Gbagi distributes COVID-19 palliatives, says virus is not a death sentence

Politician and businessman, Chief Emuoboh Gbagi, has declared that the dreaded COVID-19 virus is not a death sentence as many have recovered from the disease but has expressed concern that the infection attacks the most vulnerable people in our society.

He said a number of people are asymptomatic (meaning, they never show symptoms) and that is dangerous because they do not even know they may have given it to others that do not have a good immune system.

According to him, the nature of the contagious virus is why many are encouraged to observe social-distancing as we are encouraged to stay at home, because the less we interact, the easier it is for health professionals to find the sick amongst us and treat them.

Chief Gbagi, a practicing Christian who hails from Oginibo in Ughelli South Local Government area of Delta State, made the comments on Wednesday while handing out COVID-19 care packages to residents in Oginibo, Sapele, Jesé, Okpe and Warri in Delta State, through his Gbagi Foundation.

The politician who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also commended other concerned citizens, private sector institutions and the committee of banks who have made independent contributions to support the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to tackle the coronavirus (COVID-19) menace as the virus steadily spreads across the country.

No way could we have been mute during this time of global pandemic

While stating the main objective of distributing COVID-19 relief packages through his Gbagi Foundation, the politician stated that there was no way they could have been mute during this time of global pandemic.

He said that the Gbagi Foundation is particularly known for its philanthropic gesture to residents of Delta state first, then the world at large noting further that the great thing about it is that this has been happening for over a decade and counting.

“My father (Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi) is the chairman of the organization, a philanthropist at heart, devoted catholic and Rotarian, who is the first African to make it to the Rotary Arch-Klumph in 2012. This is based on his dedication to helping the less vulnerable in society and putting his money where his mouth is by spending up to $250 thousand dollars on charity.

“So, you see the kind of foundation that has been laid for me and my siblings. The focus of the foundation is in line with the vision of our Chairman to be of service to humanity hence, why we have been giving out so much in the past. There is no way in this world we could have been mute during this time of global pandemic when so many people need help even more,” Gbagi added.

Lessons learnt from the outbreak of COVID-19 disease

Speaking further during the distribution of foodstuffs to residents in Oginibo, Sapele, Jesé, Okpe and Warri, Gbagi who was the Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor on DESOPADEC and now, Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Development said that he has learnt a lot from the outbreak of the virus.

He said; “Personal lessons for me will include nothing that is special in this Life….For instance, people that have the very best clothes do not have anywhere to wear them during this lockdown…everyone has come to realize what is more important in life. Our flashy cars are just staring us in the face and gathering dust as we cannot even drive them.

“The world powers have been humbled by the pandemic. The Queen of England gave her message to the world from an isolated room, for the first time the pope served mass online in an almost empty cathedral. Churches, mosques and businesses have all been shut down. Can’t you see that nothing in life really deserves that much attention…? Gbagi asked rhetorically.

Government must be commended for response to COVID-19

Gbagi who holds a royal title as the Ame of Ughelli Kingdom said that the Federal Government of Nigerian and the Delta State government must be commended for their response to the outbreak of the disease.

He said that what critics must appreciate about this pandemic is that no government worldwide was prepared for this crisis as every government is pretty much just scrambling to do the best they can to find a solution to the new virus which has no cure or vaccine at the moment.

‘So, my appeal to citizens is to try to give the government all the support necessary. I also believe that if the citizens realize how serious this pandemic is, they would appreciate every government effort more.

“This is not the time to accuse and throw aspersions. We need to come together and help each other, if the government reaches you with relief and your neighbor does not, kindly share. We can only survive this by following the prevention procedures given to us by health professionals and our kind hearts and love for each other.

“With that said, I applaud the Federal government and the Delta State government for how swiftly they responded to the virus to keep it from spreading which is also a factor as to why we have few cases and deaths of COVID-19 generally in the country,” Gbagi concluded.