A group, League of Ogori Professors (LOP), has announce the establishment of a task team to manage sensitization and proactive measures on the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic.
In a statement issued by LOP Chairman, Emeritus Professor Olugbemiro Jegede, the task team will be launched on Saturday, March 28 by 8:00am at Itiovie Hall, Ogori, Kogi State.
According to Jegede, the Task Team will evolve a workable plan for the strict isolation of confirmed cases of detected COVID-19 cases as implementable within the Ogori Community and develop a simple LOP Strategic Plan for preparedness and response to future epidemics for the Community.
“Although history has recorded many global plagues and pandemics, the COVID-19 pandemic which has come at our own time is unprecedented, debilitating, extremely impossible to foresee the extent of its impact; it is a very difficult situation which requires difficult measures and response. Sadly, time is not on our side and we must move as quickly as possible instead of wallowing in self-denial as seems to have pervaded many communities in the country.
“The urgent response calls for tremendous sacrifice from, and by, all of us; and for the sake of the survival of the Ogori Community eschew all divisions, hatred and dissensions within and around the community to enable every hand to be on deck in order to rescue our Community from any possible annihilation.”
Jegede explained that the LOP Strategic Plan for preparedness and response to future epidemics “should include procedures for relevant action; communication of information; development of manual procedures; collaboration and co-operation with related local, state, national or international public health agencies; the establishment of a Co-ordination Centre including a local reference or testing laboratory located within the Ogori community; and the provision of relevant information, guidance and advice through the publication of an Epidemiological Bulletin.”
Professor Alexander Odaibo of the University of Ibadan will head the task team and will be supported by Professor Olu Bolaji, Professor Christogonus Daudu, Dr Augustine Obaro, Dr Kemi Sharp, Colonel Gboluga Mosugu (rtd), Arc. Matthew Onoba, Professor Olorunfemi Jegede, Mr Philip Aturu and Mrs Patricia Mosimabale.
He confirmed that other members will co-opted by the Task Team as necessary.
“Following my request for members to volunteer their time, services and resources and possibly those of their friends and colleagues to come to the aid of Ogori with a medical and health care plan and associated needs, a number of people have self-nominated to be on the proposed LOP Task Team (LOPTT).
“The Team will rely on the fundamental principles of epidemiological principles, suggest and put into action all necessary ways and means of providing information, education and practical guidance on and how to avoid being infected by the outbreak of COVID-19 in the community.
“The Team will inform and teach members of the community on how to detect, avoid and contain the spread in the Community of COVID-19. Build and strategise on how to deploy and use, response capacities and capabilities to COVID-19 pandemic as applicable to the Ogori Community.
“Also, the Team will request, obtain through gifts, donations and allocation from all sources available, critically-needed supplies and inputs including diagnostic kits, viral medication, personal protective equipment and medical needs for distribution within the Community,” the statement read.
