Dear colleagues and guests of the recently-held Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA), I bring you good tidings even though this is the most difficult time in our nation’s history.
It has become imperative that some of us speak out for the collective good of our country.
The responsible thing I expect from all those who attended the 7th AMVCA onnSaturday March 14 at Eko hotel in Lagos is to show the world a high level of social responsibility.
Though I wasn’t at the award ceremony, I will still appeal to all those who attended and have observed any of the symptoms to call the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) hotlines and report your cases because it’s about 11 days after the award ceremony.
It is better you do this for yourselves, family, friends, colleagues and, importantly, the nation.
Even the venue itself has since partially shut down temporarily, which evidently shows a responsible organisation.
One of the reasons for the spread and increase number of cases is the irresponsibility shown by some of the confirmed cases.
We can only reduce this spread by doing the right thing.
However, for all those who attended and haven’t experienced any symptoms, please continue to observe the self isolation rules and avoid contacts.
It is obvious, corona virus is with us and we must individually and collectively fight it to a stand still.
Note also that the fact you attended the AMVCA does not mean you have the virus. However, there are possibilities you might have had contacts knowingly or unknowingly with any of the two cases mentioned by the Lagos state government.
To all of us, this is not the time for stigmatizatiom of anybody, rather we must offer support and empathy to ourselves.
Importantly, the fatality rate can be minimized in Nigeria if we collectively maintain responsible behavioural traits.
In conclusion, as the Lagos state government continues its efforts at contact tracing, please be responsible enough to offer the required cooperation.
Stay safe and God bless you
***Mr. Duker, filmmaker and pioneer President of Directors Guild of Nigeria, is President of FAD Media Group