Covid – 19: Imo State Congress of America (ISCA)’s Challenge against the Pandemic

By Uche Ogbonnaya

While Nigeria still faces the threat of Covid – 19 with the continual increase in the number of new cases by the day, Imo State Congress of America (ISCA) has joined the league of patriotic groups and individuals who have shown high sense of responsibility in combating the dreaded global scourge.

Penultimate week, the group in response to the urgent need to reduce and prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus donated and shared over 10, 000 face masks with hand sanitisers to Imo State government.

These items were received by Governor Hope Uzodinma through one of his aides, Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Affairs, Cecilia Hilbert.

The preventive materials were shared to the 27 local government areas of the state as their representatives received for their various constituencies.

The Imo Diaspora group was commended by Governor Uzodinma for their effort in investing handsomely to save lives of the people of the State.

The President of Imo State Congress of America (ISCA), Engr. Sampson Udeh who was represented by Mrs. Isabella Asinobi, ISCA Coordinator, Imo State delivering President’s speech said:

“ISCA is strategically positioned to seek, promote, coordinate and consummate local and international cooperation in the areas of economic development, investments, technology, education and healthcare development. ISCA has members that are veritable investors and are making waves worldwide.

“ISCA requires the amplitude and accommodation to support and enrich developmental efforts at home. Our focus and strong support for the economic revitalization of Imo state remains a high priority.

“ISCA has proposed some vital projects in Imo State like building of Bus Stops at various locations in Imo State, ISCA was approached by Ihedioha’s administration to help revitalize the three main libraries in Imo State, ISCA is working on Imo tele – medicine where medical doctors in America will work in partnership with local medical doctors here in Imo State, ISCA is promoting collaboration between universities in Imo State and United States of America, etc.”

ISCA also serving as the umbrella organization of Imo State indigenes residing in USA & Canada has further bolstered its potency to present much more on the table vis-à-vis development of Imo State and Nigeria at large.

Applauding Senator Hope Uzodimma on his directives to reduce the spread of corona virus in Imo state and his effort to save lives, especially at this perilous time of ravaging scourge, Imo State and government of the day should seek such partnership that is full of realizable vision if given the needed nerve to come on board.

I believe ISCA is not asking for political office neither are her professional members requesting what is out of this world. They seek a partnership that is sustaining. They wait for a legislative protection. They await a government that would show sincerity. They seek nothing else other than a conducive atmosphere, where they can comfortable contribute their quota to the home state.

The group since its formation has consistently shown goodwill and zeal to join hands towards realising an Imo State of collective dream.

The State as it were can boast of crème-de la crème of professionals who have excelled in differing areas of endeavours, ranging from Health, Research and Academia, Engineering, Information and Communication Technology and in many other areas, including humanities. ISCA as a viable subset of the State has much more to offer to help the state.

Recall that in her proactive step, ISCA alarmed by the increasing spread of Covid – 19 in Nigeria had sought a partnership with any viable health establishment in the state. That concern over the lives of the people drew them closer to Everight Laboratory and Diagnostic Services Limited, a front-line medical diagnostic and molecular Science centre.

In its pragmatism and vision, ISCA has committed to partner with Everight Diagnostic and Laboratory Services and other stakeholders to guarantee a better health care for Imo people and Nigerians.

Taking its health crusade further, while lauding Nigerian government for the massive health education at the grassroots on Covid – 19 and its prevention, The group has sponsored a crusade for massive crusade to further remind the people of the dangers of the scourge and its dastardly effects on human lives and economy.

The Chairman, Health Committee of ISCA, Dr, Jovita Anyanwu MD, ABIM, ABPM has been the rallying point of other medical practitioners of Imo extraction. They have been brainstorming on the way forward to mitigate the situation, considering cultural and professional approach towards proffering effective strategies that befits the State. This shows how organized ISCA is.

According Engr. Udeh; “the ISCA Health Committee led by Dr. Jovita Anyanwu has been interfacing with other stakeholders in health sector in Diaspora and Nigeria to come up strategies to help out. What is more paramount is prevention and that is why we have embarked on making over 10,000 face masks available. We have also ensured that sanitisers are given to those who cannot afford it.”

Leveraging on the sour experience at the moment in the United States of America where over 2 million people have been infected by the virus with over one hundred thousand deaths, there is no doubt that these great Nigerians from Imo State deeply mean well.

Such challenge is not too common in the present day Nigeria, especially for those who have neither benefited directly from the country nor have been supported in any way, this sincere move can only be wrapped in true patriotism.

Forward looking governments would hardly play with their bests. ISCA is an organization like no other. This is so because of its members are united and bounded in vision and patriotic spirit to join hands with other spirited Nigerians in true national development.

I believe that Nigeria can still gain its rightful place in the comity of nations by co-opting such groups as formidable, patriotic and pragmatic as ISCA.

Nigeria surely can surmount all its challenges if only it can galvanize the huge quality human resource at its disposal.

Uche Ogbonnaya, Political Scientist and Public Relations Practitioner writes from Owerri