Lockdown: Kano residents speak on expectations

The lockdown imposed on Kano State by the Federal Government will expire on Monday. However, some residents bare their minds on their expectations after the expiration of the lockdown.

Suleiman Ahmad, Public Commentator

I expect no distinctive change in terms of what the lockdown was meant to achieve.
The lockdown order was dead the day it was announced, ask around and you will agree with me on this. The lockdown order was just a pronouncement and the agencies that ought to impose the order were virtually nowhere to be found in the state.
Moreover, the state government seemed not bothered on the plight of its citizens because it failed in enlightening the people on what the lockdown was meant to achieve in terms of curtailing the community transmission stage.
It is apparent that Kano State, as the business hub of Africa, will not be the same again until this pandemic is handled globally.
To be honest, I expect no change in terms of Covid-19 management as well as the people’s attitude towards the whole lockdown phenomena as an instrument to curb the spread of the virus.

Abubakar Isah Bakori, Educationist

No doubt, the lockdown has wrecked havoc on Nigeria’s economy, but we might have some ways to put the pieces back together after the expiration of the lockdown period. Globally, the world is experiencing the most difficult economic situation since World War II.
Everything we do during and after this lockdown must be with a strong focus on building more equal, inclusive and sustainable economies and societies that are more resilient in the face of hardship.
However, wrong actions and policies taken by any state will leave a severe impact on people. This is not the time for political point-scoring and fight with each other rather it is high time for calls to cooperate, coordinate, and help each other to defeat this pandemic first to save the nation’s economic and financial structure, as well as people’s lives.
After the lockdown, there is a need to continue with essential containment measures and support for the health system. There is also the need to shield affected people and reduce stress to the financial system.

Idris Basheer, Civil Servant

We expect apt and prompt strategies that will enlighten and educate the general public on the dangers of this virus.
Unfortunately, many of us only know the virus by name and not what it can do. Worse still, many don’t even believe in its existence. That is why the lockdown didn’t make any difference to the people.
I expect a serious awareness campaign from the authorities concerned on the dangers and risks of the pandemic as well as effective strategies to be taken by individuals to stay safe.
Similarly, the lack of palliatives has rubbished the whole essence of the lockdown and as such, I expect the state government to consider an effective palliative distribution strategy should the need to extend the lockdown arise.

Jiddah Abubakar Muahammad

I think after the lockdown, people in Kano would have to deal with hike in prices of goods and commodities, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) would have to struggle with getting back on their feet.
People have to make do with the loss of loved ones, childbirths and some breakups in marriage or relationships.
It is also apparent that some marriages will come out stronger and some broken after the lockdown period. This is due to the fact that some men who initially have no idea what goes on in their homes now have the opportunity of knowing how much is spent in a week, while the busy husbands who don’t have time for their wives were forced to have the time.
Again, conception is natural when the opposite genders are locked together for awhile.
But on the bright side, our health system would be improved because we have seen what it is like to have a weak health system. I pray that our government would be more focused in addressing these issues.

Usman Audu, Civil Servant

Kano lockdown is partially effective only on the major roads in the city but people still go about their normal business; they attend mosque five times daily without maintaining social distancing.
In my opinion, there is a need for Mr. President to either extend the lockdown but with more seriousness in specific places or relax the lockdown and enforce compulsory use of facemask with strict adherence to social distancing because the present lockdown we experienced is more of a waste of time.

Hamza Ibrahim, Development worker

Of the government wants to ease the suffering of the people, it must develop and implement a robust, transparent and accountable palliative approach with multi stakeholder participation for transparency and accountability. The National Bureau of Statistics’ report that 82.9 million Nigerians live in poverty is a great indicator that this lockdown will worsen the situation.

Jibril B Liman, Business man

After the lockdown, I expect robust and improved healthcare delivery services in the state with a more effective system that will adequately provide for the citizenry.
During the lockdown, a lot of sectors suffered especially the economic and health sectors. I expect the Kano State government to be more responsible as well as responsive to the plight of the people, let there be an attempt to assist the drowning business community in the state.
We expect to see changes in the health sector because the sector has received more attention than any sector in recent times.

Fati Danladi Isa (Asirka), Actress

The problem is that most of the people in Kano State are not aware of the motive behind the lockdown. Many viewed it as an infringement on their right and that’s what they believe and perceived it to be.

Therefore, after the lockdown, I expect people not to change from their normal ways of life. As far as I’m concerned, their daily life pattern wouldn’t change except for the fact that other social aspects that were affected by the lockdown will not get back to normalcy.

However, I expect a revived health delivery system that will be responsible and responsive to the public needs because the system had received a push from various sectors due to the pandemic.