Transcript: Governor Seyi Makinde’s Phone Interview with Mayor Isaac Brown on Fresh FM 105.9 Ibadan (10 AM, April 06, 2020).
O: Your Excellency, Sir, good morning. Sir, will you confirm, that your COVID-19 test is now negative?
A: Well, I am okay. Just as I posted on my social media handles yesterday night, I can confirm that I have taken two COVID-19 tests. On Thursday, April, the 2nd, they took a test… they took a sample which was sent to the first lab at Ede where the first sample was taken to, the one that tested positive. So, that came back negative and then, from our own diagnostic centre here, at the virology laboratory in the University of Ibadan, they took another sample yesterday, morning, April 5th and by late yesterday night, the result returned negative.
So, I am feeling okay. I am eager to jump out now and start getting around again to get the work that Oyo State people gave to me, to get the work done.
Q: So, Your Excellency, it’s official. You are confirming to us this morning that you are now COVID-19 negative?
A: That is correct. I am completely free of the virus. So, I should be jumping around shortly.
Q: The last time you spoke with us here, almost a week ago, looking through the transcript, you did say that, you described yourself as a long-distance runner and that you are very confident you will surely outlast the virus. What advice do you have for folks who, as we speak, are down with COVID-19?
A: Well, quite frankly, Isaac, I don’t think I am in a position to advise COVID-19 patients, as such. That is for the health practitioners to do and you know every case is different. COVID-19 affects each person in a different way. I’ve been watching a lot of TV while in isolation and then, the same virus will get into somebody and that individual, just like me, may show no symptoms, they may not even know that they have the virus and the same virus will get into someone else and that fellow will get really dog sick to the extent that they will need a ventilator. And everything in between, you know, from not being symptomatic up to being extremely sick and everything in between. So, the way it affects people is kind of different. But my prayer is that whoever has the virus, I pray that they get through this period with minimal damage to their health. I mean, I was asymptomatic throughout. So, without the test, I would not even have known that I had COVID-19. So, this is the more reason why we are advising social distancing at this time, as there may be people with the virus who are also not showing any symptoms. So, it’s also the reason why we pushed for a testing centre in Ibadan so we can test more people who may have come in contact with COVID-19 cases. And my aspiration, which I already discussed with the Task Force team, and the EOC [Emergency Operations Centre], is that we must set a target to test close to 10,000 people in Oyo State.
Q: Wow! Ambitious.
A: Well, it’s ambitious but just watch us, we will do it. We are setting up to have that done. For us, if we are able to meet that target, we will be able to map the state correctly. Yeah, we can wall off communities if we see cases of the virus in those communities. It is the only way that we can stay ahead of the curve and get a handle of what is really going on in Oyo State.
Q: So, you are saying, sir, this morning, that the Oyo State of your dream moving forward, will be testing folks. At least, 10,000.
A: Yes, we are doing the planning right now and I have not been told by the experts that this is impossible for us and I think we will stay ahead of the national effort. That is the trajectory that we are pushing to get to.
Q: Sir, now that you have been declared negative, are you tarrying or hoping to rest a bit or you are just ready to hit the ground running?
A: Well, Isaac, I have been self-isolating since we were advised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to self-isolate and test, after an attendee at the National Executive Council tested positive. So, I started self-isolating on Tuesday, March the 24th. Which is about two weeks ago. I have been working from the confines of my house since then but I am understandably, eager to see some of the things we are putting in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Oyo State. I will be going to the Emergency Operations Centre later this afternoon, and also go to the Infectious Disease Centre at Olodo later this afternoon, as well. However, my advice remains to stay at home so, only very important trips outside the home should be made and we will continue to do as much as we can, especially meetings, through electronic means. I worked throughout this period, even though, I took a back seat and designated Professor Temitope Alonge as the Head of the Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force. So, I will be resuming as the Head of that Task Force from today. And let me use this opportunity to once again, you know, thank Prof Alonge for his commitment and diligence while acting in my stead during this period. And of course, members of the Task Force also, for their cooperation. Let me quickly add…I was reading today’s Punch, I believe it’s on page 14 and I saw a story in there that “Group Faults Makinde’s Choice of Task Force Coordinator.” They call themselves Ibadan Mesi Ogo and they say their president is one Dr Jide Oriolowo. I think, yes, I know a lot of people are jobless right now because people are staying at home and they have a bit of free time but this is a period that calls for concerted effort from everybody. That group says that I should have chosen a virology professor and things like that. But we do have virology professors as part of the Task Force team. I am not a virology professor myself; you know. So, people should spend their time on things that are productive. That’s my advice.
Q: Your Excellency, while you were in isolation in the last two weeks, I’m sure you must have been figuring out the numbers and the reports that have been coming to you. Will you say you are satisfied, as we speak, with current measures you have put in place to combat the pandemic in the state? Or in the last two weeks of your isolation, do you think some of the measures we currently have in place may be up for review?
A: Our measures are all work in progress. As I have said before, we are in uncharted territory regarding this pandemic. So, where we see any need for improvement, we will work on improvement. But my appeal to the people of Oyo State is that we need their support. They must support us. They must rally behind us. We are not perfect and even the developed world, they are struggling with this. They are struggling so; they shouldn’t expect hundred per cent perfection with us. But we promise them, we will listen if there is any criticism that is constructive, we will listen. We will engage them; we will discuss what plans we have been implementing. And if there is a need for us to change anything, we are not proud, we will change those things. So, that is really my position about the measures that we’ve put in place.
Q: The fact that you have restrictions and businesses are closed apart from markets, as you directed, that are selling food and essentials. The reality out here is that people are hurting, I must also tell you, even here at our station. In the last few days, folks have been trooping down here looking for little assistance here and there. What do you have in terms of assurance for the people of Oyo State, whether your government is actually working on palliatives, as we continue to soldier on as far as this pandemic is concerned in the state?
A: Well, we are still working on this. First, we have been very deliberate in not directing a total lockdown until palliatives are in place. A major challenge for us is the fact that we need to cut out the middlemen, and we also have to ensure that those who actually need the palliatives are those who get the palliatives. There have been outbreaks here and there. About two days ago, in our meeting, the Task Force meeting, the Head of Service [Mrs Ololade Agboola] informed me that the Conditional Cash Transfer from the Federal Government is going to give N20,000 to people in ten Local Government Areas of Oyo State. I said okay, fine, I mean it’s good that you are informing me but this is a programme that predates this administration and I have never been impressed for one day by how they’ve identified the poorest of the poor and the impact. So, I see this as an opportunity for us to ensure that we get to the real people that require those palliatives, that’s one. Secondly, once we are able to get this right, that will become the pillar upon which we can build upon for future efforts. And once we have been able to do it right once, we won’t have to go back to the foundation again. So, Isaac, the data is already being collated by our people on the field. They started yesterday. And, I can promise the people of Oyo State that it’s not going to be business as usual where we show a pile of foodstuff in some warehouse somewhere and in the end, this won’t get to the people who really need it. That will not happen in Oyo State.
Q: Are you saying you also want to police the cash transfer of the Federal Government to those ten local governments and get down to who gets what.
A: Well, I am not policing it. All I am saying is I am not satisfied. I have done a little bit of work on it in terms of gathering intelligence, finding out if this money is actually getting to the people that require it and part of my findings are that no, close to 80 percent of that money is wasted and 20 per cent that actually gets to some form of individuals is too little and too meagre to have the desired impact. That is my own finding.
Q: So, how do you block these loopholes now, since it is a Federal Government initiative?
A: Well, it is a Federal Government initiative. We will keep engaging them and more than likely, change the coordinator. Because, I do have control over the coordinator of that programme. I will change the coordinator and also when we are able to get our own data right, we will tweak it to ensure that the actual people, the real people that require this assistance are the ones getting it.
Q: It’s a big one that we now have a diagnostic centre here. We must give kudos to you and what I have just said earlier about the possibility of having 10,000 of our citizens here tested. But how will you still assess the level of improvement that we have had especially when it comes to health delivery and the readiness of men and women, especially at the front lines; doctors, nurses at combating this disease in the state?
A: Well, again, Isaac, you are asking us to rate ourselves which as I said the last time, is actually not ideal. You are the ones who need to rate our progress so far. But what I can say is that we have been working round the clock to ensure that we have the capability to test, to isolate and quarantine confirmed cases and ensure health workers are adequately protected. I believe yesterday, we… you know they have been making a lot of noise in the newspaper. Oh Jack Ma, they have some items for us so I sent the people at the Oyo State Liaison Office. First, at the NGF [Nigeria Governors’ Forum] meeting, I was told that those items were sent to the liaison offices. So, I called the liaison office for Oyo State in Abuja and said did you receive it? They said ‘no.’ So, eventually, they asked them to come to somewhere in Jabi to collect those items.
They brought them yesterday. Well, I thank them but it is nothing compared to what we require. I mean it’s just some gloves, protective equipment, maybe like 25 coveralls or something like that. So, there seems to be a lot of talk… cheap talk, really at the top level. So, as a state, we really have to take our fate in our hands, you know. Take for instance, the 100-bed capacity Infectious Disease Centre at Olodo is open to receive cases from today. I will be going there, like I said, this afternoon. We do have six ICU beds. So, if we have critical cases that may need ventilators, for example, we are able to attend to them there. So, I am waiting for feedback, Isaac. I know some time back, my friend, Edmund Obilo said he went out and he got response and then, NUJ [Nigerian Union of Journalists] also said they went out. So, those are the kind of things we need. Let it be constructive. Let it be devoid of any kind of embellishments.
Q: Constructive criticism is what you appreciate greatly.
A: Exactly, I need that from yourself.
Q: You will always get it. Before I let you go, I just want to ask you, great numbers of good spirited members of the state have risen up to the plate by donating materials, money towards this cause. You want to use this moment to thank them and to also encourage more citizens of the state who are well-to-do to also support your government in this effort.
A: Well, yes let me use this opportunity to thank Senior Advocate, Lateef Fagbemi, thank Baba Bode Akindele and a host of others. I have the list. I told them to put the list on the Oyo State website and they will keep updating it. Even my political leader and father, Chief Yekini Adeojo, he privately has sent some things to some mosques you know, palliatives, a lot of wealthy Oyo State people, they have not… they didn’t disappoint us at all. You know, they have risen to the occasion so I want to use this opportunity to thank them. Government cannot do these things alone and no matter how little, no matter how little. My small sister, Seyi Akinbowa, she has taken things to orphanage homes and no matter how little… Even Fresh FM, I have heard about palliatives, you know, what you have given to people. No matter how little. Those are helping the government. And then, when eventually, we are able to get things from the government side going, it will just add to what has already been done.
And as a people, in this place, you know, our system of living is communal in nature. The first time I moved to my house in Ikolaba, the people on the street, they brought baskets of fruits to my house to welcome the newest neighbour on the street. So, it is what we are known for, that’s how we live here. And, we should…
Q: Be our brother’s keeper?
A: Yes, we should just keep things that way.
Q: On a final note, on a lighter note, this time around. I know I did speak with you occasionally while you were in isolation. And one of those remarkable moments, few days ago when you spoke to me about taking Vitamin C, you eat lots and lots of carrots and you also told me about your best friend, your infra-red thermometer. I hope you are not going to abandon all these very soon, sir, now that…
A: (Laughs) Isaac, I still have my thermometer here.
Q: Okay, can we know your latest temperature.
A: (Thermometer reads out temperature as 36.4 degrees) You can hear that; my body temperature is 36.4 degrees. So, I still have the thermometer.
Q: Oh… to God be the glory.
A: There has been all sorts… My very good friend and brother, Dr Muyideen Olatunji. He is the one in charge of the Primary Healthcare for Oyo State. He came to me and said, look, I am going to send to you this blackseed oil, it boosts immunity so I mix it with honey and take one teaspoon in the morning and one in the evening. So, there are local solutions to boost immunity. So, our people should not fret. They shouldn’t fret. Just as I have been able to get the virus out of my system, so will it be for majority of our people. And I’ll use this opportunity, Isaac, to just say thank you to our good people of Oyo State, even yourself and major stakeholders for all their prayers and support throughout this period. It is important that they continue to follow the advice of the Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force on the need for social distancing and also proper hygienic practices such as washing of hands regularly or using an alcohol-based sanitizer. And by God’s grace, our lives shall become normal very soon.
Q: Before I let you go, in Yoruba just 2 minutes, àwọn ara ojèè, àwọn ara bẹ̀ẹ̀rẹ̀, àwọn ara Ọ̀yọ́ to n gbọ yin fitifitifiti, atumọ ẹ̀, ẹ̀ ba wọn sọ́rọ́ ni bii iṣẹ̀ju mèji ki n to jẹ̀ kẹ̀ lọ.
A: Mo n lo asiko yii lati ki gbogbo ẹ̀yin èyan mi ni ipinlẹ̀ Ọ̀yọ́, ni Ibadan ni o, l’Ọ̀yọ́ ni o, ni Ogbomọ́ṣọ́ ni o, ni Okẹ̀ Ogun ni o, ati Ibarapa, gbogbo ẹ̀yin ti ẹ̀ gba adura, gbogbo ẹ̀yin ti ẹ̀ gba awẹ̀ ntori pẹ̀ ẹ̀ẹ̀ fẹ̀ ki nkan kan ṣè gomina yin, modupẹ̀ l’ọ́wọ́ yin, adura yin gba adura gbogbo wa na a tun si ma gba si ni. Mo fẹ̀ fi asiko yi sọ́ wi pe ki ẹ̀jọ́ọ́, ẹ̀yin èyan mi ni bẹ̀ẹ̀rẹ̀, ni ojèè ninu awọ́n ọ́ja wa kaakiri, ẹ̀jẹ̀ ki ka ma, ka ma gbọ́ nkan ti task force lori Covid 19 yii ti a n sọ́, especially fun social distancing ni o, ati pè ki a ma fọ́ ọ́wọ́ wa pẹ̀lu ọ́ṣẹ̀ ati omi or ki a lo alcohol based hand sanitizer, so awọ́n the task force, ati commission, ati commission iwadi pe njẹ̀ ti gbogbo wa ni Ọ̀yọ́ state ti a ba ti ẹ̀ nlo face mask ti a fi cover imu ati ẹ̀nu wa, ṣè alè jẹ̀ ki ọ́rọ́ Corona yii ki o lọ́ silẹ̀, mo ni igbagbọ́ wipè ki ọ́sẹ̀ yii to pari, wọ́n a pada wa si ọ́dọ́ wa lati sọ́pè okay o result research awọ́n niyii , I will not shy away from making any law once ti a ba le ri pè okay o, ti a ba n lo face mask yii, à slow down transmission virus yẹ̀n, I won’t shy away from making any law lati ensure wipè if you must leave your house o, you have to wear that mask, it’s something ti à niwa lara fun igba di ẹ̀ ni, i mean it will be, à inconvenient wa for a little period ni, ọ́lọ́run à ba wa ṣẹ̀gun ajakalẹ̀ àrun coro yi o.
Q: A gbọ́ pè wọ́n ni ẹ̀ fẹ̀, ẹ̀ fẹ̀, ẹ̀ fẹ̀ fumigate awọ́n ọ́ja?
A: Well, it’s also a study to n lọ́, a sọ́wipe à decontaminate wọ́n, but àwọ́n èyàn sọ́ wipe okay ti a ba decontaminate wọ́n l’eni ti wọ́n ba tun di ki oja open l’ọ́la tabi ọ́tun’la nkọ́, so, ki lo fẹ̀ ṣẹ̀lẹ̀.
We have to be deep in, ni iru solution ti a ba fẹ̀ ṣe… The places ti à ni control over
…We will talk to the banks àti àwọ́n organized private sector.
