Pascal Oparada
To many Nigerians, coronavirus remains the biggest scam and a hoax of the decade, perpetrated by corrupt politicians to fleece them.
This attitude has been prevalent since the country first went into lockdown early this year. “Show me someone you know who has the virus” is a common phrase in the country.
So, according to them, the absence of a known sufferer is a pointer to the big scam that coronavirus has become.
Their cynicism was further buoyed by the discovery of palliative materials stocked in various warehouses across the country in October this year during the EndSARS protests.
Nigerians were shocked to see relief materials meant for citizens during the lockdown hidden in warehouses across the country by various state governments.
This has reinforced their scepticism.
“There is no Covid-19 here, says Bayo Ojo, tricycle operator.”Even if there is, it is not as much as our leaders are making us believe,” Ojo said.
This week alone, Nigeria witnessed the highest infections ever. Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) show that from Sunday, 13th of December, the country has had 4,258 infections with over 1,000 infections on Friday alone.
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu went into isolation after he contracted the virus following exposure to an aide who contracted it earlier.
An army General, General John Olubunmi Irefin from Kogi state died of the virus this month.
About 18 Nigerian Army generals have been reported to have tested positive for coronavirus disease in the aftermath of the death of Irefin, according to reports from Nairametrics.
The infected senior military officers were alleged to have been in contact with late Major General Irefin.
According to a report from Channels Television, the military sources disclosed that the affected senior army officers attended the 2020 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja.
On Friday, December 18, Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Abdulkadir Jimoh died of the virus.
Lagos, the epicentre of the virus in Nigeria with about 28,000 cases is considering another phase of lockdown.
The state government has reinstated most of the restrictions it lifted in November. It has directed that schools in the state be shut indefinitely. Civil servants from Level 14 and below are to work remotely.
The Kaduna state government is also mulling another lockdown.
On social media, Nigerians are aghast about the possible effects of another lockdown. Lockdown 2 is trending at number one spot on Twitter while the Lagos State government’s announcement is a shock to many.
“Livelihoods would be eroded”, Justin Iroegbu tells this reporter. Businesses and companies have not recovered from the first lockdown. Many families haven’t found their bearings yet,” Iroegbu who is a spare parts dealer in Lagos said.
Iroegbu believes that the fragile state of the Nigerian economy would further take a hit if the government should try another lockdown.
“I thought the government said we are in a recession? How can they try another lockdown? A distraught-looking Iroegbu said.
But the truth remains that coronavirus is on a vengeful resurgence and caution should be the mantra of everyone.