Merchant Navy Union Urges Seafarers To Be Courageous, Fearless, Amid Covid19 Pandemic

The Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association has advised seafarers worldwide to be bold, courageous and fearless amid the covid19 pandemic while at sea.

Deputy National President of the seafarers’ union, Comrade Boniface Akwubor in his message tagged “Food For thought “,over the weekend , urged seafarers to adhere strictly to preventive measures while aboard vessels.

While assuring seafarers that the covid19 pandemic would soon be a thing of the past, the Deputy President noted that “We shall all be stronger, united and victorious at the end of this trying period. Let’s remember that this shall also pass away.

He further said : “It is expedient as law abiding citizens to comply, obey and cooperate with the stay at home order of the government, though it’s not an easy task but I urge you to do exactly.

“Within the days we shall be home with our families, let’s harness and utilise the opportunity to strengthen our family ties, re-unite/reconcile with enstraged, isolated and forgotten loved ones as seafarers hardly have time with families.

“While you may not be able to meet physically, a phone call or an SMS can go a long way to allay fears, encourage the discouraged and enlighten the ignorants about the COVID-19 pandemic. Ignorance in this circumstance could be more dangerous and devastating than the ravaging effects of the disease itself.

Continuing, Comrade Akwubor stressed that “Some of our citizens, on hearing about the curative possibilities of Chloroquine, took over-doze and some were hospitalised. While others decided to become heavily drunk with the native gin (Okai Kai) to escape contacting the disease, based on the scanty informations available to them, either through unsubstantiated claims from the social media or information from fear mongers.

“To this end, I advise all of us to restrain from self medication that is not from medical professional /experts or WHO.

“I implore our Nigeria seafarers & their counterparts all over the world to be strong and fearless. We have prayed; and God will keep us safe wherever we are located, within the precincts of established safety measures.

“We shall all be stronger, united and victorious at the end of this trying period. Let’s remember that this shall also pass away!