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COVID-19: Buhari to effect Nigerian governors’ lockdown decision Monday

The inter-state lockdown decision taken by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) is a “done deal”.

On Sunday, a Chief Press Secretary to a state governor confirmed this to newsmen.

He explained that the chief executives made their position known on
Friday to enable the federal government to put in place necessary
arrangements for compliance.

“The governors’ resolution is to curtail the spread of Coronavirus.
The federal government has the power to shut inter-state borders, hence
the request to Mr. President,” he said.

“The two weeks’ lockdown will be announced by Mr. President. It’s a
done deal. However, he will list exemptions and give Nigerians other
important information.”

The NGF had asked President Muhammadu Buhari, to stop inter-state movements.

Their position was contained in a letter addressed to the Secretary
to the Government of the Federation/Chairman, Presidential Task Force on
COVID-19, Boss Mustapha.

Signed by the NGF chairman and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, the forum wants free but restricted movement within states.

They requested inter-state lockdown, free movement of essential
supplies such as food, beverages, medical and pharmaceutical, petroleum
supplies and agricultural products.

Others are internal free movement but restrictions on large
gatherings and assemblies, overnight curfews, flights ban and compulsory
use of face masks/coverings in public.

Currently, Nigeria has recorded 1182 cases of COVID-19 and 35 deaths.

But the figure could be higher considering the situation in Kano State.

Unofficial numbers trending on social media suggest 600 deaths in Kano, but a source simply told newsmen “it’s way higher”.

All attention has been drawn to the state over rising deaths in the last one week allegedly caused by Coronavirus and meningitis.

The situation has been compounded by two factors: Suspension of the
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) operations with no definite
date for resumption and hasty burials of victims – without autopsy – in
line with Islamic rites.

But the NCDC says the agency follows state governments’ lead.

Dr Chinwe Ochu, Head of Prevention, Programmes and Knowledge
Management, clarified that their mandate was to assist on state’s
preparedness and response through capacity building, training, guidance
and coordination.

“NCDC does not have an office in Kano nor in any state. However, NCDC
supports states in setting up public health emergency operations
centres run by states to ensure effective coordination of a public
health response”, Ochu said.

On Saturday, a 70-year-old woman, Selma Ahmed, indicted the NCDC and Kano State government over the death of her son-in-law.

“What will happen to my grandchildren? Please, I want people to come
to my aid. I am dying; I’m an old woman. NCDC in Abuja, FCT Minister…I
am shouting to everybody, please help me,” she wailed in a viral audio.

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