There is no doubt that this is not the best of time for leaders, the world over in view of the rampaging corona virus pandemic which has tasked the entire world.
Nigeria, as a member of the global village has not been an exception with rising level of citizens who have contacted the disease with fatalities being recorded. This is why all efforts being made by state governors, especially the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwoolu who leads the pack in the concerted efforts to fight the pandemic.
Equally commendable is the move by the Oyo State government with the establishment of a diagnostic centre, in partnership with the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, the first to be established by a state government in Nigeria.
Although governments, both Federal and state, were slow in rising to the challenge posed by the pandemic in terms of proactive preparedness, the responses so far is commendable.
However, it is imperative that the Federal government reviews its position on the lockdown, which only affects Lagos, Ogun and FCT leaving out Oyo, which has the third highest reported cases.
Equally, Oyo State was not captured in the palliatives announced for Lagos State and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) by President Muhammadu Buhari in his national broadcast.
However, there is no doubt that the fight against the pandemic will task states, especially in terms of finances. This is why it is important that Oyo State benefits from the largesse that the Federal government is making available to fight the Covid 19.
Equally, Oyo State should be included in the lockdown in view of its proximity to Lagos and Ogun States, the epicentre of the pandemic. Not only this, the state has international boundary with Benin Republic as well as being a gate way to the Eastern and Northern parts of the country. Leaving out the state will pose a dangerous threat to the efforts to flatten the curve of the spread.
A stitch in time saves nine, that is the counsel that the Federal government should harken to without delay or being bi-partisan.
Dr. Bayo Busari, a lecturer at Lead City University, Ibadan, is also a public affairs analyst.
