22nd April, 2020
The National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP), the youth wing of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, (MOSOP), has called for greater vigilance on the part of Ogoni youths to identify cases showing signs of COVID-19 and isolate them for proper medical attention.
President of NYCOP, Theophilus Mbagha Esq made the call today when he briefed the president of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke on efforts made by NYCOP to sensitize Ogoni communities on the coronavirus pandemic.
The briefing which took place at the national secretariat of MOSOP in Bori, traditional headquarters of the Ogoni people focused on the situation report from NYCOP which leads the surveillance team charged with the responsibility to monitor Ogoni communities and report suspected cases of coronavirus to the appropriate government agencies managing the pandemic.
Mbagha said following the broadcast of the state governor, Nyesom Wike last week confirming that there was presently no case of coronavirus in Rivers State, it was important for community youths to be very vigilant and cooperative in protecting their communities by identifying cases were symptoms of coronavirus were manifesting or suspected and reporting such cases to appropriate authorities for proper attention.
Mbagha hoped that with the cheering news of a coronavirus free Rivers State as reported by the state governor, Nyesom Wike last week, the stiff restrictions/lockdown which is currently raising the threat of death through hunger, will be relaxed.
While calling on the government to consider relaxing the lockdown in the state following the status of the Covid-19 infection as reported last week by His Excellency, Gov Nyesom Wike, the Ogoni youth leader emphasized that at this point, it is more important to raise the awareness of citizens and secure the entry points in the state.
He said it would be fruitless to protect the people, particularly the aged who appear to be most vulnerable, from dying of Covid-19 while exposing the younger population to death from hunger.
Mbagha urged Ogoni youths to support efforts of governments at all levels to check the spread of the disease in the state and also take all necessary measures for their own personal safety.