Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has eased the lockdown imposed on Ogun,
Lagos States as well as the Federal Capital Territory due to widespread
of coronavirus in the country.
This was contained in the full text of his national broadcast on Monday.
The full text of his speech below.
1. Fellow Nigerians
2. I will start by commending you all for the resilience and
patriotism that you have shown in our collective fight against the
biggest health challenge of our generation.
3. As at yesterday, 26th April 2020, some 3 million confirmed cases
of COVID-19 have been recorded globally with about 900,000 recoveries.
Unfortunately, some 200,000 people have passed away as a result of this
pandemic.
4. The health systems and economies of many nations continue to struggle as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
5. Nigeria continues to adapt to these new global realities on a
daily basis. Today, I will present the facts as they are and explain our
plans for the coming months fully aware that some key variables and
assumptions may change in the coming days or weeks.
6. Exactly two weeks ago, there were 323 confirmed cases in 20 States and the Federal Capital Territory.
7. As at this morning, Nigeria had recorded 1,273 cases across 32 States and the FCT. Unfortunately, this includes 40 deaths.
8. I am using this opportunity to express our deepest condolences to
the families of all Nigerians that have lost their loved ones as a
result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is our collective loss and we
share your grief.
9. Initial models predicted that Nigeria will record an estimated 2,000 confirmed cases in the first month after the index case.
10. This means that despite the increase in the number of confirmed
cases recorded in the past two weeks, the measures we have put in place
thus far have yielded positive outcomes against the projections.
11. The proportion of cases imported from other countries has reduced
to only 19% of new cases, showing that our border closures yielded
positive results. These are mostly fellow Nigerians returning through
our land borders. We will continue to enforce land border arrival
protocols as part of the containment strategy.
12. Today, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has
accredited 15 laboratories across the country with an aggregate capacity
to undertake 2,500 tests per day across the country.
13. Based on your feedback, Lagos State Government and the FCT with
support from NCDC have established several sample collection centers.
They are also reviewing their laboratory testing strategy to further
increase the number of tests they can perform including the
accreditation of selected private laboratories that meet the
accreditation criteria.
14. Several new fully equipped treatment and isolation centres have
been operationalised across the country thereby increasing bed capacity
to about three thousand.
15. I commend the State Governors for the activation of State-level
Emergency Operation Centres, establishment of new treatment centres and
the delivery of aggressive risk communication strategies.
16. Over 10,000 healthcare workers have been trained. For their
protection, additional personal protective equipment have been
distributed to all the states.
17. Although we have experienced logistical challenges, we remain
committed to establishing a solid supply chain process to ensure these
heroic professionals can work safely and are properly equipped.
18. In keeping with our Government’s promise to improve the welfare
of healthcare workers, we have signed a memorandum of understanding on
the provision of hazard allowances and other incentives with key health
sector professional associations.
19. We have also procured insurance cover for 5,000 frontline health
workers. At this point, I must commend the insurance sector for their
support in achieving this within a short period of time.
20. Nigeria has also continued to receive support from the
international community, multilateral agencies, the private sector and
public-spirited individuals. This support has ensured that critical
lifesaving equipment and materials, which have become scarce globally,
are available for Nigeria through original equipment manufacturers and
government-to-government processes.
21. The distribution and expansion of palliatives which I directed in
my earlier broadcast is still ongoing in a transparent manner. I am
mindful of the seeming frustration being faced by expectant citizens. I
urge all potential beneficiaries to exercise patience as we continue to
finetune our logistical and distribution processes working with the
State Governments.
22. Our Security Agencies continue to rise to the challenge posed by
this unusual situation. While we feel deeply concerned about isolated
security incidents, I want to assure all Nigerians that your safety and
security remain our primary concern especially in these difficult and
uncertain times.
23. As we focus on protecting lives and properties, we will not
tolerate any human rights abuse by our security agencies. The few
reported incidences are regrettable, and I want to assure you that the
culprits will be brought to justice.
24. I urge all Nigerians to continue to cooperate and show
understanding whenever they encounter security agents. Furthermore, for
their protection, I have instructed that the personnel of all the
security agencies be provided with the necessary personal protective
equipment against infection.
25. As we continue to streamline our response in the centers of Lagos
and the FCT, I am gravely concerned about the unfortunate developments
in Kano in recent days. Although an in-depth investigation is still
ongoing, we have decided to deploy additional Federal Government
manpower, material and technical resources to strengthen and support the
State Government’s efforts, with immediate effect.
26. In Kano, and indeed many other States that are recording new
cases, preliminary findings show that such cases are mostly from
interstate travel and emerging community transmission.
27. Drawing from these, I implore all Nigerians to continue to adhere
strictly to the advisories published by the Presidential Task Force and
the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
28. These include regular hand washing, physical distancing, wearing
of face masks/coverings in public, avoidance of non-essential movement
and travels and avoidance of large gatherings.
29. Fellow Nigerians, for the past four weeks, most parts of our
country have been under either Federal Government or State Government
lockdown. As I mentioned earlier, these steps were necessary and
overall, have contributed to slowing down the spread of COVID-19 in our
country.
30. However, such lockdowns have also come at a very heavy economic
cost. Many of our citizens have lost their means of livelihood. Many
businesses have shut down. No country can afford the full impact of a
sustained lockdown while awaiting the development of vaccines.
31. In my last address, I mentioned that Federal Government will
develop strategies and policies that will protect lives while preserving
livelihoods.
32. In these two weeks, the Federal and State Governments have
jointly and collaboratively worked hard on how to balance the need to
protect health while also preserving livelihoods, leveraging global best
practices while keeping in mind our peculiar circumstances.
33. We assessed how our factories, markets, traders and transporters
can continue to function while at the same time adhering to NCDC
guidelines on hygiene and social distancing.
34. We assessed how our children can continue to learn without compromising their health.
35. We reviewed how our farmers can safely plant and harvest in this
rainy season to ensure our food security is not compromised.
Furthermore, we also discussed how to safely transport food items from
rural production areas to industrial processing zones and ultimately, to
the key consumption centers.
36. Our goal was to develop implementable policies that will ensure
our economy continues to function while still maintaining our aggressive
response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These same difficult decisions are
being faced by leaders around the world.
37. Based on the above and in line with the recommendations of the
Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the various Federal Government
committees that have reviewed socio-economic matters and the Nigeria
Governors Forum, I have approved a phased and gradual easing of lockdown
measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Monday, 4th May,
2020.
38. However, this will be followed strictly with aggressive
reinforcement of testing and contact tracing measures while allowing the
restoration of some economic and business activities in certain
sectors.
39. Furthermore, new nationwide measures are to be introduced as follows;
a. There will be an overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am. This means all
movements will be prohibited during this period except for essential
services;
b. There will be a ban on non-essential inter-state passenger travel until further notice;
c. Partial and controlled interstate movement of goods and services
will be allowed for the movement of goods and services from producers to
consumers; and
d. We will strictly ensure the mandatory use of face masks or
coverings in public in addition to maintaining physical distancing and
personal hygiene. Furthermore, the restrictions on social and religious
gatherings shall remain in place. State Governments, corporate
organisations and philanthropists are encouraged to support the
production of cloth masks for citizens.
40. For the avoidance of doubt, the lockdown in the FCT, Lagos and
Ogun States shall remain in place until these new ones come into effect
on Monday, 4th May 2020.
41. The Presidential Task Force shall provide sector specific details
to allow for preparations by Governments, businesses and institutions.
42. In respect to the above guidelines, State Governors may choose to
adapt and expand based on their unique circumstances provided they
maintain alignment with the guidelines issued above.
43. To support our businesses and traders, the monetary and fiscal
authorities shall deploy all the necessary provisions needed for
production to continue and thus, jobs restored.
44. These revised guidelines will not apply to Kano State.
45. With regards to Kano, I have directed the enforcement of a total
lockdown for a period of two weeks effective immediately. The Federal
Government shall deploy all the necessary human, material and technical
resources to support the State in controlling and containing the
pandemic and preventing the risk of further spread to neighboring
States.
46. I wish to once again commend the frontline workers across the
country who, on a daily basis, risk everything to ensure we win this
fight. For those who got infected in the line of duty, rest assured that
Government will do all it takes to support you and your families during
this exceedingly difficult period. I will also take this opportunity to
assure you all that your safety, wellbeing and welfare remain paramount
to our Government.
47. I will also recognise the support we have received from our
traditional rulers, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian
Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and other prominent religious and
community leaders. Your cooperation and support have significantly
contributed to the successes we have recorded to date.
48. I will urge you all to please continue to create awareness on the
seriousness of the coronavirus among your worshippers and communities
while appealing that they strictly comply with public health advisories.
49. I also thank the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Presidential
Task Force for all their hard work to date. Through this collaboration, I
remain confident that success is achievable.
50. I also wish to thank corporate organisations, philanthropists,
the UN system, the European Union, friendly nations, the media and other
partners that have taken up the responsibility of supporting our
response.
51. And finally, I will thank all Nigerians again for your patience
and cooperation during this difficult and challenging period. I assure
you that government shall continue to take all necessary measures to
protect the lives and livelihoods of our citizens and residents.
52. I thank you for listening and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
