Samuel Orovwuje
Sir: The COVID -19 pandemic has generated one of the most emotive discussions in migration, international relations and diplomacy over the past five months.
At the heart of the discussions, is the apprehension of its impact on humanity, the socio- economic cost and the practical sticky situation that Nigerians will face- before, during, after the containment of the dreaded virus.
There is also the dire lack of credible and evidence- based data to help understand how many Nigerians are really afflicted with the disease apart from the figures being brandished in the traditional and new media and to what extent humanitarian relief operations are able to deliver on the vague promises made by sub national governments and indistinct Abuja!
The new climate of uncertainty amongst political leaders and global stakeholders, the weakness or complete failure of the Nigeria state structures and the vulnerability of the poor in the context of emergency preparedness and the challenge of the will and capacity of the country has become suspect.
Sadly, the government is under greater scrutiny from the citizens, the media, and victims and from the public. The real danger and the public expectations create panic and an environment in which the national and sub- national government are under severe pressure than ever to response faster and more effectively.
However, the government faces difficulties in anticipating and responding adequately to this emerging global health crises-due in part to lack of tangible investments in basic health systems and the neglect of basic emergency preparedness template domiciled in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA).
Manifestly, it is not clear of what interventions must be implemented to mitigate the adverse public health consequences and what standards must we as people strive to achieve; similarly, the range of interventions at the disposal of citizens is grossly inadequate. Despite the global dimension of the disease, there is an apparent failure to deliver on humanitarian relief efforts.
Nigeria’s main concern at this moment in my view is the nexus to multidimensional poverty and the existential links to national security, shelter, food, water, sanitation and indeed the failed national identity management system as well as a corrupt public sector officials not acting in line with international best practices in emergency and crises management.
Therefore, the ravaging pandemic should be a call to action in building local and national capacities to ensure coping mechanisms to sustain the achievements made by the Lagos State government and respond to future emergencies.
The proposal to leapfrog social development is massive investment in robust health infrastructure. Communities must be engaged in risk management measures beyond public information interface of announcements and press releases that create more panic than the real threat, and public information managers must inspire compassion and openness in government – to – citizen’s communication.
More efforts must be made to address the requirement for sustainable human and financial resources in the health sector.
In addition, hunger has emerged as a major issue at the top of the national conversations and dialogue with high food prices-aggressively rising in geometric proportions. The recorded high food prices are placing food out of reach for the vulnerable and majority of Nigerians.
The poorest households are already spending a larger part of their income on food. Nigerians most affected are small farmers, urban poor, rural landless, and some of the notorious pastoralists!
These challenges beyond the current pandemic are massive investment on social and human capital, which is one of the most critical success factors and key performance benchmarks to ensuring sustainable peace and security.
Consequently, as people, we must ensure we stay ahead of the prevalent chronic hunger with early warning systems dotting the entire geo-political landscape.
The Nigerian government can draw lessons from Ethiopia which has used food and cash interventions to address hunger at its earliest symptom. The Buhari-led government has great moment with the future and must urgently embrace the new developmental state economic models.
Essentially, the country has to move away from the 1960s and 1970s central planning models to deliver on the public good.
The government must regulate markets; negotiate with foreign investors in manner that is favourable to Nigerians, where revenue goes towards furthering human development and improving lives.
The critical tripod for this government in the wake of this pandemic should be clear vision, authentic leadership and above all, and perhaps the most crucial is, capacity.
- Samuel Orovwuje, Lagos.
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