CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic gripped the world with a shock, thereby overwhelming the health system of most nations. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel human coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, which began in Wuhan, China on December 8, 2019, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on January 30, 2020 (WHO, 2020). With over seven million cases globally as of June 7 (2020): United States (over two million cases), Brazil (over 700,000 cases), Russia (over 500,000 cases), and in Africa, South Africa (over 54,000 cases) and Egypt (over 38,000 cases) bearing the greater brunt as of 9 April 2020 (WHO 2020). Following this WHO declaration, the Coronavirus Preparedness Group was constituted on January 31 in Nigeria. According to WHO, Nigeria was one of the 13 high-risk African countries with respect to the spread of COVID-19. however, Nigeria is also among the vulnerable African nations, given the weak state of the healthcare system (Marbot, 2020).

Coronaviruses are zoonotic viruses that cause moderate respiratory tract infections as well as lethal pneumonia in humans, according to researchers. (Su, S., Wong, G., and others, 2016)   Human coronaviruses (HCoV) were first discovered in the noses of patients with the common cold in the 1960s (Felman A 2020). The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention identified seven coronaviruses that can affect people as: 229E (alpha coronavirus), NL63 (alpha coronavirus), OC43 (beta coronavirus), HKU1 (beta coronavirus), MERS-CoV (the beta coronavirus that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome), SARS-CoV (the beta coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome) and SARS-CoV-2 (the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19).

Sociologically, the pandemic has caused global social disruption by limiting global social relations. The idea of “social distancing” negates regular social interaction, which is the bedrock of human society (Amzat and Razum, 2014). the contagious disease of global health importance also disrupted the usual norms of close physical contacts since the disease transmits through contact with individuals who already contracted the disease.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The Covid-19 outbreak affected much more than the economic sectors of Nigeria as national socialization was also at it’s devastating state. The measures taken against the spread of the virus such as the social distancing presented the dangers of increasing social rejection across the Nation, growing impersonality and individualism, and the loss of a sense of community. It negatively affected learning and growth, and it prevented people from effectively socializing, which is a fundamental human need. Further more, the measures carried a strong psychological message, which is the fear of others, along with the idea that others are potential carriers of deadly germs and life‐threatening diseases. The alarming rate of contamination and death from the virus contributed to establishing more panic, and even paranoia among many.

COVID-19 also deglobalized the world in terms of inter-state and inter-country human migration with common boundaries and airports shutdown, social events (sports, festivals and the like) postponed indefinitely. The "stay-at-home" campaign and proscription of social gatherings which limited social interaction.

1.3  OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This study aims at investigating the effect of Covid-19 outbreak on National socialization, to achieve this, the following objectives were formulated;

1. Examine the impact of Covid-19 on political and non political social organizations in Nigeria.

2. Evaluate the extent to which the imposed social distancing preventive measure disrupted social activities and events in Nigeria.

3. Investigate if Covid-19 affected inter state and inter personal communication.

1.4  RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. what is the impact of Covid-19 on political and non political social organizations in Nigeria?

2. What is the extent to which the imposed social distancing preventive measure disrupted social activities and events in Nigeria?

4. Did Covid-19 affect inter-state and inter-personal communication?

1.5  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will expose the challenges imposed by the outbreak of Covid-19 and its spread across different states of Nigeria. The study will further proffer recommendations which will be relevant to the Nigerian Government. Notably, this study will also be of humongous significant to researchers, teachers, students and other sagacious academia who at their own time and will may carryout a research on a similar topic.

1.6  SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study covers an investigation into the effect of Covid-19 on National Socialization. However, the scope this study also deepens into Examining the impact of Covid-19 on political and non political social organizations in Nigeria. And also evaluating the extent to which the imposed social distancing preventive measure disrupted social activities and events in Nigeria and finally Investigate if Covid-19 affected inter state and inter personal communication.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constrains which include time constrain, financial constrain, language barriers, and attitude of the respondents.

1.8  DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

Investigation:  An investigation is a systematic, minute, and thorough attempt to learn the facts about something complex or hidden; it is often formal and official.

Covid-19: COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. 'CO' stands for corona, 'VI' for virus, and 'D' for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as '2019 novel coronavirus' or '2019-nCoV’.

Socialization: A continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate to his or her social position.

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