Categories: Featured

Close up’ social distancing as Lagos distributes coronavirus food aid

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 02:56 pm

Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, is the country’s most impacted with coronavirus infection. As of April 3, Lagos alone accounted for 98 out of 190 cases recorded across Africa’s most populous country.

The state government led by governor BabaJide Sanwo-Olu weeks back announced a stimulus package to cushion the less vulnerable members of the state.

But at one of the many food distribution points, the crammed nature of the crowd in compact, crowded queues was a far cry from social distancing regulations which have been repeatedly announced as a key prevention measure against the virus.

The state government said it had budgeted for 200,000 households to receive food rations. Nearly 1.2 million Lagos residents could receive this donation, authorities have said. Whiles recipients thanks the government for its efforts, on social media; the atmosphere at the distribution was a grave source for concern.

A beneficiary said after receiving her package: “I’m so happy that my country remembers me. This is the first time I’ve received anything from the government. I am so happy. God will continue to bless them in the name of Jesus.” For the authorities, this distribution of food is a response to the health emergency decreed in the country because of the coronavirus.

Gbolahan Lawal, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture told the media: “In response to the emergency situation we have, COVID-19, considering the fact that we already have a lockdown, we want to reduce contact between people. So we decided to stimulate the economy. Stimulating the economy is in terms of food. Emergency food response.”

The federal government imposed a lockdown on Lagos, Ogun States and on Federal Capital Abuja, in a bid to curb the spread of the virus which has so far claimed two lives in the country. 20 people have also been discharged.

Albert Echetah

Recent Posts

South African Group Petitions For Chidimma Adetshina’s Removal FromInternational Miss Universe Pageant Over Identity Fraud Allegations

A group called Progressive Forces in South Africa has launched a petition against MissUniverse Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina, with the aim…

November 5, 2024

Mauritius Reopens Social MediaAccess in Response to PublicPressure

Mauritius on Saturday overruled its decision to prohibit social media until the election onNovember 10th which was caused by a…

November 5, 2024

UAE Crown Prince Arrives in Ethiopia for WorldWithout Hunger Conference

The UAE’s Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed AlNahyan was in Addis Ababa…

November 5, 2024

Zimbabwe’s rich (Mbingas) linked to state looting

Gilbert Machokoto, a former teacher, said that setting up a business in the late 1980s, shortlyafter Zimbabwe's independence, was ‘like…

November 4, 2024

Historic Shift in Botswana as PresidentConcedes to Opposition Victory

Following elections in which the party that had ruled the diamond-rich nation for almost 60years suffered a historic setback. Botswana's…

November 4, 2024

Lightning Strike at Uganda Refugee CampClaims 14 Lives, Including Children

A lightning strike at a refugee camp in Uganda kills 14 people including children with 34 othershospitalized. The incident happened…

November 4, 2024

This website uses cookies.