Coronavirus: "The Poor will bear an unfair brunt" - Oby Ezekwesili

Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has said that "the poor will bear an unfair brunt of the consequences of the deadly coronavirus pandemic."

As of March 26, Nigeria has recorded a total of 51 coronavirus cases with just one death, according to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control - NCDC.

Mrs Ezekwesili took to Twitter to share her thoughts, urging people to take responsibility and spare the poor people the problem as the world battles the deadly pandemic.

Since the outbreak in the Hubei province of Wuhan China, COVID-19 has killed a total of 21,308 people out of the 472,811 recorded cases worldwide.

Her statement reads:

"Freedom will come the way of Nigerians only when they think themselves worthy of it.

"It is yet a “Long Walk to Freedom” for a people who see nothing wrong with the rascality and gross irresponsibility of our Political Class.

Freedom will come the way of Nigerians only when they think themselves worthy of it.

It is yet a “Long Walk to Freedom” for a people who see nothing wrong with the rascality and gross irresponsibility of our Political Class. #TakeResponsibility is beyond #CoronaVirus.

— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) March 26, 2020

"Being infected with #CoronaVirusInNigeria is still overwhelmingly high income: 82% according to @NCDCgov were “imported cases”.

"This income group can spare the Poor from contracting it if they took responsibility NOW.

"The Poor will bear an unfair brunt of the consequences of #CoronaVirusPandemic.

"The health and direct economic/social cost of contracting this deadly virus are harder on the poorer segment of any society.

"Inequality will become more acute and social tension sharper. Stop the spread."