As a Master Degree student in International Legal Cooperation at the Universiteit Brussels (a Flemish Government subsidized institution in the Centre of Brussels) one of the topics I did was on SCHENGEN AREA. As at then, it made up of about six countries (now 26 European Countries) “that abolished their internal borders, for the free and unrestricted movement of people, in harmony within common rules for controlling external borders and fighting criminality by strengthening the common judicial system and police cooperation”.

In practical terms, after my arrival in Brussels, Belgium and on conclusion of my registration with the University, I went to Etterbeek City Hall at Avenue d’ Auderghem 113, 1040 Etterbeek, Brussels Belgium where I applied and was documented as a resident student in Brussels and was issued with what was considered ‘Commune Card’. That card was all I needed to board a train to Essen Bahnhof in Germany to see my childhood friend resident there. There were no border controls and my Nigerian International Passport did not make the German trip with me. The Commune Card was all I needed.

With the exception of the France borders with the United Kingdom I never experienced any border controls throughout my stay in Europe. My subsequent visits to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg and social visits to Netherlands were done without any border controls. The impressions and the general assumptions were that the borders had been shut down PERMANETLY. Those assumptions have been proved rebuttable by the fear of Coronavirus.

About two days ago, the German Government made an unprecedented announcement of restrictions of movements within her borders with France, Austria and other SCHENGEN countries. I never knew those borders still existed.

It is very instructive that these border closures are happening when International political pundits were expecting France and Germany to make efforts at public show of oneness as a means of cutting down on the effects of the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union. It is obvious that taking practical steps at protecting her citizens is greater than any other considerations.

Furthermore, despite the historical relationship that existed between United States of America (USA) and other European countries especially the United Kingdom, Trump led USA government announced movement restrictions between USA and some European countries including the United Kingdom.

In addition, some African countries like Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya have taken measures to protect her citizens by publicly announcing travelling restrictions from China and some European Countries.

Instructively, in Italy, a friend in Rome told me that you cannot even step out of your house without proof of cogent reasons to drive out of the house. Weeks ago, Saudi Arabia took the bold step in announcing restrictions to visits to the holy sites within her country despite the known religious implications of such visits.

In Nigeria, what is the situation? A Committee on Coronavirus was launched yesterday with unimaginable fanfare. Even Italians and Chinese who could not move around within their countries were allowed to freely fly into Nigeria and move around. A luxury they could not enjoy in their countries and this continued until the 8^th case of Coronavirus infections were announced in Nigeria.

Of course, you can believe everything if you believe that we have just eight people in Nigeria who are positive to coronavirus.

As at today, with the exception of Lagos State, there is probably no other State with facilities to manage the virus and this, sadly includes Abuja the capital city.

What would the world be thinking of us as a nation? People blame the leaders but the problem is much more than that. Public officials in Nigeria do not owe any responsibility to the Nigerian people. The Coronavirus could prove destructive to Nigeria but certainly, nobody would hold the leaders accountable for their failures. While the virus ravages the world, the President and some governors held an emergency meeting. Not to discuss the virus and steps to be taken but to negotiate powers within the APC Political Party.

Indeed, the people deserve the leadership they have.

Written by: Obunike Oheagbu (Ezesinachi N’Ukpor)