Following the announcement by President Mohammadu Buhari that the FCT, Lagos and Ogun State be totally lockdown to stop the spread of the dreaded coronavirus, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has described the total lockdown without adequate provisions for the people as the highest form of the government’s insensitivity to Nigerians plights.
According to a press release by the public relations officer of the students body, Comrd. Adeyemi Azeez, it call on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency put measures in place to cushion the effect of the lockdown.
While commending the Federal Government on the move, NANS strongly believes that “It is not enough for the government to order the people to stay at home without providing them means of survival. The government must wake to its duty of providing adequate welfarism for the people.”
“Not providing the basic things, such as food and stipends that could alleviate the sufferings of the people even as they remain in their homes has further proven the insensitivity of the government to the plights of the people.”
“For a government that is serious with the fight against the spread of Coronavirus, it is our belief that the Federal Government should provide the necessary relief materials such as food stuffs and a stipends that will help the people survive this trying time.”
“We believe that the government should also immediately provide protective gears such as hand gloves, nose cover, hand sanitisers to all Nigerians to allow them protect themselves from contracting the virus.”
“The failure of the government to provide these things to the people will not only contribute to the spread of the virus, but also truncate and render futile the efforts and measures the government is putting in place to prevent the spread of the virus.”
“An average Nigerian, even while working can hardly provide for himself and his family not to talk of when he is now asked to stay at home for the next 14 days without adequate provision of basic necessities.”
“We advise the Federal Government to borrow a leaf from other countries like US, China, UK and Italy and show more concern about the lives of the people.”
