Abuja Business and Excellence Group, an interest group and organizer of the yearly "Business & Excellence Awards" plans to host the first ever Post COVID-19 Award & Symposium 2020 tagged; Beating COVID-19 2020. The event which is designed to laud the achievements of those at the frontline of the fight against the Pandemic over the past months seeks to award groups like the Presidential Task Force (PTF) members, Healthcare providers,manufacturers, Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC), the Honorable Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and state governors namely; Lagos, Kaduna, Rivers and Oyo states.
The group who expressed optimism in the performances of the targeted awardees indicated that the effects of the Pandemic would have been worst off on the country if these groups had not managed efficiently the resources available to them.
Pandemic which came as a surprise to the whole world was expected to have more devastating damage on the African continent, especially a country like Nigeria was to be more badly hit due to its high population and poor health care infrastructure.
On the 27th of February 2020, Nigeria confirmed its first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). One
hundred days after, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 11,844 confirmed cases
and 333 deaths. Additionally, 3,696 people have been treated and discharged successfully. The COVID19 pandemic has affected over 100 countries across the world. Over 6 million people have been affected,
and the number of deaths has exceeded 300,000 as at the 6th of June 2020.
As Nigeria’s Public Health Institute, NCDC continues to work alongside other agencies under the
supervision of the Federal Ministry of Health, in leading the public health response to the outbreak. In
addition, the agency has played a key role in the multi-sectoral response, within the Presidential Task
Force on COVID-19 (PTF-COVID-19), established by President Muhammadu Buhari.
One hundred days after the first case, we remember all Nigerians who have passed away from the
disease.
To ensure a well-coordinated emergency response, NCDC activated a Level 3 Emergency Operations
Centre (EOC) on the 27th of February 2020. Prior to this, the National EOC was in alert mode; monitoring
the spread in other countries, carrying out risk assessments and strengthening Nigeria’s preparedness.
During this time, NCDC developed technical guidelines, response plans and trained health workers across
the country. The National EOC includes representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health, other sister
agencies and partners.
Prior to the confirmation of the first case, NCDC supported four laboratories within its molecular
laboratory network to activate testing for COVID-19. Since then, the number of laboratories has
increased to 30, with a combined minimum capacity of 10,000 tests daily. The goal is to expand to at
least 10 more laboratories by the end of June, leveraging on Gene-Xpert capacity for Tuberculosis
diagnosis.
The safety of health workers has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s response strategy to COVID-19. Since
the first case was confirmed, NCDC has supported the training of 13,000 health workers in infection
prevention and control (IPC) as well as case management. In collaboration with the Departments of
Hospital Services and Food and Drugs of the Federal Ministry of Health, NCDC has also ensured that
health workers are provided with the required personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce the risk
of health workers’ infection.
As part of its mandate, NCDC has provided support to all states in Nigeria. Over the last three years, in
preparedness for major outbreaks, the agency supported the establishment of State Public Health
Emergency Operations Centres in 23 of the 30 states in Nigeria, without polio or public health EOCs.
These EOCs have served as the coordination hub at state level since the first case was confirmed in
Nigeria. The NCDC has deployed its highest number of rapid response teams - with 37 teams across 34
states and the FCT. The extent of this response has been supported by the deployment of additional
surge teams from the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (NFELTP), the
World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC). NCDC continues
to support every State with medical supplies, transportation of samples, training of health workers, risk
communications and other response activities.
The NCDC launched the #TakeResponsibility campaign which has formed the cornerstone of public
health messaging. This is done by leveraging on social media, mainstream media and other avenues to
encourage Nigerians to take responsibility for protecting themselves and loved ones and preventing the
spread of COVID-19. Over 150 jingles currently air on radio and television, reaching communities across the country. With the support of Nigeria’s telecommunication companies, over 100 million text
messages have been sent out since February 2020 reminding Nigerians about measures that can be
taken to protect themselves from COVID-19. The NCDC continues to work closely with the Federal
Ministry of Information and Culture, as well as the National Orientation Agency to educate Nigerians on
how to protect themselves.
A key strength of Nigeria’s response has been the strong collaboration among Federal Government
Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as with partners. As part of the global and regional
response, NCDC has received guidance and support from WHO, Africa Centres for Disease Control and
the West African Health Organisation.
The response to the pandemic has not been without challenges – global competition for access to
reagents and medical supplies limited the initial testing capacity of the molecular laboratories. Today,
the Presidential Task Force paid a visit to the National Reference Laboratory in Gaduwa, Abuja, in
recognition of the role the apex laboratory is playing in response to the pandemic. Strengthening
laboratory capacity nationwide and increasing access to testing is a major priority for Nigeria’s response,
in the coming months. The NCDC continues to work with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research,
Medical Laboratory and Science Council of Nigeria and other partners to carry out laboratory related
research and validation, as Nigeria scales up its testing capacity.
Since the first confirmed case was reported, several health workers have been at
the forefront.
The Federal Government of Nigeria is rolling out several measures and directives on healthcare, border security, and fiscal and monetary policies in response to the pandemic. More measures are coming. The President has set up an Economic Sustainability Committee chaired by Vice President Osinbajo, to develop a comprehensive economic plan to respond to the disruptions and dislocations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The President has also set up a Presidential Task Force on #COVID-19, chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, with Dr. Sani Aliyu as the National Coordinator. The PTF is coordinating Nigeria’s multi-sectoral inter-governmental approach to COVID-19.
The President also set up a Committee made up of the Minister and Minister of State of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the 2020 Budget and to recommend appropriate and immediate response strategies.
The efforts of these groups deserve commendation which is why Abuja Business and Excellence Group deemed it wise to commemorate the remarkable progress recorded so far in the country, and as a booster to other stakeholders to sit up in fostering the fight against the Pandemic.
The event is slated for the next couple of months as the organizers will be promoting it on various media channels. It is targeted to reach up to 20 million participants.
Orkuma Simon Tuleh,
Business and Investment Consultant, MD/CEO, Dapines Global Investors Ltd
Orkuma Simon Tuleh,
Business and Investment Consultant, MD/CEO, Dapines Global Investors Ltd
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