“Scientists in Africa and Latin America have been told by manufacturers that orders for vital testing kits cannot be filled for months, because the supply chain is in upheaval and almost everything they produce is going to America or Europe. All countries report steep price increases, from testing kits to masks.”
Author: National Record
“Akanbi, who came third, is not only from Ilorin but is also the son of one of Ilorin’s prominent families. That’s the chief reason he was appointed VC. It’s inter-generational perpetuation of privilege with a dash of ethnic bigotry.”
“Post-COVID-19 reconstruction in the education sector should leverage on virtual learning using the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) approach as a key instrument of knowledge production and dissemination.”
“On March 9th, 2020, President Buhari constituted a 12-member Presidential Task Force for the Control of Coronavirus in the country, but no trade union or civil society organisation in Nigeria is represented in the task force constituted by President Buhari. The umbrella organisations of Nigerian doctors, nurses, pharmacists and health associated professional organs were also not included; however, the World Health Organisation (WHO), is represented.”
“Essentially, what the broadcast lacked in substance, it gained in the President’s downright martial or military rhetoric. This element was alive right from the first paragraph, and with a rigid and unblinking demeanour, Buhari’s voice, reminiscent of coup broadcasts, held the attention of many Nigerians for the 19 minutes that the broadcast lasted drawing him accolades that he really may not have deserved.”
For Africa, and Nigeria in particular, the most demanding change should arise from the prevailing scenario of despondency of the ruling elite who now feel trapped in their comfy homes and being compelled to endure receiving treatment at the decayed and ill-equipped medical facilities as the doors of advanced and technologically-driven health facilities were sprung shut following the pandemic.
“But the reality is that there are many gaps in the process, then and now – gaps in the system put in place to screen people who arrive through our ports; forget those who will pour in through the porous borders. It is this ineffective system that in the first instance made it possible for the index case and others to walk into Nigeria without detection – the big and not-so-big men and women, the politicians who jump into planes to spend weekends in London, Milan, Dubai, New York and other fanciful destinations that are the hubs of Covid-19.”
While the developed world is unlikely to experience fundamental convulsions beyond tightening and greasing of nuts here and there in the powers and dynamics of its solid institutions and big business, most of the underdeveloped countries may still be whirling in socio-economic seizures orchestrated also, most likely by big business. But now that the chickens have come home to roost, could post-Covid-19 still inflict on citizens greater harm or succour through altruistic leadership?
The release of the patient followed two consecutive negative tests, the statement said, adding that the patient spent six days in the isolation centre. “He is well and very stable and is now back to his house. The infectious disease specialist will be reviewing him for follow up action,” the statement said.
“The learned silk also goofed when he questioned the President’s powers to restrict movement and claiming that such powers can only be exercised by the state governors and the respective state assemblies.”