The impact of Covid-19 virus pandemic lock down on the livelihood of the poor: The case of Nigeria’s Lagos State.

In the first video we see a woman warning the Lagos state government of a potential uprising of the poor masses in the slums of Lagos state due to hunger caused by the corona virus lock-down. She complains of insufficient planning, food and palliative support for the poor families in Lagos state.

She states that the poor especially the youth are becoming reckless with the potential of a rebellion brewing among the masses due to the suffering caused by the lock down.

She advises the government to send government officials to talk to the people to determine what they need and to defuse the anger of the masses under the difficult circumstances of the lock-down.

In the second video we see that the Covid-19 lock down is especially devastating to the welfare of poor who survive on a daily wage from trading and other menial activities. The prices of food items has increased tremendous in Lagos and across the country and government food hand outs are insufficient to maintain normal existence for the poor who have no money to stockpile food items.

The inadequate and intermittent supply of electricity nationwide in Nigeria also intensifies the desperate condition of the poor more than the wealthier citizens because the poor lack refrigeration to store perishable foods.

Lagos state in common with the federal government of Nigeria and many other Nigerian states recently extended the lock-down for another two weeks in an effort to control the further spread of the corona virus (Covid-19).

What began as a normal lock down and stay at home government policy in Lagos and neighboring Ogun State in Nigeria has resulted in arm youths and vigilantes taking up arms to attack residents of richer neighborhoods and suburbs looting neighborhoods and stores. Many neighborhoods in Lagos are now living in fear

Police stations are becoming overwhelmed with false calls of attacks and panic from residents. Potential revolt against police authority and the government in general is very real if proper policy communication and steps are not taken to placate reckless youths who have become enraged with the extended lock down announcement and insufficient governmental measures to ameliorate the suffering of the masses

Nigeria’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program to the poor and COVID-19 pandemic. Who are the beneficiaries in your Community?

ICMS, INC EDUCATIONAL SERIES

Are you aware of Nigeria’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program in Akwa Ibom State?

ICMS, Inc Reports

By Tom Okure, PhD

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Nearly half of Nigeria’s total population lives in extreme poverty. Nigerian Federal government says it has been working towards improving the poverty situation in the country, but most experts say 

government plans are inadequate and unsustainable. Last year in 2019, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in a report released in New York stated that poverty in Nigeria had risen from 86 to 98 million in ten years.  Nigeria has a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program that has been in place since December 2016 that is designed to bring poor Nigerians out of poverty.

President Buhari announced that conditional cash
payments (CCT) would be paid to poor
and vulnerable household in Nigeria

With the spread of the COVD-19 pandemic into Nigeria, efforts to cushion the extreme poor in Nigerian has become even more urgent. Abuja, Lagos, Uyo etc and many other cities in Nigeria are currently under a two week shut down and citizens all over the country are suffering because of the shut down and lack of economic activity. Many residents of major cities are starving because they have nothing to eat. The situation is made much worse because of poor and intermittent supply of electricity and lack of proper refrigeration to preserve foodstuff by most households.  Experts say that the situation in all cities are going to get worse until gradual economic activity is restored. Even where limited and controlled market and shopping economic activity has has been implemented, like in Lagos, residents complain that it is limited and ineffective because they are unable to buy any real food stuff items except limited non perishable items. In a recent televised national broadcast, President Buhari announced that conditional cash payments (CCT) would be paid to poor and vulnerable household in the lock down states of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT.

According to the Nigerian government “Beneficiaries are entitled to N5, 000 every month; however, the payment of N20, 000 now to each beneficiary is for four mouths. “It is going to happen all over the country, but we are starting with FCT, Lagos and Ogun. These are the frontline states. Other states will follow.” (See Link: Conditional Cash Transfer: FG doles out N20, 000 each to 5, 000 in FCT).

Did You Know!

That Nigeria’s N5,000 monthly cash transfer payment program has been ongoing since 2016? Is this Federal cash transfer program being implanted in Akwa Ibom State...and if so, what ministry is administering this program and how are the poor being selected to benefit from this program? Do you know any person in Akwa Ibom State benefiting from this poverty elimination program?  

Has any AKSG or Local government officials visited your village over the past two to four years to identify and collect the names of poor people especially poor people considered very vulnerable including widows, the aged, disabled individuals and those with chronic diseases and unemployed?  Do you know or are you aware of where Akwa Ibom State Cash Transfer Unit (SCTU) or office is located?

State Implementation of Conditional Cash Transfer Program

A National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) under the Office of the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria is responsible for implementing Nigeria’s CCT program and is the primary intervention arm of what is termed the National Social Safety Nets Project. In order to generate needed data to capture the Nigerian poor and vulnerable in the country a National Social Registry (NSR) was also created by the Federal Government. CCT program is a component of National Social Safety Nets Project (NASSP) which is supported by the World Bank, to provide financial support to targeted poor and vulnerable Nigerian households.

While the National NCTO mandate is to distribute the targeted cash transfer across the country, Nigerian States like Akwa Ibom State implement the federal CCT program at the state level through the State Cash Transfer Unit (SCTU). SCTU manages and coordinates the targeted cash transfer and livelihood intervention. Each local government area establishes a cash transfer team to implement activities at the community level. (See link State Implementation….National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO). 

Since the CCT program implementation in December 2016

 “Every two months, the federal government disburses nearly N3 billion to the beneficiaries. But with millions of outstretched hands in need of financial assistance, the cash transfer scheme has turned into a lottery.”…. “The N5, 000 monthly cash transfer is ultimately to bring the recipients out of poverty.  

NCTO showing CCP payments in Anambra State

But since December 2016 that the payment started, only 297, 973 caregivers are currently being paid in what appears as a drop in the ocean. Estimations suggest that about 87 million Nigerians – 44 percent of the country’s population of 196 million – live below the International Poverty Line of $1.90 (N684) a day.” (See Link: INVESTIGATION: Poorest Nigerians deprived of federal government’s cash transfer)

President Muhammadu Buhari has always reiterated his commitment to lifting millions of Nigerians from poverty. The president has repeatedly stated that:

"Our ongoing social intervention programs continue to target these vulnerable groups through the ongoing school feeding program, government economic empowerment program, ... job creation program loans for traders and artisans, conditional cash transfers to the poorest families,"

“Buhari's lofty goal is to alleviate 100 million Nigerians from poverty within the next decade. But experts say to increase the Poverty Escape Rate in the country, economic growth must remain steady and population growth controlled.” (Source: Nigerian Authorities to Alleviate Millions From Extreme Poverty)

Information Worth Knowing!

COVID-19 Virus and CCT Payments

Buhari in a recent nationwide broadcast stated that the payment is a government measure to cushion the effect of the lock down of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT on the poor and vulnerable households. 

President Buhari announced that conditional cash payments (CCT)
would be paid to poor and vulnerable household in the lock down
 states of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT

“As we know, the CCT is for poor and vulnerable households in the country. “Beneficiaries are entitled to N5, 000 every month; however, the payment of N20, 000 now to each beneficiary is for four mouths. “It is going to happen all over the country, but we are starting with FCT, Lagos and Ogun. These are the frontline states. Other states will follow. “With the current pandemic and circumstances on ground, this amount will go a long way to support the families in their daily lives. “Today, we are giving out N20, 000 each to about 190 beneficiaries in Kwali Area Councils. The total beneficiaries in FCT are 5, 000,’’ Farouq said. (See link: Conditional Cash Transfer: FG doles out N20, 000 each to 5, 000 in FCT).

After the president Buhari’s national broadcast, the “National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) has clarified that only one million vulnerable Nigerian households on the National Social Register (NSR) would get the N20,000 relief fund from the Federal Government to cushion the impact of the lockdown necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic.” National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) is under the Office of the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and is the intervention arm of the National Social Safety Nets Project.

This report is part of ICMS, Inc Report’s educational and Now You Know Information series and is designed to keep the public informed on government public policy they ought to be aware of.

Links for additional reading:

National Cash Transfer Office
Conditional Cash Transfer: FG doles out N20, 000 each to 5, 000 in FCT
INVESTIGATION: Poorest Nigerians deprived of federal government’s cash transfer
Nigerian Authorities to Alleviate Millions From Extreme Poverty

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All rights reserved by Tom Okure, Ph.D President and CEO of Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc (or ICMS, Inc). The information included in this article may not be used, reproduced, transmitted, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written permission of ICMS, Inc. The author Dr. Tom Okure is President of ICMS, Inc, a multifaceted business and management consulting firm with its head office in Albany, New York. Dr. Okure is a writer, author, business/management consultant, public policy advisor and commentator and a change advocate.

Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade is wrong! Social (physical) distancing is slowing down the spread of Corona virus.

ICMS,Inc Reports

By Tom Okure, PhD

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Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade is wrong! Social distancing is working and slowing down the spread of the Corona virus world wide. Stay home and maintain social (physical) distancing as advised by National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and World Health Organization (WHO).

Don’t listen to the advice of Nigeria’s Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade who alleges that "you don’t need social distancing once you put on a mask." He is wrong and needs to be reprimanded by the Federal government of Nigeria.  

Governor Ayade made this statement on Tuesday April 7, 2020 while addressing a cheering audience of Calabar residents at the Governor’s official residence (also known as Peregrino Lodge). Alleging to be a professor of science, he asserted that he “knows how this virus moves; I know its etiology, I know it transmissibility, I know its antigenicity;”

Governor of Cross River Ben Ayade

Governor Ayade further asserted “because I do, I know that once you put on this mask, you have already been protected” and “You don’t need social distancing when you are properly protected because your mucal glands that secretes the mucus and the musins already forms a network of coats to attack the virus,” Ayade announced to a cheering audience.

Despite the difficulty and inconvenience posed by the lock down due to Corona Virus spread, Stay home and maintain social (physical) distancing as advised by NCDC, WHO and other world bodies.

Governor Ben Ayade opinion is contrary to the advise of experts in Nigeria and worldwide. Please maintain social distancing. Don’t risk your life and health …Read more

You don’t need social distancing once you put on a mask — Gov Ben Ayade says

As Covid-19 spreads, stay properly informed, avoid panic and don’t fall victim to cyber-criminals

ICMS, Inc Reports

Limiting the adverse impact of Corona virus (COVID-19): How Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom State should be responding.

ICMS, Inc Reports

Observations and Policy Advisory Comments

by Tom Okure, PhD

Very recently in the Nigerian news media and floating around the social media, we heard of conflicting news accounts of the number of coronavirus (Covid-19) infection in Nigeria. 

Reported cases by the Nigerian federal government has reached 184 as of April 2, 2020 and the writing of this article. Consequently, the Nigerian government in common with most governments around the world has instituted restrictive movement measures including gradual state lock down measures to stop the spread, beginning with Lagos, Abuja FCT and Osun state. Recent reports by Akwa Ibom State government asserted that reports of two alleged infections in the state was false and the state government though concerned,  took no definitive positive measures at the time to educate the public or restrict movement to control more spread into the population.

Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) crisis management team meets regularly to support states with harmonized guidelines for Primary Health Care and community based workers

In fact as of March 25, 2020 the state Commissioner of Information, Charles Udoh KSJ, asserted in a public press release on COVID-19 that Akwa Ibom State “has NOT placed a ban on social gatherings including churches, marriage/funeral ceremonies and other celebrations.” However, on April 1, 2020 the situation drastically changed as the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (or NCDC) reported and confirmed 174 active cases of COVID-19 and noted that nine of the affected have been discharged with two deaths. More specifically, the infection breakdown by state according to NCDC was as follows: Lagos -91; Abuja- FTC-35; Osun-14; Oyo-8; Ogun-4; Edo-4; Kaduna-4; Bauchi-3; Enugu-2; Ekiti-2; Rivers-1; Benue-1; Akwa Ibom-5. Suddenly, as the NCDC report indicated, Akwa Ibom State was no more infection free as we were made to believe, but was one of the states with the most infections according to the NCDC.  

For one reason or the other, this information does not appear to be very welcome by the Akwa Ibom State Government. In a recent press release hereby attached to this narrative, the State Commissioner for Health Dr. Dominic Ukpong appears to disagree and take issue with the NCDC data on reported active cases of COVID-19 in the state.  Akwa Ibom State commissioner of health for whatever reasons is upset with the NCDC testing procedures and appears to be rejecting the notion of any infection of COVID-19 in Akwa Ibom. 

Dr. Dominic Ukpong, 
AKSG Commissioner Ministry of Health

The state government arguments rejecting the NCDC findings include the following:  “We observed a disturbing breach in the test and reporting procedure;…Akwa Ibom State Government only heard about the test results in the news;…The Director General of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was not aware of the reported result announcement;…All 5 reported positive test cases have been contacted and they have showed no COVID-19 symptoms;…While the tests were being processed in NCDC approved test facilities, all suspected cases were held in isolation;….Several sample batches have been previously sent for testing from Akwa Ibom State and they all returned negative results;…Owing to the irregularities observed in the testing and reporting procedure, Health Care Professionals in Akwa Ibom State have called for an immediate reconfirmation test on the 5 reported cases;…The results will be made public, following due process.

The state press release also advises that “Health Care Professionals in Akwa Ibom State have also appealed to the NCDC to ensure that all future tests are conducted following due process in order to maintain continued confidence in the process” and “Residents and citizens are enjoined to remain calm while observing all personal and respiratory hygiene guidelines earlier issued as well as adhere to the social distancing prescriptions.”

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State

From the mere reading of the press releases from Akwa Ibom State government over the past two weeks, the state government appears to be asserting its health policy independence and charting its own course of action in regard to the coronavirus pandemic issue that is beginning to spread into the state. One baffling observation of this writer about the arguments of the State Commissioner for Health Dr. Dominic Ukpong, is the fact that he fails to realize that both the NCDC virus tests and the state conducted test may be correct at the time, depending on when the tests were conducted. Tested individuals in many countries including the United States have tested negative at first only to test positive in a follow-up test. Some people are said to be asymptomatic and do not show symptoms of the disease even though they are virus carriers and spreading the virus to others simply by talking with other people and going about their business. That is why everyone is advised to stay home to stop the spread.

NCDC Public Education poster

This writer asserts that this is no time in Nigeria to play politics or a blaming game. This is a very difficult and dangerous time for the whole world which includes Africa, Nigeria and yes Akwa Ibom State. There is no known cure or vaccination for this virus at the moment. Nigeria is just beginning to experience the spread and the economic impact of this pandemic. People are dying and more will die, Nigerians are afraid, the economy is suffering and is on the edge, ventilators and masks are scares and in short supply, our hospitals are not prepared and lack the capability of handling this type of emergency and Nigerian medical staff are already over stretched and stressed.

Ikot Ekpene Local Government Corona
Virus Educational campaign poster

The coronavirus (or Covid-19) for a majority of infected people typically causes moderate and minor symptoms, for example fever and cough that are resolved between two to three weeks. The virus has affected all races, groups and socioeconomic classes of people around the world including the rich, the ruling class, the youth, women and men alike. Nevertheless, one thing appears to be obvious as data around the world are being analyzed; in a majority of cases of the virus infection, the incubation period of the virus is about two weeks or even more. The elderly appear to be especially more adversely impacted especially those with existing health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems etc. The COVID-19 virus causes more severe sickness among the sickly and elderly, which results in pneumonia in most cases and even death.

As a policy recommendation, this writer advises that everything officially announced and reported on this deadly virus in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State should be Data Informed and not based on any personal sentiments or party politics. This is no time for ego shielding or arrogance pedaling by high level appointed government officials who may find their egos trampled upon by the terrible truth of this dangerous virus. What we need is level hotheadedness among our federal and state policy makers who should work round the clock and cooperate to educate themselves on the status of the infection nationally and worldwide in order to better inform and to educate the public. In this regard, it is imperative that cooperation between the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) be enhanced immediately.  

Ikot Ekpene local government chairman Mr. Unyime Etim
begins a public education campaign to educate residents

Government front-line doctors, researchers and medical staff both at the state and federal level should be given adequate financial and moral support to do their tests and medical advisory jobs without political interference. Those who have ideas and wish to make suggestions should be encouraged and be allowed to air their views on government implementation policies and procedures to combat this pandemic spread without fear. In short, all meaningful professional and public input on state and local government policy in Akwa Ibom State should be tolerated and entertained.  

Lessons learned from the experiences of other countries like China, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Spain, United States, United Kingdom, Egypt, South Africa etc. tackling the spread, control and prevention of the corona virus should be carefully catalogued, analyzed and used to generate predictive models and the predictive models adapted to the Nigerian unique situation.

Our African and Nigerian society is a loving and communal environment where we have open markets and shopping bazaars; we like to merriment, enjoy parties and religious gatherings etc., where we constantly hug each other and shake hands. These situations must be curtailed and even temporally restricted to prevent the virus spread. 

Ikot Ekpene distributes sanitizers and masks to residents 

The virus is real and deadly and the slogan “Stay at Home to Help Save Lives” is a real and a proven preventive measure that is working for all countries and should gladly be welcome by all Akwa Ibom residents and voluntarily abided by. 

The federal government and the state and local governments should work together to fight and contain the virus by all means including experimenting with traditional herbal medicines or remedies like the Chinese are doing. Information is needed especially at the local and village level to educate our villagers, youth and elderly. Village chiefs should be actively involved to help spread the news in the states local government’s areas using announcement mediums such as identified family heads of households and village announcers to inform the people. No one can predict when the pandemic will end or whether this is going to be a cyclical/annual event like influencer that may occur annually. Potential permanent change in human behavior worldwide may be needed to combat this pandemic. The world has changed and may have changed permanently. We need to be proactive in supporting our universities and research institutions nationally. Some Nigerian medical epidemiology scientists have asserted that they have long known about corona virus and have discovered and known about the virus structure long before now. There are many more dangerous viruses this writer understands and even malaria viruses lurking in the environment background waiting to manifest as epidemics.

Conclusion

The lesson here from the spread of COVID-19 into Nigeria is that we have to be vigilant and be proactive against the further spread of the virus. Proactive measures like a two to three weeks lockdown of the state of Akwa Ibom may be needed and while unpleasant will slow the virus spread so that it does not fully engross and paralyze our communities. 

This writer observes and applauds the state and local governments in Akwa Ibom for beginning an active community educational and awareness program. The state should buy large quantities of masks for distribution to the public. Control and treatment centers should be planned, dedicated and equipped to accommodate a large in flock of infected patients. Preventive measures should also include actual testing of residents to determine who is infected, with the understanding that even people determined to be initially negative as witnessed in Akwa Ibom State may be false negative and asymptomatic and may be positive in later tests.

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AKWA IBOM STATE COVID 19 UPDATE 3.0

PRESS RELEASE

Sequel to the news report about the positive testing of 5 hitherto suspected cases of COVID -19 in Akwa Ibom state, we wish to state as follows, that;

1. We observed a disturbing breach in the test and reporting procedure.

2. Akwa Ibom State Government only heard about the test results in the news.

3. The Director General of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was not aware of the reported result announcement.

4. All 5 reported positive test cases have been contacted and they have showed no COVID-19 symptoms.

5. While the tests were being processed in NCDC approved test facilities, all suspected cases were held in isolation.

6. Several sample batches have been previously sent for testing from Akwa Ibom State and they all returned negative results.

7. Owing to the irregularities observed in the testing and reporting procedure, Health Care Professionals in Akwa Ibom State have called for an immediate reconfirmation test on the 5 reported cases.

8. The results will be made public; following due process.

9. Health Care Professionals in Akwa Ibom State have also appealed to the NCDC to ensure that all future tests are conducted following due process in order to maintain continued confidence in the process. 

10. Residents and citizens are enjoined to remain calm while observing all personal and respiratory hygiene guidelines earlier issued as well as adhere to the social distancing prescriptions.

11. The Enforcement Committee of the Quarantine and Restriction of Movement Regulations 2020 have been mandated to see to the full operation of the provisions of the regulations.

12. The Incident Management committee will continue to meet on a daily basis to review and analyze the situation while updates will be provided as and when due.

Together, we can stop the spread of this pandemic.

Let’s be safe; let’s stay safe. 

Signed:

Dr. Dominic Ukpong

Hon. Commissioner

Ministry of Health

Valuable Links:

1. GOVERNMENT OF AKWA IBOM STATE PRESS RELEASE: NO BAN ON SOCIAL GATHERINGS
2. Coronavirus: Akwa Ibom questions NCDC’s announcements, demands second tests
3. Nigeria Centre for Disease Control

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All rights reserved by Tom Okure, Ph.D President and CEO of Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc (or ICMS, Inc). The information included in this article may not be used, reproduced, transmitted, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written permission of ICMS, Inc. The author Dr. Tom Okure is President of ICMS, Inc, a multifaceted business and management consulting firm with its head office in Albany, New York. Dr. Okure is a writer, author, business/management consultant, public policy advisor and commentator and a change advocate.