Lockdown: Kudos, knocks over extension

Lockdown
By Deborah Akpede

Lagos, April 14, 2020 (NAN) Some Nigerians on Tuesday described the extension of the lockdown to curtail the spread of COVID-19 as a `welcome development’ while others frown at it, citing hunger.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had on March 29, ordered the lockdown of Lagos, Ogun, and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for two weeks over the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also extended it on Monday for another 14 days after the initial two weeks had ended.

A legal practitioner, Mr Peter Ojo, who spoke with NAN on Tuesday, said the extension was a good idea as it would help to save citizens’ lives.

“The government is working hard round the clock to make sure that this pandemic is controlled.

“Though it may hurt and be difficult but it is the best we can do at this moment. We will all be at risk if we refuse to comply with this directive,” Ojo said.

Mr Gbenga Ajayi, a civil servant, said that the extension was the price Nigerians had to pay to conquer and eradicate the deadly virus.

“Let us stop complaining, the extension is for everybody good, the government is trying its best to protect citizens, we should appreciate its gesture.

“The dead do not eat, only the living do, it is not easy; let us continue to obey the directive and stay safe, this is the only sacrifice we can do for our nation,” Ajayi said.

Pastor Victor Paul of the Assemblies of God Church, said that the president had done what was expected of him, saying that it was the only way the government could minimise the spread of the virus.

According to him, God said in His word that He will bless us with food and water and take away diseases from us.

“Hunger will not kill any of us as God will continue to be our provider, let us continue to stay at home and be safe, it is for our safety,” he added.

Mr Abayomi Ojo, a transporter, said that the extension was another hunger strike for his family.

“How will my family survive if I stay at home without working for another 14 days,’’ he queried.

“The last two weeks was very tough, I am already indebted; it means that the next 14 days will be on empty stomach, pot and pocket.

“Although foodstuffs were shared by Lagos State Government in my area but was only given to party members,” he alleged.

Mrs Joke Akinola, a businesswoman, said that the government was trying to prevent Coronavirus and death but noted that some citizens were likely to suffer starvation.

“We should stay at home for another 14 days without any palliative and die of hunger, this is not fair.

“I need money to survive, the government is only concerned about the vulnerable, many of us are vulnerable at this moment.”

She alleged that the Lagos State Government gave five Community Development Associations (CDA) a bag of rice to share, saying: “How will five CDAs share a bag of rice, well, I don’t even know how it was eventually shared but it did not get to my CDA.

“It was hard to survive even when there was no lockdown, this is really frustrating,” she said. (NAN)
DOA/ENN/MNA
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Maureen Atuonwu