Every existence of creation at some point may encounter some situation in which man often refers to as storm or darkness. It is usually the state of helplessness that often require the intervention of higher human, government or divinity. This seems to be the current situation of the world today with the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19.
The year 2020 was anticipated with a lot of innovative promises like having high flying cars, cities on other planets but here we are teaching ourselves the simplest of hygiene; how to wash our hands. This was hardly ever predicted as the world continues to grapple with the realities of what the World Health Organisation has described as a global pandemic COVID-19 pandemic. COVID 19 virus which has come to enable underdeveloped nations to develop, depending nations dependent and helping humans to understand their real strength in the area of resources in order to plan for a better future. This may sound weird, but it is, however, the realities that man have come to live with, in recent times.
There is no gainsaying that the world did not prepare for this virus which makes nations like Nigeria very vulnerable to the impact and adverse effect. The numbers released daily demonstrates a significant impact it has had even to the most developed world but the devastating effect on Nigeria is extremely high as it cut across every sector and spheres of our lives. The nation is at least 80% an importing nation which demonstrates our level of dependence on other nation and exposes our vulnerability. Nigeria’s major source of foreign exchange revenue generation the crude oil has drooped in price and one important challenging is the inadequate legislation and expertise in the sector as a high knowledge of the sector depends on the international oil companies who manage exploration process.
The Petroleum Industry Governance Bill popularly known as PIGB is almost due for the award of the longest bill almost every assembly will encounter. This no doubt hinders alternative ways to improve on the sector amidst COVID-19.Another impact ofCOVID-19 to Nigeria is its deprivation of religious activities due to the need for social distancing. Nigerians known for her religiosity have succumbed to this pandemic. This is in line with other cultural bonding which has been curtailed. Similarly, virtually every work of life especially entrepreneurs have been drastically affected. This includes; event planners which are all-encompassing from rentals, caterers, servers, halls, hoteliers and the likes barber and saloon, individual with provision stores, schools and a handful of other private sector businesses.
The impact of this pandemic is further evident in the international economy as most international flight has been restricted. This no doubt affects countries in the hospitality sector and other international businesses and partnership. Due to the foregoing, itis important that we be the palliative ourselves as waiting for the government might only make us more vulnerable than when COVID 19 came to existence. Worthy to note is that most jobs will eventually become virtual and in the realities are that organizations will be laying off staff because not much staff might be needed for implementation.
However, the arrival of automatic cars did note eradicate the manual ones which then mean that you still have space for survival. It has become pertinent to generate a scale of priority while cutting down pleasures. This is also a good time to engage in subsistence agriculture for the provision of immediate needs. Remember that COVID-19 with its inherent challenges also provides opportunity to harness alternative ways of growth.
Moses Oluwaseyi is an advocate for good governance
He tweets @moluwaseyi12
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Sky Daily
