By Haroun Muhammed
“ I’ve heard people say that God is the gift of desperation, and there’s a lot to be said for having really reached a bottom where you’ve run out of any more good ideas or plans for everybody else’s behavior; or how to save and fix and rescue; or just get out of a huge mess, possibly of your own creation. “ ~ Anne Lamott
Mr President, this trying time, this very one must be pretty tough for you as a leader of the Giant of Africa; most populous country. As a retired soldier, you must have had enough of heartbreak. Luckily as a human, that processed sense of compassion is yet to be broken. You had lost quite a number of friends, close associates, and now one of the most trusted gatekeeper in your cabinet. Your loyal companion, Abba. Your dearest friend, Mallam. While I must enjoined the good people of this country to commend your administration for the giants strides in curtailing the spread of the novel Coronavirus, Mr President I must draw your kind attention for serious intervention to save our dear Kano before it’s too late.
Conspicuously, it’s no longer a breaking news that New York has become an epicenter of Covid-19. As reported by New York Times, The numbers brought into clearer focus the staggering toll the virus has already taken on the largest city in the United States, where deserted streets are haunted by the near-constant howl of ambulance sirens. Far more people have died in NYC, on a per-capita basis, than in Italy — the hardest-hit country in Europe. This is, however, due to unhealthy relationship between the President and Governor, Cuomo which consequently jeopardize the lives of the poor people in New York City. Needless to say here, Trump and Cuomo have parried through the media throughout the pandemic, a back-and-forth that has included insults, sharply contrasting views on the role of the federal government and some moments of mutual admiration.
Apparently, we have seen how Lagos State Government has been professionally managing the cases of COVID-19 coming from the state courtesy of the combined effort of Federal Government and the Lagos State Government. Of course, we must commend the Governor and his team for their outstanding service and uncommon energy being dissipated right from the first day. Undoubtedly, this shows, how far the state of healthcare in Lagos has been upgraded with help of the Federal Government and most importantly the private contributions from the companies operating in the state. Now, in the last 24 hours, Lagos didn’t record a single case of COVID-19. Mr. President, this isn’t blowing miracle. No! This is the outcome of resilient leadership and proper coordination by Federal Government and Lagos State Government.
Kano being the densely populated city in Nigeria whirling from electrifying atmosphere of fear posed by the virus. The people are yet to be struck by the wonders of this deadly virus. It’s lockdown on the main roads in the state but not in the streets of Kano. People are so careless to the extent that social distancing means nothing but opposite. Nobody cares to ruthlessly adhere to the preventive measures. Not anymore. People gather in the mosques like nothing serious is happening. Hear them, Coronavirus is meant for elite. It’s not real. This calamity, this Coronavirus only befall on people who don’t believe in Allah. This is the situation, the unfortunate reality in Kano —where religious factors are playing more role than a street-picking sense.
But then, the recent trend of events in the state shows how unprepared the state government is – it exposes the poor leadership of the Head. Without an eye of faith, the overzealousness at initial stage seem to have duped us into believing that the state Government is ready. At a time, the State Government was in the race of announcing fresh cases from state before NCDC. More of often than not, how do you fight this deadly disease without painstaking synergy? How do you reduce the overwhelming fear and panic in the mind of the people you’re leading without rightmost information? Alas, we’re witnessing impotent leadership, unprecedented technical mishaps and dereliction of duty from the state officials. No sense of purpose or whatsoever.
Your Excellency, what’s more worrying is how the State Task Force is being padded with mere stooges of the Governor rather than the competent people. Reports coming from the state are so disturbing to the extent that a meeting can’t be held without the Governor’s daughter, who happens to be the de-facto Commissioner of Health. The DG NCDC was in the state on Monday and he wasn’t ultimately satisfied with the way things are being handled every day. This isn’t political image-painting of the people at the helm of our affairs, this is a sincere call of intervention, a serious outcry. This is a dish of reality I want to perfectly feed your sense of pity with sir.
Mr President, as rhetorical as this may sound, I have to put this again. The numbers are alarmingly frightening. As of today Kano is closing wide right to hundred cases. The socioeconomic structure of the state is being challenged. People are helpless and fundamentally hungry. They need palliative, your proactive support. Excellency, this is Kano. Most populous state in Nigeria. A state where lawlessness has a resting spot in the mind of its citizens. If care isn’t taken, the cases of Coronavirus will skyrocket like wildfire(God forbid). Kano needs your pragmatic approach more than ever. Kano needs financial, however, technical support to weather through this storm, this pandemic session. The good people of the state that stood by you like proverbial rock of Gibraltar for so many years need you. It’s time to position a supporting leg for Kano to rise again.
Mr President, it’s time to save our dear state.
Muhammed writes from Bharrat and tweets @HarounMuhammed
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Sky Daily
