Covid-19: Hakeem Alao empathises with Makinde, Oyo people, promises support to state government in fighting epidemic

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Seyi Makinde, Oyo State Governor.

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*Calls for control of prices of commodities

*Says comprehensive functional social security system lacking in Nigeria

*Wants Makinde’s cabinet members, aides, others screened for associates Coronavirus

 

By Lai Mahmood

Engr Oyedele Hakeem Alao (OHA), the Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate in the 2019 Oyo State governorship election, has empathized with the entire people of the state and the world, particularly Governor Seyi Makinde, “on the outbreak of Coronavirus (Covid-19)”.

Governor Makinde has tested positive of the disease that has been having a devastating effect on health and economies globally necessitating Alao promising to support the Oyo State Government to fight it.

This was contained in a release signed and made available to newsmen in Ibadan by Omotayo Iyanda, the head of the Media Office of Oyedele Hakeem Alao.

The AD chieftain, Hakeem Alao, empathized with and wished Governor Makinde quick recovery, saying, “Of a particular note at this point in time is the Covid-19 status of the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you pull through this difficult time. Your healthy life is crucial to the attainment of a greater Oyo State we all crave for.”

According to the release, Hakeem Alao said that “efforts are in top gear to support the people at the grassroots should there be a need for total lockdown of the state,” stating that, “we will reach out to the state government through the Oyo State Covid-19 Endowment Fund Account which has just been released by the state government.”

Hakeem Alao said this period, which called for empathy, humility, sober reflection and restriction, was unprecedented in the history of humanity as it was having a great negative impact on the health of our loved ones, the businesses we relied upon, the health of the global economy, and the way we lived our daily lives for survival. “As a state, the Nigerian nation and the world at large are sure seriously under threat,” he emphasized.

While wishing Governor Makinde a very quick recovery, the AD gubernatorial candidate stated that this was also “a season to learn from our mistakes,” adding that, “Governor Makinde should have taken more seriously earlier the Covid-19 epidemic by isolating himself when he returned from the Florida Business Forum he attended recently” and by further abstinence from “the last PDP unification rally in the state capital, Ibadan.

Hakeem Alao remarked that “the Covid-19 pandemic should not be politicised at all! It is a serious matter —a matter of life and death— not to be trivialized at all!”
“With the Corona Virus positive status of Governor Makinde at the moment, Hakeem Alao now called on the state government “to subject all the governor’s cabinet members to Covid-19 screening, including all his aides and all his close associates.”

As Hakeem Alao charged the entire citizenry to be alive to the situation, he said, “There is no better way to handle this situation than to adhere strictly to all the WHO-supported health workers precautionary measures already in circulation, particularly the stay-at-home approach, to curtail the likely uncontrollable spread of the disease as we all engage in sober reflection to re-position the way we lead our lives.”

He also called on the governments at all levels in Nigeria, particularly Oyo State, to see this period “as if we were at war” and “an emergency situation that needs 100% attention of all the state governors and President Muhammadu Buhari in the provision of health facilities and food supply. President Muhammadu Buhari’s last speech on the epidemic was commendable. However, we need to pull through the more to reach out to the majority of the mass of our people.

“During wars, food stockade and provision is very central to avoiding extermination. Our leaders should do more to relieve our people. Policies must be effected now to control prices of commodities and achieve food security for our people to sustain themselves throughout this moment.

“Where there are curfews and outright lockdowns, the political, religious, traditional and business leaders and other philanthropists should come to the aid of our people, particularly in the area of food and other essential needs supply. Social distancing and self isolation can only work for Nigerians if governments provide basic sustenance for the already deprived masses. We pray this period will be over soon.”

Appreciating all the foreign and local donors, including notable Nigerians and companies, who had donated cash and relief materials for their great kindness, inter-generational support, solidarity and remarkable fortitude to cushion the effects of the Covid-19 war, the politician maintained that “as individuals and corporate organizations, we need to do more for our people as a comprehensive functional social security system is still lacking in our land.”

He charged the people of the state and the nation at large to embrace courage, generosity, resilience and “strive hard to survive this difficult moment and stay well and alive as better days” were ahead for all.


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