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SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT OF COVID-19 PROTOCOLS AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEFICIENT SOCIETIES IN POST-COVID ERA IN
AFRICA: A CASE OF NIGERIA
1ROMANUS UDEGBUNAM AYADIUNO AND 12DOMINIC CHUKWUKA NDULUE *
1Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State 1> 2 Department of Geography, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State 'Corresponding author: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Africa recorded her first confirmed COVID-19 case in Egypt on 14 February, 2020. Thus far, the number of new confirmed cases and deaths increased despite the World Health Organization (WHO) protocols. The study aims at determining if the conceived and adopted protocols against COVID-19 and the post-COVID era in the infrastructural deficient societies of Africa and indeed Nigeria are sustainable. Empirical research design was adopted based on the data randomly drawn from a population who are residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Anambra, Lagos, Kano, Rivers States, States termed most vulnerable to infection in Nigeria. The sampling unit was based on a pilot study, using four hundred randomly selected adult residents who are literate in the sampled States using online structured questionnaire, supplemented by phone call - oral interviews, and other literature sourced from secondary sources. The primary data used for the study were obtained through the administration of questionnaires via online, and were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results were presented in tables, graphs and charts. The Mean Weighted Value statistical analysis was carried out with the Gross Mean Weight Value (cut-off point) at 2.60. The study found that Unplanned, Uncoordinated and Unregulated Transport System, Epileptic Power Supply, Dominant Primary Economic Production, Unplanned Settlement, Corruption, Congested Settlement, Congested Market Places, Small Traders and Artisans sustenance on daily basis, Nigeria's Mono-economy, Import Dependency and Shortage of Food militated against the COVID-19 control protocols and still subsists in post-COVID era. It therefore recommends massive infrastructural development in African countries for sustainability, diversify economic activities in order to create additional values to the socio-economic activities that will lead millions of Africans out of poverty, put in place and enforce sustainable hygiene protocols that will promote and guarantee good health and healthy environment of the societies in Africa.
Keywords: Infrastructural deficiency, COVID-19 Protocols, Sustainability, Assessment, Post-COVID era, Africa
1. INTRODUCTION
Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious respiratory and vascular disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The world's index case was recorded in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China on 31 December, 2019. It has spread from China to other parts of the world causing a global pandemic (Ippolito et al., 2020). There are two schools of thoughts on the origin of COVID-19. One school of thought has it that, it was transmitted from animals (Bats and Pangolins) to humans (Hui et al., 2020; Kandola, 2020), and the other is that it originated from a failed Biological Laboratory experiment being carried out in Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), Wuhan, China (Beyerstein, 2021).There are also two major variants of the "lab leak" theory that is in circulation which are:
"(1) COVID 19 evolved naturally and leaked pure and uncut from the Wuhan Institute of Virology when researchers were archiving wild bat corona viruses for study, and
(2) Scientists at the WIV engineered or altered COVID 19 from a natural virus or viruses, either through benevolent gain-of-function research, in which scientists make a virus more dangerous in order to understand it better, or through bio-weapons research" (Beyerstein, 2021).
The virus was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 31 January, 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO) (WHO, 2020a; Ayadiuno and Ndulue, 2020). Common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, fatigue, breathing difficulties, and loss of smell and taste. Symptoms begin from one to fourteen days after exposure to the virus. While most people who are exposed to the virus have mild symptoms, others develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), (WHO, 2020b).
COVID-19 mainly spreads through the air when infected people are very close to other long enough, primarily through small droplets or aerosols, as the infected persons breathe, cough, sneeze, sing, or speak. It can spread as early as two days before infected persons show symptoms (pre-symptomatic), and from asymptomatic (no symptoms) individuals. People remain infectious for up to ten days in moderate cases, and two weeks in severe cases. The standard diagnosis method is by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) from a nasopharyngeal swab. Currently, there are generally acceptable and proven vaccines or specific treatments for COVID-19, even though several of the vaccines have high levels of efficacy, like many other vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines are not 100% effective (WHO, 2020). Acceptable management for infected persons includes the treatment of symptoms, supportive care, isolation, and experimental measures. Preventive measures according to World Health Organization (WHO) are social/physical distancing, quarantining, ventilation of indoor spaces, covering coughs and sneezes, hand washing, and keeping unwashed hands away from the face, use of hand sanitizers and use of face masks or coverings in public gatherings to minimize the risk of transmissions (WHO, 2020). These measures support an old saying "Prevention is better than cure".
This paper assesses the sustainability of the efforts of government through the preventive controls approach adopted by African countries with regard to the WHO measures in an infrastructural deficient society with Nigeria as a case study. Africa recorded her first confirmed covid-19 case in Egypt on 14 February, 2020. About two weeks later, on 27 February, 2020 to be precise, Nigeria recorded her first case. Thus far, the number of confirmed cases and death had been on the increase despite the World Health Organization (WHO) protocols (Ayadiuno and Ndulue, 2020). The measures to control the spread of the disease in Nigeria became punitive and caused much suffering to poor people because of weak institutions that were ineffective in responding to the pandemic, dilapidated social infrastructures and lack of social welfare programs that would have catered for the poor and vulnerable citizens who were affected by the crisis (Ozili, 2020). Researchers have shown that much of African cities' life is not formally planned and managed; Informal settlements have become a way of life in many cities, with precarious livelihoods and people living in close proximity; Rates of poverty are high and development is uneven. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of cities, particularly those in which the informal sector plays a large role and there appears to be a big governance gap in the containment of COVID-19 pandemic in Africa (Nzeadibe, et. al., 2020).
The lockdowns imposed to manage or contain the spread of COVID-19 froze economic activities and caused massive job losses and supply chain disruptions. Evidences show that the vulnerability of millions of informal workers was heightened by government COVID-19 policies and protocols in Africa as well as Nigeria. About 80% of Nigerians are daily earners. And a significant number of people who live in Nigerian urban areas are poor and live in slums that lack basic services (Nzeadibe, et. al., 2020).
"Lock down as a measure taken by Federal Government of Nigeria to prevent the spread of the Corona virus disease was ineffective. On the 29 March 2020 when the lock down was imposed, only Lagos, Ogun States and Abuja (Figure 1a) were affected, with Kano (Figure 1b) included on 27 April 2020, yet the Virus spread to other thirty-four (34) States and Abuja (Figure 1c) prior to the lifting of the lockdown on 5 May 2020, because there was still movement across State borders despite the restriction order on movement (Ayadiuno and Ndulue, 2020; Ridwan, Kazeem and Omokanmi, 2020).
Fig 1c
Figs 1a, 1b and1c: States with COVID-19 Confirmed Cases before and During the Lockdown Source: ArcGIS Earth, Modified by the Authors, (2021)
Consequently, even though there had been a global decline in the spread of the Virus, and pockets of new variants in some places, there was still an increase on a daily basis of the Virus in Nigeria with an increase of 56 new confirmed cases as at 4 July 2021, bringing the total numbers of confirmed cases as was obtained and presented in table 1.
Table 1: Confirmed cases of the Virus in Nigeria as at 4 July, 2021
S/No States Affected Number of Qa%e% Number of Cases (Lab Confirmed) (on Admission) Number Discharged Nun Dea
1 Lagos 59802 831 58,515 456
2 FCT 19898 180 19,552 166
3 Kaduna 9123 20 9,038 65
4 Plateau 9067 4 9,006 57
5 Rivers 7334 34 7,199 101
6 Oyo 6872 12 6,734 126
7 Edo 4910 0 4,725 185
8 Ogun 4691 7 4,633 51
9 Kano 4005 6 3,889 110
10 Ondo 3483 27 3,391 65
11 Kwara 3144 21 3,068 55
12 Delta 2650 22 2,556 72
13 Osun 2578 6 2,520 52
14 Enugu 2464 0 2,435 29
15 Nasarawa 2384 0 2,345 39
16 Katsina 2110 21 2,055 34
17 Gombe 2098 18 2,036 44
18 Ebonyi 2039 5 2,002 32
19 Akwa Ibom 1931 1 1,912 18
20 Anambra 1909 64 1,826 19
21 Abia 1693 -2 1,673 22
22 Imo 1661 0 1,624 37
23 Bauchi 1549 0 1,532 17
24 Benue 1366 15 1,327 24
25 Borno 1344 1 1,305 38
26 Adamawa 1134 4 1,098 32
27 Taraba 1001 0 977 24
28 Niger 935 5 913 17
29 Bayelsa 906 1 879 26
30 Ekiti 880 6 863 11
31 Sokoto 775 0 747 28
32 Jigawa 534 6 512 16
33 Yobe 488 0 479 9
34 Kebbi 450 42 392 16
35 Cross River 402 0 384 18
S/No States Number of Cases (Lab Confirmed) Number of Cases Number Number of
Affected (on Admission) Discharged Deaths
36 Zamfara 244 3 233 8
37 Kogi 5 0 3 2
Total as at July,
2021 167859 1360 164378 2121
Source: NCDC, (2021)
Table 2: Confirmed cases of the Virus in Nigeria as at 18 May, 2023
S/No States Number of Cases Number of Cases (on admission) Number Number of Deaths
Affected (Lab Confirmed) Discharged
1 Lagos 104,286 1,143 102,372 771
2 FCT 29,535 9 29,277 249
3 Rivers 18,112 -3 17,960 155
4 Kaduna 11,675 3 11,583 89
5 Plateau 10,365 4 10,286 75
6 Oyo 10,352 0 10,150 202
7 Edo 7,928 0 7,606 322
8 Delta 5,858 576 5,170 112
9 Ogun 5,810 11 5,717 82
10 Kano 5,429 11 5,291 127
11 Ondo 5,173 315 4,749 109
12 Akwa Ibom 5,010 6 4,960 44
13 Kwara 4,691 452 4,175 64
14 Gombe 3,313 8 3,239 66
15 Osun 3,311 29 3,190 92
16 Enugu 2,952 13 2,910 29
17 Nasarawa 2,853 469 2,345 39
18 Anambra 2,825 46 2,760 19
19 Imo 2,691 3 2,630 58
20 Ekiti 2,466 0 2,438 28
21 Katsina 2,418 0 2,381 37
22 Benue 2,317 88 2,204 25
23 Abia 2,263 0 2,229 34
24 Ebonyi 2,064 28 2,004 32
25 Bauchi 2,028 2 2,002 24
26 Borno 1,629 5 1,580 44
27 Taraba 1,517 32 1,451 34
28 Bayelsa 1,373 2 1,343 28
29 Adamawa 1,312 134 1,140 38
30 Niger 1,183 165 998 20
S/No States Affected Number of Cases (Lab Confirmed) Number of Cases (on admission) Number Discharged Number of Deaths
31 Cross River 947 0 922 25
32 Sokoto 822 0 794 28
33 Jigawa 669 2 649 18
34 Yobe 638 4 625 9
35 Kebbi 480 10 454 16
36 Zamfara 375 0 366 9
37 Kogi 5 0 3 2
Total as at 18 May, 2023 266,675 3,567 259,953 3,155
Source: NCDC, (2023)
500000 400000 300000 200000 100000 0
Fig 2: Status of confirmed cases of the Virus in Nigeria as at 18 May, 2023 Hypothesis:
H0: 'the effort through the conceived and adopted protocols against COVID-19 and post-COVID era in the infrastructural deficient societies of Africa and indeed Nigeria are not sustainable'.
2. MATERIALS AND METHOD
The methodology adopted in this study is geared towards the ultimate realization of the aim of the study. The study made use of primary and secondary data. A pilot study was conducted in the sampled areas through phone calls to friends and acquaintances in the sampled areas in other to explore information about the World Health Organizations (WHO) protocols as was adopted and implemented in Nigeria in particular and Africa at large. 2.1 Data Collection
The study was purposively based on the data drawn from a target population in the States of Anambra, Lagos, Kano, Rivers and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. The States therefore were sampled based on the assumption that they are the most vulnerable in Nigeria. Lagos, Kano, Rivers States and the FCT Abuja are the points of international connection (entry points) with other countries of the world, while Anambra State is sampled as the State with the most travelled citizens (Ayadiuno and Ndulue, 2020). Enugu State was exempted because the International Airport
COVID-19 Confirmed Cases in Nigeria as at 18 May, 2023
-2021 '2023
Number of Cases Number of Cases (on Number Discharged Number of Deaths (Lab Confirmed) admission)
at Enugu was out of service during the peak period of the pandemic. The same sample framework applied by Akukwe and Ogbodo, (2015) and Ndulue and Ayadiuno, (2021), which is the Yamane (1967) formula for determining sample size was also used. The formula states that the sample size of a population that is more than hundred thousand (100,000) is four hundred (400), hence the Yamane's equation at ±5% level of precision below.
S=N/1+N (e) 2............................................................................................... (1)
Where, S= Sample size 1 = Constant
N= Population size of the sampled States e= Margin of error, usually 5% (0.05)
Four hundred (400) persons were sampled in the four states and the FCT Abuja; a total number of 400 structured questionnaires were distributed through e-mails to the authors' contacts in the respective sampled States and the FCT Abuja for onward distribution to respondents randomly, on the basis of willingness to respond and knowledgeable about the matter being discussed. The study also applied the use of oral interviews and discussions. During the oral interviews and discussions, reasons for the failure of the sustainability of the control protocols approach of the governments in Africa towards the containment of COVID-19 were raised by the respondents and they are: Distribution of Palliatives; Majority are Poor (high level of poverty); Most Employers of Labour are in the Private Sector; Unplanned, Uncoordinated and Unregulated Transport System; Epileptic Power Supply; Ineffective Water Supply System; Primary Economic Production; Unplanned Settlement (Slums); Irregular House Numbering; Inaccurate Data on Residents; Corruption; Congested Living Spaces (Settlement); Congested Market Places; Low Level of Capital for SME's; Small Traders and Artisans sustenance on daily basis; Nigerian Mono economy; Import Dependency; Low Level of Local Production; Shortage of Food; Disobedient to Law and Order. The data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results were shown using tables, graphs and charts. The Mean Weighted Value statistical analysis was carried out on a Likert Scale of 1 - 4 (Likert, 1932; Akukwe, Krhoda and Oluoko-Odingo, 2018). Secondary data such as satellite imageries from ArcGIS Earth were used in map analysis. Published data from the internet and other literatures were extracted and also used. One-way ANOVA test was carried out to confirm the Mean Weighted Value statistical analysis result and also for the test of hypothesis.
3. DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULT DISCUSSION
The data generated from the study were presented and analyzed according to gender and the socio-economic characteristics of respondents.
3.1 Gender of the Respondents
The data collected on the sex of the respondents shows that 52.5% were males and 47.5% females. The study revealed that there are more males willing to respond than females in the discussion about Covid-19 protocols in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular.
3.2 Employment Status of Respondents
The survey of respondents' employment status was presented below. Both show the employment status of respondents. Majority of respondents interviewed are employed. Out of the total number of the 400 respondents that were sampled, 25.5% are Civil/Public Servants, 18.25% are private business owners, 36.5% are Artisans, 13.25% are Student/Apprentice, and 6.5% are either unemployed or retired.
Furthermore, the employment status revealed also the sectors they engaged in. 25.5% are in the formal sectors, 54.75% are in the informal sectors and 19.75% are in others as shown in the table and the chart below.
Table 2: Characteristics of Respondents in the Sampled States
Variable Frequency Percentage (%)
GENDER
Male 210 52.5
Female 190 47.5
HOUSEHOLD SIZE
1 to 5 143 35.75
6 to 10 257 64.25
MARITAL STATUS
Single 84 21
Married 243 60.75
Divorced 6 1.5
Widowed 67 16.75
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
No Formal Education 30 7.5
Primary Education 14 3.5
Secondary Education 203 50.75
Tertiary Education 153 36.25
AGE
21 to 30 17 4.25
31 to 40 67 16.75
41 to 50 217 54.25
Above 51 99 24.75
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Civil/Public Servants/Businesses (Formal) 102 25.5
Private Business Owners (Informal) 73 18.25
Artisans (Informal) 146 36.5
Students/Apprentice (Others) 53 13.25
Unemployed (Others) 26 6.5
SECTOR ENGAGED IN
Formal 102 25.5
Informal 219 54.75
Others 79 19.75
Frequency total = 400 (number of respondents) and Percentage total = 100 Source: Authors Fieldwork, (2021)
The above data is represented in the chart below:
Characteristics of Respondents (%)
Others Informal Formal SECTOR ENGAGED IN Unemployed (Others) Students/Apprentice (Others) Artisans (Informal) Private Business Owners (Informal) Civil/Public Servants/Businesses (Formal) EMPLOYMENT STATUS Above 51 41 to 50 31 to 40 21 to 30 AGE
Tertiary Education Secondary Education Primary Education No Formal Education EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION Widowed Divorced Married Single MARITAL STATUS 6 to 10 1 to 5
HOUSEHOLD SIZE Female Male GENDER
6.5
35.75
u Per
50.75
centa
.75
25
60.75
64.25
ge (%)
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0
Source: Authors' computation using Microsoft Excel, 2007
3.3 The Reasons for the Failure of the sustainability of the control protocols approach for the containment of the spread of COVID-19
Twenty (20) reasons for the failure of the sustainability of the control protocols approach of the governments in Africa towards the containment of COVID-19 were identified from the pilot survey and Oral Interview Discussions (OIDs) carried out in the study areas, and their analysis is shown in
table 3. The respondents were asked to indicate the extent to which the above reasons have contributed to the failure of the sustainability of the control protocols approach of the governments in Africa towards the containment of COVID-19 on a scale of four (4), with 1 showing Strongly Disagree (SD); 2-Disagree (D); 3-Agree (A); and 4- Strongly Agree (SA). Table 3 indicated the summary of the respondents' responses to the reasons of the failure of the sustainability of the control protocols approach of the governments in Africa towards the containment of COVID-19 as well as the calculated Mean Weight Value (MWV) and the Gross Mean Weight Value (GMWV) on the respondents' notions. As a rule (Likert Scale) the variables with MWV above the cut-off point of GMWV 2.60 were accepted while the variables with MWV below the cutoff point were rejected as shown in table 3.
Table 3: The reasons for the failure of the sustainability of the control protocols approach of the governments in Africa towards the containment of COVID-19
S/N
Reasons
Responses
Likert Conversion
>
on"0
ee
e e
- 8 1 i_ on C o
<T. <T. "TO C HM I—
o er er a o a
or on .S2 £ .S2 m < < Q x i/i Q
a t o
r
s §
I £
n o
u
e
o
1 Distribution of Palliatives
2 Majority are Poor (high level of poverty)
3 Most Employers of Labour are in the Private Sector Unplanned, Uncoordinated and
4 Unregulated Transport System
5 Epileptic Power Supply
6 Ineffective Water Supply System
7 Primary Economic Production
8 Unplanned Settlement (Slums)
9 Irregular House Numbering
10 Inaccurate Data on Residents
11 Corruption
12 Congested Living Spaces (Settlement)
13 Congested Market Places
14 Low Level of Capital for SME's
15 Small Traders and Artisans sustenance on daily basis
16 Nigerian Mono economy
36 60 196 108 400 144 180 392 108
84 124 109 83 400 336 372 218 83
80 140 103 77 400 320 420 206 77
153 205 32 9.3 400 612 615 64 9.3
129 164 76 31 400 516 492 152 31
53 67 163 117 400 212 201 326 117
127 217 43 13 400 508 651 86 13
148 116 83 53 400 592 348 166 53
55 149 121 75 400 220 447 242 75
16 20 180 184 400 64 60 360 184
77 135 140 48 400 308 405 280 48
139 196 32 33 400 556 588 64 33
107 121 135 39 400 428 363 270 39
28 35 183 155 400 112 105 366 155
204 153 31 12 400 816 459 62 12
160 145 68 27 400 640 435 136 27
824 2.06 Reject 1009 2.52 Reject 1023 2.56 Reject
1300. Accept
3 3.25
1191
856
1258
1159
984
668
1041
1241
1100
738
1349 1238
2.98 Accept
2.14 Reject
3.15 Accept
2.90 Accept
2.46 Reject
1.67 Reject
2.60 Accept
3.10 Accept
2.75 Accept
1.85 Reject
3.37 Accept 3.10
4
3
2
1
Accept
17 Import Dependency
125 136 79 60 400 500 408 158 60 1126 2.82 Accept
18 Low Level of Local Production
19 Shortage of Food
24 44 104 228 400 96 132 208 228 664 1.66 Reject
177 129 56 37 400 708 387 112 37 1244 3.11 Accept
20 Disobedient to Law and Order
47 68 105 180 400 188 204 210 180 782 1.96 Reject
GMWV
2.6 0
Source: Author's Field Survey, (2021)
The table above (Table 3) reveals the twenty (20) reasons for the failure of the sustainability of the control protocols approach of the governments in Africa towards the containment of COVID-19 with the responses of respondents using a likert scale of 1 - 4 (Likert, 1932; Akukwe, Krhoda and Oluoko-Odingo, 2018). Thus, reasons such as Unplanned, Uncoordinated and Unregulated Transport System has a MWV of (3.25); Epileptic Power Supply (2.98); Primary Economic Production (3.15); Unplanned Settlement (Slums) (2.90); Corruption (2.60); Congested Living Spaces (Settlement) (3.10); Congested Market Places (2.75); Small Traders and Artisans sustenance on daily basis (3.37); Nigerian Mono economy (3.10); Import Dependency (2.82) and Shortage of Food (3.11) were accepted. Other reasons such as Distribution of Palliatives (2.06); Majority are Poor (high level of poverty) (2.52); Most Employers of Labour are in the Private Sector (2.56); Ineffective Water Supply System (2.14); Irregular House Numbering (2.46); Inaccurate Data on Residents (1.67); Low Level of Capital for SME's (1.85); Low Level of Local Production (1.66) and Disobedient to Law and Order (1.96) were rejected because their MWV is less than 2.60 cut-off point.
3.4 Test of Hypothesis
The test for the hypothesis was carried out using One-way ANOVA in Microsoft Excel 2007, and the result is presented in tables 4 and 5.
Table 4: Summary of the One-way ANOVA for the test of hypothesis Anova: Single Factor SUMMARY
Groups
Count Sum Average Variance Decision
Distribution of Palliatives
Majority are Poor (high level of poverty)
Most Employers of Labour are in the Private Sector
Unplanned, Uncoordinated and Unregulated Transport
System
Epileptic Power Supply Ineffective Water Supply System Primary Economic Production Unplanned Settlement (Slums) Irregular House Numbering Inaccurate Data on Residents Corruption
Congested Living Spaces (Settlement) Congested Market Places
4 824 206 16240 Reject 4 1009 252.25 17057.58 Reject 4 1023 255.75 21844.25 Reject
4 1300.3 325.075 111418.8 Accept
4 1191 297.75 59254.92 Accept
4 856 214 7375.333 Reject
4 1258 314.5 97929.67 Accept
4 1159 289.75 55370.92 Accept
4 984 246 23444.67 Reject
4 668 167 19865.33 Reject
4 1041 260.25 22890.92 Accept
4 1241 310.25 91681.58 Accept
4 1100 275 28958 Accept
Low Level of Capital for SME's 4 738 184.5 15129.67 Reject
Small Traders and Artisans sustenance on daily basis 4 1349 337.25 141858.3 Accept
Nigerian Mono economy 4 1238 309.5 78296.33 Accept
Import Dependency 4 1126 281.5 42686.33 Accept
Low Level of Local Production 4 664 166 3888 Reject
Shortage of Food 4 1244 311 92687.33 Accept
Disobedient to Law and Order 4 782 195.5 193 Reject
Note: The decision was based on the Gross Mean Weighted Value (GMWV) of 2.60 cut-off point. Table 4, shows the descriptive statistics - the total sum, average, and variance of the reasons for the failure of the sustainability of the control protocols approach of the governments in Africa towards the containment of COVID-19, which is still subsisting in post-COVID era.
Table 5: Result of the One-way ANOVA for the test of hypothesis
ANOVA
Source of Variation
SS
df
MS
P-value
F crit
Between Groups Within Groups
225591.5 2844213
21 58
10742.45 49038.15
0.219063 0.999838 1.74084
Total
3069804
79
The ANOVA table above (Table 5) is the analysis result meant to test the hypothesis that states that 'the effort of government through the conceived and adopted protocols against COVID-19 and post-COVID era in the infrastructural deficient societies of Africa and indeed Nigeria are not sustainable'. Note, if the significance value is less than .05 (p-value < .05), it means that the hypothesis will be rejected, and if on the other hand, the significance value is greater than .05 (p-value > .05), it means that the hypothesis will be accepted. The result in table 4 shows that the level of significance (p-value) is 0.999838, which is greater than 0.05; since the critical value 0.999838, is greater than 0.05, Ho is accepted and the alternative hypothesis H is rejected. The analysis reveals that the Ho which states that 'the effort through the conceived and adopted protocols against COVID-19 and post-COVID era in the infrastructural deficient societies of Africa and indeed Nigeria are not sustainable' was accepted, while the alternate hypothesis H which states that 'the effort through the conceived and adopted protocols against COVID-19 and post-COVID era in the infrastructural deficient societies of Africa and indeed Nigeria are sustainable' was rejected at 0.05 level of significance.
4. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
It was discovered that Africa and indeed Nigeria were not ready when COVID-19 arrived in the continent in terms of improving healthcare facilities and other infrastructures even though they were aware of the Virus and the havoc that the pandemic caused in Europe, America, and other countries of the world. They were not ready to also successfully implement the WHO's protocols due to various reasons identified by the respondents during the peak of the pandemic. There has not been any significant indigenous idea, measure or protocol developed in Africa that is sustainable, rather they resorted to what appear to be a copy and paste approach from Europe, America, and other parts of the world not minding the peculiarity of their environment, economy, level of technology, advancement in healthcare facilities, infrastructural development, level of trust in government, corruption among others. Hence the measures that worked in Europe, America, and other parts of the world with a high degree of compliance and success could not record such success in Africa due to the various reasons highlighted. Now that the Virus has receded globally, there has not been any move in Africa and indeed Nigeria to drastically upgrade infrastructures in the case of another such devastating pandemic in the future.
RUSSIAN LAW JOURNAL Volume XI (2023) Issue 12s
The ones hurriedly put up during the peak of the pandemic have been left dilapidated due to lack of attention (Appendix A). The study therefore recommends that the African government should revisit their policies on healthcare, education and other social infrastructures in order to improve them for sustainability. Increase funding to the most important sectors of every economy like healthcare and educational institutions for research on health, and other educational related issues as is obtained in Europe, America, and other parts of the world. Massive infrastructural developments in Africa and indeed Nigeria together with investments in the real sector that will ensures job availability, diversified economic activities in order to create additional values to the socio-economic activities that will lead millions of Africans out of poverty, put in place and enforce sustainable hygiene protocols that will promote and guarantee good health and healthy environment of the societies in Africa, improved standard of living of Africans and indeed Nigerians.
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APPENDIX A
Abandoned water storage tank put in place during the COVID-19 period
Dilapidating hand washing facility put in place during the COVID-19 period
Abandoned hand washing facility placed in front of a building during the COVID-19 period
Emergence of Street gathering in post-COVID era
Congested market entrance in post-COVID era
Hand washing facilities hurriedly put in place during the peak of COVID-19 but are left abandoned the moment the pandemic declined. Such are the cases of other protocol measures of the WHO -Use of Hand Sanitizer, Regular Washing of hands, Use of Nose Masks, Social Distancing, No Coughing, No Shaking of Hands, among others. The Streets and market places are now as busy as they were before the COVID-19 pandemic, no more thought of the pandemic, yet the world is anticipating another possible outbreak with some countries preparing for it, but Nigeria and indeed Africa is not ready......or not interested.
