"CONTAINING CORONAVIRUS IS A JOINT RESPONSIBILITY" – SIR NEWTON

NANS'  LEADING PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT

In the wake of the ongoing global emergency of the Covid-19 pandemic, educational, social, and religious activities have been widely paralysed across the world, and in our dear country, Nigeria; The need to protect humanity at all cost, is dawn on us. As much as heroism has been attached to STEPPING OUT to the rescue, the dynamics of this moment is to become a hero by STAYING INDOORS. 

I will first establish that this is not the end of the world. The history of pandemics could be traced to the Athenian Fever of 430BC, which took 66 percent of the population at that time. The world has faced several other pandemics, like the Black Death of 1350, Spanish Flu of 1918, HIV/AIDS of 1981, and now Coronavirus. After the emergence of each pandemic, there has always been a need for re-adjustment in lifestyle. This time around, STAY AT HOME is the mantra.

I charge Nigerians, particularly great Nigerian students, to remain calm and adhere to the NCDC's directives on personal hygiene and strategic moves to contain the virus.
The lockdown and stay at home order are essential to protect our lives and that of the world through avoidance of the spread of the virus. It is for the greater good.

However, I recommend the following;


1. On Education:
E-learning should be adopted by higher institutions nationwide.
Some institutions have mechanisms in place already for e-learning, while the other, which don't, should be encouraged to. Religious bodies are already in an online way because they find religious activities as very important. I believe education is also very important and should not be left to completely paralyse in the face of this pandemic, to an effect where we have alternative measures to it, without physical contacts of the students.

2. On Economy.
Acts similar to the Defense Production Act of 1950, of the US, should be adopted in Nigeria to control market prices of essentials like sanitizers, nose masks, hand gloves, et cetera.

3. On the Population.
a) Localized sensitization should be adopted. This means that bulk SMS that aims at illuminating Nigerians on how to win against the virus should come in different major local languages, to reach out to our dynamic population effectively.

b) Social distancing should be enforced, and localities that require absolute isolation should be marked.

4) Corporate Organizations/Companies.
a) Network Providers and National dish networks should reduce the prices of their services in order to offer incentives for staying at home.

b) Power/electricity distribution companies should be charged with more efficiency.


WHAT HAVE I DONE TO COMBAT COVID-19?

In my rather little capacity, alongside my team, we reached out to some communities in a South Western State, where I presently reside, to distribute essentials like nose masks and gloves, and also sensitize them, while maintaining the social distancing approach.

In all, the fight against the spread of coronavirus is our responsibility. We only win in the spirit of solidarity. I therefore, encourage everyone, especially the great Nigerian students, to remain calm and respect the national stay at home order, to conquer coronavirus.

Viva Aluta!!

– Comrade Olaseinde Adeyinka Williams (SIR NEWTON)
NANS 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT.
The Rebirth Agenda.