Murtala’s daughter seeks war time strategies on Kano COVID-19 deaths

The eldest child of the former Head of State, late General Murtala Muhammed, Mrs. Aisha Oyebode-Muhammed, has called for war-time strategies among other measures to check the increasing deaths of residents in Kano state over the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.

Oyebode-Muhammed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF), declared that the situation in her home state deserves strong leadership action, and not to adopt a fatalist view of the situation by remaining in denial.

In an open letter to the state Governor, Abduallai Ganduje, a copy which was made available to newsmen in Lagos, on Monday, Oyebode-Muhammed lamented that “Kano state already has considerable developmental challenges that threaten to be compounded by this pandemic.

“We have a huge population, endemic poverty and high rate of illiteracy amongst other indicators that make us extremely vulnerable. This portends horrendous catastrophe for our people if, God forbid, we lose the war against COVID 19.

“I therefore, entreat you to take necessary action to urgently address this predicament and save the people of Kano.”

She however, recommended a 7-point step as a way forward, which according to her demands urgent and coordinated action.

“Some of the steps I would like to suggest are declare a state of emergency in Kano state with immediate effect; exercise your powers as governor to lockdown the entire state.

“Work with the Nigerian security forces to enforce this and embark on a community awareness programme to sensitize all indigenes and residents of the state to protocols that have been prescribed by the WHO including: hand washing, social distancing, use of face masks and self-isolation.

“Adopt war time strategies to minimize the spread of the virus, which would include commandeering existing infrastructure as isolation centres, in particular re-purposing boarding schools and university accommodation as much needed beds for the sick.

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“Practice intense tracing, categorization and management of contacts, provide health care workers on the frontline with adequate personal protective equipment and adopt NCDC guidelines in dealing with those who have been confirmed infected, as well as enforce adherence to guidelines for the burial of deceased persons.

“Nigeria and indeed, Africa have been lucky, as our treatment outcomes so far have been remarkable.

“Therefore, urgent and coordinated action must be taken and the support of all stakeholders must be sought to turn the tide against this aggressive contagion in Kano state, to save us from the dire projected outcomes.

“Your Excellency, we are looking to you for direction and leadership at this time, and assure you of our support and that of many well-meaning individuals and institutions within and outside the state.

“Every minute counts! May God help us!” the MMF chief executive officer stated.