Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri
A volunteer group, the South East Coronavirus Intervention Network (SECIN), has identified poor awareness campaign as one of the challenges that inhibits the fight against Coronavirus pandemic in the country especially at the rural communities
The group observed that till date, some people, especially the rural dwellers, regard Coronavirus as a scam or ploy by governments and political leaders to siphon the commonwealth of the people.
Addressing newsmen, in Owerri, on Wednesday, Coordinator of the group, Nze Meekam Mgbenwelu, advocated for intensive campaign awareness in the fight against the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic disease.
He also advised governments at all levels to adopt transparent and proactive strategies as well as encourage efforts aimed at taming the scourge.
He disclosed that it was in an attempt to complement the existing efforts towards curtailing the Covid-19 spread that SCIN was formed by two technology organizations in the South East, NzukoLabs and LearnFactory.
Mgbenwelu added that the group has toured over 20 communities in Imo, Abia and Enugu states, wherein they enlightened the peoples through their traditional rulers and other leaders about the pandemic and its preventive measures.
According to him, “Most of the lapses we witnessed in the course of our visits to these communities across the South East states were as a result of poor awareness campaign and advocacy”.
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Mgbenwelu also acknowledged the fact that most people are aware of this dreaded virus but many of them hold wrong impressions of it, while some are misinformed or been told lies about it
He pointed out that apart from consistent enlightenment programmes or activities, people can be safe from this pandemic if efforts are collective, sincere and proactive.
He commended the government for its efforts so far, while advised that more attention and resources should be channeled to the awareness campaign and advocacy.
He continued, “No doubt, our community awareness outreaches, radio phone – in programmes, jingles among others are yielding tremendous results and we urge everyone to join hands with us to get our society free from this dreaded pandemic.”
He assured that with guidance from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as well as getting support from Ford Foundation, the SCIN team is working to extend this initiative throughout the states of the South East.