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The National Association of Delta State Students Worldwide (NADESSTU) has appealed to the Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa to extend its stimulus package to indigents and most vulnerable segments of its membership just as government considers partial relaxation of the current lockdown in the state occasioned by the ravaging Covid-19.
The students strongly commended the State government for its proactive measures to contain the spread of the deadly pathogen through timely completion of treatment and isolation facilities in the state to cater to infected patients, creation of advocacy messages, provision of protective gears as well as making available stimulus packages to cushion the effect of the lockdown on the citizenry.
NADESSTU position on behalf of over two million Delta State Students worldwide was contained in a press release addressed to Mr Governor, signed by its President, Godwin Saturday and the Secretary General, Etere Gideon was made available to newsmen on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.
The body specifically calls for a more transparent distribution mechanism devoid of politicizing in the spread of the stimulus packages in the state. Top government functionaries in the state, including the Secretary to the State Government, Police Commissioner etc were copied in the statement.
“We bring you greetings of solidarity from the National Association of Delta State Students (NADESSTU), the apex cum umbrella body of the indigenous students’ of Delta State worldwide. On behalf of the over two (2) million Delta State Students worldwide, we commend the Delta State Government ably led by His Excellence Sen. Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, the Governor of Delta State for his timely and concerted efforts thus far in combating the spread of the novel Virus in the State.
“Following the recent outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease that is ravaging the world and Nigeria today, our attention has been focused on developments within our beloved State. Also the threats posed by the disease to the state and its inhabitant cannot be downplayed, hence we have monitored closely the state governments approach to combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With the index case recorded on 7th of April 2020, major mechanisms were put in place in a bid to nip the life threatening virus in the bud, these includes the completion of the Centre for Communicable Diseases and Research, upgrade of health facilities, mass awareness cum sensitization of Deltans, launching the state food bank, procurement of mobile testing laboratory, enacting policies such as compulsory wearing of face mask and shutting down state borders are laudable approaches to combating the spread of the COVID-19 disease.
The statement continues,
“There is no gainsaying that the welfare of all Deltans’ is paramount and germane at these times while we commend the State Government for its “Food Bank” initiative it must be on record that a vast majority of Deltans have not benefitted from this gesture, most important are our members/indigent students, orphans, self-sponsored students most of whom are stranded, financially handicapped and need urgent intervention, not leaving out the Delta State Comrade community, an integral cum essential part of the State.
“We hereby call for a more transparent distribution mechanism devoid of politicizing these palliatives.
“Furthermore, as we approach partial lift of the ban on movement to enable Deltans’ engage in economic and business activities, we urge citizens and members of the public to be law abiding and comply with the State and Federal Governments directives as it concerns efforts to curb the spread of the Corona Virus Disease within the state. Precautionary measures against the Corona Virus Disease are to be exercised meticulously by all citizens to ensure that preventive efforts against the spread of the disease are not in vain.
“Conclusively, we call for professionalism from major stakeholders in the course of exercising their duty. The health workers, security agencies and media practitioners are advised to shun acts that might compromise the collective fight against the COVID-19 pandemic thereby endangering lives and properties, cause panic and societal unrest.
“In all, we are hopeful that our victory over the Novel Corona Virus Disease will be achieved in no distant time within the state, the nation and globally. We stand in solidarity with all victims of the Corona Virus Disease, praying for their quick recovery and reuniting with their friends and families.”
