A Human Rights Lawyer, Gloria Mabeiam, has written to the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who
is also a member of the Presidential Taskforce to control the
spread of Covid-19.
In the letter which was made available to Nairalaw
(TNL), the lawyer questions the constitution of the Taskforce
Committee and urges them to be sincere in the discharge of their
duties.
Read the letter below:
AN OPEN LETTER TO BOSS GIDAHYELDA MUSTAPHA.
Dear Mr. Boss,
On March 9, 2020, the President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria announced your appointment and 11 others to the
Presidential Task Force to control the spread of Covid-19. It was
the view of Mr. President that the task force was necessary to help
our country combat the global outbreak of the Corona Virus and its
potential of causing significant disruption to public health and
the Nigerian economy.
Your immediate task was to prepare for the ‘unlikely but
probable’ outbreak of the disease in the country and to engage a
multi-sectoral intergovernmental approach as advised by the World
Health Organization. You were appointed as Chairman of the Task
force for a 6-month period.
Members of your committee include : Dr. Sani Aliyu as National
Coordinator of the Committee (is his role description different
from yours?), Minister of Health -Prof. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of
Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Minister of Aviation- Mr. Hadi
Sirika.
Also in your committee are Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk- Minister
of Humanitarian Affairs ,Disaster Management and Social Services,
Mr. Adamu Adamu- Minister of Education, Mr. Mohammed Mahmoud –
Minister of Environment and Mr. Yusuf Bichi,the Director General of
the Department of State Services.
Other members are the D.G. Nigeria Centre for Disease Control,
Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu and the World Health Organization Country
Representatives. The sum of N920 million was approved for health
agencies to plan and guard against the importation and spread of
the virus into Nigeria.
Why do we need to remind ourselves of the composition of your
committee? It is for at least two reasons: Whether your committee
consists of the right assets to deal with an unprecedented pandemic
of gargantuan effect like Covid-19? and whether it is a committee
committed to valuing outcome over primordial considerations and so
could bring to the table everything required in a marathon
assignment to secure over 205 million Nigerian lives? Covid-19 is
not a political party committee where allocations and settlements
come into play. It is an issue where experts such as virologists,
public health professionals, humanitarian workers, disaster
managers, economists and statisticians are required to engage and
galvanize government, the private sector and citizens to move out
as a united front against a vicious bio-threat that seeks to wipe
us out.
What this means is that the major requirements of those who
should serve on your committee are those who are intrinsically
human at heart and soul and who do not only have the expertise to
deal with the related issues but can see and understand the stakes
better than others. They need also to be men and women of
character, courage and determination whose standard of practise,
consistency in values and leadership by example serve as moral
authority to give directives on what needs to be done. The question
is, how many members of your committee meet this threshold? Do you
have the right team to play the field?
TRANSPARENCY & SINCERITY IN THE TIME OF
CRISIS.
No other question preoccupies our people, no other thought
absorbs the mind of every Nigerian than what can be done to make
the virus go away and what they can do to make it happen. There is
hence a ready and willing army of Nigerians in the pool. The virus
is moving at a speed that requires quick intervention. Do you
believe you have what it takes to assemble the required assets and
provide the right leadership? The question is asked because at the
moment, the biggest challenge we have between victory and defeat is
leadership.
Our people will take any hill,walk any mile and go through the
most challenging situations if they have faith in your leadership
and understand what your objectives and strategies are. We need you
to make us understand how we can make a difference. We want to
reinforce our belief in the value of frequent and transparent
communication. We want you to build our morale by building
strategic alliances that give the promise of realization of great
results.
Do you think, Mr.Mustapha, that you have what it takes to keep
the pedal on the metal? Would you be honest enough to ramp up
assets or acknowledge your limitations by stepping aside for a more
capable hand? You know, there are opportunities even in crisis and
one of such is the ability to put your name in gold by being right
on the side of history rather than doing what you find politically
expedient. Are we going to come out of Covid-19 stronger than we
went in or is your name going to be associated with the deaths and
infirmary of those who did not have to die?
You can stop the clock, cut the chase and ensure the axe does
not make the biggest dent. The time to do so is now Boss. Every
life depends on your decision and no, you cannot equivocate on
conscience by justifying failure or wins in global context for
although this disease is sweeping across the globe, the response to
it must be situated in local realities. Across countries, we are
seeing clear templates and evidence of leadership and we want to
demonstrate our capacity to the world by showing the premium we
place on human lives. We have a prior record of stellar
performance. We are a country with unlimited human assets and
resilience. We went to war against Ebola and returned
triumphant.
Our citizen soldiers wrestled the virus to its knees at the air
borders. Because that government did not care who took the credit,
it allowed those who knew better to act in our best interest. Yes,
we know that there are no ascertained drugs for the monstrous
Covid-19 but how is it that your committee is not telling our
citizens a basic and vital information as investing in good
nutrition for the building of antibodies?
How is it that the intervention is not data driven? Is it a tall
call to ask for a comprehensive diagnosis of what’s going on and
for a segmentation into parts of measures that can lead to
exponential and effective intervention? Can a clear rubric that is
fair and equal be available for our citizens? What do we need to
win and have you adequately framed up the big picture of how to get
to that victory?
THE MACEDONIAN CALL.
The number of Covid-19 infections is now over 2,000. Only about
400 have recovered while about a hundred people have died between
28 February, 2020 when the first case was reported till the evening
of 3rd May,2020. These figures do not take into account the mind
boggling reports from Kano neither does it leave citizens confident
that the numbers are a true reflection of our country’s
reality.
To make matters worse, you have informed Nigerians that the
lockdown will be removed starting 4 May,2020 this is despite the
fact that our health workers and systems are already overwhelmed
and against the National Centre for Disease Control advisory that
the end of lockdown will increase spread of the virus. The
isolation centres are filled up. Patients have been informed that
they will now be treated at home even as many have found the NCDC
call centre ineffective. Doctors and health workers are refusing to
treat patients because they lack protective equipment. Nigerian
Almajiris are now being deported to other ‘state republics’ in
their own country and without any prior tests.
Unlike other countries which have predictions on when the
infection will peak, plateau and begin to decline, Nigeria is on a
blind walk towards the massive destruction of this merciless virus.
Surely, government decisions is now the biggest act that will
undermine the gains made during the closure as citizens are
released without any provision of what can offer them
protection.
Take a hard look at what the future will hold Boss. How would
you feel when we begin to count our deaths in thousands when we now
have the opportunity to put strategy in centre stage and stay ahead
of the curve? Will your pronouncement that the fight is in the
hands of Nigerians exonerate you of guilt and incompetence?
There is, as was the case in the Holy Creed, a Macedonian call.
Nigerians and all people of good faith are pleading that you help.
This is a Save our Soul call because lives depend on it. Its not a
time to put your fears or ego first but a moment to focus on the
mission of saving every Nigerian from the virus. This call needs
more than a leadership that picks and learns along while people
drop dead. It requires competence and preparation. It demands a
willingness to risk everything and to demonstrate that the goal is
more important than all of us because each one is as vulnerable to
the vicissitudes of the virus as the next. Do you feel capable of
leading us to navigate through the challenges of the days ahead or
will you, bound by honour, step aside for the experts and those who
are most capable?
The lives of Nigerians are in your hands. Demonstrate that you
are capable of acting in good faith so our country gets to the end
line with as minimal casualty as possible.
A Human Rights Lawyer, Gloria Mabeiam, has written to the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who
is also a member of the Presidential Taskforce to control the
spread of Covid-19.
In the letter which was made available to Nairalaw
(TNL), the lawyer questions the constitution of the Taskforce
Committee and urges them to be sincere in the discharge of their
duties.
Read the letter below:
AN OPEN LETTER TO BOSS GIDAHYELDA MUSTAPHA.
Dear Mr. Boss,
On March 9, 2020, the President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria announced your appointment and 11 others to the
Presidential Task Force to control the spread of Covid-19. It was
the view of Mr. President that the task force was necessary to help
our country combat the global outbreak of the Corona Virus and its
potential of causing significant disruption to public health and
the Nigerian economy.
Your immediate task was to prepare for the ‘unlikely but
probable’ outbreak of the disease in the country and to engage a
multi-sectoral intergovernmental approach as advised by the World
Health Organization. You were appointed as Chairman of the Task
force for a 6-month period.
Members of your committee include : Dr. Sani Aliyu as National
Coordinator of the Committee (is his role description different
from yours?), Minister of Health -Prof. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of
Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Minister of Aviation- Mr. Hadi
Sirika.
Also in your committee are Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk- Minister
of Humanitarian Affairs ,Disaster Management and Social Services,
Mr. Adamu Adamu- Minister of Education, Mr. Mohammed Mahmoud –
Minister of Environment and Mr. Yusuf Bichi,the Director General of
the Department of State Services.
Other members are the D.G. Nigeria Centre for Disease Control,
Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu and the World Health Organization Country
Representatives. The sum of N920 million was approved for health
agencies to plan and guard against the importation and spread of
the virus into Nigeria.
Why do we need to remind ourselves of the composition of your
committee? It is for at least two reasons: Whether your committee
consists of the right assets to deal with an unprecedented pandemic
of gargantuan effect like Covid-19? and whether it is a committee
committed to valuing outcome over primordial considerations and so
could bring to the table everything required in a marathon
assignment to secure over 205 million Nigerian lives? Covid-19 is
not a political party committee where allocations and settlements
come into play. It is an issue where experts such as virologists,
public health professionals, humanitarian workers, disaster
managers, economists and statisticians are required to engage and
galvanize government, the private sector and citizens to move out
as a united front against a vicious bio-threat that seeks to wipe
us out.
What this means is that the major requirements of those who
should serve on your committee are those who are intrinsically
human at heart and soul and who do not only have the expertise to
deal with the related issues but can see and understand the stakes
better than others. They need also to be men and women of
character, courage and determination whose standard of practise,
consistency in values and leadership by example serve as moral
authority to give directives on what needs to be done. The question
is, how many members of your committee meet this threshold? Do you
have the right team to play the field?
TRANSPARENCY & SINCERITY IN THE TIME OF
CRISIS.
No other question preoccupies our people, no other thought
absorbs the mind of every Nigerian than what can be done to make
the virus go away and what they can do to make it happen. There is
hence a ready and willing army of Nigerians in the pool. The virus
is moving at a speed that requires quick intervention. Do you
believe you have what it takes to assemble the required assets and
provide the right leadership? The question is asked because at the
moment, the biggest challenge we have between victory and defeat is
leadership.
Our people will take any hill,walk any mile and go through the
most challenging situations if they have faith in your leadership
and understand what your objectives and strategies are. We need you
to make us understand how we can make a difference. We want to
reinforce our belief in the value of frequent and transparent
communication. We want you to build our morale by building
strategic alliances that give the promise of realization of great
results.
Do you think, Mr.Mustapha, that you have what it takes to keep
the pedal on the metal? Would you be honest enough to ramp up
assets or acknowledge your limitations by stepping aside for a more
capable hand? You know, there are opportunities even in crisis and
one of such is the ability to put your name in gold by being right
on the side of history rather than doing what you find politically
expedient. Are we going to come out of Covid-19 stronger than we
went in or is your name going to be associated with the deaths and
infirmary of those who did not have to die?
You can stop the clock, cut the chase and ensure the axe does
not make the biggest dent. The time to do so is now Boss. Every
life depends on your decision and no, you cannot equivocate on
conscience by justifying failure or wins in global context for
although this disease is sweeping across the globe, the response to
it must be situated in local realities. Across countries, we are
seeing clear templates and evidence of leadership and we want to
demonstrate our capacity to the world by showing the premium we
place on human lives. We have a prior record of stellar
performance. We are a country with unlimited human assets and
resilience. We went to war against Ebola and returned
triumphant.
Our citizen soldiers wrestled the virus to its knees at the air
borders. Because that government did not care who took the credit,
it allowed those who knew better to act in our best interest. Yes,
we know that there are no ascertained drugs for the monstrous
Covid-19 but how is it that your committee is not telling our
citizens a basic and vital information as investing in good
nutrition for the building of antibodies?
How is it that the intervention is not data driven? Is it a tall
call to ask for a comprehensive diagnosis of what’s going on and
for a segmentation into parts of measures that can lead to
exponential and effective intervention? Can a clear rubric that is
fair and equal be available for our citizens? What do we need to
win and have you adequately framed up the big picture of how to get
to that victory?
THE MACEDONIAN CALL.
The number of Covid-19 infections is now over 2,000. Only about
400 have recovered while about a hundred people have died between
28 February, 2020 when the first case was reported till the evening
of 3rd May,2020. These figures do not take into account the mind
boggling reports from Kano neither does it leave citizens confident
that the numbers are a true reflection of our country’s
reality.
To make matters worse, you have informed Nigerians that the
lockdown will be removed starting 4 May,2020 this is despite the
fact that our health workers and systems are already overwhelmed
and against the National Centre for Disease Control advisory that
the end of lockdown will increase spread of the virus. The
isolation centres are filled up. Patients have been informed that
they will now be treated at home even as many have found the NCDC
call centre ineffective. Doctors and health workers are refusing to
treat patients because they lack protective equipment. Nigerian
Almajiris are now being deported to other ‘state republics’ in
their own country and without any prior tests.
Unlike other countries which have predictions on when the
infection will peak, plateau and begin to decline, Nigeria is on a
blind walk towards the massive destruction of this merciless virus.
Surely, government decisions is now the biggest act that will
undermine the gains made during the closure as citizens are
released without any provision of what can offer them
protection.
Take a hard look at what the future will hold Boss. How would
you feel when we begin to count our deaths in thousands when we now
have the opportunity to put strategy in centre stage and stay ahead
of the curve? Will your pronouncement that the fight is in the
hands of Nigerians exonerate you of guilt and incompetence?
There is, as was the case in the Holy Creed, a Macedonian call.
Nigerians and all people of good faith are pleading that you help.
This is a Save our Soul call because lives depend on it. Its not a
time to put your fears or ego first but a moment to focus on the
mission of saving every Nigerian from the virus. This call needs
more than a leadership that picks and learns along while people
drop dead. It requires competence and preparation. It demands a
willingness to risk everything and to demonstrate that the goal is
more important than all of us because each one is as vulnerable to
the vicissitudes of the virus as the next. Do you feel capable of
leading us to navigate through the challenges of the days ahead or
will you, bound by honour, step aside for the experts and those who
are most capable?
The lives of Nigerians are in your hands. Demonstrate that you
are capable of acting in good faith so our country gets to the end
line with as minimal casualty as possible.