Kano: Another Pandemic in a Pandemic – NCP Chairman

28th April 2020

In a press release by the National Chairman of National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr Yunusa Tanko, Exclusively Published by Intel News Nigeria, the Chairman calls for immediate intervention by the Federal Government in Kano as the regards the hundreds of mysterious deaths now being recorded in the state, as well as the need to implement drastic measures to contain the growing Pandemic……

ANOTHER PANDEMIC IN A PANDEMIC (KANO SITUATION): THE NEED FOR URGENT INTERVENTION

1 The deaths in Kano are no longer a hidden phenomenon, as the day breaks, the death toll rises.

1. It is with utmost concern and love for our people that I call on the Federal Government and Gov. Ganduje to treat the cases in Kano as a matter of National Emergency.
2. It has been labelled “strange deaths” but as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is our basic right and foremost obligation for the Government to protect the lives and properties of every Nigerian; when they fail to do so, then we can say we have no Government.
3. The people of Kano cannot be dying mysteriously in this season of a pandemic outbreak, and less effort is been put on ground, to either ascertain if the deaths are linked to coronavirus, or something else ‘strange’ is happening.
4. The Government is answerable to her people.
5. We are having increasing death toll in kano without proper and well coordinated protection.
6. The committee set up by the state government is in disarray with members already infected.
7. The government of the day says it is not Coronavirus, while It was reported by daily trust sometime last week that over one hundred are reported dead.
8. The Federal government need to come in quickly to assist the people of Kano with finance and technical know-how and enlightenment program; because the people need to be educated on the virus because many do not not believe that the virus exist which poses a huge challenge.
9. On the 24th of April, 2020, the media was agog with the news of the demise of top prominent men from Kano, which is really a sad day in the history of Kano State.
10. Notwithstanding, i must commend Mr. President for his speech on Monday, and maintaining the stand that Kano must be in total lockdown, as to help combat the ‘strange illness’ in the land.
11. However, lockdown without no adequate provision of palliatives is still horrendous; as there is bound to be civil breakdown of law and order.

What is the way forward?

1. I hereby, call on the Federal and State Governments to ensure the availability of palliative measures to cushion the effect of the total lockdown.
2. To provide adequate test kits and increase the testing capacity for COVID19 in Kano; also create more available NCDC centers.

15 The State Government should ensure all notable public places are fumigated.

16 I also call on the Kano State Police Command to be very proactive and vigilant, beef up her current security structure and remain alert. Just like we saw in Lagos, period of total lockdown, is always an opportunity for criminals to perpetuate evil and carry out crime.

1. Traditional and religious leaders in Kano state should also be saddled with the responsibility of informing their subjects and are to be more decisive in enlightening their subjects on the dangers of flouting NCDC (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control) and WHO (World Health Organization) preventive measures against COVID-19 and other preventive measures reeled out by the authorities.
2. I also recommend proper staff (health workers) training on these recommendations, as well as the adequate procurement and availability of the necessary PPE and other supplies and facilities which should primarily be provided by the Government at all levels.
3. I call on the people of Kano to disinfect facemasks before and after use; wash hands regularly with soap and water, despite the use of facemasks; use hand sanitizer despite use of facemask; don’t touch your face (mouth, nose, ears), unless with washed hands; and take personal proactive measures; always remind everyone in your household to keep to the rules and guidelines in staying safe from COVID-19.

How can we win the war against Civic 19?

1. It is a know maxim that you cannot win the enemy, you don’t know; the first act of warfare, is identifying your enemy; aggressive educational campaigns should be carried out in Kano to grossly inform the populace about COVID19, means of transmission and ways of prevention.

How Could Contact Tracing Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19?

1. Anyone who comes into close contact with someone who has COVID-19 is at increased risk of becoming infected themselves, and of potentially infecting others. Contact tracing can help prevent further transmission of the virus by quickly identifying and informing people who may be infected and contagious, so they can take steps to not infect others.
2. Contact tracing begins with identifying everyone that a person recently diagnosed with COVID-19 has been in contact with since they became contagious. In the case of COVID-19, a person may be contagious 48 to 72 hours before they started to experience symptoms.
3. The contacts are notified about their exposure. They may be told what symptoms to look out for, advised to isolate themselves for a period of time, and to seek medical attention as needed if they start to experience symptoms.
4. I thereby call on every Nigerian to pray for Kano, Lagos and every other state that is currently been ravaged by COVID19.
5. We pray to be together once again after the pandemic we shall over by the grace God Almighty Allah

Dr Yunusa Tanko
NCP National Chairman