Group Partners IMC On Post Covid-19 Effects On lndividual,Community

By Frederick Peters, KADUNA.

A Peace Advocacy Organization known as Taking All Men Brother’ (TAMEB)In partnership with Interfaith Mediation Centre,(lMC). Kaduna organized a One-Day seminar in Kaduna on Saturday to appraise the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on individuals and communities.

The seminar which has the theme “Post Covid-19,effects on the individual and the community, facts and Myths,Challenges and way forward,drew participation from Interfaith groups, faith based organizations, Policy makers, political class and other stakeholders.

In her welcome address,the Board Chairperson, Mrs lyabo Ogundiran gave an insight on how the pandemic has gravely affected our ways of life and seriously eroded our social and economic well-being hence the need to close ranks to surmount it through adopting a new way of life”

She however noted some challenges to be surmounted in our communities “that the Covid-19 is a hoax, while some believe it the illness of the rich and foreigners. These are just the few of the myths disseminated about the Covid-19 pandemic

Adding that” whether we deny it or not the fact is Covid-19 is real and the second wave is hitting hard in some parts of the world including Nigeria” noting that the reality of a new way of life include but not limited to how we interact in both our social and professional lives, is staring us in the face and in order to win this battle, we need each other now more than ever

“We have to support each other above all existing baises and stereotypes, because Covid-19 does not discriminate religion, tribe,gender,identity, race or social status and can only be won with simultaneous individual and communal efforts” she added

Speaking,Mr Samson Auta,from IMC Kaduna, said the seminar is to educate people on post Covid-19 and its attendant challenges and how we can deal with it,adding that, the pandemic and its uncertainties has brought wave to people of faith, communities members, school children and so on.

“We are in partnership with Taking All Men Brother (TAMEB) organization based in Lagos supported by King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre (KAICIID),felt as partners in conflicts prevention and peace building seeing the nature of the peaceful protests turning in violence in Some section of the country,

” they felt it will be good for us to use this opportunity to educate our members both the policy makers and at the end of the day recommendations will be shared according to the six geopolitical zones” he stated

Deacon Silas Musa,from ” Inspired Peoples Assembly for peace’ said the event was successful and we thank God for all the educative sessions we had in fact,we are going home well informed than we came in”he added

On her part, the Councillor representing Narayi ward in Chikun local government of the State, Hon Mrs,Rahila John Bivan,while commending the outcome of the seminar noted that,it is aimed at creating awareness in the communities,hence the need to step down the seminar in our communities

According to her,on the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic as predicted ” some are saying its coming back,God forbid ” And while further calling on the organizers to sustain the awareness, she pointed out the need to be truthful to ourselves and helpful to each other as we deal with pandemic.

On his part, the Director Centre for Persons with disability, Mr Mikiah Sa’abi,said with regards to Covid-19 ” we have tested it is still with us and there’s this prediction that the end is not yet around, so its a good gathering,

“so what is needed now is continuous awareness, we have learnt lessons”so we need to move forward in this awareness concerning the Covid-19’he further stressed