Security Expert, Shina Phillips Wants More Sensitisation On COVID-19,As Lockdown Enters 2nd Week

TAIWO ADELU

A season security consultant, Mr. Shina Phillips, has called on the Nigerian government to embark on extensive sensitisation on the novel Coronavirus so that the citizens would be able to know much about the disease.

The 14-day lockdown ordered by President Muhammdu Buhari in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19 entered its second week, but more positive cases are being recorded on daily basis across the country. It was not surprising that the Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi announced that the state is gradually recording more cases of community transmission of the pandemic.

As of Wednesday, 8 April, 2020, Nigeria has recorded 258 cases with 7 death and 44 people discharged. Lagos is topping the list with 139 cases followed by Abuja 50 and Osun state 20 cases.

Shina Phillips, a Consultant with Security Watch Africa said on the programme aired on African Television Authority (AIT) on Sunday that while he appreciated the good intention of the government on the lockdown, it would have been more appreciative if there is massive enlightenment and sensitisation campaign by the government at all levels. This, according to him, would enable Nigerians at the grassroots to know more about Coronavirus, how deadly the disease is and what necessary precaution the people must take to avoid its spreading.

“This is not a Nigeria problem alone, it is a global scourge, which has already affecting global economy including Nigeria. There is no doubt that if we all get over this, there will be recession in many countries. Government in Nigeria has done what it could do, but they should have done more in the area of sensitisation to the people because whenever thing of this nature comes up, the masses are the victims. It doesn’t mean that government does not have good intention, government has, but we need clarity on some government’s action in this period, Are we sitting at home or on lockdown? There must be clarity to explain vividly the action of government so that the people will be on the same page with the authorities.

“I think the National Orientation Agency for example must bombard the people with lot of messages on television and all mass media platforms on what COVID-19 is all about. Today, you want to look at the demography, want to know those who are educated, those who are enlightened and those who are not educated at all. So, the question is what measure of sensitisation is put in place to get messages on this disease and its danger to all the segments of the Nigerian society? Majority of these Nigerians are far in the interior and more importantly some of them are not even understand what is going on  Don’t forget that at this period we are in a war and some Nigerians don’t even understand the nature of the war we are into, even some educated Nigeria don’t know.

“Right now, we are on a divide. The poverty stricken ones believe this is a disease meant for the rich, the very wealthy and the politicians out there, unfortunately this is not the case. So the stigmatisation goes to the people up there. The thinking is that the politicians had in the past made promises and failed, so they should suffer for it,” he said.

Shina Phillips, the CEO of Matchmakers Consult International Limited, is known to many as one of the pioneers of modern day Nollywood and a versatile FIFA-Licensed Players’ Agent, however, commended the Nigerian security agents for the professionalism put in the coordinating the enforcement of the lockdown.

“Unlike the recklessness we used to experience when things like this happened in the past, We thank God that there has been safety of people. The Chief of Army Staff has done greatly and I must commend the Inspector General of Police for a coordinated security measure across the country,” he said.

Shina Phillips is the initiator of the prestigious Nigeria Pitch Awards and an FRSC Celebrity Marshall; not many however know him as a seasoned security expert known for his professional and in-depth knowledge of security issues. His involvement in security dates back to the late 1990s. He is a regular face on Security Watch Africa Programme on the Africa Independent Television (AIT). He has served as an International Assessor for ‘Security Watch Africa’ and ‘Security Watch Africa Awards’.