CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Coronavirus known as “COVID-19” appeared in the city of Wuhan, China, and has spread rapidly to more than 70 countries across the world. However, the viruses found no evidence that was made in a laboratory or otherwise engineered. Several authors have discussed the origin of the virus. For example, Anderson et al, (2020) confirmed that, it was originated through natural process. Zhou. et al. (2020) investigations have shown that some bat SARSr-CoVs have the possibility to infect human. According to World Health Organization WHO, (2020) corona virus disease is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus which affect people in different ways. The common symptoms include fever, dry cough, tiredness, shortness of breath, pains and aches, sore throat, and very few people will report diarrhoea, nausea or a runny nose. The virus spreads rapidly across the world. The WHO report on 2 nd April 2020, 00:15 GMT shows that there 827,419 confirmed cases of coronavirus in 206 countries. The fast spread of this virus has called the attention of the world to quickly take all the necessary measure fight and control the spread of the virus. Presently, the global community is ravaged by the pandemic while the end to the COVID-19 pandemic is remains unknown due to variations of its spread among the countries. Social media network sites are online platforms through which individuals, groups and organisations create presence and share information through texts, photos, music videos etc. The more worrisome aspect of the social media is its potency to be used to spread fake news with its significant negative effects on the society and on people’s decisions and behaviours. Fake news comes in various forms such as comedy for fun, however, a type of fake news which succeeds in convincing people of an untrue message is obviously quite worrisome.

        The first case of COVID-19 was reported to have been confirming in Africa on 14th February 2020, and subsequently to the sub Saharan Africa. Consequently, Nigeria has also recorded first cases of COVID-19 virus on 27th February 2020 where an Italian citizen who entered Nigeria from Milan on a business trip, was tested positive in Lagos, Nigeria. Similarly, on 9th March 2020 a second case of the virus was reported in Ogun State all in South West of Nigeria. However, 0n 1st April 2020 reported 12 new cases in the country, which account for 210 confirm cases, 25 discharge, and 3 deaths. Following the announcement by World Health Organisation (2020) that Nigeria is among other 13 African countries identified as high-risk for the spread of the virus. The Federal government of Nigeria has set up a Coronavirus Preparedness Group (CPG) to mitigate the impact of the virus on 31 st January 2020. Although, on 28th January 2020, the Federal Government of Nigeria assured its citizen on the readiness and strength to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country. Likewise, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) set up a group for coronavirus which was ready to activate the incident if any case emerged in Nigeria. It is to this regard that study is based on the analysis of facebook mesaages on corona virus.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The corona virus disease (COVID19) has affected the day to day activities in Nigeria. Up till date there is a lot of disbelief on the spread of covid19 in Nigeria. Most people tend to ignore the directives of the Ncdc. There are lots of messages on social media especially facebook on corona virus disease; people tend to see messages on the ncdc facebook page as hoax; however, there are lots of research on the corona virus disease but not even a single study is based on the Nigeria facebook messages and peoples’ perception on corona virus pandemic .

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of the research work is to carry out an Nigeria facebook messages and peoples’ perception on corona virus pandemic. The specific objectives of the study are:

1. to examine the authenticity of the Nigeria facebook messages on corona virus
2. to determine the level of acceptance of the Nigeria facebook messages on corona virus messages
3. to investigate the factors affecting the Nigeria facebook messages on corona virus
4.   to recommend ways to improve the Nigeria facebook messages on corona virus messages

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with research questions so as to ascertain the above stated objectives of the study. The following research questions guide the objectives of the study:

1. What is the authenticity of the Nigeria facebook messages on corona virus?
2. What is the level of acceptance of the Nigeria facebook messages on corona virus messages?
3. What are the factors affecting the Nigeria facebook messages on corona virus?
4.   What are the ways to improve the Nigeria facebook messages on corona virus messages?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study on Nigeria facebook messages and peoples’ perception on corona virus pandemic will be of immense benefit to the NCDC, the media and journalists in Nigeria. The study will enable them get the responses of facebook users on corona virus and how best to tackle the spread of the virus so as to improve the level of acceptance of the messages on corona virus diseases in Nigeria. The study will also serve as a repository of information to other researchers and students that desire to carry out similar research on the above topic. Finally the study will contribute to the body of the existing literature on Nigeria facebook messages and peoples’ perception on corona virus pandemic.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

 The study will cover on the Nigeria facebook messages and peoples’ perception on corona virus pandemic with focus on the messages from ncdc on corona virus diseases.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

SOCIAL MEDIA: websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking

CORONA VIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19):

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus. The disease causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing. You can protect yourself by washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your face, and avoiding close contact (1 meter or 3 feet) with people who are unwell.