THESHIELD Garkuwa
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A Member of the House of Representatives, representing Bodinga /Dange- Shuni/ Tureta Federal Constituency ( PDP-Sokoto), Hon. Balarabe Shehu Kakale, says insecurity is far worse a tragedy in Nigeria , than the raging global Coronavirus Disease ( COVID-19).
Hon. Kakale disclosed this at the weekend ,when he commented on the recent fatal banditry attack on the Gangara community in Sabon Birni Local Government of Sokoto State , resulting in the death of no fewer than twenty two innocent persons.
He also lamented that,the attack resulting in the injuring of scores of persons, some had been kidnapped, while others had gone missing , propertIies were destroyed, including houses that were completely razed down.
The MP averred ,” myriad of measures had been taken by the Federal Government on the COVID 19 which are appropriate and commendable , like the Economic Stimulus Package, with States, Ministries and Agencies given tens of Billions of Naira to fight the scourge.
” There were also other Anti Corona economic measures taken by the Federal Government in Social Investment , Import waivers,food and family support, among others, to curb its menace .”
Hon. Kakale further decried that ,the insecurity virus needed to be urgently addressed by the Federal Government by deploying similar or even more decisive measures of security lockdown and economic lift up to deal with the deadly insecurity virus.
According to the him, the Federal Government should be encouraged to take very serious, the many resolutions, acts and other measures the Legislature has diligently provided so far, to tackle insecurity and other socioeconomic challenges in the country.
” The same strategies and vigour applied on COVID -19, should be applied on insecurity, youths unemployment, the Almajiri syndrome , as well as the myriad of challenges plaguing health and education in Nigeria.
Hon Kakale condoled the Government and people of Sokoto State on the unfortunate incident that resulted in the perishing of several lives of innocent persons. He also commended the state government for its swift response to contain the crisis.
On Malaria, Hon Kakale drew a metaphorical inference between Malaria and COVID-19, stressing, ” Today, the Science of an Anti malarial drug, Chloroquine is being used to treat COVID 19, therefore , the Economics of the response applied on the COVID -19, should be applied on malaria and other infectious diseases and health challenges.
” It kills far more greater number of Nigerians, with an average economic loss of about one Trillion Naira annually .
That gesture is what I will call positive Malaria-COVID 19 reverse linkage. Simple.!
” Chloroquine is used for the treatment of malaria , while the same antimalarial drug is currently the global drug of choice in the treatment of COVID-19.
” There are ongoing multinational clinical trials in this direction and they are producing promising results .”
Dr Kakale futher lamented that, Nigeria suffers the world greatest Malaria burden, with thirty per cent of all cases in Africa with over 50 Million People infected and over 200,000 deaths annually.
In the same vein, it is responsible for sixty per cent of all Hospital visits in Nigeria , asking, ” can you compare that with COVID 19?
” Therefore, the series of Anti Coronavirus economic measures taken so far , should be applied on malaria in Nigeria , for its contributions in fighting the pandemic.”
