NIMN Urges Nigerians To Unite To Defeat Coronavirus

0

The National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, NIMN, has urged Nigerians to unite in combating the rampaging COVID-19 pandemic currently ravaging the world.

The institute made this call through a press statement signed by its President and Chairman of Council, Tony Agenmonmen. While noting that the increasing cases of COVID-19 or Coronavirus infection globally and in Nigeria in particular is alarming, the institute also noted that it is creating heightened apprehension and fear as the end to the scourge seems not to be in sight.

In part, the statement observed, “These are certain and very challenging times with far reaching implications on our social and economic lives. However, this is not the time to give in to the despondency, surrender to helplessness and resign ourselves to fate. Rather, this is the period to dig deep into our reservoir of courage and resilience, and be resolute in our collective avowal to confront the monster challenge of Corona virus pandemic. Last time, together we defeated Ebola. This, time, united, we can also defeat coronavirus.”

In mitigating the spread of the deadly coronavirus, the institute advised Nigerians to ensure strict adherence to the advisory published and announced by the relevant health authorities-WHO, Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC, to manage and contain the spread of the virus.

It also urged Nigerians against spreading panic through the dissemination of fake news: “The situation is already bad enough. So, we should not be part of fake news been peddled around on social media which can only serve to create more fears among our people.”

While observing that the federal and various state governments have imposed restrictive measures to combat the pandemic, which will no doubt cause great inconvenience and hardship to Nigerians, it clarified that the measures represent necessary sacrifices that must be made in the wake of the serious challenge posed by COVID-19.

It added, “We note and commend the various palliatives already announced by the government. We urge the government to ensure that these palliatives are not hijacked and that they reach the intended recipients. We further urge the government to do even more in alleviating the impacts on the significant population of our people whose daily means of livelihood has to be paused as a result of the various restrictions.

“We urge the federal ministry of information, through the National Orientation Agency to live to the challenge of educating our people, especially those in the rural area about the pandemic and the preventive steps to take,” the statement added.

NIMN further appreciated the various contributions made by individuals and corporate organisations towards combating the virus in Nigeria. “We salute the magnanimity and benevolence of the Nigerians, and corporate organisations that have donated generously, both in cash and kind, to the Federal and State Governments, resources to manage the Coronavirus challenge. We extend our appreciations to the state governments that have put in place some palliative packages for their people. Others that are yet to do so should recognize it as important and necessary and do the needful.

“We salute and thank our healthcare workers for their commitment and tireless effort to keep our people and country free from this pandemic.

“We admonish Nigerians to take refuge in the words of the English playwright, Williams Shakespeare who in his play, ‘As You Like It,’ stated thus, “Sweet are the uses of adversity, which, like the toad ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head.” Within the creases of adversity lays opportunities; if only we open our minds’ eye to look out for them. The current times are difficult but not different.

The institute further encouraged Nigerians to maximise the period: “We should utilize the ample time created by the stay-at-home/lockdown order to spend quality times with our loved ones and bond with our friends. We also have the opportunity to do some physical exercises to keep fit, alert and healthy. We should read educative materials to exercise our mental muscles, stay current and informed. For movie lovers, they should watch interesting movies to relax and ease tension. The time is also opportune to enroll for online courses, to update and upgrade our knowledge or to learn new skills. More importantly, these times offer us the opportunity to reconnect with God at a more personal level and have deeper understanding on what this life is all about,” it concluded.

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.