Issued on 17^th of April, 2020

Since the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus in the world and most especially when Nigeria recorded its first confirmed case of the virus in Lagos, the Centre for Information Technology and Development has been following the incident closely calling the attention of government both at federal and states level to prepare adequate measures and to have a proper plans on how to tackle the virus and what it might come with. At the same time, CITAD has been feeding the general public with information about safety measures and the need to follow the advices given by World Health Organization (W.H.O) which include sharing of infographics on social media and bi-weekly twitter chat with health professionals.

As one of the best way to prevent the spread of coronavirus among people as advised by professionals, any place where there is confirmed case of the virus, total lockdown of the city is usually impose as we have seen in many cities in the world. Similarly, Kano state government on the 14^th of April, 2020 after having five confirmed cases in the state announced the total lockdown of the city to begin by 10pm on the 16^th of April, 2020. Many people especially those that survive on daily hustle criticized the decision citing example that their lives depend on daily hustle to feed themselves and their family which the state government has not announce any alternative for them despite many calls from concerned citizens to introduce palliatives that will cushion the suffering of this class of people. However, still the decision to lockdown the city is the best the state government can take.

Consequently, as the lockdown began, many people were left stranded including the securities agencies who are saddle with responsibilities to ensure the total compliance of the order due to closing of all activities in the city including essential services. Reports reaching us and testimonies from some of the security agents on duty confirmed that the security personnel on duty are finding it difficult if not impossible to find what they will eat, the water they will drink and other needs as the state government did not announce a clear road map on how the lockdown would be. As we are all aware, all over the world where this kind of order is being imposed some exceptions are being made in order to allow people to access basic needs.

It is on this regard that we are appealing to the Kano state government to:

1. Design a clear road map on how the lockdown is going to continue in the state
2. Allow some essentials services like pharmacies, restaurants, water vendors etc. as this will allow even the security agents to access these services while on duty especially food and water

• Allow bakeries to continue operating in the state

1. Allow Yan garuwa to continue operating within their areas of resident due to lack of tap water in many of the areas in the city

Says Labour has suddenly gone off the radar

THE Executive Director of Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Mallam Yunusa Zakari Ya’u, has lashed out at the federal government for what he described as unparalleled level of incompetence in confronting the challenges of COVID 19.

Mallam YZ, as he is popularly known, made the observation in a comment he posted on his Facebook wall on Thursday, where he equally excoriated organised labour, CSOs and organised private sector for their incoherent and collective inactivity.

CITAD, a non-profit and governmental organisation with headquarters in Kano, has been in the forefront of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic in collaboration with ActionAid International-Nigeria under a joint project, Local Right Program. Through the program, the two NGOs collaborate to conduct, among other activities, surveys and public education campaigns about covid-19 in communities around the Federal Capital Territory.

Mallam YZ said: “There is no point beating a dead horse in this matter. This government has shown an unparalleled level of incompetence in confronting the challenges of COVID 19.

“It has adequate window of grace to do its preparation. Since late January, it could have built and equipped testing, isolation and quarantine centres at all the major international gateways of the country and implement a compulsory quarantine for all coming into the country, the way a number of countries did. It did not and instead, it is responding in an ad hoc manner after the chickens have gone home to roost.

“It could have used the grace period to design and even test-run a palliative system, mobilising ideas in an inclusive way. It did not and instead in the late hour got a few political appointees and bureaucrats to do what they have no idea about.

“How can it be that in an all-important battle to save lives, government will opt for a non-inclusive body to handle this task? The same government that is calling on all (private sector, development partners, individuals) to make contribution but doesn’t want any of these to be part of the management of the resources or even harvest ideas from these on how to use the resources,) Mallam YZ commented.

Mallam YZ further noted that it is sad that the federal government has, in the face of the dangers that COVID 19 presents, rather reduced the fight into “a debate that is cast as a binary option between lockdown and hunger.”

He said against the background of the ample time it had after being forewarned of the outbreak of the pandemic, the federal government ought to “have carried out a massive sensitization campaign to prepare people both psychologically and in terms of understanding that we all have a role to play in curbing the spread of the virus.”

According to him, it is this missed opportunity that has led to the current expression from every part of the country that “it is better to die outside in the hospital than to die in groaning at home to the fangs of hunger.”

A Self-serving Presidential Task Force

Mallam YZ described the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 as self-serving committee concerned only with huge allowances being paid to members on a daily basis.

“The Presidential Taskforce is all but a self-serving committee only interested in the daily sitting allowance they get (reported to be N500,000 per day: give a local community organization in Zuba this amount to mount a community sensitization campaign, it could succeed in getting everyone to be at home, palliative or not),” YZ stated adding that the task force’s messages have fallen flat and are unbelievable because it has not worked to earn public trust and confidence.

“Take as simple as providing electricity free for the citizens under lockdown. The government cannot…reach agreement with the DISCOS. The Presidential Committee does not understand the importance of electricity in the lockdown period. It is not for citizens to have cold water and keep perishable things (which is also important) but that in the lockdown, electricity and data are what people need to stay connected and informed.

Consequences

“What do we see? It is a horrible celebration of anarchy as we gleefully report of armed youth committing arson or robbery staking neighborhood and we say it is paying the government right. The problem is that it is not the government that is paying for the consequences.

“It is our own people as double victims; first of arson and robbery and then second at the hand of COVID 19 when being out and exposed heighten the possibility of contracting the virus. We amplify the messages of anarchy in the mistaken belief that this will force the government to act. The truth is that no anarchy has ever solved any social problem. They cannot accelerate history as in the dawn of the social revolution. They can only disorganize and defocus the revolutionary forces of real social change. A mob cannot be the leadership that is missing across the breath of society in Nigeria.”

Absence of non-state actors

Mallam YZ, in the post, was also critical of civil society organisations and the organised private sector which he said constitute the “wider breadth of leadership centres in the country” for their inability to offer alternative ideas upon realising that the “government is so bereft of ideas in designing and implementing effective palliative measures.”

“How could it be that [we have ] a government [that] is so bereft of ideas in designing and implementing effective palliative measures but there is no forceful presentation and canvassing of an alternative beyond the clap trap of “if you do not do me palliative, I will not do you lockdown?” Mallam YZ asked, while also questioning the lack of voice from the private sector.

He called on the prophets of private sector as the engine of growth, and whose voice have suddenly gone quite to step out and show leadership if they truly want Nigerians to believe “in their worn-out message that the private sector, not the state, is the solution.”

While posing questions on the credibility of the palliative scheme being administered by government, Mallam YZ condemned the composition of the task force managing the palliative scheme, which he described as “a few political appointees and bureaucrats” appointed “to do what they have no idea about.”

He expressed dismay that in an all-important battle to save lives, the government had opted for a non-inclusive body to handle the tasks just as it is uncharitable for the same government which is calling on all stakeholders – private sector, development partners, individuals – to make contribution but turned around to indicate that it doesn’t need any of these stakeholders to be part of the management of the resources or their ideas on how to use the resources.

Step out, NLC

Mallam YZ was equally hard on organised labour describing it as having suddenly disappeared from the radar. While he did not mention any trade union centre in his challenge for organised labour to lead the people, it is believed that he has in mind the Nigeria Labour Congress, which had traditionally led the mass movement in Nigeria since its founding in 1978.

“Labour has suddenly disappeared from the radar, to leave medical and health workers at the frontline of the battle against COVID 19 to negotiate on their own protection and hazards at the service of the nation.” According to Mallam YZ, where government has failed, it becomes necessary for citizens to take the leadership.

“We cannot keep waiting for a government that is incapable of providing an aspiring leadership to lead the way. We must become the saviours of our communities. We have done enough of lamentation. Now is time to end that and think boldly and act swiftly.

“We must understand the key challenges which is curbing the spread of the virus while ensuring people have food to eat under lockdown and provide concrete solutions that can work whether government accepts them or not.

“Let it be known that even without lockdown, millions of Nigerians have been going to bed hungry. Perhaps this should also give us the opportunity to reflect on the type of society we want: do [we] continue to live [in] this increasing inequality, so that we can continue to produce a few Dangotes while millions sleep under the bridge or do we work towards a more just, equitable society where our focus would be to democratize resources to meet the needs of all and seek to banish hunger? Mallam YZ asked rhetorically.

Perhaps this should also give us the opportunity to reflect on the type of society we want: do we continue to live with this increasing inequality so that we can continue to produce a few Dangotes while millions sleep under the bridge or do we work towards a more just, equitable society where our focus would be to democratise resources to meet the needs of all and seek to banish hunger?

When in the face of the dangers that COVID-19 presents, a country is reduced to a debate that is cast as a binary option between lockdown and hunger, you know that leadership has gone on leave outside of the country. This is not just at the level of government, critical as that is, but also in the wider breath of leadership centres in the country – business, civil society, religious, etc. – no one wants both and the debate how can we banish the reason for both.

How could it be that a government is so bereft of ideas in designing and implementing effective palliative measures but there is no forceful presentation and canvassing of an alternative beyond the clap trap of “if you do not do me palliative, I will not do you lockdown?” How come the mobilisational capacity and the civic agency of the citizenry have all but gone to sleep, left by an ineffectual stirring of few civil society organisations in an ineffective shout of catch phrases of monitoring accountability of the implementation of the palliatives? Are we saying that we agree there is a palliatives scheme which has credibility and potentially effective that we can monitor? Labour has suddenly disappeared in the radar to leave medical and health workers at the frontline of the battle against COVID-19 to negotiate on their own protection and hazards at the service of the nation. The prophets of private sector as the engine of growth have suddenly gone quite: Can they step out and show leadership if they truly want us to believe in their worn-out message that the private sector, not the state, is the solution. Truth is that like leeches, they feast on the public sector they want us to hate, to nourish for their phenomenal profits.

There is no point beating a dead horse in this matter. This government has shown an unparalleled level of incompetence in confronting the challenges of COVID-19. It has adequate window of grace to do its preparation. Since late January, it could have built and equipped testing, isolation and quarantine centres at all the major international gateways of the country and implement a compulsory quarantine for all coming into the county, the way a number of countries did. It did not and instead it is responding in an ad-hoc manner after the chicken gone home to roast. It would have used the grace period to design and even test run a palliative system, mobilizing ideas in an inclusive way. It did not and instead in the late hour got a few political appointees and bureaucrats to do what they have no idea about. How can it be that in an all-important battle of save lives, government will opt for a non-inclusive body to handle this task? The same government that is calling on all (private sector, development partners, individuals) to make contribution but doesn’t want any of these to be part of the management of the resources or even harvest ideas from these on how to use the resources.

It would have carried out a massive sensitization campaign to prepare people both psychologically and in terms of understanding that we all have a role to play in curbing the spread of the virus. It missed this opportunity such that today it is not outlandish to hear people in the streets offering the argument that it is better to die outside in the hospital than to die in groaning at home to the fangs of hunger.

The Presidential Taskforce is all but a self-serving committee only interested in the daily sitting allowance they get (reported to be N500,000 per day: give a local community organization in Zuba this amount to mount a community sensitisation campaign, it could succeed in getting everyone to be at home, palliative or not). Its messages are fall flat and unbelievable because it has not worked to earn public trust and confidence. Take as simple as providing electricity free for the citizens under lockdown. The government cannot fight away to reach agreement with the DisCos. The presidential committee does not understand the importance of electricity in the lockdown period. It is not for citizens to have cold water and keep perishable things (which is also important) but that in the lockdown, electricity and data are what people need to stay connected and informed.

What do we see? It is a horrible celebration of anarchy as we gleefully report of armed youth committing arson or robbery staking neighbourhood and we say it is paying the government right. The problem is that it is not the government that is paying for the consequences. It is our own people as double victims first of arson and rubbery and then second at the hand of COVID-19 when being out, exposed, heighten the possibility of contracting the virus. We amplify the messages of anarchy in the mistaken belief that this will force the government to act. The truth is that no anarchy has ever solved any social problem. They cannot accelerate history as in the dawn of the social revolution. They can only disorganize and defocus the revolutionary forces of real social. A mob cannot be the leadership that is missing across the breath of society in Nigeria.

But where government has failed, it becomes necessary for citizens to take the leadership. We cannot keep waiting for a government that is incapable of providing an aspiring leadership to lead the way. We must become the saviours of our communities. We have done enough of lamentation. Now is time to end that and think boldly and act swiftly. We must understand the key challenges which is curbing the spread of the virus while ensuring people have food to eat under lockdown and provide concrete solutions that can work whether government accepts them or not. Let it be known that even without lockdown, millions of Nigeria have been going to bed hungry.

Perhaps this should also give us the opportunity to reflect on the type of society we want: do we continue to live with this increasing inequality so that we can continue to produce a few Dangotes while millions sleep under the bridge or do we work towards a more just, equitable society where our focus would be to democratise resources to meet the needs of all and seek to banish hunger?

PRESS STATEMENT ON LOCKDOWN OF KANO STATE

BY

THE CENTRE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT

Issued on the 17th of April, 2020

In our earlier press statement, we commended the Kano state government for taking the painful but bold step to lockdown the city effective from 10pm, Thursday the 16th of April, 2020. This in our part and as advised by many health professional bodies and organizations including the World Health Organization (W.H.O), is the right decision to take in the interest of all. But we concerned that Kano State is densely populated with majority of its residents dependent on informal jobs which requires them to go out daily to look for what they will eat and feed their family. It was in this regard that in our previous press statement released on the 15th of April, 2020, we called on the state government to state a clear road map on how the lockdown would be and to come up with palliatives programs to cushion the suffering people will enter during the lockdown.

Sadly, we observed that up to the evening of 16th of April, 2020 (the commencement time of the lockdown) the State Government has not announced any palliative for the teeming poor in the State. This has clearly shown that the government has no concern whatsoever the condition people would find themselves during the lockdown. As we are all aware. there is no way you will keep a person in one place for one week without food and expect him to survive. Secondly, the state government has also refused to disclose how it spent the donations given to it by individuals and organizations which shows lack of transparency on the part of the government.

Furthermore, this is a clear fact that unless the government comes up with a clear directive and concrete measures to cushion the hardship, most vulnerable people in the society will find themselves in serious problem which may render the lockdown ineffective.

Finally, we reiterate our stand that the Kano State Government as a matter of public interest and to avoid possible break down of law and order which will defeat the objective of the lockdown to:

i. Come up with a clear and elaborate plan on how to support the vulnerable people in the society which must be an accountable and all-inclusive one
ii. The State Government to inform the public how the donations given by different individuals and organizations have been used
iii. The well to do individuals in the society to support vulnerable groups in their areas at this critical time
iv. The state government to co-opt Civil Society Organizations and other individuals in all the committees for transparency and accountability

Ali Sabo
Campaigns and Communications Officer

By Sarauniya Usman,Abuja.

Following the extension of lockdown by the federal government for the period of another 14 days,the Centre for Information Technology and Development, CITAD has identified 19 extremely poor communities across FCT that are yet to benefit from the palliative scheme.

The communities are: Abuja Municipal Council (8)– Gwalada, Tungan Ashere, Tungan Nasara, Dakwa, Gofidna, Jiwa, Jiwa Tsoho and Gwalada communities.

Others are Kwali Area Council (4) – Kilankwa, Leleyi Bassa, Leleyi Gwari and Pai communities, Bwari Area Council (4)-Paspa, Kuchibuyi, Igu and Guto communities; kuje Area Council (3) Gaube, Kayache and Tukpheci Communities

CITAD in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria are currently working with these 19 communities under the Local Rights Programmes.

“Our recent activities include awareness campaign and public sensitisation on COVID19 pandemic”.

The organisation, is calling on the Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq to investigate the situation of these vulnerable Communities and for their immediate inclusion in the distribution of the palliatives.

CITAD also recommends that Civil Societies be involved as partners in responding to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic because of their wide reach and sense of accountability to ensure that desired results are achieved for this humanitarian intervention.

It would be recalled that on Sunday, 29th March 2020, The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria declared a lockdown across 2 States of the Nation and Federal Capital Territory for a period of 14 days. This was subsequently extension by another 14 days.

Upon the declaration of the initial lockdown, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq confirmed the setup of a palliative scheme for over 11m households across the States and the FCT.

Only two communities have so far benefitted from the Federal Government of Nigeria’s palliatives regime, investigation has shown. A survey by two NGOs – the Centre for Information Technology and Development, (CITAD) and Action Aid Nigeria, (AAIN) discovered that 17 out of 19 communities in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) have not got anything as palliatives.

This throws a new dimension to controversies surrounding FG’s management of COVID-19 in Nigeria given that the FCT where this particular discovery is coming from is the seat of the federal authority and the principle of proximity would have been expected to guarantee it as the best theatre in efficient handling of palliatives. Until newer and contrary information emerge from the Government, that does not appear to be so.

It would be shocking if there were no controversies about managing the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, given the relative diversity of the country. The question, however, is whether the kinds of controversies so far are good or bad ones, irrespective of the morality meaning of words such as good and bad.

In this case, the two NGOs which said they have been working in 19 communities of the FCT under their Local Right Program showed through a survey, using public information centres they set up in the 19 communities, only two communities, Paspa in Bwari Area Council and Gaube in Kuje Area Council have received any form of support.

The other communities that are yet to receive any support include Gwalada, Jiwa, Jiwa Tsoho, Gofidna, Tungan Ashere, Tugan Nasara and Dakwa in Abuja Municipal Council and then Kilankwa, LeleyiBasssa, LeleyiGwari and Pai, all in Kwali Area Council. The last set comprises Kayache and Tukpheci in Kuje Area Council; Kuchibuyi, Igu and  Guto in Bwari Area Council.

“While we note that beneficiaries are predetermined as they are people already enrolled in the conditional cash transfer of the National Cash Transfer Office, it will be curious if there are no enrollees in these communities”, the NGOs said in a summary view of the report and are calling on the Government to look into the situation. They argue that, like any other part of the country, these communities do have extremely poor families.

Transparency is not escaping their attention too as they are equally drawing the ears of the FG to ensuring a transparent and accountable process that will ensure benefits do reach the real or intended beneficiaries. This is implied to be much easier if the Government works with civil society organisations as partners in responding to the crisis “as a situation like the one we are now is better addressed through a multi stakeholder process”.

This brings to three, the key controversies that have dodged the COVID-19 crisis in Nigeria, so far, most of it directed at the Federal Government of Nigeria which is animates nationhood in a moment of tension such as this. One of it is the nature of lockdown that might have been more sensitive and better managed. The second would be the question of innovative thinking in terms of a ‘magical’ point of departure in responding to the situation. The third is the nature of palliatives as well as the honest administration of even what exists.

The FG’s palliatives regime comes under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development which administers a palliative scheme to support vulnerable communities.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development observes that in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, there was a directive from the Federal Government for a total lockdown of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

To this effect the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development set up a palliative scheme to support vulnerable communities.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development in collaboration with Action Aid Nigeria have been working in 19 communities of the FCT under their Local Right Program. Recent activities conducted by these organizations include public education campaign about COVID 19 in these 19 communities.

Using the public information centres the two organizations set in the 19 communities, we conducted a survey to assess where these communities have benefited from the provision of palliatives by the Government. From the survey, only two communities, PASPA, in Bwari Area Council and GAUBE in Kuje Area Council has received any form of support.

The other communities that are yet to receive any support include Gwalada, Jiwa, Jiwa tsoho, Gofidna, Tungan Ashere, TuganNasara, and Dakwa in Abuja Municipal Council; Kilankwa, LeleyiBasssa, LeleyiGwari, Pai in Kwali Area Council; Kayache and Tukpheci in Kuje Area Council; Kuchibuyi, Igu and  Guto, in Bwari Area Council.

While we note that beneficiaries are predetermined as they are people already enrolled in the conditional cash transfer of the National Cash Transfer Office, it will be curious if there are no enrollees in these communities. We call the Government to look into this situation of these vulnerable groups in these communities as we believe that like any other part of the country, these communities do have extremely poor families. We further call on government to ensure a transparent and accountable process that will ensure benefit does reach to the real intended beneficiaries. Finally, we also call on the Government to work with civil society organisations as partners in responding to the crisis as situation like the one we are now is better addressed through a multistakeholder process.

Ms. Salma Abdulwaheed
Head of Office
CITAD, Abuja

A survey conducted by ActionAid Nigeria and Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has revealed that only two out of the 19 poor and vulnerable communities have so far benefited from the government palliative to reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on them. The revelation is contained in a statement by the two non-profit, non-government organisations published in Abuja on Tuesday.

They survey was part of a collaborative work between CITAD and ActionAid under their Local Right Program to conduct, among other activities, public education campaigns about covid-19 in communities around FCT.

According to Ms. Salma Abdulwaheed, CITAD’s head of Abuja Office who signed the statement, the two organisations noted that their findings were based on a survey carried out to identify communities that have benefited from the provision of palliatives by the government.

The survey discovered that only two communities received any form of support. The two communities include Paspa in Bwari Area Council and Gaube in Kuje Area Council.

The findings, she said, came from the public information centres set up by ActionAid and CITAD in communities around the FCT.

The other communities that are yet to receive any support include Gwalada, Jiwa, Jiwa tsoho, Gofidna, Tungan Ashere, TuganNasara, and Dakwa in Abuja Municipal Council.

Others include Kilankwa, LeleyiBasssa, LeleyiGwari, Pai in Kwali Area Council; Kayache and Tukpheci in Kuje Area Council; Kuchibuyi, Igu and Guto, in Bwari Area Council.

“While we note that beneficiaries are predetermined as they are people already enrolled in the conditional cash transfer of the National Cash Transfer Office, it will be curious if there are no enrolees in these communities.

“We call the Government to look into the situation of these vulnerable groups in these communities as we believe that like any other part of the country, these communities do have extremely poor families.

“We further call on government to ensure a transparent and accountable process that will ensure that benefits reach the real intended beneficiaries.

“Finally, we also call on the Government to work with civil society organisations as partners in responding to the crisis as a situations like the one we are in now is better addressed through a multi-stakeholder process,” the organisations counselled.

The palliatives were part of government’s response to the covid-19 outbreak by a total lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Ogun states.

To cushion the impact of the lockdown on poor and vulnerable communities, President Buhari in a nationwide broadcast directed the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to set up and implement a palliative scheme for targeted poor and vulnerable communities.

BY GLORIA USMAN, ABUJA – Upon the extension of lockdown by the Federal Government for additional period of 14 days, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has identified 19 extremely poor communities across FCT that are yet to benefit from the palliative scheme.

At the moment, CITAD in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria are currently working with the 19 communities under the Local Rights Programmes.

The communities and their locations according to CITAD include eight in the Abuja Municipal Council namely Gwalada, Tungan Ashere, Tungan Nasara, Dakwa, Gofidna, Jiwa, Jiwa Tsoho and Gwalada.

Similarly, Kwali Area Council has four that include Kilankwa, Leleyi Bassa, Leleyi Gwari and Pai while four were identified in Bwari Area Council that include Paspa, Kuchibuyi, Igu and Guto just as Kuje Area Council has three communities that include Gaube, Kayache and Tukpheci.

CITAD and ActionAid Nigeria said that their recent activities include awareness campaign and public sensitization on COVID19 pandemic.

The organisations therefore called on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq to investigate the situation of the vulnerable Communities and for their immediate inclusion in the distribution of the palliatives.

CITAD also recommended for Civil Societies to be involved as partners in responding to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic owing to their wide reach and sense of accountability to ensure that the desired results are achieved for the humanitarian intervention.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Sunday, March 29, 2020, declared a lockdown in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory for an initial 14 days which was extended for another 14 days on Tuesday, April 13, 2020 through a Presidential proclamation.

However, upon the declaration of the initial lockdown, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq announced the setting up of a palliative scheme for over 11million households across the states of the federation and the FCT.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development, CITAD, on Sunday advised Kano state government to introduce stricter measures, to ensure compliance with the restriction order, to curtail the spread of coronavirus, #COVID19 in the state.

The advise is coming, especially following one confirmed case of the virus, announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, on Saturday.

A statement by Ali Sabo, Campaigns and Communications Officer of the Centre, issued on Sunday recalled that in spite of the state government’s closure of its borders with other states, denied people entry and exit in and out of the state and asked its workers to stay at home for fourteen days, on March 23rd, the order had not been followed.

CITAD further recalled that in spite of the state government’s order that all social gathering, including cinemas, viewing centers, and joints in the state be suspended until further notice, the same order was flawed.

According to it, a report from its assessment of compliance showed that all orders were flawed by citizens, in connivance with security operatives.

“Therefore, the Centre called on the concerned authorities to take tougher majors in containing the spread of the virus in the state, looking at how quickly the virus was spreading in the country.

“CITAD highlighted how travelers with the connivance of the security agencies are defying the directives given by the state government to stop all inter states movements at those borders which made the state to be at risk of importing the virus by those coming from other states.

“To prove that cross border movements is still ongoing in the state, on Saturday the 11th of April, 2020 the state recorded it first covid-19 case.

“The patient is confirmed to be a retired technocrat who returned to the state from Lagos.

“It is on this note that we are calling on the Kano state government to as a matter of urgency and of public safety to:

Direct the closure of all markets in the state as they are places where social distancing cannot apply and traders pay no hid o safety and preventive measures.

All religious gatherings including Friday prayers and church services to be suspended with immediate effect.

Re-enforce border closure and ensure total compliance.

The State Anti-Corruption Agency to deploy its staff to the borders to prevent security personnel from sabotaging the efforts of government by collecting bribes and allowing motorists to enter the state.

There is need to investigate how the index case crossed the closed border into Kano and that all found to played a role in this should be punished accordingly,” the statement read.

The propriety or otherwise of exposing the identity of COVID-19 infected or potentially infected persons which has become a big controversy in Benue State three weeks ago in the case of Mrs Susan Okpeh has received a curt rejection in a similar case in Kano in Northwestern Nigeria. The case in Kano is the circulation of the name, picture and status of the first person to die of COVID-19 in the state on social media.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) which has been intervening at different levels in the management of the pandemic in Nigeria says that doing so is a threat to the fight against this deadly virus. Giving reason for saying so, CITAD said in a statement by Ali Sabo, its communication officer, that it could make people become skeptical to self-reporting themselves when they suspect they have been infected with virus for fear of being stigmatized and harassed.

CITAD said it observed that some people are using the name, picture and status of the first confirmed case of death from COVID-19 in Kano State on various social media platforms in a discriminatory and or negative way. This, it adds, is a clear breach of the ethics of the medical profession in relation to respect for confidentiality between medical personnel and the patient’s identify, no matter the nature of their illnesses, pointing out how the life of the patient and of his family are now being put at risk.

Arguing though that it is wrong for anyone who suspected contracting the virus or has a travel history to any place where there are confirmed cases of Covid-19 to be mingling with other people, CITAD, however, maintains that “it is also absolutely wrong for people to be victimizing and stigmatizing the victim which will set the fight against Covid-19 back in the country”. While urging people to continue to cooperate with authorities and adhere to prevention guidelines, it is also calling on the public to respect the privacy and rights of all individuals, regardless of their health status, saying that it is important for people to stop creating unnecessary panic in the society. It puts it to Governments to be more proactive in this fight and guarantee the privacy of every patient so as not to discourage people from self-reporting.

There is no knowing what impact the position of CITAD will have on the unresolved Benue State case where many people are grumbling about the exposure of the identity of Mrs Okpeh (whose status is still contested) but along individual heroism and a hint of ethno-cultural anger, without any NGO or a civil society organisation with national clout making a cogent argument. What CITAD has not said in its statement is whether confidentiality is sacred in spite of context, context being the argument of the Benue State governor, Dr Samuel Ortom for announcing that Mrs Okpeh, had become the index case three weeks ago. Mrs Okpeh is still protesting that. There seems to be no similar stories from around the country towards a comparative sense.

Email: ochima495@gmail.com

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I have just read a situation report on “how people in Kano are responding to government directives against COVID-19” released by the Centre for Information Technology and Development, CITAD, Kano, April 7. Before I go into the report, let me confess that I am not familiar with the organisation. I am knowing about it for the first time. I am probably not alone because I do not think it is familiar to many of us outside Kano dtate. Still, its report should command public attention for the issue it raised about the containment policies on COVID-19.

From their report, my educated guess is that CITAD is a group of concerned Nigerians in Kano state who are alarmed by the wanton defiance of the restrictions imposed on intra- and inter- state movements by the state government as part of national efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, the killer virus that is sending hundreds of people into their early graves daily in Europe and the United States. It is holding the world by the jugular. It has exposed the hollowness in the health delivery systems in the advanced countries, making us all sitting ducks for its ravages. A virus this dangerous could not be toyed with. But we are doing just that in this country. A million pities.

According to CITAD, despite the restrictions, nothing has changed in Kano state. Life goes on because the “people have ignored the social distancing directives.” And so, “market activities are still going on as usual without any obvious precautions in place; and ceremonial gatherings are currently going on as usual…”  Young people are out there playing football; tricycle operators still carry four passengers and offer their passengers no precautionary measures such as hand sanitizers. And to put a fine point to it, says the report, “across the state, wedding ceremonies are being held in defiance of the directive against large gatherings.”

I find the report disturbing. We all should. We are talking about the lives of fellow Nigerians, the increasing threat to them by the virus, the inexplicable defiant attitude of people towards measures put in place by federal and state governments to try and save all of us. This attitude amounts to a criminal sabotage of the regime of restrictions on human and vehicular movements within and between states. And it reflects our rather laid back attitude towards the one stubborn virus that refuses all global efforts to halt it in its tracks.

Nigeria records new cases almost every week; evidence, if anyone needed some, that the gradual but steady rise of the coronavirus should not lull this country and its leaders into a false sense that its capacity to reduce our national population is exaggerated. According to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, there were 22 new cases this week bringing the total figure so far to 276. Six people have died from it. Compared to what the virus is doing to the Americans, the Italians, the Chinese and the Spanish, it would appear that our prayer warriors are doing a much better job of containing the virus than modern medical sciences in those advanced countries of the world. Don’t take my word for it.

It is easy to blame the stubborn Nigerians for their refusal to support health measures taken in their own interest. It seems to me, however, that the fault is not entirely theirs. The fault lies more with the federal and state governments. Neither of them has been particularly keen on policing the restriction orders imposed on the people. Nigerians being who they are, their capacity for exploiting loopholes is legendary. Within two days of the lockdown order coming into effect in Lagos and Ogun states, the federal government suddenly approved the opening of markets from 10 am to 2 pm. The Abuja Municipal Area Council ordered the opening of markets from 7.00 am to 1pm. That is a whole day.

These were essentially panic measures that has the profound effect of sabotaging the restriction policy intended to expose us less to the virus infection. I thought the federal government should have given itself at least one week to study the situation and, armed with a review, take some such measures as it deemed necessary to enforce the order and yet make it have the milk of human kindness.

Lagos state government is the most active in enforcing the restrictions; not because it is the worst affected in the country with 145 cases but more importantly because the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is the most proactive political leader we have seen in our country in recent times. I am sure you saw the photograph of the gridlock at Lekki, the very highbrow city by the sea, sometime this week. The vehicles were going somewhere, of course. And sure, most of them belonged to men and women who have so much money that bothering to count it would make them sick. You would expect such people to support and co-operate with the restrictions because they have more to lose if the disease comes knocking at their doors. When those who ought to lead by example fail to do so because the weight of their pockets and their high social standing make them privileged men and women, they rub Agatu pepper in the eyes of the under-privileged.

Commercial Christians, sold on the lucrative nature of empty but alluring religiosity, continue to defy the restrictions. I understand that. It is the survival of the smart bible wielders. The lockdown or the restrictions deny them their weekly collections from the poor sold on the false hope that if their pastors are okay, they are okay and destined for heaven. This is a case of greed and irresponsibility rolled into one. It should make the pastors, including Bishop Oyedepo of Winners Chapel, ashamed of themselves. Dead people do not pay tithes. I thought that was elementary.

Since the imposition of the restrictions by federal and state governments, some state governors have obviously found themselves in the rather uncomfortable situation of being labelled anti-religion and, horror of horrors, risk being denied God’s favours and, of course, being barred at the gates of heaven. Those prospects are grim, to say the least. I am not surprised, therefore, that as of this writing two state governors have succumbed to the pressure to open up the places of worship. Katsina dtate government this week announced the immediate lifting of the ban on large gathering as it affects Muslim prayers in mosques on Fridays. Ondo state government has similarly lifted the ban on churches during the Easter period. The walls of social distancing are beginning to crumble. We can shake hands and hug again; coronavirus be damned.

I would be hard put not to defend the right of an authority to make a policy and, if it suits its purpose, review and even cancel it. But I would be hard put to believe that when the decision to restrict movements and limit the gatherings to a safe and manageable number, these governors did not take the sentiment of the religious communities into consideration. I am sure if they had done so and persuaded them to support the policy for the lives and the safety of their congregants, they would have been less fearful of the consequences of the policy should their names be taken before God.What is happening is that the policy makers are chipping away at the integrity of their own policies. Integrity matters to policies because without it, a policy is not policed and can only head for its eternal safe place on the shelf, there to gather dust. Our political leaders should worry about the fact that a systematic chipping away at the integrity of our public policies has been the bane of our national development. It is the reason we are given to the unimpressive development shuffle – one step forward, four steps backward.
Show quoted text.

As the number of confirmed cases increases day by day in the country, states started taking precautionary measures to stop it from spreading into their states where there is no confirmed case.  Kano state on the 23^rd of March closed all its borders with other states, denied people entry and exit in and out of the state and asked its workers to stay at home for fourteen days. Consequently, due to the number of cases that are being reported in the country every day, the state decided to increase the number of days of stay at home by its workers by another 14 days. In the same vain, the state government declared that all social gathering which include cinemas, viewing centers, and joints in the state are ordered suspended until further notice. Ceremonial gatherings were also banned in the state and religious were advised leaders to adhere to the advice given by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), most especially social distancing, but all these went to the deaf ears of the people in the state as people continue with their normal activities without taking any precautions. This is the reason why last week, CITAD issued a report of assessment of compliance to this preventive measures and drew addressed of stakeholders to the danger and consequences of these actions in which it called on the concerned authorities to take tougher majors in containing the spread of the virus in the state looking at how quickly the virus was spreading in the country.

In the report, CITAD highlighted how travelers with the connivance of the security agencies are defying the directives given by the state government to stop all inter states movements at those borders which made the state to be at risk of importing the virus by those coming from other states. To prove that cross border movements is still ongoing in the state, on Saturday the 11^th of April, 2020 the state recorded it first covid-19 case. The patient is confirmed to be a retired technocrat who returned to the state from Lagos.

It is on this note that we are calling on the Kano state government to as a matter of urgency and of public safety to:

1. Direct the closure of all markets in the state as they are places where social distancing cannot apply and traders pay no hid o safety and preventive measures
2. All religious gatherings including Friday prayers and church services to be suspended with immediate effect
3. Re-enforce border closure and ensure total compliance
4. The State Anti-Corruption Agency to deploy its staff to the borders to prevent security personnel from sabotaging the efforts of government by collecting bribes and allowing motorists to enter the state
5. There is need to investigate how the index case crossed the closed border into Kano and that all found to played a role in this should be punished accordingly

Ali Sabo

Campaigns and Communications Officers

It has been said that since the outbreak of Spanish Fluids, world has never seen a threat to human existence similar to this. World over is in lockdown, millions of people have been tested positive for the virus, thousands of people have lost their lives, many businesses have been crashed and countries are on the brink of falling into recession as announced by the IMF Chief. Countries, organizations and individual have been trying and playing their part on how and the ways to prevent the spread of the virus or to find a cure to it. In Nigeria, after the first recorded case of the virus in Lagos, the authorities are doing everything possible to ensure the virus has not done much damage to the country. Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the agency responsible for handling the situation has been providing information on the preventive measures against Covid-19 in the country, but one agency’s efforts will not be enough, that is why concerned organizations and individuals are coming up with other initiatives to compliment the government efforts. It is on this note that the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)came up with many initiatives in order to reduce the spread of the virus among people. These initiatives include advocacy, online media campaigns (sharing of infographics and messages on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp), and Twitter Chat with Health Professionals. The twitter chat which is being conducted twice every week (Monday and Thursdays) usually invites health professionals to discuss Strengthening Preventive Measures Against Covid-19. On the fourth round of the chat which was held on the 9th of April, 2020,CITAD hosted a United Kingdom based Doctor, Doctor Lawal Hassan Mohammed, Chase Farm Hospital, Royal Free London NHS Trust.

In the chat the guest took time to explain what Covid-19 is to the audience, its preventive measures and what people need to do to stay safe. The one hour chat was a participatory one where people asked questions and the guest provided them with answers. Finally, there were 17 tweet questions asked during the conversation and the guest was able to answer most of the questions asked. In addition, the tweets were re-tweeted 158 times with 37 likes reaching thousands of people in the process. Below are tweets and responses

Hello everyone, thank you for having me. For starters, I’m no public health specialist but we’ll do my best collectively to address our concerns accordingly.
S/N	TWEET QUESTION	DOCTOR’S RESPONSE	NUMBER OF RETWEET	NUMBER OF LIKE
1	@ICTAdvocates what is the likely chance of transport by air infection in comparison to infection via droplets?		5	2
2	Other viruses like seasonal flu (influenza) and coronoviruses which are benign do poorly in warm & moist weather. So it’s not an unreasonable assumption, however we’re seeing cases everywhere irrespective of the weather. Also, this is a new virus so we can’t count on it.		4	1
3	It has really been fruitful one hour with @dr_lawi , we are immensely grateful for your time. We are also grateful to everyone for participating in the chat. Thank you everyone @YZYau @sagiru_ado @a_sabo12 @Ashshaza1	Dr. L H Mohammed @dr_lawi · 19h Replying to @ICTAdvocates   @YZYau and 3 others It’s been my pleasure, thank you for having me. Please accept my apologies if I haven’t responded to all concerns, I’m happy to answer them later when free (my lunch break is over)	7	2
4	@ICTAdvocates   @dr_lawi good Evening Dr. Some people are advocating to uses salt, garlic with warm water for preventive measure against this covid-19. Is this proper? Thanks. @yzyau	2
5	Thanks @dr_lawi Pls. how  prepared is Govt. and responsible agencies  for COVID-19 here in Kano? @ICTAdvocates		3	2
6	@dr_lawi we were told that our weather is resistance to Covid19 especially here in northwestern Nigeria, that even if Covid19 affected us the hot weather will quarantine it, Doc. What is your take on this assertions? Is it true or otherwise? @YZYau @DrEOEhanire @ICTAdvocates	Other viruses like seasonal flu (influenza) and coronoviruses which are benign do poorly in warm & moist weather. So it’s not an unreasonable assumption, however we’re seeing cases everywhere irrespective of the weather. Also, this is a new virus so we can’t count on it.	4	1
7	Apart from public awareness that needs to be improved, is there anything that you @dr_lawi think should be done by either authorities or other actors in stopping the spread or addressing the virus? @YZYau @sagiru_ado @isahcitad @inuhu123 @Ado9ja1	Individuals have to do their own part by following ruled out guidelines by appropriate authorities. Govt can do more by testing more suspected cases, I don’t know what the criteria is by NCDC but I’ve read complaints of many people unable to get tested or even get in touch.	6
8	@dr_lawi , where people suspect a case of #COVIDー19, what action are they supposed to take first? @YZYau @Mairo_Ado @sagiru_ado @a_sabo12	Stay home / isolate self. Call the appropriate bodies; eg NCDC for advice. Monitor symptoms carefully and escalate accordingly. Rest and stay hydrated.	8	1
9	@Dr_lawi in a case of rural communities where they don’t have good portable drinking water, what are medical advice would you give to us to enlight them to protect themself against Covid 19. @ICTAdvocates @YZYau @hamzaish	Replying to @dahiruabubakar   @ICTAdvocates and 2 others It’d still be the norm as earlier outlined. Use whatever is available to them. Enlighten them about how it’s transmitted so they can adhere to the preventive measures.	13	2
10	@dr_lawi here in Kano its seem people dont understand  physical distancing what is it ? and why and how should I do it? A question by @mukhtars_s	By physical distancing; 1. Protect yourself 2. Protect others (esp vulnerable) if you have the virus unknowingly / asymptomatic	4
11	@dr_lawi good Day! Doc. Inspire the measures taking by both FG and states to curtail the spread of Covid19 in Nigeria, sir why the numbers is still skyrocketing? What should be the best ways 4 individuals?pls @YZYau @abdullahiabduji @ICTAdvocates @mukhtars_s @DrTedros	I think the gov’t as a whole is doing its best, some may say otherwise. But it certainly can’t do for all, so we have to play our own part as individuals in protecting ourselves and loved ones. Kindly go through my earlier tweets.	12	3
12	@dr_lawi , Why are medical workers getting sick with or dying from coronavirus if they’re wearing protective gear? @ICTAdvocates @a_sabo12 @Mairo_Ado @YZYau @IsaKamilu @hamzaish @sagiru_ado @nissimase @ChiromaHope	Replying to @kamalkano   @ICTAdvocates and 8 others PPEs can only help to prevent but can’t be certain it’s 100%. Are they using it properly? At all times? Generally, working at the frontline increases ones’ risk by many folds despite gears. Also, they’re still susceptible outside their work zone/life.	16	3
13	We specifically want clarification on this so that people who could not afford hand sanitizer can have alternative @dr_lawi .@YZYau @sagiru_ado @HariraWakili @Mairo_Ado @kblawanty @inuhu123 @rhamsys	Replying to @ICTAdvocates @YZYau and 13 others In fact, I prefer to advise use of soap and water. Sanitizers aren’t readily available and could be costly.	15	2
14	@ICTAdvocates Doctors in the country protested the idea of inviting your counterpart from China to strengthen your work in curtailing the spread of the virus. Why is argument? #COVID19 @YZYau @a_sabo12 @sagiru_ado @Mairo_Ado @HariraWakili	In fact, I prefer to advise use of soap and water. Sanitizers aren’t readily available and could be costly.	11	3
15	As efforts are mounted at preventing the #COVID19 in Nigeria, @dr_lawi observes that public awareness is still lacking. People need to know that this virus is real and many are dying by the day. @YZYau @NCDCgov @kamalkano @Ashshaza1 @sagiru_ado @a_sabo12 @HariraWakili @Mairo_Ado	Our religious and community leaders have a vital role to play .. People need to be educated. Fact that one or his/her relative isn’t affected doesn’t negate that the virus isn’t spreading.	15	3
16	@dr_lawi , will every soap be an alternative to hand sanitizer in maintaining personal hygiene? @YZYau @sagiru_ado @a_sabo12 @kamalkano @inuhu123 @thesheetng @ChiromaHope @isahcitad @houseknyt @UsmanRx @rhamsys @NCDCgov @WHO @Fmohnigeria	1.      Any plain/regular soap is able to annihilate the virus once hands are washed properly. There are steps in doing this, also for at least 20 secs. 2.      Replying to @ICTAdvocates @YZYau and 13 others In fact, I prefer to advise use of soap and water. Sanitizers aren’t readily available and could be costly.	12	2
	@dr_lawi , what mechanisms are most effective in preventing the spread of #COVID19? @YZYau @NCDCgov @a_sabo12 @Mairo_Ado @KabirHamisuKura @kamalkano @sagiru_ado @Ashshaza1	1.      I’m sure we’ve seen and/or heard of these repeatedly, nothing has changed. Simple, yet very important steps; 1. Wash your hands with soap and water often, do this for at least 20 seconds. Or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol 2.      4. Physical (Social) distancing; 2m (6ft) away from people. Use a face mask if you’re sick or caring for someone who is sick Follow guidelines 3.      Stay at home, unless necessary. 4.      Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze. Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards. 5.      Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects in your home, such as door handles, taps, remotes.
17	Based on your assessment of Nigerian efforts at preventing the spread of #COVID19, @dr_lawi , what do you think is lacking and is most significant in addressing the virus? @YZYau @a_sabo12 @sagiru_ado @Mairo_Ado @nissimase @inuhu123 @kamalkano @UsmanRx @kblawanty @HariraWakili	I’m not there first hand, but from what I’ve seen and read, it’s enough to see that public awareness is still lacking. People need to know that this virus is real and many are dying by the day.	15	6
	NCDC directs us to wash our hands frequently under running water and the running water is scarce in most of the communities. What other strategies of washing hands you will share with us? @dr_lawi @YZYau @sagiru_ado @HariraWakili @Mairo_Ado @kblawanty @inuhu123 @rhamsys	I do appreciate that is a problem which needs to be addressed by the govt and other private organisations willing to help. But, I’m not aware of other alternatives after water and sanitizer.	8	4

 

Prepared by Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Kano

Issued: 7^th April, 2020

Nigeria recorded it first case of Corona Virus on 27 February, 2020 in Lagos State.

As the number of confirmed cases increases day by day, several States in Nigeria took different drastic measures to respond to the pandemic, including states where the outbreak has not been recorded.

Kano State decided to close schools across the state from 23rd of March and asked all workers to stay at home for 14 days. It subsequently closed its borders from mid night of Friday, 27th of the same month. Similarly, there were directives which strongly advised people to abide by social distancing and avoid congregational prayers, all social activities such as cinemas, clubs, joints and viewing centers were closed and ceremonial gatherings in the state were banned.

Issues:

To understand the level of compliance of Kano State citizens to the above directives, CITAD undertook assessment visits to certain mosques, markets and streets within the metropolis.

1. The assessment has shown that people have ignored the social distancing directives. Similarly, markets activities are still going on as usual without any obvious precautions in place, and ceremonial gatherings are currently going on as usual with exception of few individuals.
2. Another point of concern is how the directives of state border closure is not quite effective as it supposed to. Reports have shown several people flowing into the state from other states with a little amount of bribe ranging from 200 hundred to 1000 naira depending on the type of car you are entering with, as claimed by the travelers themselves and report by our observers.
3. To emphasize on the ineffectiveness of the state border closure, there were incidences of bringing corpses of controversial death to the state like the case of Bichi and Hisbah board which the authorities handled with negligence. Again, someone crossed the border to Kano and fell sick in Gaya with suspicious symptoms (under examination now). In the case of Bichi, a family brought a corpse all the way to Bich, in Kano State from Abuja to be buried and the family resisted demand by Medical Personnel undersnd the cause of the death,
4. Another thing to consider is the operation of “Yan Adaidata Sahu” (tricycle riders). They still carry as many as four people and do not carry sanitizers, soap or even water.
5. In many places, football pitches are busy with youth playing, unmindful of the implications of coding so. Some of the places we observed this happening include: FCT Football pitch in Kabuga where staff and youth from the neighboring communities play, Ahmed Musa Centre, CBN Quarters in Hotoro where youth played wedding soccer, Doraiyi Karama, Filin Sarki where youth play daily,
6. Across the states, wedding ceremonies are being held without precautions and in defiance of directive against large gathering, one of the high profiles wedding was wedding Fatiha of the sister of Hon Kabiru Ado Lawaya, State Commissioner for Youth Development, held in Lakwaya of Gwarzo LGA which many politicians, government official and youth attended. It is regrettable that a government official of this position could flaunt this directive by the very government his is serving. This sent a wrong signal as many other people conducted weddings.

CITAD used the following as its case study in this report:

1. Friday mosques including Kofar Nassarawa Friday mosque, Sheik Jaafar Mahmoud Adam Friday Mosque Sabuwar Gandu, BUK and the Central Mosque Emir of Kano’s palace. The Friday prayers were held in these mosques without any prevention measures in place.
2. Markets places including Dawanau market, Sabon Gari market, France road market, Kwari market, Janguza market and Abubakar Rimi market. Our observers found out that market activities are going on as usual without any prevention measures in place.
3. State boarders including Zakirai- Ringim, Kano-Zaria, and Kano-Dutse. In the case of Dutse, people now go to Takai and take the road to Albasu from there, they take a feeder road to Dutse where there is no border check point. People going to Bauchi, Gombe, Yola, Maiduguri as well as coming these places all take this route. By the time they get to Dutse, they then take Dutse to Huguma Road where they become geographically in Jigawa state and so they are not prevented from going to Birmin Kudu from where they continue their journey.

This disrespect for the directives presents to grave dangers as such large gatherings are what the virus needs to multiply and cause havoc

Conclusion

Based on these assessments, CITAD has deduced that:

1. Some people in the state are not taking the social distancing seriously
2. The government directives meant to prevent the pandemic from occurring in the state are treated with levity by greedy officials.
3. There is still lack of good communication between the authority responsible for containing the spread of the virus and people
4. Some religious people are still sabotaging the efforts of authorities feeding the gullible people with wrong information about the virus
5. Citizens are well coopted in the process, indicating either the absence or inadequate sensitization/ enlightenment campaigns by the authorities

Recommendations

We call on the concerned authorities and the general public to:

1. Border patrol should not be limited to highway only, feeder roads should also be included to prevent people from bypassing authorities
2. Ensure adequate measures such as proper monitoring on the state’s borders to stop entering the state from any border.
3. Citizens need to be fully coopted into any committee inaugurated by the state.
4. Religious leaders need to be fully sensitive and punish anyone found misleading the public.
5. Set a committee on public enlightenment on CoronaVirus and its preventive measures.
6. The public to adhere by the guidelines set by WHO and other professional bodies.
7. Government should not just focus on raising funds at the detriment of getting people to embracing preventive measures that would be effective in curtailing the spread of the virus

CITAD is issuing this assessment as part of its commitment to an informed citizenry as critical pillar in the fight against COVID 19. It will continue to offer such assessment for time to time or as the situation demands.

Signed

 

Ali Sabo
Communications Officer