The outbreak of Coronavirus in Wuhan, China, and its attendant spread to other parts of the world, including Nigeria, is worrisome and unfortunate as it has claimed lives and dislocated social and economic life. As at Friday, about 100 people, spread across several countries have lost their lives to the strange virus.
But the arrival of the virus in Nigeria through an Italian national, who arrived Nigeria aboard a Turkish airline along with 154 other passengers, has also proved one thing. It has revealed how prompt, passionate, compassionate and proactive the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government can be.
There is a popular believe that the best way to get people to do the right thing is to show or lead by example. The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, having enjoyed maximum support from the Federal Government knows that nothing short of total victory over coronavirus will be acceptable to President Buhari.
Another thing it has revealed is that government procedures have changed drastically for the better. Unlike during the Ebola outbreak when funds meant to tackle the disease were mismanaged, the Buhari administration followed and supervised every kobo released to ensure Coronavirus is nipped in the bud and chased away from the Nigerian territory.
President Buhari and his team of versatile technocrats have demonstrated capacity, resilience and commitment in handling Coronavirus. For instance, while the National Assembly said it is adjourning seating for two weeks over fear of Coronavirus, the president is working round the clock to ensure no Nigerian life is lost to the dreaded virus.
As at the close of Friday, indications emerged that the Italian Man who imported the disease into Nigeria has been totally cured of the coronavirus and will soon be released. Also, the other 154 passengers aboard a Turkish airline with Italian are said to be identified and isolated. This is an eloquent testimony to the change paradigm in the provision of the healthcare facilities under the President Buhari-led patriotic, transparent and result-oriented government.
It is an open secret that the so-called advanced economies, credited for high tech Healthcare facilities watched helplessly, while Coronavirus spread throughout their country. As at last count the coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected 96 countries and territories around the world.
President Buhari’s handling of the coronavirus has brought honour and respect for Nigeria in the international community. So far, the virus has killed 80 in China, South Korea 6, Iran 4, Italy 3. The only discovered case in Nigeria has been curtailed by the proactive Buhari team.
As usual, unscrupulous elements and enemies of Nigeria had attempted to cash in on the coronavirus saga to vent their frustration by insinuating that there was no case of the disease in Nigeria. Ordinarily, these are people that should deserve respect but decided to lower themselves by preposterous claims of coronavirus cases.
Needless to join issues with the opposition People’s Democratic Party PDP), a political party renowned for its scandalous mishandling of the billions budgeted for Ebola outbreak. If not for the solo, principled and courageous stand of the late Dr Stella Adadevor who paid the supreme price, so Nigerians would have died.
PDP’s criticism of Buhari’s handling of Coronavirus case amounts to playing an Ostrich. They stole all the monies meant for provision of qualitative and affordable healthcare in their own time in government, while turning around to criticise President Buhari, who has effectively contained the spread of Coronavirus through prompt deployment of resources and effective supervision of implementation process.
Lest they feign ignorance of the commendation of Nigeria’s handling of the disease by Cable News Network (CNN) and the American government, let me remind them that President Buhari has been globally applauded for his proactive stance in this case.
The question begging for answer is, if not that these disgruntled elements are up to some mischief, how come they are claiming not to be aware of what the Federal Government under President Buhari is doing to tame the spread of the virus, while working round the clock to treat and discharge the already infected? Well their endorsement is immaterial. At least, Nigerians whose interest President Buhari is working to protect are grateful and the international community is praising him.
Given the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus cases in the world, which has risen to 100,842, including 3,456 deaths, across 92 countries and territories by 5pm Friday, President Buhari’s efforts is worth commending and not condemning.
AFP sources said since 5pm Thursday, 3,332 new contaminations and 110 new deaths were identified. China – excluding the territories of Hong Kong and Macau – where the epidemic emerged at the end of December, had 80,552 cases, of which 3,042 were fatal.
There were 143 new infections and 30 deaths there since 17:00 GMT Thursday. Outside China, a total of 20,290 cases have been recorded around the world since the epidemic began, including 414 deaths. There have been 3,189 new cases and 80 new deaths outside China since 5pm Thursday.
The most affected countries after China are South Korea (6,284 cases, 42 deaths), Italy (4,636 cases, 197 deaths), Iran (4,747 cases, 124 deaths) and France (577 cases, nine deaths). Since Thursday 17:00 GMT, China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, the United States, France, Spain, and the Netherlands have recorded new deaths. In Italy, there were 49 more fatalities. Serbia, the Vatican, Slovakia, Peru, Togo, the Palestinian territories and Bhutan have confirmed the first cases on their soil.
As at 1700 GMT Friday, Asia has recorded a total of 88,389 cases (3,101 deaths), Europe 7,112 cases (214 deaths), Middle East 5,003 cases (127 deaths), US and Canada 194 cases (12 deaths), Oceania 68 cases (two deaths), Latin America and the Caribbean 34 cases, Africa 42 cases.
The statistics above vindicates the fact that President Buhari has done well in handling what the rest of the world seems to be confused about how to tackle.
– Ibrahim is director, communication and strategic planning, of the Presidential Support Committee (PSC)
