Centre laments rising cases of pandemic, seeks greater commitment

– Don charges politicians to shun bias

President of the Centre for Change, Dr. Joel Okei-Odumakin, yesterday expressed concerns over the escalating figures of COVID-19 cases released on daily basis, warning that it is an indication that the country may be in the pandemic for a longer period.

She lamented governments’ lean resources to make palliatives reach everyone and the controversial way already released palliatives were being distributed, stressing that it has given little confidence and comfort to Nigerians.

Okei-Odumakin’s reaction followed the latest data, which put reported cases in Nigeria at 627 as of Monday with about 70 cases confirmed in a day.

She said while the world has become a global village and Nigeria might not ignore happenings elsewhere, the major concern should be the rising figures as they concern the country and its people.

In a similar vein, as part of efforts to curtail the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria, politicians have been advised to avoid bias that could further complicate the challenges posed by the virus.

In a period of global emergency like this, national consciousness needs to be reawakened and political leaders should organize solutions at all levels to face the problem headlong before it consumes the nation.

Professor of Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management, Lagos State University (LASU), Yunus Dauda, gave the charge in a paper titled, “Coronavirus Pandemic Challenge to Human Capital.”

He said during this period Nigerians should support the government and empathize with their fellow Nigerians that are infected with the virus.

Dauda stressed that governments, donor agencies corporate organisations and wealthy Nigerians should provide relief to those affected by the coronavirus and poor Nigerians.