As part of its efforts to fight COVID-19 in Nigeria, the
private sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), has joined forces with traditional
rulers and community leaders in Nigeria, with the aim of driving education and
awareness about the COVID-19 global pandemic deep into the local communities.
Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi (Kusenla III), The Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom and Oba
Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, The Ayangburen of Ikorodu are among the traditional rulers
who have recently supported CACOVID’s community sensitization efforts in Lagos
State. Due to the influence, position of power and high regard accorded to these
traditional rulers by their communities, CACOVID recognizes their role as instrumental
in mobilizing and inspiring positive actions among the people, which will ultimately curb
the spread of the virus.
Shedding more light on this initiative, Mr. Amaechi Okobi, a member of the CACOVID
operational committee and Group Head, Corporate Communications, Access Bank
Nigeria, revealed that "this move is part of CACOVID's efforts to limit the community
spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Community spread has been identified as the major
means by which COVID-19 spreads, if we must reduce this trend and flatten the curve,
we must sensitize and educate the communities. To achieve this, our best route is
through the traditional rulers and community leaders, mainly because of the deep
connection and influence these leaders have on their communities. CACOVID is
committed to its goal of eradicating COVID-19 from Nigeria, and we are ready to do that
by every means possible".
On the part of the traditional rulers, they expressed optimism that the efforts of
CACOVID will pay off in the fight against the virus. They also commended the Coalition
for their work and assured their endorsement, full participation, and support in the
eradication of COVID-19 from their various communities and kingdoms.
The traditional rulers and community leaders, as part of their efforts towards curbing the
spread of the virus demonstrated personal hygiene practices such as proper hand
washing, and went on to further educate community chiefs on social distancing and
other guidelines for limiting the spread of COVID-19. They will also help in the
distribution of CACOVID relief items in their communities to help cushion the effects of
the lockdown and restriction on movement.
The Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) is partnering with the Federal
Government, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health
Organization (WHO), created with the sole aim and vision of eradicating COVID-19 from
Nigeria.
This Coalition is tasked with pulling resources across industries to provide technical and
operational support while also providing funding and building advocacy through
aggressive awareness drives. This will be achieved by collaborating with the
Government to boost private and public healthcare facilities ability to respond to the
crisis by providing funds to set up several testing, isolation and treatment centers in all
geo-political zones of Nigeria; aggressively increasing general public awareness,
education and buy-in to prevent panic and resulting chaos.