By Ingram Osigwe
South Easterners are synonymous with the word “diaspora”. Yes, Igbos are scattered round the globe. In fact, some commentators insist the Igbo population outside Igboland far outnumbers those back home in the Southeast.
But the soul- stirring song the Biblical Israelites rendered when the pangs of exile and craving for their homeland became overwhelming, i.e:Â “May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy”, seems to be silently hummed daily in the hearts of every diaspora Igbo.
The Igbo never forgets home hence the massive migration home, albeit temporarily, during festive periods, namely new year, Easter and Christmas.
However, in the wake of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic, such homeward movement can be likened to mass suicide.
Suicide? One may ask. Yes, suicide. A good number of Nigerians, including Ndigbo, still regarded the COVID-19 pandemic as a fairy tale the western world and their Asian ( China) “collaborators” invented to wind hook the third world, especially Africa, in order to rip them off.
This pervasive mindset is despite millions of COVID-19 deaths Asian and western countries have recorded so far.
COVID-19 denial and uncontrolled influx of diaspora Igbo into Ala Igbo last December for Christmas and new year festivities clearly left on its trail fatalities.
The spike in COVID-19 deaths in the South east and of persons of Southeast origin last year and early this year, especially between late January 2021 and early February 2021, were obviously traceable to super spreaders who returned home to celebrate with their families and loved ones.
One lethal fact about COVID-19 super spreaders is that they are asymptomatic.Neither you nor them are aware they have the virus.They look healthy, lively yet carry the deadly virus in their systems.
As you dine, wine, hug and do back slap greetings with them, you are unknowingly embracing death. Super spreaders are “ogbunigwe” or mass killers!
Easter celebrations will soon be here and as expected some of our people from across the world will gleefully travel down to Alaigbo (Igboland) to spend time with their kiths and kins and also attend a plethora of weddings and burials lined up this period.
With the incessant hunger in the land, many are sure to throng such social gatherings. They, especially vulnerable aged ones, are at great risk. This is because among the would be travellers who will grace the occasions could be super spreaders.
My appeal therefore, is that we should all be COVID-19 protocols compliant as we hit home.
The loved ones we left at home and who we will be travelling home to mingle with this Easter include aged people, including our aged parents whose immune systems have sagged.
These category of people are the most vulnerable to the virus. So, certainly it won’t be a bad idea if we travel with immune boosting supplements for them. These supplements will help ward off the virus for our aged ones in the event that they come in contact with super spreaders.
While wishing everyone trouble- free Easter celebrations, I implore us all to always adhere, strictly, to the COVID-19 preventive protocols.
Remember Coronavirus is real. It kills!
Osigwe, an advertising and Market Communication practitioner, is the MD/CEO of Fullpage Communications Ltd, Lagos.
