. Lagos State remains the center and accounts for 54% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria. When combined with the FCT, the two locations represent over 71% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria.
“Most of our efforts will continue to focus in these two locations.
“Majority of the confirmed cases in Lagos and the FCT are individuals with recent international travel history or those that came into contact with returnees from international trips.
“By closing our airports and land borders and putting strict conditions for seaport activities, we have reduced the impact of external factors on our country. However, the increase in the number of States with positive cases is alarming.
“The National Centre for Disease Control has informed me that, a large proportion of new infections are now occurring in our communities, through person-to-person contacts. So we must pay attention to the danger of close contact between person to person.
“At this point, I will remind all Nigerians to continue to take responsibility for the recommended measures to prevent transmission, including maintaining physical distancing, good personal hygiene and staying at home.”
Whenever man is confronted with a terrifying aspect of the world in which he lives, his natural instinct is to seek to understand the new phenomenon and bend it to his will. Pre-historic man opted for ritual as a means of mollifying and dominating his environment, but man soon moved from the age of rituals to the age of science, the advancement of which conferred on mankind enormous powers of manipulation and exploration, and the illusion of omnipotence. The paradox, however, is that the more man conquers his space, the more he is confronted with the realization that there is still a lot about the world that he is yet to know. Science has helped man, but it has also failed him, and each time man is confronted with yet another unknowable, he falls back on his primordial code of religious ritual.
Man also tries to tame nature, still, Nature continues to show him that there is something else that is beyond man. The limits of science that man has experienced is a reminder of the fact that man with all his intelligence cannot alter the Order of Things and of Nature. It is therefore instructive that the current Corona Virus pestilence has been traced to man’s tampering with animals: eating all kinds of animals, from snakes to bats, selling them in the markets, both clean and unclean animals, against the order of nature. When man engineers and suffers for his own vulnerability, he simply attributes the occurrence to a mysterious force, and at that moment, he remembers the superiority of the Cosmos and of an Original force that he refers to as God, and worships through the vehicle of religion.
This has been an aspect of COVID-19. Religion has played a prominent role in the spread and containment of the disease, as cause and effect, as explanation, as obstacle and as balm and risk, with clear indications of the conflict between religious freedom and public good. It is noteworthy that shortly after the formal announcement of the incidence of COVID-19 in Wuhan, Hubei Province in China on December 31, 2019, the next major item on the Chinese calendar was a religious, cultural and traditional event, the Lunar New Year, the Festival of the Spring, preparations for which actually begins as early as December 23 or 24. Contemporary attitudes to religion in China are mixed and ambivalent, but even those who insist that the Chinese Lunar New Year is strictly cultural – a holiday period, a time to re-unite with family – do not overlook its religious overtones: the spirituality of it as evidenced by the “send off of the Kitchen God”, praying to the Jade Emperor God (the Bai Tian Gong), ancestral worship, visits to temples, the firing of loud firecrackers, and the staging of the Dragon Dance to scare Poff evil spirits. China may proclaim state atheism as an ideology, but the people are deeply religious at heart.
At the commencement of the COVID-19 pestilence, religion was the first victim. China promptly shut down many parts of the country. The Lunar New Year 2020 could not be celebrated. No temple was opened. No dance or festival could take place. Persons who had travelled from one part of the country to the other to observe the two-week Lunar New Year festivity were stranded either in transit or behind closed doors. For me, this was the first indication of the meeting point between COVID-19 and religion. Lunar Year 2020 – the Year of the Dog – is the dullest ever in more than 100 years. The people of China complied. They did not insist that the world will end if they did not send off “the Kitchen God.” Nobody protested that they must have “the Dragon Dance.” People moving beyond superstitions and obeying the call of science is important in the war against pandemics.
As the virus embarked on a trans-national journey, we encountered other scenarios elsewhere. South Korea was the next major stop for the virus after China. As COVID-19 sero-prevalence in that country jumped drastically, it was observed by the authorities that religion was a major obstacle. South Korea which had successfully combatted the SARS-Cov epidemic, with its highly sophisticated medical facilities, suddenly found itself unable to check COVID-19. The figures climbed daily and the highest numbers were reported from the Daegu region. Eventually, the explosion in numbers was traced to a Christian group known as the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a secretive religious group that is regarded as a cult. Even the Catholic Church called for a dissolution of this occultic church where members refuse to obey rules of social distancing, and hence endanger themselves and others. The 88-year old leader of the group, Lee Man-Hee and 11 others are likely to be charged for homicide and violation of the Infectious Disease and Control Act. Angry South Koreans want the church disbanded. But it was not only in South Korea that religion presented itself as a risk.
In various parts of the world, believers have become slaves of the faiths that they profess, and ignored the warnings of health authorities and political leaders. On the Muslim side, believers, in search of COVID-19 protection, trooped to holy sites in Saudi Arabia to kiss the Kaaba and receive cure, protection and salvation. The Saudi government has since suspended pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina, and is considering cancelling this year’s Hajj. Even the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem has been shut down. In Iran, an epicenter of outbreaks, home to major Shiite shrines, the authorities, after weeks of resistance and denial, have finally shut down shrines in Mashdad and Qum. Across the Middle East, Friday prayers have been cancelled. All major holy sites of the Islamic religion are on lockdown. In India, where the people love religious rites like Lollipop, the government cancelled the annual festival in honour of Lord Rama in Ayodha. In Iran and India, the people protested. They were not pleased at all. On the Christian side, churches across the Western world and elsewhere have been shut down. In Italy, another epicentre of the outbreak, and home of the Vatican, Catholic Mass has also since been cancelled. Even the Pope now conducts virtual Mass. In one church in Italy, members of the congregation were asked to send family pictures. Family portraits replaced human beings in church. Corona Virus has changed the mode of worship and everything else.
In Africa, the response of religious leaders to COVID-19 has been for the most part, ridiculous, if not absurd, with only a few voices of reason in-between. It is difficult to overlook the opportunism of these African religious leaders. The first pattern that emerged was that of many religious leaders, mostly Christian Pastors claiming that they had predicted the Corona Virus affliction or that they have an idea of what the cure would be. Nigerian clergymen – Prophet G.F. Adetuberu and Prophet T.B. Joshua were said to have predicted Corona Virus long before it happened, and their followers provided video evidence to that effect. The latter Prophet would later speak up when he predicted that COVID-19 will disappear after a heavy rainfall on March 27. Many Nigerians looked forward to that rainfall on March 27. People tend to believe pastors and astrologers in Africa. On March 27, there was no heavy rainfall, and the number of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria has increased geometrically since then!
Other Pastors have also offered solutions. By February 5, a Ghanaian Pastor, Daniel Obinim, CEO of the International God’s Way Church launched a Corona Virus Anointing Oil which he claimed would cure the disease. A bottle of the oil costs 200 Ghanaian Cedis (about 37 US dollars) and according to him, it has been approved by the “heavenly department of the FDA”. Obinim would later deny the claim. But there has been no denial yet from a Kenyan colleague of his, Climate Irungu Wiseman, founder of the Bishop Climate Ministries in Camberwell, London who is also selling a protection oil called Plagues Divine Protection Oil, at the rate of 91 pounds per bottle. Bishop Climate claims that his oil works and he has since sold over 1, 000 bottles. In Nigeria, Pastor Elijah Ayodele also says he has found a Corona cure: holy water and anointing oil- the only difference is that he is willing to give out his solution free of charge. It is not only African pastors that are guilty. Pastor Kenneth Copeland says he can blow Corona Virus away. Pastor Jim Bakker, another US televangelist claims he can cure corona virus too.
The effect is that across the world, the religious right has been defying stay-at-home restrictions to hold vigils and prayer sessions in the belief that Corona Virus can be cured through supernatural means. They have in many countries received the support of political leaders. In the last month, the Presidents of the United States, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa have declared National Days of Prayer. The Vatican is not left out. On March 27, Pope Francis declared a Special Day of Prayer. He was joined by Catholics worldwide. Religious groups have also declared special days of fasting and prayers. This may be an expression of faith and social solidarity, but it has also prioritized superstition over science. It has also prompted many church-goers to reject the health guidelines on Corona virus and insist that they are covered by “the blood of Jesus”. But of all the claims by Pastors that I have read about, the most ridiculous would be that of a certain Nigerian Prophet, Dr. Goodheart Val Aloysius, the Metropolitan Senior Pastor of Father’s House International Church in Calabar. “My Father, My Father” as he is otherwise known, has called on the Nigerian government to gather all COVID-19 patients in the country together in one place and on Monday, April 13, he will pray for them and they will all be healed. He says if he fails, the government of Nigeria should ‘hang” him. It will be nice to see a rope around the neck of many of these Pastors who have been misleading people. The Federal Government should take him up on his offer, and get the hangman ready.
So far, security agents have had cause to disperse worshippers who fail to obey the rules of social distancing, but perhaps the time has come for religious leaders to be arrested and punished. In Lagos, Nigeria, two Pastors have generated even more disturbing controversies by claiming to know the source and nature of the Virus. On March 27, Pastor Johnson Suleman of the Omega Fire Ministries was reported as having said that the virus is a “chemical weapon” invented by the Chinese to embarrass US President Donald Trump. He added that the disease is spread through testing and hence, Christians should not go for testing or use any Corona vaccine, lest they are turned into slaves under a New World Order. The dust had hardly settled on Apostle Suleman’s conspiracy theory when another famous Pastor, Chris Oyakhilome stretched the New World Order Theory further by announcing that there is a connection between 5G technology and Corona Virus and that the Nigerian Government is laying 5G fibre cables in Abuja and Lagos to promote an anti-Christ agenda. Whatever may be the purpose of these Pastors making all kinds of claims, they have not been helpful at all. Corona Virus has turned pastors into scientists, herbalists and historians. They should be called to order!
The bigger problem may well be that political leaders are also buying into the spiritual narrative and after days of lock-down in Nigeria, many state Governors are beginning to lower their guards. Last week, the Katsina state government announced that it had lifted the ban on Friday Jumaat prayers. In Bauchi state, the state Governor Bala Mohammed who tested positive for COVID-19, and later tested negative, went straight to the mosque for Friday prayers. The pictures did not show him observing social distancing! Some other states in fact more or less suspended the stay-at-home order. In Abia, Ebonyi, Ondo, Ekiti, and Niger states, Christians were told they could go to church for Easter. Ondo state has since done a volte-face after recording a second Corona case. In Abia, the excuse is that the state has no reported case of COVID-19. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in fact boasted that there will be no COVID-19 in the state because it is the only state in Nigeria that is mentioned in the Bible! Ikpeazu has a Ph. D in Biochemical Pharmacology. Corona Virus is beginning to make ordinarily intelligent people sound strange. On Friday, mosques in the Middle East were empty. On Sunday, the Pope conducted Easter Mass in an empty Cathedral. Africans are busy carrying received religion on their heads! If they were making original and informed statements, we would understand, but most of them are merely imitating the ultra-religious right in Europe and North America without making an effort to think.
The duty of the religious community and its leaders is to support the people and lead them aright, not to use Holy Books to promote disease, murder and suicide. But let us reserve words of commendation for those religious leaders who have demonstrated leadership and commonsense. Some churches and mosques, in the face of it all, have contributed in cash and kind to the war against COVID-19, in addition to the direct distribution of relief materials to aid the poor. I also salute those Nigerian Pastors who have refused to join the 5G conspiracy theory and any such other theories. In Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, April 9, held a state-wide broadcast in which he relaxed restrictions on religious gatherings for Muslims and Christians in the state. The Catholic Church in the State opposed the Governor’s directive and asked its congregation to stay home and stay safe. That is leadership. No political leader should politicize COVID-19. Wike eventually reversed himself. At the appropriate time, there will be need to look at the heroes and villains of the Corona Virus season, surely most of the villains will be political and religious leaders who opted for myth, conspiracy, superstition and witchcraft. Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the lockdown order in Ogun, Lagos and the FCT. Ekiti state has also done so. Religious bodies must comply.
President Muhammadu Buhari has identified the sharp division in the camp of Boko Haram insurgents as the stumbling blocks in the negotiations for the release of the remaining Chibok girls, abducted by them a few years ago.
The President, in a solidarity message he sent the prayers and thanksgiving services to mark the sixth anniversary of the kidnapping of the girls from the Government Girls Secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, said: “unfortunately, an ongoing crisis within the Boko Haram leadership, which has led to factions and breakaway groups, brought a number of unforeseen challenges to the process of negotiating with the militants for the young women’s release.”
President Buhari assured that the nation’s security and intelligence community are making a lot of efforts using backroom channels to get them back to their families.
“These are processes, formal and informal that involves different groups with links to the terrorists, and are very tedious and uneasy as is seen in different parts of the world.
The President gave hope that the armed forces of the country who are on general operations in the entire region will continue in their hope that they would encounter these girls, as they did thousands of other hostages, rescue and bring them back home.
“The issue of the Chibok girls is not a forgotten issue. We cannot go to sleep over this matter. We are optimistic that ongoing efforts will yield something positive,” President Buhari assured.
He recalled that in the past few years, the armed forces have recorded huge successes in the battle against Boko Haram, but that they have also been careful to ensure that as few civilian lives as possible were lost in the process. “We would rather the young women still in captivity were freed alive.”
President Buhari also reflected on the progress being made by the freed ‘Chibok girls’, who were sponsored by his administration to study at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, saying that he is proud of what they are doing.
He encouraged them to remain focused on their studies and on this unique opportunity that has been given to them by God, following their horrific time in captivity.
President Buhari commended Yakubu Nkeki, Lawan Zannah and Yana Galang, the executive officials of the Association of the Parents of the Abducted Girls from Chibok, on their steadfast efforts to advocate for the welfare of the parents, the freed women, and those still in captivity.
Buhari, who extended his good wishes to the people of Chibok, Borno State, as they hold Thanksgiving, regretted that the current coronavirus pandemic, with restrictions on movement, had made it impossible for any government delegation to be with them during the event.
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The Armed Forces of Nigeria has made it clear that the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE bombed Boko Haram targets at Shokotoko Village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State and not civilians a some media reports indicated.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to allow Nigerians enjoy free electricity to make them more comfortable staying at home in this coronavirus period.
The leadership of the National Assembly has raised eyebrow on the management of the money individuals and corporate bodies donated for the fight against coronavirus, suggesting proper coordination.
The European Union (EU) has donated the sum of N21 billion (50 million Euros) to support Nigeria’s efforts at controlling the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
President Muhammadu Buhari has identified the sharp division in the camp of Boko Haram insurgents as the stumbling blocks in the negotiations for the release of the remaining Chibok girls, abducted by them a few years ago.
Covid-19: How To Survive The Hardships Of Lockdown, By Omoshola Deji
For one thing, Covid-19 has proven to us that the world is a global village and we are one single family. When Nigerians heard about a virus outbreak in China late last year, many never thought it would reach the country, not to speak of eliciting lockdown.
The grand upside and downside of life is its mystery; our inability to know what course our life will take. Some of those who died of Covid-19 never owned a passport. Many have never visited the airport. Others have been denied visas repeatedly. By implication, they never saw abroad, but died of a foreign disease. Thus, one must be thankful for live, and obey the Covid-19 preventive measures, particularly on social distancing and hygiene. After obedience comes survival.
Successive failed governments have groomed Nigerians to always endure difficulty, but the upshot of the Covid-19 lockdown is breaking the resilient masses. In truth, Nigerians must brace up for the tough days ahead as things will get much worse before it get better. Here are tips on how to survive during the lockdown.
Avoid Waste
These are very abnormal times. Hence, some of our normal expenses are no longer normal, they are, in the meantime, a waste of resources. Don’t spend on direct calls when you can communicate via WhatsApp. It’s understandable if you detest WhatsApp because ‘reconnecting’ disrupts your conversation. But then, it is better than nothing or spending high on calls at this time. Manage WhatsApp calls, at least, for now. Those who eschew WhatsApp call out of pride must humble themselves before brokenness humbles them. People in advanced nations make WhatsApp calls without rating themselves poor – and people don’t consider them poor.
Cut your costs. Buy less fuel and go for cheaper digital satellite television subscription. It’s irrational to pay high for Supersport when all tournaments have been suspended. Don’t bother to renew your subscription, if you are broke and can’t provide yourself constant electricity. Feed yourself instead. You may rely on the internet for news and entertainment. Multi-using your data for calls, news reading and entertainment is wise. Avoiding watching long videos to make your data last. Entertain yourself with non-internet powered radio, if your phone has the function.
On food, plan your meal wisely and eat cautiously. Don’t fry eggs with sardine. Fry only egg and use the sardine for other meals. Don’t waste food. Put only what you can finish on the plate. Don’t take much, but eat some, and waste the rest. Refrigerate your leftover and consume it at the earliest possible time or give the needy. It is irresponsible to waste food, especially now that people are starving.
Avoid alcohol and smoking or reduce your intake. Smoking damages the lungs, which makes people die fast, when they contract Covid-19.
Endeavor to Share
Don’t keep all you have to yourself and family, thinking the pandemic will last forever. No, it won’t. It’s unkind to hide bags of rice at home when other people are famishing. Don’t chop-belle-full while your neighbors sleep on empty stomach. Share with them.
Share the kindness you receive from your superiors – to your inferiors. Let the largesse trickle-down. For instance, if someone gift you 20,000 Naira (N), don’t pocket the money and turn a blind eye to the penurious souls around you. Ensure you bless others too. Dash someone in need N2,000. Bless another person N1,000. Gift another poor individual N500. Let the money trickle-down. The N20,000 won’t be yours, if your benefactor is also an ‘aka gum.’
Sharing of food and funds is basically for the poor. Exchange of knowledge and ideas is for the rich and average class. Now is the time to share your business, investment and project ideas with those who might help. Your target mentors and experts will almost certainly hear you out now. Book a voice or video call appointment. Ask them to share their knowledge and experience with you. This will save you from sinking before you fly. Don’t be unwelcoming if you are a success. Share knowledge and give out helpful contacts to the newbies and promising.
Please Ask
Don’t stay lacking without asking those who can help. Some well-off people will never help, until you ask. Your friends and relations may not think about you, or rather conclude you’re doing fine, if you don’t put forward a request. Some of them who wish to help may be held back by your likely rejection. Others may be scared of your offensive reaction, thinking you may conclude they offered to help because they rate you poor. Don’t be shy to ask, if you are in need. Everyone knows we are in a difficult time. People will honor your request, especially if you’ve not been milking them before now.
Ask out of need, not out of greed. It’s foolish to hide your food and go about exploiting others. It’s wicked to pocket your money and help others exhaust theirs. Ask only when you’re in need – for just what you need.
Help Right
I have a friend who never gives. He will never help, even if you’re dying. Another is terrible on oversight and good at turning a blind eye. Conversely, he won’t let you rest when he has a problem. Am not alone. Everyone has such receive-and-never-give person(s) in their life. Disregard them this season. Focus on those who truly need your generosity to survive. Except you are one, ignore helping friends who spend most of their funds partying and womanizing. Allow them to suffer; that will transform them to start saving for the rainy days and live responsibly.
Family Care
Make sure you check up on your family members regularly. Ask about their welfare. Don’t neglect them, even if you are in conflict. They need your support, especially if you are wealthy. Give them hope, if you have no money. Let them feel loved. Frustration is making many think suicide, but they’re keeping on because they don’t want to hurt their nearest and dearest.
Dine-in and Eat Healthy
Don’t eat out during this lockdown. It’s risky to patronize restaurants, sharing spoons and plates. Doing so increases your chance of contracting Coronavirus. It’s sensible to do takeaway, but advisable to save cost by cooking at home. I recall my grandma always preach home catering to save cost. She often condemns eating at a sitting with “owo ikoko obe” – meaning “money that can prepare a pot of soup.” Embrace her viewpoint: Don’t use the money that can prepare a pot of soup – which will feed you for days – to eat at a sitting during this lockdown.
Stay away from all outdoor foods, including snacks. Shun egg-roll, meat pie, suya, and other foods that suffer frequent touch. Avoid Agege bread for the industrial packed ones. Try to consume balance diet and citrus fruits or vitamin C to boost your immune system.
Eat for survival, not pleasure. A lot of people eat anything; everything; anyhow; anytime. They lack food manners and discipline. Now is not the time for careless eating. Eat when necessary, and responsibly to avoid obesity.
Be Considerate
Whether you’re a girlfriend, fiancée, wife, or side chick, do not bill men unreasonably this season. Don’t insist on having your hair done when there’s no occasion to rock. For the men, ensure your family needs are met before passing money to your side chicks. They are most likely not taxing you only, but many other men. They will be fine without you, but your mother may just not be. Remember her and those who stood by you during hard times. Man or woman, be considerate if you want your relationship and marriage to outlive the Coronavirus.
Employ Customer Loyalty Reward Tactics
Getting foodstuffs to buy despite holding cash has become difficult, but you have a lifeline. Call your patronages – the store owners, traders and market women you patronize regularly – to reserve foodstuffs for you. They will oblige because you are their loyal customer. It’s the likes of you that has kept them in business and they need your patronage to stay on after the pandemic. Making early request prevents you from lacking. Put those you’ve always patronized on duty and you’ll never run out of stock. Try it. It works.
Desist from Greed
Don’t buy all the goods because you have the funds to. Buy some and leave the rest for others. Don’t join the have-nots to fight for the despicable food government is sharing, if you are better off. Think of the incredibly poor. Except you are at the bottom of the ladder, leave the food for those poorer than you.
Advocate for Government Support
Support the call on government to provide better palliatives. Successive Nigerian governments don’t act till there’s public outcry and the Buhari administration is worse off. Don’t play ‘I don’t care’ because you’re comfortable. Those who need the palliatives need your voice. Moreover, everyone stands to benefit, if government award far-reaching palliatives such as free electricity, tax waiver, rent payment deferment, internet and satellite TV subscription price slash, etc.
Contribute Your Skills
Use your high in demand skills to assist your community or make money. Start sowing face mask if you are a tailor. If you’ve switched to another enterprise, now is the time to dust your machine and start sewing. Distribute the face masks to the community or sell at a reasonable price. You will thank me after counting how much you’ve made when the pandemic is over.
Don’t just sit idle when your skill is in high demand. If you are a pharmaceutical scientist, produce large quantities of hand sanitizers for the community or teach people how to do so. Volunteer your service, if you are a retired nurse/doctor. Don’t turn a blind eye because of your unpaid pensions and gratuity. Don’t think about the leadership failures and how badly Nigeria has treated you. Think about humanity.
Be Up-to-date
Listen to news daily. Keep up with the most recent updates on Covid-19 preventive measures and healthy living. Be aware of the latest information. Use the social media, but fact check every information before sharing. Don’t purvey fake news; it ruins faster than virus.
Be Vigilant
You must take up the responsibility of personal and communal protection by being vigilant. Monitor your environment and promptly report any suspected cases of Covid-19 to avoid community spread. Reporting such cases doesn’t make you an intruder or bad blood. No one is at loss if you err, but everyone stands to gain if you are right. In addition, set up a vigilante group or join existing ones to protect your community against attack and robbery.
Get Busy
Polish your skills and read informative papers. This will make you come out of the lockdown a better, well informed person. Also, use the movement restriction opportunity to retrospect. Examine yourself critically; there’s always something to change, stop or improve on. The best time to figure out those things and create a better you is now. Seize the moment!
End Note
“It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.”― Leon C. Megginson