It has become a norm in my country that things that matter get taken often with levity.
It saddens my heart that we fail to realize that those things when taken for granted have huge implications and consequences and can as well put our lives in jeopardy.
I often do ask myself why is it so. Then I came to the realization that it is due to our innate non-chalant attitude inherent within us.
Despite the massive publicity and awareness created by the Federal Ministry of Health and World Health Organization about observation of Covid-19 protocols like practising social distancing, regular hand washing and sanitizing, use of facemask and the like, majority of Nigerians still take those things for granted due to our non-chalant attitude, especially when it comes to wearing of the facemask.
I could recall my experience sometimes last year on my way to Lagos during the pandemic. I was right in the vehicle, with my neatly tucked nose mask, maintaining social distancing, then I discovered that almost all passengers including the driver and conductor were not on facemasks. I was actually disturbed by that but I maintained my calmness.
Unfortunately, on getting to the police check point, the driver having seen that the police were checking out for those not putting on facemask instructed all passengers to put on their nose mask so as to avoid being fined by the police. Also he instructed those passengers sitting at the front to use their seat belt. Everyone began to bring out their nose mask from their bags to put on. Then I laughed and said to myself "Why do we Nigerians always take serious matters with levity? Why do we need to be forced to do the needful?
Then, it dawned on me that we joke with virtually all things, hence we land ourselves in trouble.
Observing the COVID-19 protocols and use of seat belt are strictly for our own safety. We shouldn’t see it as doing anybody a favor or get to do it for fear of being sanctioned.
This is a wakeup call for all and sundry to always do the needful without being forced or threatened because there is always a reward in doing what is right at the right time.
Adepoju Qowiyat Morenikeji is an HND1 student of the department of Mass Communication.
