COVID-19: Leadership at times like this

Many leadership types abound, from the “ascribed”, to the “achieved”, the “inspirational” to the “complacent”, “libertarian” to the “authoritarian”, from the “redefining” to the “transformational”, “single leader” to the “collective”, “conservative” to the “revolutionary” ad infinitum. But that was before the outbreak of the novel COVID-19, first documented in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019. The notorious Virus seems to redefine everything globally, leadership type inclusive.

Leadership type is a matter of choice. But the meaning of leadership is universal. Simply put: It is a “process of directing the behaviour of others towards the accomplishment of some common objectives”. We are truly living in hard times. Its defining (and deafening) noisy trade mark is the rampaging disease with its spiral data of despair. According to Johns Hopkins University, confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide had surpassed 1 million, nearly 23% of which are from the United States. More than 51,000 had died.

In Nigeria there are more than 220 confirmed cases, with 25 “Recoveries” and 4 Deaths. The preventive sound bites are by now globally familiar: “wash your hands”; “use sanitizers”, “Don’t touch your face” “ensure social (read:physical) distancing”, etc. The mantra of the World Health Organization (WHO) is “test, test, test”. Undoubtedly COVID-19 storm will come to pass like past pandemics which, through ages, periodically ravaged humanity. But the definitive history would judge statesmen (and few women!, non-state leaders alike by their respective responses to the ongoing pandemic.

How many leaders have so far directed the behaviour of others towards curtailing the spread of the pandemic? First is the group of “doubters’. This group questioned the existence of the virus and down-played its negative impact until it was out of the window. Donald John Trump, the 45th and current president of the United States tops this group.

The pandemic broke out mid January 2020 in the USA when a 35-year-old man in Washington State, returned from visiting family in Wuhan in China, turned the first person to be with the virus. A month later, Trump reportedly said the virus might go away. “We’ll see what happens. Nobody really knows.” He even predicted it was going to disappear. “One day it’s like a miracle – it will disappear.” Compelled by the citizenship’s pressure to the grim reality, Donald John Trump had turned a full cycle from sheer indifference and bared face denial to some overreaction, necessitating deployment of as many as 1000 military personnel to New York City (including military doctors and nurses).

It will be interesting to know the reaction of Professor Wole Soyinka and Femi Falana, my human rights friend/ lawyer to this singular incoherent extrajudicial/extraclinical over- action of Donald Trump, the President of “free world”. Is Trump set to shoot an invisible virus or forcefully enforce a lock down in New York? New York State reportedly recorded 630 more coronavirus deaths. Coming to terms with Trump’s leadership type of cynicism, indifference and opportunism (in-that-order) with its attendant casualties at times like this certainly tasks imagination.

The second group is made of countries that readily accepts the reality of the global pandemic. It’s reassuring that Nigeria tops the countries that accept that the disease is class, race and gender blind. I agree with President Muhamadu Buhari that the pandemic is a matter of “life and death” that requires drastic solutions. The Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, also puts it rightly that COVID-19 is a potential danger “to all of humanity, threatens our economy and the national security”.

In containing the spread, Kaduna State acting Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, has creditably done well in her successive broadcasts (after Governor El Rufai’s status broadcast). The interventions had promoted mass enlightenment and compliance with public health guidelines. Her call for solidarity and empathy at times like this is heeling. “Be our brothers’ keepers, be cheerful givers, especially to the less privileged amongst us. A little kindness goes a long way at all times, but more so in these times. Observe respiratory hygiene, endeavour to wash your hands regularly with soap and running water, continue maintaining social distancing”.

This message resonates with Kaduna residents! Regular briefings by all members of the Presidential Task Force should be sustained at times like this and even at post -coronavirus. It should henceforth be visible leadership on all outstanding health and livelihood challenges that include Malaria which still kills as many as 300,000 a year in Nigeria despite having a cure. The Secretary General of UN, António Guterres, rightly acknowledged the massive proactive measures of Nigeria.

However, it’s time for quality control and measures consolidation. CBN’s Godwin Emefiele is the first to commendably initiate proactive 6-point new measures to ameliorate the impact of the disease on the economy which include: Cuts rates from 9 to 5 percent per annum for one year effective March 1, 2020. There is also an import substitution intervention fund, another N100 billion in loan this year to support the Health Authorities to ensure laboratories, researchers and innovators.

At times like this, Nigerians need empowerment not palliatives: pay workers in private and public sectors as long as the lock down lasts. Pay pensioners with no pensioners earning below statutory minimum wage. Old retirees are easy prays of COVID-19.

There should be unconditional cash transfers to all Nigerians, especially daily paid informal workers such as tailors. All Nigerians are vulnerables without work. All labour market Institutions such as Pencom and National Social Insurance Trust (NSITF) must offer data on workforce for empowerment. Post-COVID-19 must usher a radical transformation of the economy and income distribution to address the current huge divide between the few rich and mass poor. At times like this, Doctor Amarachukwu Allison stands out for his exceptional vigilance and brilliance which “led to the early diagnosis and rapid containment of the Italian first COVID-19 infection. Dr Allison’s vigilance timely slowed down the pandemics which had since risen.

At times like this we are leaders who must act safe to contain the Virus.