OBSERVATIONS FROM ISOLATON

It is no longer news that the world is fighting a pandemic, in which, many nations of the world have been ravaged by its effects and the increasing death toll. The world has known no peace since the outbreak of the virus. Nigeria is also not left out in the struggle to stop the coronavirus from spreading.

Since it’s a compulsory break, one cannot but pay close attention to the events around one. This article can therefore be called a book of observations.
It is worthy of note that this pandemic has shown that the health workers are not only competent in what they do, they can been relied upon to give the best medical care at all times. The number of recoveries made by the coronavirus patients has again shown that the medical experts in Nigeria are doing a great job.

However, the fact that these workers work in poor conditions cannot be overemphasized. The least that can be done for them at this time is to at least improve their working conditions and provide them with the necessary equipment to keep them safe.
It is just sad that the safety of these frontline workers is not considered. Many states have refused to pay healthcare workers their salaries, even in the midst of this crisis. It is even more ridiculous that some state government decided cut the salaries of these workers, while making them attend patients with little or no protective kits. If these workers are not going to get any reasonable allowance for health hazards and insurance, the government should at least pay them regularly if their salaries cannot be increased. Reducing their salaries or non-payment in such time as this is an irresponsible thing to do.
With the increasing number of people using the internet, as well as the increased number of people active on social media at this period, I have come to not only observe but learn how powerful the media is in any society.

First, the whole world now relies on the information transmitted by media houses to know the next thing to do. These days, the number of people that listen to the news and read newspapers (mostly online) have increased greatly.
Apart from quick access to information, the use of social media platforms, at this time, more than ever has proven to be a useful tool in reaching authorities quicker.

The campaigns and hashtags against rape first started on social media and it is worthy to note that these campaigns have generated response from appropriate authorities. Different organizations have also taken up the issue, using the media to seek justice for the victims. The case of Funke Akindele’s conviction first started as a trend on Twitter, when the video of her husband’s, birthday party went viral. The party had flouted the NCDC’s rule which prohibits a gathering of more than twenty persons. The trends quickly sparked reactions from appropriate authorities. My point is this; in whatever you do, do not underestimate the power of social media.
While we discuss the power of social media, the influence of fake news must not be forgotten. People rely a lot on the information they get from the media. Fake news has an adverse effect on those who consume it. This is why fake new must be combated. I am sure that many will not forget in a hurry the havoc fake news caused during the Ebola virus crisis. Many had got false information that bathing with salt water could cure the virus. A lot of people died after that. Some people have also taken it their sole duty to spread false information during this pandemic.
First, it started with the spread of false information that chloroquine can cure the virus and people started panic buying. Then, a voice note from a self-acclaimed World Health Organization (WHO) official, making some ridiculous claims. Thanks to fact checkers who have been able to verify these claims and proven them to be false. However, more needs to be done.

And above all, there is a need to review Nigeria’s educational system. Barely weeks after schools were shut all over the world, it was easy for many schools in developed parts of the world to switch to online learning because they have a system that works. However, here in Nigeria, students have been at home since the close of schools with no hope of when to return because the there is no system in place to improve the educational sector. Many tertiary institutions in Nigeria, (without even speaking of elementary schools) lack the appropriate facilities and friendly environment to carry out online learning.
If anything, there is an urgent need to diversify the economy. The world witnessed a drastic fall in oil price, in which Nigeria was not spared. So many articles have been written, so many people have spoken extensively on why Nigeria needs to explore other sectors of the economy such as agriculture, and the likes. This is especially because many developed countries, keep discovering new ways of generating energy and someday, crude oil may not be very essential.

It really hoped that the government will focus on more important things and revive Nigeria.