COVID19: Options for Nigeria Since We became lockdown - Abayomi Abdulraheem

Since Nigeria became lockdown due to COVID19, my brain has been at work in the quest to exploring the best options Nigeria is likely to face, and the best combinations of options our leaders would adopt for the betterment and future of Nigeria. Our oil-dependent economy is already crying for help - a help that could be more borrowing/loans. Our internal economy is crumbling and would further crumble, because of the zero allocation states are likely to receive in June. We mustn't forget that State IGR has already suffered a lot, due to this lockdown, and most states would definitely have zero IGR for the period this lockdown lasts.


Are hungry Nigerians ready and willing to die of hunger in observing social distance via lockdown against being inffected by COVID19?


Can Nigeria security operatives' might stop angry and hungry Nigerians when they decide to defile the lockdown order and storm the streets for their daily breads? What would become of Nigeria when our people dare the government and seek their lawful survival, without any fear of COVID19?


Seems we are very close to becoming a complete lawless nation if appropriate actions are not immediately taken.


I observe that famine looms in Nigeria as COVID19 lockdown falls in our farming season. Farmers are also on lockdown while poultry farmers are already counting their losses due to low sales of eggs and difficulties in getting money to buy feed for their birds. Chickens know not lockdown, they must be fed daily. Where is the money to feed them?


Countries around the world are stopping the exportation of their farm produces abroad, in order for them to meet their local demands, in case the global lockdown lasts longer than expected. If Nigeria exhausts the foods in our country amidst lockdown, what would we feed on? Imagine if government had not promoted local production and consumption of Nigerian rice, where would we have turned to by now?


 But sooner we realize that we are daily running out of food as a country, the better our leaders put on their thinking caps on what to aggressively do. Can we still remember the forecast on flood for this year?


That enough would sweep acres of rice farm and other crops farms, if the forecast comes to pass and we fail to prepare for it.


The first option I can think of is for the Nigerian government to send security operatives to man the borders of our agrarian communities, while lockdown is lifted in those communities, to allow the commencement of farming activities.

Those communities' borders could be manned to disallow inward movement of non-dwellers of the communities, while those in the communities are restricted in outward movement. With this, Nigeria would have two sets of population: the farming population and the 'lockdown' population. The farming population are as important as the frontline health workers that fight COVID19. As health workers fight COVID19, the farming population fight looming famine.


The second option that could be adopted, alongside the first, is to lift lockdown in states that have no active cases of COVID19.


The states border could then be properly manned, while the residents are encouraged to keep social distancing, wearing of masks, frequent washing of hands, and use of sanitizer. This doesn't require forceful compliance by the security, but proper orientation promotion and consistent awareness creation. This would be a liberator for total financial collapse of some states that are in deep financial debts pre-COVID19.


The third option isn't advisable, but if government fails to make use of several options that could ease people's difficulties and address present hunger, and probably future famine, the option could spontaneously be adopted by either Nigerians or government. Whichever sides adopts it, we must be prepared for a serious prevalent of confirmed cases, casualties, and complete overstretched/collapsed health system. This option could be activated once the lockdown is prolonged without people's basic needs addressed and provided.


The option is total lifting of lockdown in all states, irrespective of cases, while there is a complete disregard for all precaution and safety measures. It is either the government does it or people dare the government by disregarding the lockdown.


If the above option of forceful lifting of lockdown by people or government is activated, people will go about their normal businesses in the pretence that there is no COVID19. In such circumstances, many would get exposed and/or even get infected with COVID19.


Asymptomatic amongst us would freely distribute the virus to his/her network of people. Nigeria is likely going to compete with United States, in terms of confirmed cases and casualties, while Lagos and Kano could smash New York records, God forbids. If government fails to have prepared and inaugurate a committee on mass burial of casualties, in the event that casualties are overwhelming, people would start dumping corpses on the streets like refuse. I think this was what Melinda Gates observed that we thought she wished us bad, and many amongst us started raining curses on her. I pray we never get to this point, but our leaders must wear their thinking caps and look beyond economy.


In as much as I have little or no physical supports that I can provide my dear universe and Nigeria in particular, I wish to encourage us all to keep observing all the known precautions. Let us keep enlightening our people and giving hope to many. Billions of people, globally, are already depressed owing to this lockdown, kindly never take offence in people's response or attitude at this moment. The rich amongst us are counting their losses and are afraid of becoming poor if they spend part of their savings. We can only implore and encourage them to be merciful to the masses. It is my hope and prayer that sooner, this shall become a part of our history and we shall live to narrate its story to our offspring. People in government should kindly weigh the options before us and act in the best interest of millions of Nigerians. May the Lord heal our land.


The options could also be reviewed by other African countries, by acting on them and adopting the best that suits the system of their country. Hunger Virus could make people dare Corona Virus


Kindly #staysafe, #StayAtHome, and #TakeResponsibility.


•Written by CEO, Initiative for Sound Education, Relationship and Health(ISERH) 
Mr Abdullah Abayomi Abduralheem.