The South-East Immunization; Good Intentions turned out badly

Politicians truly live in a different world. They only think one way. What occupies their mind is simply how to win public support at all costs even in the face of  chronic failure. There is a lot of lessons to be learned from this recent govenment blunder.

This immunization programme is another 'careless mistake' in pursuit of a political objective, but causing a collateral damage of trust. The people of the South-Eastern Nigeria are still battling the devastations of the Nigeria military's 'operations in their territory. Trust is already eroded given daily gruesome tales of horror they encounter in  a country they call home.

 Till date the government has failed to address the core national issue of inclusiveness rather using divisive tactis in pursuit of its political objective. Naturally, this will give critics the cause to question every motive of government.

The consensus that emerged is that this programme should not have been carried out by this time. Furthermore, in a democracy, government activities should demonstrate less military interventions. Active military interventions is the tactic of totalitarian regimes and this is what we are now witnessing.

Our government needs to do more to change it's style, address inclusiveness instead of creating the continuous condition that give sceptics the key to question their everyday motives. A good government programme intended to save lives is now treated with suspicion and a wave of hand because of governmental failure to address diversity issues, very disappointing.

There is urgent need for our government to change it's style, less military intervention and active citizen engagement is needed to avoid this kind of incident occurring in the future. Local leaders and public health officials should be in the lead of such sensitive intervention programmes, if possible in partnership with the providers to achieve the desired result.

The only way forward is to learn not to repeat the mistakes of the past, the people come first. This is the time for true local leadership instead of succumbing too easy to unending intimidation and brutality that has now defined our existence. The signs are very obvious; a very dangerous trend for the future.

I welcome the recent bold delegation of the South-East leaders to Abuja . This will help remind the leadership of the need to change tactis.

Uche Okeke; My View.