Lockdown: Human Rights Groups Want Osun Govt To Provide More Palliatives For Residents

The coalition of civil society organisations in Osun also known as COVID-19 CSOs Emergency Intervention Group (CEIG) has urged Osun State government to provide more palliative for the residents of the State as the group noted that the effect of lockdown in the state is telling more now on the people more than ever before.

The group gave this advice in a press statement signed by the duo of the Osun State Coordinator of the Group, Pastor Ayo Okelana, and the group’s spokesperson, Comrade Jamiu Ganiyu while assessing the performance of the State government in handing the global pandemic ravaging the entire world, of which the State has been having its share for some time now.

The group described many proactive steps of the State government as being pleasing, and which must be commended by all and sundry.

The press release reads: “We the COVID-19 CSOs Emergency Intervention Group (CEIG) in Osun State humbly use this medium to commend the effort of the State Government over the proactive manners the government has handled the cases of the new Coronavirus in the State. This administration has indeed shown charismatic leadership at a most critical time.”

“We must specially commend the Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, for leading by example and a kudos to all his team for the great job so far; that despite the sudden rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the State courtesy of the mass returnees from Ivory Coast, the government still ensured the pandemic didn’t get out of hand.”

“We must, however, say that the government needed to do more especially on the security of our borders. While we are aware that the government is currently putting barriers on those borders, we would like to also suggest that security agencies and the State Taskforce should be warned not to compromise their services irrespective who is involved; as well as to add a human face to the discharging of their duties, which would show their citizen-friendly aptitude.” Of course, we are glad that the irresponsible act of some over jealous Nigerian Police officers in Iwo area of the State recently was treated swiftly and how justice prevailed.”

“The State government as a matter of urgency is also urged to do all in her capacity to provide more palliative package to more residents of the State. As it is, the lockdown is seriously biting hard, and with much sorrow and packages of spirit, the people keep asking us what we have brought for them, as we try to discharge our humanitarian duties in the communities. As it is, not only those considered to be the poor of the poor are currently being affected; but the daily-earners too have already exhausted their savings as a result of the lockdown entering the third week.”

“We hereby besiege our beloved fatherly Governor to look inwardly and rally more outwardly to provide more support for our people, while the public health safety is simultaneously upheld. A hungry population is a population susceptible to mental illness, and a mad man is capable of countless vices.”

“In conclusion, the Osun COVID-19 CSOs Emergency Intervention Group (CEIG) as a coalition is open to working with the State Government to offer our expertise to further consolidate on the recent gains on ground. We also ask both national and international organisations for support for the people of Osun. We are the State of the virtuous . We are peaceful and accommodating. We are also open to profitable industrialisation.”

COVID-19 CSOs Emergency Intervention Group (CEIG) is a composition of several Non-Governmental Organisations across Nigeria with chapters across the thirty-six State of the federation and the FCT.

We do among other things: sensitize and raise awareness campaigns on the COVID-19 pandemic; Mobilise for resources and distribution of palliatives, as well as monitor the campaigns engage with government agencies and key stakeholders within the State.

We are in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian, Disaster Management & Social Development; Federal Capital Development Administration, and several other Government Agencies across the nation.