Akinyemi Sunday sells clothes. He mainly trades male items of clothing at Ilesha central market within Osun state. Akinyemi’s daily earnings mean the most to himself and his family. He reaches for the market every day despite the curfew. He believes the stay-at-home order is unnecessary and would do the masses little or no good.
West African Pilot visited his stall, as well as many others. He looked tensed and agitated. He had been running from one spot to the other, trying to avoid the state agents chasing traders from the market.
“These men better be careful around here, this is becoming unbearable,” Akinyemi said to the reporter, his eyes focused on the police van patrolling the market.
“These people won’t let me sell my clothes in peace because of another man’s sickness. See how they are chasing people around like animals for a strange disease. A lot of people have lost their goods because of this rancour. Most traders flee at the sight of the policemen. It is uncalled, no one here has travelled out.” He said sternly.
Coronavirus is a highly contagious disease. The first case of the virus was recorded in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Infections and deaths have spread around the globe in less than 5 months after the first case was recorded. The rapid evolution of the virus has triggered the curfew in many countries, including those considered the most powerful.
A lockdown in Osun – a densely populated city located in southwest Nigeria– came into effect on March 29 following the announcement by Governor Oyetola Adegboyega that the priority of the state is to checkmate the spread of the virus and mitigate any devastating effect. The stay-at-home-order was further extended by another 14 days last week Tuesday.
The unexpected arrival of 127 returnees from Ivory Coast shortly after the second case was recorded propelled the imposition of a two-week sit-at-home order.
Traders paddle their way into the market through a new route
Last week, Nigeria recorded its highest weekly figure. Yusuf Salisu is aware but unbothered. His utmost priority is to work and make as much money as possible during the season.
He had obeyed the directive for a few days but stopped when he ran out of money. Like many other traders, he has retreated to sneaking into the market through a small pathway called ‘Eshida’. This is the only available route to the market.
“Since the stay-at-home order, going into the market through the main road has been almost impossible. The security agents won’t give us the chance. So, we decided to use a different route. This route leads to the back of the market. It will cost you a few minutes of walk. I wanted to obey this order because the virus really something we should worry so much about. But I cannot afford to,” he said.
Sadly, this situation is not only peculiar to Yusuf but to all traders in the market. Promise Onyebuchi, a trader who food items won’t open his shop or display any of his goods in order to avoid being caught or harassed.
“I do not open my shop or display my wares. I just stand outside my store and attend to customers who are ready to patronize me. The police men can be very disturbing so I don’t bother displaying any of my goods. Sometimes I even lock myself inside my shop. I can sell my products easily that way,” Promise affirmed.
Social distancing is “expensive”
At about 5 pm to 8 pm every day, a large number of people troop in and out of the market. From a distance, one could hear loud chatterings from both buyers and sellers. Warm hugs and greetings often precede the main point of interaction between buyers and sellers.
Folashade Solomon is a trader involved in food items. Her store is located behind the market. It became an epicentre after the curfew was imposed.
People keep trooping in and out of here every evening,” she told the West African Pilot Reporter while attending to her costumers.
“Most people are in a hurry to leave the market because it is late. So, the market is always rowdy. I initially wanted to buy a nose mask and a glove but the sudden hike in their prices held me back. In as much I try to give some space, social distancing is not possible in this market. The economy is harsh on the masses and everyone is in search of what to eat. Also security agents keep chasing traders around, causing rancour in the market,”
Data from Worldometer showed that as of 21 April 2020, 2,499,705 cases of the virus have been recorded in 210 nations with 171,338 deaths.
In Nigeria, 665 cases of the pandemic have been recorded with 22 deaths while 188 cases have been discharged.
Citizens need to be sensitized — Expert
An expert, Dr. Daniel Adeniyi, a health physician affirmed that despite the rise in the number of confirmed cases, effort to curb the spread of the virus might be fruitless if citizens are not properly enlightened.
“Social distancing policies such as cancelling high-density gatherings, discouraging handshakes and instructing people to increase the distance between one another will help control the pandemic but this is only possible when the citizen are enlightened on the need to obey those policies. The populace needs to know that everyone is potentially susceptible to the virus. No one is immune,” he said.
He added that the virus has similar characteristics with other viruses that cause the common cold or flu in terms of symptoms.
- Breaking: Ohanaeze President General, George Obiozor, confirmed dead - December 28, 2022
- US to support NDLEA on improved intelligence gathering capacity - December 27, 2022
- Why diversified HIV/AIDS prevention tools matter for women - December 26, 2022