Nigeria’s former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has warned Nigerians on COVID-19, saying that it is wrong to think that lifting of restriction is an indication that the battle has been won.
“Although restrictions are being lifted, we are not out of the woods yet,” he warned.
Obasanjo gave the warning on Friday when he spoke as a guest lecturer at the 2020 Annual Sobo Sowemimo Lecture held at the Abeokuta Club in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He spoke on “COVID-19 and Nigeria Security Issues: The Way Forward.”
Obasanjo stressed the need for the government to disabuse the minds of ordinary people who might still believe that COVID-19 was not real or that it was the disease of the rich.
His words: “They must be conscious of the fact that the disease has no social or economic limitation or barrier.
“It can afflict anybody no matter his or her age, gender, profession or trade, social or economic standing.
“We must not let down our guard because we may not have reached the peak yet.
“If the epicentre has moved from China in Asia to Europe to North America and now to Brazil in South America, Africa may or may not escape being an epicentre.
“And even then, we must be prepared for the possibility of a second wave.”
Obasanjo also considered the post COVID-19 period and suggested that attention should be given to key areas of food availability and security, employment and job security, change in the pattern and style of living including travelling and innovation, science, technology, digitalisation and artificial intelligence.
He added that issues of local content, raw materials and substitute as well as diversification of the economy and enhancement of export commodities should be considered important.
“It is up to us to take these six areas very seriously.
“With good leadership and right policy and with the public and private sectors working together and the civil society joining hands, all the six areas can be taken care of and we can safely put the pandemic behind and move the country forward,” he said.
Addressing the problem of Nigeria’s economic challenges, Obasanjo said:
“I see it as a matter of life and death for our country, which must not be toyed with.
“Insecurity brought about by widespread criminality of Boko Haram, insurgents, herdsmen/farmers conflict, terrorists, bandits, armed robbers, militants, kidnappers, abductors and human traffickers is a new phenomenon that is ravaging the entire country.
“The causes are many but the solution is beyond the capacity of the government.
“Prompt action is required from all well-meaning Nigerians from across the board as we are all victims and hostages.
“We must not adopt position of mindlessness ‘do nothing’ and allow a few to wreck our present and our future.
“Together, we can have Nigeria of our dream and I believe that there are Nigerians in all walks of life, from all ethnic groups, religious groups, cultural groups, political groups and across age and gender who will work genuinely and sincerely for emergence of a new Nigeria.
“I mean a new Nigeria based on principles of democracy, equity, justice, mutual respect, egalitarianism, good governance, federal character, and extol merit and competence.
“Papering over the obvious cracks in Nigeria’s polity is not the answer, tearing up or seeking disintegration is also not the solution, remaining silent makes us accomplices and irresponsibly so.
“The solution lies in men and women imbued with courage, nationalism, patriotism, commitment, foresight and love in critical mass to spearhead the crusade for new Nigeria.
“Let us launch and promote such a crusade on the slogan: ‘Security Matters To All; No security, No Nigeria.’
“The time is now. Delay is postponing the evil day.
“Failure to act now will lead to more frustration, greater despair and larger mentality and feeling that may lead to action of break- it- all- up.”
