Following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, China, many people were killed and various countries of the world were threatened. On 27^th February, 2020 first index case of Covid-19 was reported in Nigeria, following entry of an Italian man into the country from Italy. Some months after, many cases were reported especially in Lagos, Abuja, the capital city and later on across the country. This has informed several political, economic, Social and corporate actions including the locking down of some states and radical modification of the political-economy of the country to reflect the new realities.

Various intervention funds were pronounced by the Federal and States governments to fight the pandemic and reduce its effects on citizens. Also, corporate organizations and individuals have donated generously to the cause of fighting the pandemic and assisting states to provide medical response to the Virus. It was reported that over 40 billion Naira was donated. This excludes other non-monetary donations such as food items, building isolation centers and others, and the stimulus promised by the Central bank of Nigeria for corporate organizations. Unfortunately, much of the palliative packages have not reached majority of those for whom they were intended. In view of this, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on 21^st April, 2020 organized a twitter chat with Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa) as a discussant to assess and discuss on FG’s palliative measures and their implementation

Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim started the discussion by saying that Palliative measures are very necessary as physical distancing rules have led to confinement of people in their houses. Most poor Nigerians however depend on informal jobs which requires them to go out daily to fetch what they will feed their families. If they are to stay at home, Government has to feed them. This generates lot of questions from the people, below are tweets and responses from the guest: @YZYau welcome the indefatigable scholar and pundit, our discussant for today’s chat Prof. @jibrinibrahim17 to the discussion on FG’s palliative measures and their implementation@a_sabo

Thank you very much for joining us Prof. @JibrinIbrahim17 do you have any more fear or concern recognizing the fact that number of the confirmed cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria keeps rising, which means the lockdown may be elongated.

Response

Yes community infection is growing and case load rising so the temptation is to extend lockdown. That may not work. We need to increase testing. Ghano – 68,000, South Africa – 100,000, Nigeria less than 10,000 – too low. Increased testing means you lockdown where you need to only.

This means we can be more intelligent and have lockdowns only in spaces where the testing has shown growth of the disease. Other areas therefore can be allowed to resume normal life so people can earn money to feed families.

Prof. @JibrinIbrahim17, how do see the formation of the Nigerian government’s palliative measures, how realistic are they in terms of providing real succor to the common man?

Response

Palliative measures are very necessary as physical distancing rules have led to restriction of people in their houses. Most poor Nigerians however depend on going our each day to work and feed families on the basis daily income. If they are to stay at home, Govt has to feed them.

Nigeria ranks 158st of 189 countries in the (2018) Human Development Index (HDI). For the past decade, about 42.8 percent of Nigeria’s population lives in extreme poverty. This means palliative measures must reach at least 90 million Nigerians. This is difficult.

Nigeria’s palliative measures are based on 2.6 million households containing a total of 11,045,537 people on the national social register. This means that only about 15% of the poorest are on the register so many will be excluded.

Question:

Does that mean a whole lot of Nigerians will not be touched by palliative measures? Probably more than 15% on the register?

Response

Nigerian ruling class should be careful in their own interest. If the poor do not get palliatives, they will react and it will not be pretty. Social revolt is a real possibility because the lockdown without palliatives presents 2 options – HUNGER or REVOLT

Response

This revolt you re talking about, I think will never happen because Nigerian ruling class to maintain their own interest, they employ social institution as weapons against poor Nigerians.

And they can always tactically deploy narratives hinged on religion and ethnicity to divide and conquer d people. U no they don’t often tell us how they intend to fix d issues in clear terms bt how a certain tribe should not be voted or trusted.

Yes, they organised our religion to provides a similar function to convince us based on fictional divine sanction.

Question: many countries of the world have started thinking of economic recovery after COVID-19, is Nigeria doing anything in that regard?

Response

Our economic crisis predated the #COVIDー19 crisis but now we are really down requiring that we no longer waste precious resources on the self-aggrandizement of the ruling class. We need an emergency economic recovery plan now.

Question

Sir, the self-aggrandizement of our ruling class has always been our major economic problem, IMHO. Apart from the run of mill corruption which occurs on a daily basis, the approved salaries, allowances, perks and fringe benefits are obscenely indefensible.

Response

Why must every top government functionary have to use a Land cruiser? Or why do so many parastatals pay salaries and allowances far beyond what the private sector pays? If all these were adjusted to a level which is commensurate to our national purse, what is saved could be

Question:

Prof. @JibrinIbrahim17, do you have any more fear or concern recognizing the fact that number of the confirmed cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria keeps rising, which means the lockdown may be elongated.

Response

Yes community infection is growing and case load rising so the temptation is to extend lockdown. That may not work. We need to increase testing. Ghano – 68,000, South Africa – 100,000, Nigeria less than 10,000 – too low. Increased testing means you lockdown where you need to only.

This means we can be more intelligent and have lockdowns only in spaces where the testing has shown growth of the disease. Other areas therefore can be allowed to resume normal life so people can earn money to feed families.

YZ: As we are rounding up in the next two or so minutes, can we give Prof @JibrinIbrahim17a twitter clap for an engaging session, providing us with an analysis that is nuanced in data. We thank you for taking the time to honour our invitation.

Ali Sabo: Thank you so much prof for the time and enlightening messages you shared with us.

Prof. Jibril: It has been a pleasure engaging in this chat, I hope your audience found it useful. Bye

CITAD: It’s obvious your insights have been useful, though the chat has been officially over in the last 20 mins, debate and engagement with your thoughts is still ongoing. Thank you immensely Prof. @JibrinIbrahim17 for your time  we all enjoyed it.

CITAD Question:

Supposing Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development @Sadiya_farouqrequests for your advice on adjusting the implementation of the palliative measures to better serve Nigerians, what will your advice be?

Response:

Nill

Prof. Jibril:

Palliative measures are very necessary as physical distancing rules have led to restriction of people in their houses. Most poor Nigerians however depend on going our each day to work and feed families on the basis daily income. If they are to stay at home, Govt has to feed them.

Nigeria ranks 158st of 189 countries in the (2018) Human Development Index (HDI). For the past decade, about 42.8 percent of Nigeria’s population lives in extreme poverty. This means palliative measures must reach at least 90 million Nigerians. This is difficult.

Nigeria’s palliative measures are based on 2.6 million households containing a total of 11,045,537 people on the national social register. This means that only about 15% of the most poor are on the register so many will be excluded.

Does that mean a whole lot of Nigerians will not be touched by palliative measures? Probably more than 15% on the register?

Nigerian ruling class should be careful in their own interest. If the poor do not get palliatives, they will react and it will not be pretty. Social revolt is a real possibility because the lockdown without palliatives presents 2 options – HUNGER or REVOLT

Question:

In this regard (Revolt), how can we engage the elite in the society to understand the danger they are in?

Response:

This is the time for the political class to think enlightened self interest. Their survival, our survival will depend on improving governance and stamping out corruption. The impact of #COVID-19 on poverty and dignity is massive, public trust must be regained for peace.

With the complete collapse of petroleum prices, the days of politicians sharing the revenue are gone. They must engage the people to work, to produce, to pay tax – which means you can no longer steal the Nation’s resources and keep the peace.

Question:

I am really happy you have touched this aspect of the economy; looking at how Nigeria depends solely on petroleum to finance more than 50% of its budget, what do you think the future will look like when this issue continue deteriorating, prof?

Response:

The economic message is simple. The days of the rentier economy sharing petroleum largesse is over. We will henceforth have to depend on what we produce. This will require a different type of politics based on how to produce not share rent.

Questions:

Prof, as there are no encouraging signs of winning this war soon, what do you think will happen to people that depend on salary to survive; can govt, companies and even Development Partners continue paying people while they are sitting at home; what are the realities?

How do see the formation of the Nigerian government’s palliative measures, how realistic are they in terms of providing real succor to the common man?

Response:

This is the time for the political class to think enlightened self-interest. Their survival, our survival will depend on improving governance and stamping out corruption. The impact of #COVID-19 on poverty and dignity is massive, public trust must be regained for peace With the complete collapse of petroleum prices, the days of politicians sharing the revenue are gone. They must engage the people to work, to produce, to pay tax – which means you can no longer steal the Nation’s resources and keep the peace.

Nigerians have no trust on their ruling class because they know them to be selfish, self-serving and thieves. The challenge is to start planning how we can get a new group that would respect public trust and see their role as using public resources to promote the public good.

This means we can be more intelligent and have lockdowns only in spaces where the testing has shown growth of the disease. Other areas therefore can be allowed to resume normal life so people can earn money to feed families.

This means we can be more intelligent and have lockdowns only in spaces where the testing has shown growth of the disease. Other areas therefore can be allowed to resume normal life so people can earn money to feed families.

Prof, there are a lots of criticisms from people that the palliatives is not reaching the right people. What do you think govt will do to address this?

Here in the FCT, the enlistment process of beneficiaries really seem faulty as widows, the aged, orphans aren’t captured. Emphasis was placed on being male & having a wife & children. So, some “vulnerable” persons were tactically excluded.

This means the right methodology was not used in FCT. Communities are supposed to discuss and identify the poorest and most vulnerable households themselves.

Here in Abaji Abuja, wards councillors were d ones who listed beneficiaries through different committees whose members visited households. Due to lack of prior notification & poor methodology, not all households were visited or revisited in cases where nobody was at home.

First of all, Prof. @JibrinIbrahim17 how do see the formation of the Nigerian government’s palliative measures, how realistic are they in terms of providing real succor to the common man?

Palliative measures are very necessary as physical distancing rules have led to restriction of people in their houses. Most poor Nigerians however depend on going our each day to work and feed families on the basis daily income. If they are to stay at home, Govt has to feed them.

Nigerian ruling class should be careful in their own interest. If the poor do not get palliatives, they will react and it will not be pretty. Social revolt is a real possibility because the lockdown without palliatives presents 2 options – HUNGER or REVOLT Prof, there are a lots of criticisms from people that the palliatives is not reaching the right people. What do you think govt will do to address this?

Here in the FCT, the enlistment process of beneficiaries really seem faulty as widows, the aged, orphans aren’t captured. Emphasis was placed on being male & having a wife & children. So, some “vulnerable” persons were tactically excluded.

CITAD Retweeted

This means the right methodology was not used in FCT. Communities are supposed to discuss and identify the poorest and most vulnerable households themselves.

2:49 PM · Apr 21, 2020·Twitter Web App

Here in Abaji Abuja, wards councillors were d ones who listed beneficiaries through different committees whose members visited households. Due to lack of prior notification & poor methodology, not all households were visited or revisited in cases where nobody was at home.

Nigeria’s palliative measures are based on 2.6 million households containing a total of 11,045,537 people on the national social register. This means that only about 15% of the most poor are on the register so many will be excluded.

Apr 21

Does that mean a whole lot of Nigerians will not be touched by palliative measures? Probably more than 15% on the register?

Nigerian ruling class should be careful in their own interest. If the poor do not get palliatives, they will react and it will not be pretty. Social revolt is a real possibility because the lockdown without palliatives presents 2 options – HUNGER or REVOLT

Apr 21

In this regard (Revolt), how can we engage the elite in the society to understand the danger they are in?

Apr 21

This is the time for the political class to think enlightened self interest. Their survival, our survival will depend on improving governance and stamping out corruption. The impact of #COVID-19 on poverty and dignity is massive, public trust must be regained for peace

Apr 21

With the complete collapse of petroleum prices, the days of politicians sharing the revenue are gone. They must engage the people to work, to produce, to pay tax – which means you can no longer steal the Nation’s resources and keep the peace.

Replying to I am really happy you have touched this aspect of the economy; looking at how Nigeria depends solely on petroleum to finance more than 50% of its budget, what do you think the future will look like when this issue continue deteriorating, prof?

2:49 PM · Apr 21, 2020·Twitter for Android

The economic message is simple. The days of the rentier economy sharing petroleum largesse is over. We will henceforth have to depend on what we produce. This will require a different type of politics based on how to produce not share rent.

Apr 21

Prof, as there are no encouraging signs of winning this war soon, what do you think will happen to people that depend on salary to survive; can govt, companies and even Development Partners continue paying people while they are sitting at home; what are the realities?

First of all, Prof. @JibrinIbrahim17 how do see the formation of the Nigerian government’s palliative measures, how realistic are they in terms of providing real succor to the common man?

Palliative measures are very necessary as physical distancing rules have led to restriction of people in their houses. Most poor Nigerians however depend on going our each day to work and feed families on the basis daily income. If they are to stay at home, Govt has to feed them.

Apr 21

Nigeria ranks 158st of 189 countries in the (2018) Human Development Index (HDI). For the past decade, about 42.8 percent of Nigeria’s population lives in extreme poverty. This means palliative measures must reach at least 90 million Nigerians. This is difficult.

Apr 21

Nigeria’s palliative measures are based on 2.6 million households containing a total of 11,045,537 people on the national social register. This means that only about 15% of the most poor are on the register so many will be excluded.

Apr 21

Does that mean a whole lot of Nigerians will not be touched by palliative measures? Probably more than 15% on the register?

Nigerian ruling class should be careful in their own interest. If the poor do not get palliatives, they will react and it will not be pretty. Social revolt is a real possibility because the lockdown without palliatives presents 2 options – HUNGER or REVOLT

Apr 21

Prof, there are a lots of criticisms from people that the palliatives is not reaching the right people. What do you think govt will do to address this?

Replying to

My response was that palliatives are being diverted and in any case are not enough which means we are in crisis as hunger is growing within the poor who are also getting angry. Let’s all warn our leaders to take the matter seriously.

2:46 PM · Apr 21, 2020·Twitter Web App

@JibrinIbrahim17

how do see the formation of the Nigerian government’s palliative measures, how realistic are they in terms of providing real succor to the common man?

Apr 21

Palliative measures are very necessary as physical distancing rules have led to restriction of people in their houses. Most poor Nigerians however depend on going our each day to work and feed families on the basis daily income. If they are to stay at home, Govt has to feed them.

Nigeria ranks 158st of 189 countries in the (2018) Human Development Index (HDI). For the past decade, about 42.8 percent of Nigeria’s population lives in extreme poverty. This means palliative measures must reach at least 90 million Nigerians. This is difficult.

Apr 21

Nigeria’s palliative measures are based on 2.6 million households containing a total of 11,045,537 people on the national social register. This means that only about 15% of the most poor are on the register so many will be excluded.

Does that mean a whole lot of Nigerians will not be touched by palliative measures? Probably more than 15% on the register?

Nigerian ruling class should be careful in their own interest. If the poor do not get palliatives, they will react and it will not be pretty. Social revolt is a real possibility because the lockdown without palliatives presents 2 options – HUNGER or REVOLT

In this regard (Revolt), how can we engage the elite in the society to understand the danger they are in?

This is the time for the political class to think enlightened self interest. Their survival, our survival will depend on improving governance and stamping out corruption. The impact of #COVID-19 on poverty and dignity is massive, public trust must be regained for peace

With the complete collapse of petroleum prices, the days of politicians sharing the revenue are gone. They must engage the people to work, to produce, to pay tax – which means you can no longer steal the Nation’s resources and keep the peace.

@JibrinIbrahim17

how do see the formation of the Nigerian government’s palliative measures, how realistic are they in terms of providing real succor to the common man?

Palliative measures are very necessary as physical distancing rules have led to restriction of people in their houses. Most poor Nigerians however depend on going our each day to work and feed families on the basis daily income. If they are to stay at home, Govt has to feed them.

Nigeria ranks 158st of 189 countries in the (2018) Human Development Index (HDI). For the past decade, about 42.8 percent of Nigeria’s population lives in extreme poverty. This means palliative measures must reach at least 90 million Nigerians. This is difficult.

Prof. is this only difficult or not achievable weighing the approach of the government’s palliative measures implementation that has so far generated lots of complaints from numerous Nigerians?

how do see the formation of the Nigerian government’s palliative measures, how realistic are they in terms of providing real succor to the common man?

Palliative measures are very necessary as physical distancing rules have led to restriction of people in their houses. Most poor Nigerians however depend on going our each day to work and feed families on the basis daily income. If they are to stay at home, Govt has to feed them.

Nigeria ranks 158st of 189 countries in the (2018) Human Development Index (HDI). For the past decade, about 42.8 percent of Nigeria’s population lives in extreme poverty. This means palliative measures must reach at least 90 million Nigerians. This is difficult.

Nigeria’s palliative measures are based on 2.6 million households containing a total of 11,045,537 people on the national social register. This means that only about 15% of the most poor are on the register so many will be excluded.

Apr 21

Does that mean a whole lot of Nigerians will not be touched by palliative measures? Probably more than 15% on the register?

Nigerian ruling class should be careful in their own interest. If the poor do not get palliatives, they will react and it will not be pretty. Social revolt is a real possibility because the lockdown without palliatives presents 2 options – HUNGER or REVOLT

In this regard (Revolt), how can we engage the elite in the society to understand the danger they are in?

This is the time for the political class to think enlightened self interest. Their survival, our survival will depend on improving governance and stamping out corruption. The impact of #COVID-19 on poverty and dignity is massive, public trust must be regained for peace

2:40 PM · Apr 21, 2020·Twitter Web App

With the complete collapse of petroleum prices, the days of politicians sharing the revenue are gone. They must engage the people to work, to produce, to pay tax – which means you can no longer steal the Nation’s resources and keep the peace.

I am really happy you have touched this aspect of the economy; looking at how Nigeria depends solely on petroleum to finance more than 50% of its budget, what do you think the future will look like when this issue continue deteriorating, prof?

The economic message is simple. The days of the renter economy sharing petroleum largesse is over. We will henceforth have to depend on what we produce. This will require a different type of politics based on how to produce not share rent

Prof, as there are no encouraging signs of winning this war soon, what do you think will happen to people that depend on salary to survive; can govt, companies and even Development Partners continue paying people while they are sitting at home; what are the realities?

how do see the formation of the Nigerian government’s palliative measures, how realistic are they in terms of providing real succor to the common man?

Palliative measures are very necessary as physical distancing rules have led to restriction of people in their houses. Most poor Nigerians however depend on going our each day to work and feed families on the basis daily income. If they are to stay at home, Govt has to feed them.

Nigeria ranks 158st of 189 countries in the (2018) Human Development Index (HDI). For the past decade, about 42.8 percent of Nigeria’s population lives in extreme poverty. This means palliative measures must reach at least 90 million Nigerians. This is difficult.

Nigeria’s palliative measures are based on 2.6 million households containing a total of 11,045,537 people on the national social register. This means that only about 15% of the most poor are on the register so many will be excluded.

Does that mean a whole lot of Nigerians will not be touched by palliative measures? Probably more than 15% on the register?

Nigerian ruling class should be careful in their own interest. If the poor do not get palliatives, they will react and it will not be pretty. Social revolt is a real possibility because the lockdown without palliatives presents 2 options – HUNGER or REVOLT

Prof, there are a lots of criticisms from people that the palliatives is not reaching the right people. What do you think govt will do to address this?

Here in the FCT, the enlistment process of beneficiaries really seem faulty as widows, the aged, orphans aren’t captured. Emphasis was placed on being male & having a wife & children. So, some “vulnerable” persons were tactically excluded.

2:33 PM · Apr 21, 2020·Twitter Web App

This means the right methodology was not used in FCT. Communities are supposed to discuss and identify the poorest and most vulnerable households themselves.

Here in Abaji Abuja, wards Councillors were d ones who listed beneficiaries through different committees whose members visited households. Due to lack of prior notification & poor methodology, not all households were visited or revisited in cases where nobody was at home.

how do see the formation of the Nigerian government’s palliative measures, how realistic are they in terms of providing real succor to the common man?

Palliative measures are very necessary as physical distancing rules have led to restriction of people in their houses. Most poor Nigerians however depend on going our each day to work and feed families on the basis daily income. If they are to stay at home, Govt has to feed them.

Nigeria ranks 158st of 189 countries in the (2018) Human Development Index (HDI). For the past decade, about 42.8 percent of Nigeria’s population lives in extreme poverty. This means palliative measures must reach at least 90 million Nigerians. This is difficult.

The problem with palliatives is that those who are hungry today because of lockdown are people engaged in livelihoods not depending on hand-downs, they are angry today because they can’t go out and earn a living and no handouts. Their dignity is in question so #ANGER is rising

is saying: here in the FCT,the enlistment process of beneficiaries really seem faulty as widows,the aged, orphans aren’t captured.Emphasis was placed on being male&having a wife & children. So, some “vulnerable” persons were tactically excluded

how do citizens ensure that the state governments are using the register? Is copy of the register publicly available for citizens to download/print and compare with what they see in their communities?

Indeed a question because it raises the issue of accountability and transparency.

how do see the formation of the Nigerian government’s palliative measures, how realistic are they in terms of providing real succor to the common man?

Palliative measures are very necessary as physical distancing rules have led to restriction of people in their houses. Most poor Nigerians however depend on going our each day to work and feed families on the basis daily income. If they are to stay at home, Govt has to feed them.

Nigeria ranks 158st of 189 countries in the (2018) Human Development Index (HDI). For the past decade, about 42.8 percent of Nigeria’s population lives in extreme poverty. This means palliative measures must reach at least 90 million Nigerians. This is difficult.

Nigeria’s palliative measures are based on 2.6 million households containing a total of 11,045,537 people on the national social register. This means that only about 15% of the most poor are on the register so many will be excluded.

Does that mean a whole lot of Nigerians will not be touched by palliative measures? Probably more than 15% on the register?

Nigerian ruling class should be careful in their own interest. If the poor do not get palliatives, they will react and it will not be pretty. Social revolt is a real possibility because the lockdown without palliatives presents 2 options – HUNGER or REVOLT

Prof, there are a lots of criticisms from people that the palliatives is not reaching the right people. What do you think govt will do to address this?

Government must broaden the distribution system by talking to ward heads who can work with their communities to set up distribution committees that work on the principles of accountability and transparency. Let everyone know what’s available and debate distribution system.

, looking at Nigeria as a whole, and from the onset, do you think the palliative measures have been properly thought of?

The national social register has integrity and was well planned. The challenge is that politicians are bent of changing it. As I stated earlier however, the register does not cover most of the poor urban youth who are not in the register and may revolt, it’s started already

how do see the formation of the Nigerian government’s palliative measures, how realistic are they in terms of providing real succor to the common man?

Palliative measures are very necessary as physical distancing rules have led to restriction of people in their houses. Most poor Nigerians however depend on going our each day to work and feed families on the basis daily income. If they are to stay at home, Govt has to feed them.

Nigeria ranks 158st of 189 countries in the (2018) Human Development Index (HDI). For the past decade, about 42.8 percent of Nigeria’s population lives in extreme poverty. This means palliative measures must reach at least 90 million Nigerians. This is difficult.

Nigeria’s palliative measures are based on 2.6 million households containing a total of 11,045,537 people on the national social register. This means that only about 15% of the most poor are on the register so many will be excluded.

Does that mean a whole lot of Nigerians will not be touched by palliative measures? Probably more than 15% on the register?

Nigerian ruling class should be careful in their own interest. If the poor do not get palliatives, they will react and it will not be pretty. Social revolt is a real possibility because the lockdown without palliatives presents 2 options – HUNGER or REVOLT

Prof, there are a lots of criticisms from people that the palliatives is not reaching the right people. What do you think govt will do to address this?

2:26 PM · Apr 21, 2020·Twitter for Android

Government must broaden the distribution system by talking to ward heads who can work with their communities to set up distribution committees that work on the principles of accountability and transparency. Let everyone know what’s available and debate distribution system.

My response was that palliatives are being diverted and in any case are not enough which means we are in crisis as hunger is growing within the poor who are also getting angry. Let’s all warn our leaders to take the matter seriously.

, is there any constitutional basis for states to wait for Federal government to give them money for palliatives in their states?

how do see the formation of the Nigerian government’s palliative measures, how realistic are they in terms of providing real succor to the common man?

Palliative measures are very necessary as physical distancing rules have led to restriction of people in their houses. Most poor Nigerians however depend on going our each day to work and feed families on the basis daily income. If they are to stay at home, Govt has to feed them.

Nigeria ranks 158st of 189 countries in the (2018) Human Development Index (HDI). For the past decade, about 42.8 percent of Nigeria’s population lives in extreme poverty. This means palliative measures must reach at least 90 million Nigerians. This is difficult.

Nigeria’s palliative measures are based on 2.6 million households containing a total of 11,045,537 people on the national social register. This means that only about 15% of the most poor are on the register so many will be excluded.

Does that mean a whole lot of Nigerians will not be touched by palliative measures? Probably more than 15% on the register?

Nigerian ruling class should be careful in their own interest. If the poor do not get palliatives, they will react and it will not be pretty. Social revolt is a real possibility because the lockdown without palliatives presents 2 options – HUNGER or REVOLT

2:22 PM · Apr 21, 2020·Twitter Web App

In this regard (Revolt), how can we engage the elite in the society to understand the danger they are in?

This is the time for the political class to think enlightened self interest. Their survival, our survival will depend on improving governance and stamping out corruption. The impact of #COVID-19 on poverty and dignity is massive, public trust must be regained for peace

Prof, there are a lots of criticisms from people that the palliatives is not reaching the right people. What do you think govt will do to address this?

Government must broaden the distribution system by talking to ward heads who can work with their communities to set up distribution committees that work on the principles of accountability and transparency. Let everyone know what’s available and debate distribution system.

This revolt you re talking about, I think will never happen because Nigerian ruling class to maintain their own interest, they employ social institution as weapons against poor Nigerians.

, looking at Nigeria as a whole, and from the onset, do you think the palliative measures have been properly thought of?

how do see the formation of the Nigerian government’s palliative measures, how realistic are they in terms of providing real succor to the common man?

Prof. is this only difficult or not achievable weighing the approach of the government’s palliative measures implementation that has so far generated lots of complaints from numerous Nigerians?

how do see the formation of the Nigerian government’s palliative measures, how realistic are they in terms of providing real succor to the common man?

Palliative measures are very necessary as physical distancing rules have led to restriction of people in their houses. Most poor Nigerians however depend on going our each day to work and feed families on the basis daily income. If they are to stay at home, Govt has to feed them.

The President has promised that one million extra households will be added to the register but these additions will likely be through legislators who have insisted they must add the names of their “people”. The risk here would be that of corruption.

Response:

The fact of the matter is that for the past 3 years, politicians have been demanding to “redo” the register to add their “people”. The very poor however have no access to politicians and will likely get removed from the list and be replaced by partisan players who are not poor.

Nigeria ranks 158st of 189 countries in the (2018) Human Development Index (HDI). For the past decade, about 42.8 percent of Nigeria’s population lives in extreme poverty. This means palliative measures must reach at least 90 million Nigerians. This is difficult.

Prof. is this only difficult or not achievable weighing the approach of the government’s palliative measures implementation that has so far generated lots of complaints from numerous Nigerians?

Response:

The problem with palliatives is that those who are hungry today because of lockdown are people engaged in livelihoods not depending on hand-downs, they are angry today because they can’t go out and earn a living and no handouts. Their dignity is in question so #ANGER is rising

Question:

Looking at Nigeria as a whole, and from the onset, do you think the palliative measures have been properly thought of?

Response:

The national social register has integrity and was well planned. The challenge is that politicians are bent of changing it. As I stated earlier however, the register does not cover most of the poor urban youth who are not in the register and may revolt, it’s started already

Ladies and gentlemen good afternoon. We want to on behalf of our Executive Director, Engr. Y.Z: as we are rounding up in the next two or so minutes, can we give Prof @JibrinIbrahim17a twitter clap for an engaging session, providing us with an analysis that is nuanced in data. We thank you for taking the time to honour our invitation.

Ali Sabo: Thank you so much prof for the time and enlightening messages you shared with us.

Prof. Jibrin: It has been a pleasure engaging in this chat, I hope your audience found it useful. Bye

Date: 25 April, 2020

On the 24 of April, 2020 Kano State Government temporarily lifted the lockdown order it imposed in the state one week ago. The temporary lifting of the order which was announced by the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna who is also serving as the Chairman State Task Force Committee on Covid19 in the state allowed residents a partial movement from 6am to 12pm on Thursday to prepare for another long period of time.

This order, like all other directives announced previously by the state government is also ambiguous because many people were left in a state of confusion on where to start as we all know people have many needs and preparation to make looking at the period we are approaching, however, the short time given will be very difficult for the majority of the residents who have been kept in one place for a whole week to accomplish such tasks.

CITAD noticed with concern the way people were trooping in every market in order to buy necessary commodities they will use during Ramadan. This in our view has serious implications to the fight against Covid19, because one of the cardinal preventive measures as advised by health professionals, social distancing was not observed during the temporary lifting of the order which definitely will set the state back against this fight. Secondly, huge number of the residents were deprived the right to prepare for another lockdown the state will begin today, this is because many of the salary earners in the state were not been paid. Thirdly, the state Deputy Governor in his announcement did not explain to the millions of the state residents the nature of the second lockdown or when it will end. Lastly, many people in the state during Ramadan depend on other people to break their fasting.

Based on the stated concerns, we are calling on the state government to as a matter of urgency:

1. Explain to the public the nature of the lockdown this time
2. Pay all workers in the state their salaries and allow them to prepare for the Ramadan
3. Publish items that are exempted from the lockdown and explain to the people how they will be accessing those items
4. The state government need to have concrete plans on the most vulnerable in the society especially during Buda Baki.

Date: 23 April, 2020.

As the world is celebrating the International Girls Day in ICT, the Centre for Information Technology and
Development (CITAD) as one of the leading organizations working around Information and
Communication in Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate the future women in our society. Over
the years, CITAD has been hosting events, organized lectures, radio programs and online campaigns to
commemorate with young girls and give them hope, mentorship and encourage them to take career in
the area of ICT as it is the future work. All these are being done in order to close the digital gap in the
country

This year, unlike many other years before, as the world is battling with deadly CoronaVirus that confines
people at one place and restricts gathering of large number of people, physical activities will not hold.
Interestingly, as the world has already moved and ICT has taken over most of our works, the CITAD still
celebrates this important day by organizing Twitter Chat with two women who have excelled in the field
of ICT.

The objective of the event is to leverage on the power of ICT to encourage girls to embrace ICT for their
individual development, grab opportunities available in ICT and discuss benefits of having more girls in
ICT, and the steps governments and individuals can take to have more girls who will take up career in
ICT

As ICT is gradually taking our jobs and pushing many to labor market, so, the need to explore ways to
incorporate young girls especially in Northern Nigeria into the ICT world and encourage our girls to be
ICT competent.

As it has been noted by the Untied Nation "With technology playing a role in all kinds of careers, from
art and history to law, primary teaching and graphic design, learning tech skills at a young age will set
girls up for economic independence. And, the ICT sector needs more girls and women" looking at how
technology is pushing so hard into our lives, it is very important to prepare our girls in this area because
"The jobs of the future will be driven by technology and innovation, 65 per cent of children entering
primary school today will have jobs that do not yet exist" emphasized by the United Nations.

It's in this regard that CITAD is calling on the government both at state and national levels to:

1. come up with more empowerment programs for the upcoming young women and girls in the area of ICT.

2. Wealthy individuals in the society to help in building ICT centers in their locality and help young girls
to pursue career in ICT.
3. Parents to encourage their girls to take career in ICT and give them all the necessary support they
require.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has observed that some people are using the picture of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Kano State on various social media platforms in a discriminatory way. CITAD did also notice that people are using his name, picture and status in a negative way. In our part, we see this as a threat to the fight against this deadly virus. Reasons are: People will now become skeptical to self-report themselves when they suspect they have been infected with virus for fear of being stigmatized and harassed; This has clearly breached the ethics of medical profession which demand respect for confidentiality of patient identify; The life of the patient and his family are now being put at risk.

Though we believe that it is wrong for anyone who suspected to have contracted the virus or have a travel history to any place where there is confirmed case of Covid-19 to be mingling with other people, but 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 we urge people to continue to cooperate with authorities and adhere to prevention guidelines, we call on the public to respect the privacy and rights of all individuals regardless of their health status. We also realized that past pictures of the victim are circulating tagging people he had related with in the past years as victims, we urge people to stop creating unnecessary panic in the society. Medical professionals to respect the privacy and confidentiality of their patients no matter the nature of their illnesses. Government to be more proactive in this fight and ensure privacy of every patient is being guaranteed so as not discourage people from self-reporting.

As digital rights organization, we cherish privacy online and while we struggle to ensure that government does not abuse the privacy of individuals, we should equally urge citizens to respect the privacy of others.

#StaySafe

 

Ali Sabo

Campaigns and Communications Officer

We must first of all commend the Kano state government for this painful but bold decision to lockdown the state effective from 16^th of April, 2020 by 10pm. It would be recalled that the state has on the 23^rd of march, 2020 ordered the closure of its borders with all state, preventing people from coming and going out of the state, in order to curb the importation of this deadliest coronavirus that is ravaging cities, destroying countries’ economies and exposing the inadequacy of the health care systems of the most developed countries in the world. Since the outbreak of this pandemic, CITAD has been making press statements to call on the concerned authorities to take necessary actions, including closure of markets, mosques, ceremonial gathering and all other crowdy activities to curtail the spread of the virus among people. Unfortunately, many of the recommendations offered by CITAD including the lockdown of the state were not being taken seriously which led to the first recorded case in the state. As of yesterday, when the state decided to impose the total lockdown in the state, there were 4 confirmed cases with many people’s blood taken for testing.

The decision taken by the Kano state government to lockdown the state is a welcome step but we must not forget that the majority of the population of this most populous in the country depend on informal work which requires them to go out daily to look for what they will eat and feed their family.

We see the announcement as ambiguous and incomplete, because we all know that a directive like this cannot be achieved and successfully implemented without a laying a clear road map on how to address the problems of vulnerable groups in the state, groups that who will tomorrow find their means of livelihood has gone with the lockdown. We call on the State Governor to come out with clear and accountable plans for palliatives to meet the needs of the vulnerable.

We not that the call by two commissioners in Kano state calling the Federal government to come to the aid of the state by providing assistance to the Government.

While such calls are reasonable, it is incumbent of the State Government to as a matter of public interest and to avoid any resistance from the residents to:

1. 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
2. Inform the public how the donations given by different individuals and organizations have been used so far

• The federal government to introduce a transparent and accountable monitoring mechanism to ensure the support is not being diverted

1. The well to do individuals in the society to support poor people in their areas at this critical time

 

Ali Sabo

Campaigns and Communications Officer

Following the flurry of news of mass burials of corpses of victims of coronavirus in Kano State in the last couple of days, which authorities have tagged as fake news, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has raised an alarm which tend to suggest that all is truly not well with the state’s response mechanism. Below is the full text of a snap commentary on the situation by CITAD’s Executive Director, Mallam Y.Z. Ya’u made available to National Record:  

THE spate of fake news, largely to create panic among the citizenry, has only helped to obscure an important question that is of importance to Nigerians, both in Kano and in other places. It is such that as of now, Kano State’s efforts to curtail and contain the covid-19 pandemic has no coordinating leadership and it seems nobody is talking about it.

About four weeks ago, Governor Ganduje, as part of the measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the state, announced the establishment of the State Taskforce Committee to coordinate all the efforts of the government in the state. The Committee has the Deputy Governor, Nasiru Gawuna and an academic, Prof. Abdulrazaq Garba Habib, as co-chairs.

Last week, Prof. Habib, along with three other members of the Committee, tested positive for the virus and have since been medically isolated. The remaining members who tested negative also are on self-isolation as necessary precaution.

Against this background, the state’s efforts have suffered a serious setback. There is nobody providing leadership, nobody giving strategic monitoring and ideas are not flowing. In fact, information does not flow because there is no committee to provide the necessary information that will assuage the information thirst of citizens of the state.

The inability of the state government to come out with comprehensive plan for palliatives cannot also be unconnected with the fact that as of now, nobody is in charge. In the same sense, the government is incapable of responding to the management of the news flow, including several pieces of fake news that it ought to respond to and clarify which have every potential of undermining the objectives of the lockdown.

As the number of confirmed cases continues to rise, there is no gainsaying that the governor has to have people in charge for the government’s efforts to be driven and achieve meaningful results. In this, the governor has two options: either to consider the original taskforce committee as already dissolved and appoint a new one or expand the committee by appointing additional members so that it could still have sufficient number of members for it to carry out the task effectively. Whichever option the governor decides to take, time is of essence. He cannot continue to prevaricate as this battle cannot be won without leadership.

There are already urgent tasks lined up for the committee, waiting for when it will be on the ground and hit it going. For one, given the huge population of Kano and its vast size, it needs to learn from the Lagos experience by establishing testing centres in several other places and not just limited to one place.

Second, it seems that a significant number of Kano’s population, especially young people and people in the inner city, have still not to come to terms with the pandemic. There is therefore the need for sustained engagement with these segments of the population to get them to understand that this is real.

This is not an easy task, given that part of the problem is that people are beginning to distrust government and therefore see whatever government says as lies. Yet, it is still doable to get them into the fold.

Third, the lockdown is faltering in a number of places. This faltering is not just because people do not believe that there is COVID-19 but also because government’s plan for the lockdown was not clearly thought out. Two areas of immediate concern are the issue of palliatives. So far, no concrete information is out from the government. Given that a significant population of Kano makes their living in the informal sector of the economy, this is an important issue that needs urgent attention.

The other is that people are still not clear what are exempted during the lockdown. This needs to be clarified along with making a clear list of exempts which should include bakeries. This is because bread is the cheap and convenient food of the poor which they take morning, afternoon and evening.

Part of the reason is that bread does not require cooking so there is no expenditure for further cooking or time wasted in doing the cooking. Second, it does not require additional expenditure such as when cooking, say rice, which requires stew to be made. If bakeries are closed, then a huge population of the city in particular will see their daily food gone and would come under immense hardship as they will find it difficult to find a substitute.

One area that one of the “news” sought to play upon is that people were dying in Kano because the hospitals are closed. This is not true but government has to make emphatic statement that healthcare services are part of the exempt so that people who need medical attention can still get this either at their primary healthcare units or secondary hospitals or at the tertiary levels.

Above all, what is needed is the ability to think dispassionately and respond to the situation on the basis of knowledge, experience and history. There is no short cut to doing a diligent work that is needed to begin to slow down the speed of the spread and flatten the graph to achieve net zero infection quickly.

THE Centre for information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called on the Kano State government to reinforce the lockdown order that was imposed on the state six days ago following a sharp increase on the number of persons who tested positive for coronavirus on Monday. The number of covid-19 rose by 23 on Monday taking the total in the state to 59.

CITAD stated that the essence of restriction of movement is to curtail the spread of the virus among people. “Kano, as densely as it is, will not afford to continue recording more cases looking at how fragile our health system is, so the best way to ensure we defeat this virus is by staying at home and complying with all the instructions given by health professionals,” the statement signed by Ali Sabo, Campaigns and Communication Officer, stated.

He provided further reasons why the state government needs to tighten the lockdown when he stated: “Yesterday, Kano state recorded the highest number of new confirmed cases in the country (23) which took the tally of the total number of the confirmed cases in the state to 59. This is a state which less than a week ago didn’t have a single case. This shows how the virus is spreading among people like wildfire such that if adequate measures are not taken the state is going to surpass Abuja which, as of yesterday, had total confirmed cases of 89, despite having its first case more than three weeks.

“Furthermore, CITAD has noticed with total disappointment how people are getting back to their normal lives in some areas of the state especially in the inner-city areas. This is something that should worry every right-thinking person, not only government, looking at how the number of positive cases in the state is increasing on a daily basis.

“It is good to note that even the most developed countries in the world are finding it hard to contain this virus once it got out of hand. In the United States of America alone, more than 42,000 people have lost their lives due to coronavirus with more than 600,000 confirmed cases.

“Also, CITAD has noticed with concern how fake news is spreading in the state about the increase of the number of deaths in the state which has been reported by many online media. This, on our part, is targeted at rendering the stay-at-home order ineffective and to also weaken the spirit of people in the state. While investigations by several individuals and organisations have confirmed that there were deaths, the number being quoted in the media appears to be out of tune with the reality. However, in this context we urge the government to thoroughly investigate the matter and make public its findings to the public.

“Finally, we are calling on the state government to deploy more security personnel not only to major roads and big residential areas in the state but also to every nook and cranny to ensure the total compliance of the order. All football activities in the state must be stopped and anyone found violating the order should be punished.

“This can be achieved by incorporating districts, villages and ward heads and vigilante groups in the monitoring team. The state government, in order to prevent unwarranted rumours that will likely lead to fake news, must ensure that from today every death in the state must be taken for autopsy before burial to ascertain the actual cause of the death.

In addition to this, we call on the state government to publish the list of the exempted items so that members of the public will not claim ignorance.

The Centre for Information and Technology Development, CITAD has called on Kano state government to strengthen the lockdown of the city and 44 Local Government Areas in order to curtail the spread of the coronavirus.

In a statement signed by Ali Sabo the Campaigns and Communication of Centre and made available to Arewa Affairs.

He said ” As the order of stay at home enters day six, the Centre for information Technology and Development continued to monitor the situation in the state, give possible suggestions to the state government on ways and measures that need to put in place to strengthen the order and ensure the total compliance by all people in the state”.

Sabo added that the essence of giving the directive of restricting people movements is to curtail the spread of the virus among people.

” Kano as densely as it is it would not afford to continue recording more cases looking at how fragile our health system is, so the best way to ensure we defeat this virus is by staying at home and complying with all the instructions given by health professionals”.

Yesterday, Kano state recorded the highest number of new confirmed cases in the country (23) which took the tally of the total number of the confirmed cases in the state to 59.

The centre expressed concern over rising number of coronavirus cases in the state.

” This is a state which less a weak ago it didn’t have any single case. This shows how the virus is spreading among people like wildfire which if adequate measures are not taken the state is going to surpass Abuja which as of yesterday has confirmed cases of 89 despite having its first case more than three weeks”.

Furthermore, CITAD has noticed with total disappointment how people are getting back to their normal lives in some areas of the state especially in the inner-city areas.

” This is something that should worry every right-thinking person, not only government looking at how the number of positive cases in the state is increasing on daily basis. It is good to note that even the most developed countries in the world are finding it hard to contain this virus once it got out of hand. In the United State of America alone, more than 42,000 people have lost their lives due to coronavirus with more than 600,000 confirmed cases” the statement further reads .

Also, CITAD has noticed with concern how fake news are going around in the state about the increase of the number of deaths in the state which has been reported by many online media.

According to Sabo ”This in our part is targeted at rendering the stay at home order ineffective and to also weaken the spirit of people in the state. While investigations by several individuals and organizations have confirmed that there were deaths, the number being quoted in the media appears to be out of tune with reality. However, in this context we urge that government thoroughly investigate the matter and make public its findings to the public.

Finally, we are calling on the state government to deploy more security personnel not only to major roads and big residential areas in the state but to every nooks and crannies to ensure the total compliance of the order.

All football activities in the state must be stopped and anyone found violating the order should be punished. This can be achieved by incorporating districts, villages and wards heads and vigilante groups in the monitoring team.

The state government to ensure from today every death in the state must be taken for autopsy before burial to ascertain the cause of the death. The state government to publish the list of the exempted items so that public will not be claiming ignorance”.

As the order of stay at home enters day six, the Centre for information Technology and Development (CITAD) has expressed disappointment over non compliance in Kano state lamenting that the development escalates the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the state. Campaign and communication officer of the centre Ali Sabo in a press statement said they have continued to monitor the situation in the state, give possible suggestions to the state government on ways and measures that need to put in place to strengthen the order and ensure the total compliance by all people in the state. ” As we are all aware, the essence of giving the directive of restricting people movements is to curtail the spread of the virus among people. ” Kano as densely as it is it would not afford to continue recording more cases looking at how fragile our health system is, so the best way to ensure we defeat this virus is by staying at home and complying with all the instructions given by health professionals. ” Yesterday, Kano state recorded the highest number of new confirmed cases in the country (23) which took the tally of the total number of the confirmed cases in the state to 59. ” This is a state which less a weak ago it didn’t have any single case. This shows how the virus is spreading among people like wildfire which if adequate measures are not taken the state is going to surpass Abuja which as of yesterday has confirmed cases of 89 despite having its first case more than three weeks”. He pointed out. He said CITAD has noticed with total disappointment how people are getting back to their normal lives in some areas of the state especially in the inner-city areas. According to him, every right-thinking person, not only government looking at how the number of positive cases in the state is increasing on daily basis should worry. ” It is good to note that even the most developed countries in the world are finding it hard to contain this virus once it got out of hand. In the United State of America alone, more than 42,000 people have lost their lives due to coronavirus with more than 600,000 confirmed cases.”

Date: April 18, 2020

As the total lockdown in Kano state enters second day, the Centre for Information Technology and Development has continued to monitor the situation in the state; how people are complying with orders and how secure the state borders are. As we all know it is only when every entry and exit point is secured can we defeat this deadly virus that is on the rise everyday and threatening our existence.

 

Yesterday we issued a situation report on the level of compliance of the lockdown directives given by the state government. To our total dismay, many people chose to ignored the directive and continue with their normal activities, including observing of Friday prayers in some mosques despite the threat this virus is posing to us. It should a matter of concern to all sensible persons the rate at which the number of cases being confirmed in the state is increasing on daily basis since the first recorded case. As at yesterday, the State has 27 confirmed cases including the co-chair of the task force committee on Covid19 in the state and one fatality. This is a state in which one week ago, there wasn’t a single active case. The challenge of the state has been compounded by the fact that some members of the State Taskforce have tested positive and therefore now inactive as most of them are in isolation or self-quarantine. This means that effectively there is no leadership to coordinate the efforts of the Government in responding to the challenges of the COVD 19.

 

The essence of imposing lockdown is to stop all movements of people including coming and going out of the state in order to stop the spread of the virus, but most importantly is stop people from entering the state from other states especially the states that are already battling with the disease.

 

However, reports reaching us from our partners and observers in the state indicate that still the state’s borders are so porous with little presence of security personnel which allows people to enter the state from many directions.

 

Despite the lockdown and the earlier order given to stop inter-state movements, travelers are still entering the state through Rano local government using a feeder road from Kwanar Dangora, Gwangwan town then to Rano town. To avoid being noticed, sometimes they follow push paths that link them to the feeder roads to Rano and pass through Rano town. Similarly, the Zakirai-Ringim border which links to Taura, Kafin Hausa, Auyo and Hadejia is also still accessible by motorists with little hindrance. Most of the travelers according to our sources are Okada Riders who are returning from Abuja, Lagos, and Shagamu. These are areas where the virus is already widely spread and the fear is that unless effective measure immediately taken, the importation of the virus will be in the increase and since these are not people will self-isolate, they would become the sources of community infections which is much more difficult to deal with.

 

While we commend the efforts of state government and security personnel and acknowledged the complications of these borders, we maintain that securing the borders is the best way to stop more importation of the virus into the state. It is on this note that we strongly call on the Kano State Government to as matter of urgency to ensure that border patrol is not limited to highway only. Feeder roads, including footpaths around border towns and villages,  should also be included to prevent people from bypassing authorities; adequate measures such as proper monitoring on the state’s borders to stop entering the state from any border are put in place; religious leaders fully comply with government orders and punish anyone found misleading the public. All intercepted travelers should promptly handed to the NCDC for compulsory isolation and quarantine period of two weeks after which these who tested negative can be released to continue their journey to their destination.

 

Ali Sabo

Campaigns and Communication Officer

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.