For the past six months, the most dominant discussion in the media worldwide is the issue of coronavirus, otherwise known as Covid-19. The media has successfully set the agenda for public discuss on Covid-19. Narrowing down to Nigeria, even a street child is familiar with the name Covid-19, this became possible due to the heavy media reportage on the pandemic.
The reportage of the pandemic has caused fear in the minds of many. The major message of the Covid-19 campaign is that of preventative measure. From the beginning, the people were afraid of the pandemic considering its global social and economic damage. The use of face mask is what characterised the uniqueness of people in the street and public places. For some time, people have forgotten their differences, the central message is together we can fight the pandemic. Though there are issues regarding the lockdown that had happened – no social gathering, market, and even religious gathering – but still to a certain extent people adhered to the Covid-19 campaign.
The central campaign message is social distancing, frequent washing of hands and wearing of face mask often. Yes, this is right, but my concern is, why are there changes in the level of the adherence to the preventive measure of Covid-19? You no longer see people with face mask often, no hand washing stand points in public places, social distancing is now a mirage.The level of acceptability and believability of Covid-19 cases in Nigeria is now questionable. People no longer believe and adhere to the instructions. This is what I term as “Right campaign, wrong message”. From the beginning, the media campaign messages should have been that of inculcating the message that will make people to believe the existence of the disease. Though at a point people believed the existence of the pandemic, but in my opinion, Covid-19 reportage in Nigeria is politically inclined. I have watched many gatherings of stakeholders; people responsible for the Covid-19 campaign, it surprised me to clearly see the hypocritical message; no social distancing, and not all with facemask. The campaign sent different messages while their action portrayed different things. This is also one of the things that influenced the level of believability of the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria now. Dear leaders (stakeholders), Nigerians are tired of the hypocritical message of Covid-19. Protecting the lives and properties of citizens is the first responsibility you have sworn to do. The pandemic is real, but politicising the pandemic is a danger to humanity and all sectors, most especially the economy and education. People from the grassroots are now suffering from hyper inflation, the exorbitant prices of both food and nonfood items have put tears in the eyes of many Nigerians and also their children have set backs in education. We are all Nigerians, we elected you there, protecting our interest should be your priority. We still have hope in you. Know also we still pray for you, but our prayers will be more effective if you decide to accept change. God bless Nigeria. Musa Luka Musa08164128842[email protected]
