Lokoja
The League of Ogori Professors,(LOP) in Kogi state, have formed Task Team in anticipation that the on-going spread of COVID-19 pandemic that has reached about 150 countries might get worse and eventually visit the Ogori community in central Nigeria.
Emeritus Professor Olugbemiro Jegede, the Chairman of the league,who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday said the formation of the task team followed his plea for action, specifically for LOP, to embark upon urgent efforts on the pandemic.
According to him, the team is to inform, educate and assist everyone within the community to understand, prepare for and know what to do on a daily basis for the prevention and care about COVID-19.
“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 healthcare plan and associated needs, a number of people have self-nominated to be on the proposed LOP Task Team (LOPTT).
“After due consideration and consultation, the LOPTT has been formed with the following membership:
Professor Alexander Odaibo (Ibadan) Head of Team
Professor Olu Bolaji (Ilorin) Vice Deputy Head of Team
Professor Christogonus Daudu (Zaria)
Dr Augustine Obaro (UK)
Dr Kemi Sharp (UK)
Colonel (Rtd) Gboluga Mosugu (Abuja)
Arc. Matthew Onoba (Abuja)
Professor Olorunfemi Jegede (Abuja)
Mr Philip Aturu (Ogori)
Mrs Patricia Mosimabale (Ogori)
Other members co-opted by the Task Team as necessary,” he said.
He said the team would 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.
According to Gbemiro, the terms of reference of the team include to: lnform and teach members of the community on how to detect, avoid and contain the spread of COVID-19 in the communit, relying on the fundamental epidemiological principles.
“Build and strategise on how to deploy and use, response capacities and capabilities to COVID-19 pandemic as applicable to the Ogori Community.
“Request and 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.”
“Evolve a workable plan for the strict isolation of confirmed cases of detected COVID-19 cases as implementable within the Ogori Community.
“Develop a simple LOP Strategic Plan for preparedness and response to future epidemics for the Ogori Community.
“This 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.
“The need to extend the know-how of LOPTT and related assistance to neighbouring communities as necessary and any other matters of concern to be addressed in the interest of the Community as deemed fit by the LOPTT.”
The chairman noted that although history had recorded many global plagues and pandemics, the COVID-19 pandemic “is unprecedented, debilitating, extremely impossible to foresee the extent of its impact.”
He reminded members of the team that’ 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.”
He advised members to eschew all divisions, hatred and dissensions within and around the community, to enable every hand be on deck in order to rescue the Community from any possible annihilation.
“The urgent response calls for tremendous sacrifice from all of us for the sake of the survival of the Ogori Community.
According to him, plans are underway to launch the LOP Task Team on COVID-19 at Ogori on 28 March 28, 2020 at 8:00a.m at Itiovie Hall, Emeritus Professor Jegede’s Compound.
