Nigeria Times

A chieftain of the All progressive congress (APC) and the Director General of the party’s governors forum, Dr Salihu Lukman has thrown his weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Lagos and Ogun states as well as the federal capital territory (FCT) as part of measures to contain the spread of the Covid 19 infectious disease.

Lukman in a statement Monday in Abuja, faulted the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ebun-olu Adegboruwa, who declared that the measures announced by the President was illegal and unconstitutional.

The PGF chief argued that the decision by the President was borne out of the urgent need to ensure the wellbeing of the citizenry against the threat posed by COVID 19 in line with international best practices.

According to him: “Clearly, these responses completely ignore the gravity of the challenges and imagine that the problems can be reduced to politics and legal arguments. They all miss the point, very conveniently, that the world, including Nigeria, is fighting a war that is a threat to human life in a manner that the world has never experienced before.

“It is an unconventional challenge such that the enemy, Covid-19, doesn’t respect politics, legality or recurse to any form of interest. It was in fact in recognition of this that the President declared that we are all as individuals the ‘greatest weapon to fight’ the war.

“After all the hue and cry, prior to the President’s broadcast, lamenting the slow responses from government in taking measures to protect citizens against the spread of the virus in the country, one would have expect some attempt to direct attention in the country to strengthen the capacity of the government to succeed in containing the spread of the virus.

” Or could PDP be arguing that there are other more effective measures to contain the spread of the virus, which the President has failed to take? Or could Mr. Adegboruwa be implying that there are legal provisions that could be invoked that would ensure containment of the spread of the virus while at the same time respecting the rights of citizens to move freely?

“Why should we, as Nigerians, be so unfair to ourselves and our leaders to the extent that it would appear we have lost sight of the fact that to be rational and logical, is first and foremost to ensure the protection of life. Once human life is at risk, we must take every step required to safeguard human life.

” Coincidentally, this was the point amplified by Lee Hsien Loong, the Sigaporean Prime Minister, on the same day of President Buhari’s broadcast, while featuring on CNN Global Public Square hosted by Fareed Zakaria.

“With Singapore today recognised as one of the successful countries to have controlled Covid-19, Mr. Loong stressed the point: “The key thing is that people must understand what we are facing and must support what we are doing and cooperate with us and have confidence in the government and we put lots of efforts in explaining to them what is happening, speaking to them and I have done it a few times directly on television.

“So people know that we are level and we tell it straight, we are transparent. If there is bad news, we tell you, if there are things which needs to be done, we also tell you. I think that we have to maintain that trust because if people don’t trust you, even if they have the right measures, it’s going to be hard to get it implemented.”

“The position of Mr. Loong underlines our problem in Nigeria, which is that we don’t trust our government and our leaders. With almost daily Ministerial briefing by the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and his team, the Sunday, March 29 speech by the President should have given Nigerians the needed confidence to strengthen their belief about the commitment of government to fight and contain Covid-19. Instead, what we have is distrust and commitment to undermine initiatives of government.

“This would appear to be setting us up for failure in a way that will cost the lives of many citizens, which may include some of us that may unfortunately become infected by Covid-19.

“We deceive ourselves to imagine that some of us are free from the virus, on account of which we could be tempted to politicise the problem or indulge in legal arguments. Besides, one will be tempted to ask what legal process did we invoke either as pro-democracy activists or as unionists when we declared sit-at-home under Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in 1993, 2000 and in all the cases of our protest campaigns against the military and increases in petroleum prices?

“If the law gives us the right to protest, did we really follow the processes provided under the law to prosecute all our sit-at-home campaigns? Mr. Adegboruwa, being an active participant and leader in some of those campaigns may want to humbly reflect on some of those realities and candidly reassess his position about the so-called legal requirement for restriction of movement in Abuja, Lagos and Abeokuta.”

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has warned all federal government agencies and committees responsible for the management of funds being donated to fight the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic not to embezzle the money.

Frank in a statement on Sunday in Abuja also said it is time for the federal government to give palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the economic effect of its stay-at-home-order now effective across the country.

He wondered why Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will not reach out to vulnerable Nigerians through the distribution of Trader Money at this critical crisis moment in the country.

He commended patriotic Nigerians and corporate bodies that have contributed to the fund to fight the COVID-19.

He, however insisted that Nigerians are watching the federal government to see if the funds will be used for the purpose for which they were meant.

The political activist lamented that the federal government has again shown that it lacks workable ideas when it comes to issues concerning the welfare of the masses.

“How can the federal government release just N15 billion (about 40 million USD) to fight COVID-19 in a country of over 200 million people?

“Instead of the Major General Muhammadu Buhari’s regime to key into the laudable idea of giving N10,000 to each Nigerian to cushion the effects of this Coronavirus pandemic as suggested by a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and equally strategize on how to make it work, they are instead blaming COVID-19 for the drop in oil price at the international market.

“What about the Excess Crude Account? Is the Buhari’s regime saying that Nigeria is broke?

“Is N15 billion the best Buhari and his regime can do? Where is the so called recovered loot that this government claimed or has it been re-looted?

“We hope the COVID-19 funds will get to Nigerians that are in need of it. Let it not disappear like the funds that were donated for the flood victims a few years back.

“If this incompetent government had heeded Atiku’s advice to stop flights from Coronavirus infested countries even before the very first case happened in Nigeria, Nigeria would not be where we are today.

“They have again shown that they lack understanding in matters concerning the welfare and protection of the Nigerian masses.”

He added that it is high time for Osinbajo to once again distribute the Trader Money to Nigerians who need it most at this time.

The Bayelsa-born political activist said: “America, with a population over of 300 million, is giving $1,200 to each citizen to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“France has put on hold the payment of light and water bills and have pledged to support companies financially.

“Canada is giving each citizen 2,000 Canadian dollars and putting mortgages on hold.

“When will Buhari tell Nigerians how he intends to ease the COVID-19 pains on Nigerians?

“Buhari didn’t hesitate to release bailout funds to states so it can be looted by his party people, now that Nigeria needs bailout, they are claiming there is no money.

“I believe it is not above the power of the Federal Government to set aside $10 billion to help ease the current financial pressure on Nigerians.

“It is a shame that Buhari could only approve N15 billion (about $40 million) whereas American voted $2 trillion dollars, France 300 billion Euros and Germany 600 billion Euros to cushion the effect of the pandemic on their citizens.”

He urged General Buhari to as a matter of urgency direct the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to put the payment of light bills on hold since the government has directed Nigerians to stay at home.

He also urged Buhari to appeal to all landlords to desist from pressuring tenants to pay house rents as being done in other countries.

He added: “Nigerians are demanding that the committee that is set up to oversee the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria should be transparent in using the funds donated by patriotic Nigerians and corporate bodies.

“No embezzlement of any kind will be tolerated.

“When it comes to the masses, there is no money but when it comes to the executive and the 9th National Assembly, they borrow money and pad the budget to buy imported vehicles even though they have banned importation of luxury goods into the country. What an irony!

“During the last presidential election, this regime got N90 billion from one of its agencies to fund its campaign.

“We expect this same agency to bring this same amount as this is the time for Nigerians can benefit from their taxes.

“We know the penchant of this regime in looting public funds but we caution the lead Committee to not fall into this trap as posterity will judge them.

“Nigerians demand a breakdown and daily update of how this money is being spent.

“We pray that God would deliver Nigerians from this pandemic because any Nigerian that is hoping that Buhari and his incompetent government will bail him is dreaming.

“Buhari has not deemed it fit to address the nation and assuage the fears and concerns of its citizens up till this moment. What a shame!”

A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Director General of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) Salihu Lukman, has asked Nigerians at all levels to support some of the initiatives put in place by the federal and the State governments,  warning that ignoring such support could endanger lives indiscriminately.
A statement Lukman signed Friday in Abuja, said the earlier Nigerians appreciate that it is either they support government to win the Covid-19 battle now or they simply just create a situation where government initiative remain weak and to the extent of such weakness, “we all become endangered indiscriminately.”
According to the PGF boss, Covid-19 require that all Nigerians come back to their senses by coming up with voluntary initiatives. 

“We don’t have the luxury we think we have to just sit down and condemn our governments. 
“Governments, civil society and union leaders and members will be as vulnerable as any ordinary citizen. The time to act is now. We don’t have the luxury of imagining that this is a problem for government. It is a problem for everyone!

“So far, the corporate community and wealthy Nigerians are impressively rising to this challenge. We hear of UBA contributing N5 billion, NNPC $30 million (more than N11 billion), Alh. Abdulsamad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group N1 billion, Alh. Aliko Dangote N200 million, Alh. Atiku Abubakar N50 million, to mention just few. In addition, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has just set up a Covid-19 Committee to mobilise funds and members of the Committee are asked to contribute N1 billion each. How all these donations are directed and coordinated to tackle Covid-19 in the country is not that of government and our political leaders alone.”

Lukman said for Covid-19 to be won, it will require combinations governments’ and citizens’ initiatives where civil society leaders with all the claimed selfless services and international networks around issues of health and welfare services.

“This is the time to showcase those competencies and networks by joining all the taskforces setup by the federal and state governments to mobilise complimentary initiatives.
 “Those complimentary initiatives are needed to strengthen capacity of governments to regulate provisions in our hospitals to meet WHO standards starting with procuring the right equipment to the provision of spaces for treating patients who have tested positive. Take the case of contact tracing, which the Minister of Health announced that efforts are still being made to trace more than 4,000 contacts. Imagine our leaders of non-governmetal organisations supporting government in the effort for contact tracing. Certainly, there could more success and speed in tracing the contacts and therefore minimising the spread of the virus in the country. This is what will be required to strengthen national capacity to control spread of the virus and cure positive cases.
 “Perhaps, this is already taking place, but in the same spirit of accountability during elections when we have civil society organisations setting up situation rooms and issuing out daily or periodic reports around initiatives to guarantee free and fair elections, is it not possible to also have civil society Covid-19 situation rooms located across the country and releasing reports about initiatives and progress towards supporting our governments in this direction? This way, it will not just be the voices of government officials on what is being done to combat Covid-19 in Nigeria but also that of citizens. This is one area where the leadership of National Orientation Agency (NOA) should demonstrate some competence and capabilities to mobilise Nigeria’s non-state actors to commit themselves to the national effort to combat Covid-19.
 “The other issue is the question of enforcing social distancing and lockdown. With a very active labour movement that is very good and efficient in organising strikes, most times against very hostile security operatives, one would have thought this is one area that our NLC, TUC and all union and civil society leaders could volunteer their support. This is hardly the case. Our union leaders should join government to work out strategies to enforce social distancing and lockdowns. This should be even in the strategic interest of workers because during and after the Covid-19 battle, there will be the issue of how employers including governments are able to mobilise financial resources to pay salaries. Workers and their union leadership need to make some strategic social and moral investments ahead of the post Covid-19 labour relations challenges already brewing.
 “It is quite disturbing that our public conversation around Covid-19 tend to miss out on a number of these issues. Otherwise, why should our university lecturers be on strike at this critical moment. Even some sections of medical doctors were on strike in parts of the country until Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) directed them to call off the strike some few days ago. If university lecturers are on strike at this time, including lecturers in faculties of medicine and possibly university teaching hospitals, it simply means our universities and teaching hospitals are not part of efforts by governments’ initiatives to fight Covid-19. This is quite scandalous and to say the least disturbing.
 “We may also decide to ignore the fact that ASUU is an affiliate of NLC and at least two other affiliates of NLC operate in the health sector. These are Medical and Health Workers and Nurses and Midwives. In fact, the President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba is a Medical worker. How is NLC and its leadership, given their vantage influences in the nation’s health sector applying themselves to engage Nigerian government to ensure strong capacity to win the Covid-19 battle? It may be too early to say whether it is a question of volunteering initiatives or that of evaluating government’s initiative.”  The PGF boss suggested that allowing hospitals to conduct Coronavirus tests could be helpful to the extent that they are able to procure the right equipment. 

“Beyond procuring the right equipment, there are conditions, which the hospitals should meet to be able to carryout the test. This will include having all the spaces and facilities required to treat positive cases. How do we ensure all these are mobilised within a very short time, in fact in matters of hours given the urgency Covid-19 challenges require? This will be a function of how citizens and government are able to work together.”

Against the backdrop of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Nigeria Union of journalists (NUJ) FCT Council has called on media owners to protect journalists and pay hazard allowance to enable them carry on their duties very well.

In a press statement Thursday in Abuja, the Chairman of Council, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche frowned at the poor response of some media owners regarding the safety of journalists in their establishments.

Ogbeche, who expressed worry over the non-provision of protective materials at media work places, tasked media owners as a matter of urgency to make available safety kits such as masks, hand gloves, temperature guns and sanitizers.

“Protective materials need to be in place at all media houses as well as field kits for journalists and other media workers. From reports from our members, some media organization are lacking in these safety essentials and we will not permit such risky situation to persist.”

While commending journalists for being steadfast in their duties despite the Covid-19 pandemic, he urged them to also take personal responsibility for their safety.

The NUJ FCT Chairman called on all stakeholders and good spirited individuals to demonstrate their corporate social responsibility by donating safety kits to the union and other groups.
He urged Nigerians to intensify effort in observing social distancing, personal hygiene and laid down procedure.

As Nigerians are urged to stay at home to curtail the spread of corona virus also known as COVID-19, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has urged the Federal Government to distribute health essentials, food item and money to citizens to curtail the hardship that will come as a result of the policy.

The NYCN in a statement signed by its President, Solomon Adodo and made available to journalist on Thursday explained that as effective as the stay at home policy is in curtailing the spread of the virus, there would be suffering and even deaths that may come as a result of hunger.

The youth body also chided the government for failing to carry along critical stakeholders along in decision making maintaining that awareness on the preventive measured were lopsided.

“Covid-19 pandemic is right here in Nigeria! The cases are already rising at an alarming geometric progression. Lagos and Kaduna States are on lockdown. The Federal Capital Territory and other States would soon follow if we must avoid the path to Italy. The situation is very dire.

“Unfortunately, there is no ordinary Nigerian who can explain for certainty what the plans of Federal Government is to totally contain and defeat the virus. Many critical stakeholders have not been involved, especially in the area of accurate information dissemination and mass advocacy. Only the traditional media platforms which many Nigerians have no access to are being utilized. The youth, students, market women, transport workers etc are completely left out. This is unacceptable. What happens to the illiterate and rural dwellers?

“Right now, even the National Committee on Covid-19 is not addressing the public. In a situation of life-and-death like this, it is tragic. The position of the National Youth Council of Nigeria is that the Federal Government is making some efforts. But there is more it can do if it activates the necessary platforms and garner divergent views, most of which may not be purely medical. The task of saving this country is not for a narrow bureaucratic government committee.

“At the moment, our greatest concern is the fate of poor families (those who survive on daily earnings) and the IDPs in the face of a total lockdown. What happens to them? Are they not condemned to another kind of death called “Corona Hunger” or “Covid-Starvation?”

“We are not strongly assured by the efforts of the Ministry of Health and they need to do much more. What is the Ministry of Youth, Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry of Special Duties and Ministry of Federal Capital Territory doing? There sure needs to be a thorough integrated synergistic approach to allay the fears of Nigerians.

“These are questions that must be answered fast. At this rate the country obviously requires a lockdown to address this pandemic. But the poor is grossly endangered. The Buhari Government is a pro-poor government. It will be tragic if the poor survive Covid-19 and die of hunger and socioeconomic tensions associated with it. This will happen if their special issues are not addressed”.

The NYCN therefore appealed to the Federal Government to come up with a more wholistic plan and approach to handling the COVID-19 pandemic adding that it must be done with dispatch.

The youth body further demanded that the medical supplies provided by Mr. Jack Ma to combat COVID-19 in Nigeria should be immediately deployed to use in a very transparent and accountable manner.