The reality of the massive effect of the dreaded Covid-19 has finally come upon us. As many nations around the world have begun to ease their lockdown measures and unlock their countries, we are starting to slowly and gradually come to terms with the ‘new normal’ way of life that would become our lifestyle probably for a long time to come. And as millions of people all over the world are struggling to come to grips with this ‘new normal,’ Nigerians are not faring any better. Virtually everything has changed and the world as we knew it may not return to the way it used to be, at least, not for a long time.
Apart from the fatal damage, the pandemic has had on the country’s economy, business, industry, education, etc, one of its biggest casualties is our social life. Nigerians love to party. Nigerians love to hang out and have fun with friends. We love to go to clubs, joints and relax after a hard day’s work. While we expect that, after a while, these activities might be resurfacing soon, you can bet it will be with a lot of trepidation. The fear of Covid-19 is the beginning of wisdom. Will we resume hugging and shaking hands like we often did before the Coronavirus reared its ugly head? Will we be able to have our usual hangouts with the discomforting facemasks and have our fun like we have no care in the world? Only time will tell.
Days ago, City People’s Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290), had a brief chat with Chief Tajudeen Akande Adegboyega, the outgoing president of the prestigious Lagos Country Club, Africa’s foremost family club. In compliance with the government’s ban on places of worship and recreation, the Lagos Country Club has been shut down for over two months now. The club which before now, hosted every night an average of five to six thousand members and guests, for the first time since it was established over 70 years ago, has been closed and inaccessible to members. The president, Chief Tajudeen Akande shares with us the telling effect of the club’s shutdown on the social life of its members. Enjoy excerpts of the interview.
What were your immediate thoughts when you first heard that Coronavirus had struck in Nigeria?
Well, I felt, oh, at last! But why? Because we have seen in the news how the pandemic was ravaging other countries and has overwhelmed the health facilities of other nations. Here, we know that our health facility cannot cope if the outbreak could not be controlled.
Sir, how unprepared were you as a person and as a top CEO running a multinational organisation when the state was locked down over 2 months ago?
I was actually very prepared. I was regularly following what was happening abroad. In fact, our offices shut down on 26th March as a precautionary measure, before the government’s directive on 30th of March.
How did you keep yourself engaged during the total lockdown?
I had moved most of my things from the office to home. So, we started working from home online as far as practicable. We leveraged technology to get things done. It’s not the same thing but that appears to be the new normal.
Are you impressed with the efforts made by the government to battle and contain the pandemic so far? What would you like to see the government put in place?
From all indications, yes. Our government response, especially Lagos state, is commendable. I would like the government to intensify efforts at ramping up testing. Evidence suggests that the key to curtailment is in extensive testing of the population because of infected persons who may be asymptomatic.
How badly would you say the Covid-19 reality has affected our social lives, especially as top-notch recreational clubs such as the Lagos Country Club have also been compelled to shut down in compliance to the govt’s ban on places of worship and recreation?
Of course, social life has been totally crippled. To shut down a club like the Lagos Country Club was not an easy decision to take. Many people, especially elderly people, have no other place to go except the club. The club is like a second home to clubbers. These are people who have not been used to staying at home for that long for many years. In fact, the only place they have friends in the club, not in their neighbourhood.
As the current president of the Lagos Country Club, how has this pandemic situation affected your plans and projections for the club?
Expectedly, the pandemic has negatively impacted many activities. Actually, we should be having our elections and Annual General Meeting about now. But we could not because of the lockdown. I am like an expired president without a successor. I have been looking forward to handing over the baton and taking a deserved rest from club administration after three years on the saddle. However, that is the situation that nature has imposed on us. Health is wealth. The system will surely take care of itself.
How do you foresee life at the Lagos Country Club post Covid-19?
With the ‘reality of the new normal’, will life ever remain the same at the Lagos country club and indeed at all recreational clubs in Lagos state? Life may not be the same for a very long time. Everyone will have to adjust to the new normal. The extent of the changes to lifestyle cannot be fully quantified now.
READ ALSO: HOW I COPED DURING THE 2 MONTHS LOCKDOWN – MOVIE ICON, OMOTOLA JALADE-EKEINDE
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