Whereas Abia is yet to record any confirmed case of the COVID-19 pandemic, the central question captured in the contextual frame of the above headlines has remained a key subject in numerous social media threads including the highly rated Abia Online platform. Many ask genuinely to know the level of preparation in place in Abia against this global killer virus, others because someone else has asked while some fall into the category of those who ask simply to create a nail-biting atmosphere. This category form the hive mind that gear towards escalating the conversation in the threads into an angry venue where all detractors dump their unbalanced opinions.
However, the bold answer to the question on whether Abia State is prepared and ready for any development in regard with the COVID-19 epidemic will be answered as you read down to end of this piece.
While I don’t pray that anyone in Abia should fall victim to this dreaded virus, I wish to state unequivocally that our vision-oriented Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu should be commended for always keeping one step ahead in the face of emergency situations even before their occurrence. Dr. Ikpeazu’s clear demonstration of stability, foresightedness and of course, great sense of common purpose in governance have been proven in several sectors of his administration’s chosen pillars.
For instance, you can recall that in 2019 while rice was being sold at 25k in other States of the federation, it was sold for only 17k Abia. That was made possible by the earlier construction of rice milling centers for Abia rice famers which stemmed from Dr. Ikpeazu’s foresight and ingenuity in visionary leadership. Consequently, the increase in rice price that emanated with border closure bore no negative effect on Abians as the Abia rice was made available in Abia markets even till this date.
We can as well recount the upsurge in demand for increased patronage for locally made products nation wide since 2015. This demand, which was instigated by Dr. Ikpeazu’s aggressive promotion of Made-in-Aba product attracted federal government endorsement when a Bill for an Act to amend the Public Procurement Act to provide for and adopt a Local Content Policy and timely completion of procurement processes was signed into law. On more than two counts, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo visited Abia State and commended the Governor for the zeal and commitment with which he promote Made-in-Aba products – Abia was named the SME capital of Nigeria.
On April 12th 2018, Prof. Osinbajo paid another visit to Abia, but this time to commission the Abia Tele-Health Support Center. As usual, political bad eggs and greenhorns cried wolf, accused the government of lack of vision and incompetence. But the Governor, whose determination to give Abia a modern functional healthcare system has remained unwavered and unshaken, did not leave any stone unturned to ensure that Abia Tele-Health Support initiative became a success.
To cut to the chase, I will rather focus on the inputs of Abia Tele-Health Support initiative in ensuring Abia is not hit by the Coronavirus outbreak that is presently ravaging the world’s nations, both mighty and small.
Aside the COVID-19 Isolation Centers currently located in the major cities of the State, kits that would help prevent the spread of the virus which have been distributed and shared to markets, institutions and other crowded places, Abia State government has maintained steady communication through her Tele-Health Support Initiative with Abians who call to recieve first-hand advice and instructions on what to do in the face of any unlikely suspected case of Coronavirus. I personally took time to inspect how the doctors who work in the center engage and interact with numerous Abia callers in attempting to deescalate crisis situations, modifying immediate stress, offering options, referring to appropriate resources at their local and community health centers, while providing call follow-up prescriptions. It was indeed an emotional experience seeing how many people who call-in with questions of uncertainty and imprecision about their health will later hung up satisfied, confident and reassured.
On questions regarding Coronavirus ‘Test Kits,’ it has been clarified how the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has strongly advised Abia and other States that want to buy test kits for Coronavirus against it because they believe most of the kits in circulation are fake.
Also, Abia State government is presently enforcing several preventive measures, including border closure and several other restrictions on social distancing. It is expected that most activities in Abia will be temporarily shut down for one weeks from 1st April 2020.
The Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu should be applauded for his avowed commitment in view of several proactive measures already employed against the spread of the virus. Glaring fact remains that Government alone cannot sufficiently combat the virus given to the huge financial and material implications involved.
To this end, the call for total adherence to the NCDC rules and guidelines on social distancing beckons everyone to keep safe from the dangers of contracting the virus from infected persons, and our loved one from us. God will see us through this too.
“He sent out His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.” – Psalm 107:20.
ABIA IS GOD’S OWN STATE.
UNU
30/03/2020
Comments are closed.