BY TAIWO FAROTIMI
Theirs is an initiative that even the authorities would want to recommend to other communities in the state. While many other communities were waiting for government intervention in terms of relief materials and medical or protective facilities, the people of Otan Ayegbaju, headquarters of Boluwaduro local government area of Osun State are up in arms against the spread of the dreaded corona virus, otherwise called covid-19. A group that the town raised to meet the needs of residents and indigenes of the town has already sworn into action. The body known as Otan Ayegbaju Covid-19 Response Team will provide food items and medical facilities and services to people of the town to prevent the spread of the virus in the town and environs.
Dr. Segun Aina, a representative of the stakeholders in Otan Ayegbaju said in a statement that the team, made up of indigenes from different areas of specialties, will also undertake enlightenment programmes aimed at educating the people on how to prevent the spread of the virus in the area. Dr. Aina, a former president of the Nigeria Institute of Bankers said the organization which is a voluntary one will also engage with neighbouring communities, within and outside the local council area, so as to achieve a zero tolerance for the spread of the virus. He said the group, led by Dr. Shade Adeyemi-Balogun, was set up to complement efforts of government at all levels to curtail the spread of the pandemic.
According to the statement, the team has started work and there have been appreciable responses from indigenes both at home and abroad, providing the needed finances for the exercise. The Crest learnt that there are chances that the team may beat the government in the attempt to distribute the needed materials to the people. Reports say that the initiative may have spurred the relevant agency of the state government to send a team of government officials to fumigate the town early last week. Yet, Dr. Aina, who is a member of a similar body set up by the State Government to prevent the spread of the virus, said whatever the local team does for indigenes and residents was without prejudice to what should be their entitlements from government at all levels and corporate donors. Hear him: “This initiative is part of efforts to complement government activities aimed at curtailing the spread of the corona virus pandemic”.
It will no doubt also serve as a vehicle through which the state government can reach out to people of the area.
Coronavirus has killed over 70,000 in the world, while over one million people have tested positive to it. So far in Nigeria, five persons have been lost to the outbreak, while 238 have tested positive with Lagos State leading in the number of cases, followed by the Federal Capital Territory and Osun.
