As the rate of the Coronavirus pandemic continue to increase in Nigeria and the globe, Urhobo Progress Youths Association, UPYA, a non governmental organisation has put up modalities to distribute preventative materials in other to contain the spread of Covid -19 in Ughelli North local government area of Delta State.
Though, no case of the pandemic disease has been recorded in Delta state, the Team leader of UPYA, Comrade Marcus Ekure disclosed that ‘Prevention is better than Cure’.
In a press release, Ekure said, “This is to inform the general public that UPYA will be distributing free hand sanitizers, liquid soaps, Jik (bleach) to the general public and main target are the less privileged.
According to him, “This decision was reached after UPYA carried out through some of its members, a surveillance on the average perception of people towards the COVID-19 pandemic and related directives so far.
“These was done by interaction with members of the public at mechanic workshops, some clubs and market women. It was observed that :
Some believe that it is a scam. They don’t believe in anything called coronavirus. In fact, some struggle to call the real name.
Some others think that even if there is anything of such, it will not come near them. They believe in faith and do not want to follow the government and health directives.
Some others believe that they have traditional means to cure or resist coronavirus. One said he believes in “monkey tail”. Another said it has not killed any black man.
There were some others who said they believed in the danger of the pandemic but don’t have the means to get the materials needed to keep safe and stay healthy.
With these, it was imperative that more needed to be done and no extra effort is too much. We need to sensitize group 1 to 3 and help them especially group 4 to get free items so that we can all join the fight against coronavirus.
We also advise other Nigeria citizens, politicians and religious leaders to follow the humanitarian calling of being their brothers keeper by sensitizing their neighbors and sharing materials with them.
Remember, we are not safe until we are all safe.
On his part, the Director of Programs, Comrade Counselor Dennis Agori appeal to residents of Ughelli North to avail themselves of the opportunity.
He said, “UPYA as a team is poise to the society a better place for the safety of lives and in time like this, is a call to duty.
“We must sensitize our people on the need for their safety and personal hygiene which is the simplest way to avoid the contact of the deadly world disease. “
