Nigerians Apathy Towards Government’s Effort To Combat The Spread Of The Covid-19 Virus
With the whole world battling the coronavirus pandemic, citizens of various countries have displayed diverse attitudes to their governments contribution to ensuring that the virus doesn’t spread and that those infected with the virus are adequately tested and treated. Some of these nations have citizens who are excited and even grateful at the effort their governments are putting in.
In other nations, the reverse is the case. Citizens are displeased or even angry at the slow rate of implementation of these government policies. In Nigeria however, the apathy of citizens to governments’ contribution in the battle against the Covid-19 Pandemic is interesting.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has introduced measures to tackle the problem across the country. Some of these measures are:
- Ban on travel affecting countries like China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, Norway, USA, UK, Netherlands and Switzerland.
- Closure of schools, both public and private
- Ban on public and religious gatherings with more than 20 persons
- Ban on Bars and Clubs
- Reduction of passengers in public transportation
- Ban on markets
We should know that the average Nigerian is an incredibly intelligent person who has been taught through experiences to never take anything at face value. The average Nigerian takes life like one big sarcastic and all too real TV show in which the actors end every episode with “in your face”.
The tendency for a Nigerian to make a joke out of a serious matter(like a press conference or a tweet from the president) is not borne out of ignorance or stupidity but the need to protect themselves from the daily assault of reality. Imagine being a government officer in a country where the citizens are so unpredictable that they might either hurl insults at you or make a joke of your actions.
In these times of peril, when people in developed countries with all their wealth and amenities are dying in the thousands, what hope do we have as citizens of a country where uncertainty permeates even the very air we breathe. A life spent on your toes wondering what will happen next is a kind of hell.
Nigerians have been given a choice: care and worry yourself to death while you watch everything go south or stop caring and live your life as you see fit.
Below are some reasons why they have chosen the latter.
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General Distrust for Government and Government Policies
Is the general distrust of Nigerians towards their government justified or just based on sentiment? Nigerians view any policy by the government as another means to siphon the countries fast waning resources and view it with displeasure. Simple information given by any governmental agency is dragged down and dissected for any errors or flat out condemned as rubbish.
When we were informed of the first case of Coronavirus in Nigeria, the country was in an uproar(especially on social media). Various people suggested that it was just a ploy to make sure the #600 billion budgeted to fight the diseases was shared among the government as soon as possible. A lot of people accepted this as truth and went on believing that the infected cases that followed were all fake.
As we speak, not every Nigerian believes that Coronavirus has indeed reached the country and that it is very dangerous. Some still believe it is a disease for the rich of a disease that “kills only wicked persons”. I would say that the general distrust Nigerians have for the government is borne out of various lessons we have been taught at their hands.
The Nigerian attitude for every man for himself was cultivated by the general apathy of government to the everyday lives and sufferings of its citizens. The “deafness” of government to the peoples pleas of hunger and lack of basic amenities such as water, roads and electricity. It is borne out of the awareness that politicians care about us only when they are aspiring to come into power.
It is funny but if the government comes out tomorrow and tells them not to worry and everything will be okay, the average Nigerians reply would be to quake in fear.
Few days ago, PMB came out on Twitter to reassure Nigerians that the situation is under control. His tweet and the replies are displayed below.
“Protecting Nigerians From Coronavirus is a key priority for us. We have the ministry of health and the Nigerian Centre For Disease Control(NCDC) working round the clock with several other agencies, as well as state governments to ensure this.” PMB
To which some Nigerians replied.
“Did you just realize there’s Coronavirus in Nigeria, sir?”
“Action speaks louder than words”
“Yes keep protecting us from your bedroom”
“Is that all for the year? Or should we hope for another speech by December?”
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Religion in Nigeria
The average Nigerian is either a Christian or a muslim. Both religions believe in the power of Jehovah and Allah against all sicknesses and plagues. The advent of the Coronavirus pandemic brought a disturbing shock to both Christians and muslims as they were attacked by atheists on all sides who asked them questions like “what does your God have to say now?” “Why go to hospitals when your God can heal you?”
Clergymen advised their followers to stay at home on sundays to prevent the spread of the virus but some churches still held services although they practiced a bit of social distancing by sitting far apart. Larger churches admonished their workers to stay at home and watch services which were broadcasted live on television. Other churches took to having multiple services instead while obeying government directive of not more than 20 persons.
Religion is another cause of Nigerians apathy to governments efforts to combat the virus because some very religious persons have this belief that the Coronavirus is indeed a devil sent from hell and not a virus as we think. These people have chosen to pray against it instead of following precautionary measures like hygiene, social distancing and staying at home.
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Poverty
Poor people’s apathy towards government efforts to prevent the spread of the virus stems from denial. With the government announcing bans on markets, bars and clubs, it has taken a toll on people’s means of livelihood. Some people can not afford to stay at home. I was at the market yesterday and I asked a trader what he thought about the market ban. He laughed and said “Hunger will most certainly kill us before Coronavirus reaches us”
What are the measures our government has put in place to ensure that people do not die of hunger in their homes? We have been hearing a whole lot of rumors of “plans” but we are yet to see any action. StayAtHomeSaveALive might seem pretty to those who can afford three meals a day for the next one year but it doesn’t look good for those who have breakfast on normal days and then have to think deeply on how and where the next meal will come from.
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Poor Healthcare
It is not news that the nigerian healthcare system is a caricature of a caricature health care system. On normal days, people complain about the deplorable state of our hospitals. The lack of drugs, personnel and equipment. The average Nigerian asks himself these questions everyday as news of Covid-19 keeps flying around.
What will happen to us when so many become infected with the Covid-19 virus?
It is alright to say “we have everything under control” but do you really? Are there equipment to take care of Coronavirus infected persons in every hospital in the country or will they be left to die or get well on their own? If everything blows out of proportion tomorrow will our leaders hold us up with actions instead of words?
We hear news everyday of how hospitals around the world are being overwhelmed with the number of Covid-19 cases. To think that these are actual hospitals and not the excuses we have in our country. Hospitals that are never good enough for any major operation or intensive care.
Let us also talk about healthcare for infected persons. Will it be free? Patients in critical conditions might have to be on life support. Will their families pay for the services? This is the kind of information we really want to hear from our government.
Free Healthcare For All Persons Infected With Covid-19
__Billion Allocated To Help Nigerians Survive Until We Can All Get Back To Work
Government Sponsored Sanitation Of All Public Places
Government Sponsored Distribution Of Face Masks And Hand Sanitizers.
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Immediate Reactions To Government’s Efforts To Curb The Spread Of Covid-19
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Travel Ban
This one is difficult to flout so we have hope of it being enforced. Meanwhile, Nigerians who are returning from those countries will be sent immediately to quarantine, pending their test results.
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Closure of schools
Parents jumped at this one and took her lovely kids home without any struggle. Some schools were a bit stubborn and decided to have one last day of school. Police and law enforcement agencies thwarted that plan and everyone was sent home.
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Ban on public and religious gatherings with more than 20 persons
Marriages and Funerals postponed till further notice. Religious gatherings took a while to adjust because they were holding out. Perhaps they were hoping the government would lift the ban or the virus would miraculously disappear. Most of these churches now have online services. Others are practicing the multiple services method.
In some states however, there has been a total ban on religious activities.
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Ban on Bars and Clubs
Compliance was not so immediate but they got the message soon enough.
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Reduction of passengers in public transportation
In big cities? Yes. In surbubs? No. Law enforcement agencies would have to do a better job in ensuring drivers and passengers comply.
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Ban on markets
Some markets closed immediately, others pleaded for leniency on the grounds that the information to close shop did not reach traders. They were given a day of grace.
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Conclusion
The Covid-19 Pandemic is causing serious problems to the economy and the daily lives of countries and people around the world. The apathy of Nigerians towards government and government policies is a learned and cultivated trait that would not be helpful in a time like this when we need everyone(people and government) to stand together.
We urge the government to put in measures to ensure the safety of life and the wellbeing of its citizens. All Nigerians should obey governments directives in respect of social distancing and staying at home. Remember, stay at home and save a lie. Also remember that it is better to maintain 6ft distance while alive than be 6ft distance from everyone else when you’re dead. We’re in this together so let’s take care of each other. Be strong, be brave, be Nigerian!
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