– Insists Cases Highly Exaggerated
– Wants Government to Pay Workers Salary
By Dorcas Samson Achi
Imo State Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) has expressed concern over the sufferings of Imolites caused by Covid19 pandemic and non-payment of workers’ salaries.They expressed this feeling during a Courtesy visit to the Nigeria Watchdog Newspaper yesterday.
The Chairman of the Committee, Rev Dr Uche Emeghara during the visit stressed on the reality of Covid-19 in Imo state as well as explaining how the media have succeeded in exaggerating the situations around and putting fear in individuals. He assured of the committee’s involvement in creating Covid19 awareness because most Christians don’t believe in the existence of Covid-19 hence do not obey the rules and regulations as laid down by the government to prevent the spread of the virus.
According to the Chairman, the Imo Covid-19 Taskforce Committee should involve the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in all their activities to enable the church sensitize the congregation because people have doubts in the government and police.
Elder Joseph Chibunna, a member of the committee expressed the group’s passion and burden in helping Imolites as exemplified in their willingness to stop the poverty rate that the virus has created. He urged wealthy individuals to partner with them and support the masses through their strong and trusted structure.
Mr Nnorom Christian, another member of the committee inferred on the importance of strict adherence to the preventive measures such as maintaining social distancing, constant washing of hands with soap and running water, use of sanitizers and wearing of face masks. He urged the government not to kill the people while trying to save them. “The people cannot obey the lockdown rules when tortured by hunger and poverty”, he averred.
In response to their speeches, Comrade Precious Nwadike , the Publisher of Nigeria Watchdog Newspaper commended them for their wise moves and enjoined them to sustain the advocacy. He promised to use his media outfit to support the group in his capacity by communicating their ideas and voices. He later donated 100 facemasks for the organization to distribute to old and poor people.
The publisher condemned the government’s implementation of strict adherence to Covid-19 rules whereas the workers and pensioners have not been paid salaries and pensions. He added that some people cannot afford sanitizers and facemasks considering the nature of the economy and the pensioners who are vulnerable to this virus have been protesting on the streets for their salaries at the detriment of their health and risk of contacting the Coronavirus.
The high point of the visit was a special prayer for the steady growth of the Newspaper even as it expands it scope with the name change to Nigeria Watchdog Newspaper,starting from today.
Other members of the organization in company of the chairman were Elder Justice Ebere; Secretary of the Committee, Elder Okpara Emmanuel; Member, Sis Nkwocha Chisom Ruth; Member, Comrade Abed Chidi Onyeyiri; Member, Nelson Nkeiruka Nwuke, YOWICAN Secretary, amongst others.
