Foreign

Coronavirus: Scare in Vietnam after first cases in months

By Web News 601

Vietnam has closed Da Nang to tourists after four new locally transmitted coronavirus cases were recorded there – the first in the country since April.

Tourists cannot enter the city for 14 days and up to 80,000, mostly domestic, visitors are to be flown home.

Vietnam has been lauded as a success story of the pandemic having acted early to close borders and enforce quarantine and contact tracing.

It has recorded just over 400 cases and no deaths but nearly 100 days after its last locally transmitted case, four new cases emerged in Da Nang, a central coastal city popular with domestic tourists.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Monday ordered Da Nang residents to re-implement social distancing and close all non-essential services.

He said the response had to be “decisive” but that he was not yet ordering a total lockdown of the city.

The first new case – patient 416 – was a 57-year-old man who sought medical care on 20 July for flu symptoms.

He is now on a ventilator and, according to doctors quoted in local media, in a critical condition.

Contact tracing identified more than 100 people who had interacted with the man, but all returned negative tests.

However over the weekend, three more cases were confirmed, including one 17-year-old from neighbouring Quang Ngai province who had travelled home on a coach with people who had been at the Da Nang C Hospital.

It is not clear how the four became infected or whether they are connected but the cases have raised fears that a full outbreak could be under way in Da Nang.

BBC

News Analysis

Distancing in Aircraft: Experts Allay Passengers’ Fear

By Web News 775

Since the resumption of domestic flights in the country, one major concern of air travellers has been the issue of no social distancing observance in the aircraft.

They questioned that since physical distancing is strictly adhered to in the terminal before boarding, why not inside the aircraft?

Stakeholders, however, say that the concerns expressed by travelers are unnecessary, and that they should not be worried if the distancing is not observed inside the aircraft.

Before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, people meet and greet, shake hands, hug, speak while facing each other without any barriers and sit together without being suspicious of whether the other person has a contagious disease or not inside the aircraft.

These emotional activities were ways many individuals show love and attachment to one another regardless of time and place.

Today, people are now more suspicious than ever of each other due to the covid-19 pandemic, especially when traveling by air.

On resumption of flights, some passengers were expecting a separation,

perhaps of 2-3 meters inside the cabin but this was not the case.

This fear is perhaps holding many lovers of air transportation back from flying for now.

In an enclosed compartment like the aircraft, what are the chances of contracting the coronavirus?

Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who is also a pilot says the chances are slim with the High-Efficiency Particulate Air, HEPA, system in the aircraft.

“The  air flow is not from the cock pit to the rear, it is from the top down and exit downward and get recirculated through that filter because of that, the chances of the microorganisms, viruses, bacteria and all of those particles to land on you is reduced even with the system of circulation itself.”

With the HEPA filters that capture well over 99.999% of germs, including the coronavirus in the cabin, the Director General, Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Gilbert Kibe says there was no cause for alarm.

“Being in an aircraft itself is a more safe environment that the airport.”

There are several other natural barriers to the transmission of the virus on board. These include the forward orientation of passengers, limiting face-to-face interaction, seatbacks that limit transmission from row-to-row, and the limited movement of passengers in the cabin.

With all these and the filter mechanism in place, an aircraft engineer, Mr. Luqmon Animashau says safety is 100% than on the ground.

“But if you look at the aircraft, it is not like any other environment and we have this HEPA filtration that is on and every two-three minutes it filters out 99% of bacteria and microscopic organisms that you cannot see.”

An airline operator, Mr. Allen Onyema says with the disinfection of the aircraft after every flight, wearing of facemasks and observance of all safety protocols, passengers were safer.

“With all these, you cannot get COVID, this is just one hour flight, you cannot get COVID flying in Nigeria.”

In the event of a suspected case, airlines have been directed to leave the last roll seats for isolation.

On this issue, the International Air Transport Association, IATA has emphasized that there is no requirement for social distancing measures on board the aircraft from highly respected aviation authorities such as the US Federal Aviation Administration, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the International Civil Aviation Aviation Organization, ICAO.

Lagos/Nosa

Health

COVID-19: Osun Records 10 New Cases

By Web News 944

Osun state government has confirmed 10 new COVID-19 cases in the State.

The new cases are from contact tracing of previous cases in Osogbo and Ilesa.

A statement by Osun state commissioner for health, Doctor Rafiu Isamotu revealed that with the latest development, the number of confirmed cases in the State has risen to 116, while the State now has 64 active cases.

Doctor Isamotu cautioned residents from spreading false information and urged them to join hands with the government to contain the spread of the virus. 

He said the state had successfully treated and discharged 47 patients while five deaths have been recorded.

Wasiu Ajadosu  

News Analysis

INEC and the e-Voting Option

By Web News 1386

Some weeks ago, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mahmood Yakubu announced the commission’s readiness to use electronic voting in some elections slated for next year.

The INEC boss noted that, the move is in response to the health threats posed by the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.

While promising to work towards the full introduction of electronic voting in major elections, starting from 2021.

He explained that it would give room for the trial run of the system for a decent period of two years before the 2023 general election.

The commission will also adopt electronic platforms for the submission of nomination forms by political parties ahead of governorship elections billed to take place this year.

In the Edo and Ondo elections scheduled for September 16 and October 10, 2020, facemasks will be mandatory for voters stepping into polling units, the commission has announced, amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Electoral officials, ad-hoc staff, security personnel and observers monitoring the vote will also use face masks in the governorship elections in both states.

Polling areas will be redesigned to ensure substantial compliance with established protocols such as physical distancing.

The commission also announced that infrared thermometers will be used at the various collation centers, alcohol-based hand sanitisers at the polling units for election officials while methylated spirit and cotton wool are to be provided for the disinfection of the smart card readers after the fingerprint of each voter is read.

The commission added that it would regularly clean up the biometric register of voters while continuous voter registration is suspended forthe time being to prevent the health risks associated with it in the context of COVID-19.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, still votes and collates manually, even though registration for voting has been digitized.

Sadly, human interference in the balloting process has led to results being contested in courtrooms following allegations of widespread rigging.

Although, e-voting will discourage mass gathering of people, in line with the COVID-19 containment protocol, it has benefits far beyond the maintenance of physical distancing.

It has the potential to sanitise the electoral process, which is currently bogged down by violence, restriction of movements as well as the pathetic inability of the electoral body to overcome the challenges of logistics.

The announcement is commendable but there is the need for caution, e-voting can mean a variety of things, from voting via a device rather than a paper ballot to remote voting via smartphone.

According to report, fears that e-voting machines could be hacked have caused some to warn against their adoption in some countries.

When fully implemented, it will be the culmination of more than five years of the electoral body’s experimentation with technology in the organisation of elections.

The e voting system is expected to correct anomalies that have charaterised past elections in the country.

Countries that have adopted e-voting on the continent include Namibia, Democratic Republic of Congo while countries like Ghana and Kenya have had strong digital components in their elections.

According to data from the international institute for democracy and electoral assistance, globally, thirty three countries had already adopted e-voting as of 2018.

Although, it is believed to produce faster and more accurate results, it is not as if e-voting is a panacea for all election-related problems that have been burdening the country.

INEC and NOA have to complement e-voting with massive political education of the citizenry to address voter apathy disenfranchisement and above all, provision of constant power supply without which e-voting will be a mirage.

Titilayo Kupoliyi

Religion

Religious Leaders disagree over opening of Worship Centres in Oyo

By Web News 2369

Religious leaders in Oyo State have expressed divergent opinions over lifting of suspension placed on religious gathering 3 months ago during the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic. 

Speaking with Radio Nigeria, Chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo State, Alhaji Kunle Sanni said he was not in support of reopening of mosques in the state due to the rising cases of COVID-19.

“As far as I’m concerned, the governor has not convinced us that the spike of the pandemic has subsided and therefore it would be extremely risky to tell the people to come to mosque and get infected”. 

He said the Muslim Community of Oyo State would soon take a stand on the state government’s decision, as he was personally not in support of reopening of mosques noting that the rate at which the virus was spreading in the state was alarming.

“In a few days’ time, the meeting of critical stakeholders will address the situation and come out with the position of Oyo State Muslim community”.

Alhaji Sanni wondered why the state government did not carry the community along compared to the past stressing that Chief Imam of Ibadanland was also not contacted as some members of the community had resolved not to open their mosques including Ibadan Central Mosque, Ojaba.

“Government should have called for the meeting of religious bodies as done in the past to seek their opinion before taking the decision of opening religious centres. From the feelers we got even the Chief Imam of Ibadanland was not consulted and the Ibadan Central Mosque, Ojaba will not be opened for Jumat service. The same thing for some prominent Islamic organisations like Ansarudeen that its national headquarters has directed that their mosques all over the country should be under lock”.

“Also, as Muslims, we have a leader, The Sultan is our leader in Nigeria. The federal government had said mosques can open but the national mosque in Abuja is under lock as it was not open for Jumat last week, which means the Sultan who is our spiritual leader has not directed us to open mosques”.

He noted that the idea of allowing 25 percent worshippers in the mosque was not feasible as such would bring about discrimination and misunderstanding. 

“Part of the protocols according to the state government is that only 25 percent should come to mosques, how do we discriminate between one person or the other from entering the mosque on Friday?  You will come to the mosque and we will say you cannot enter, then you will see other Muslims entering, it will create a lot of confusion and anarchy if I can put it that way”.  

Alhaji Sanni noted that praying at home during pandemic was Islamic as this would prevent either contracting or spreading the coronavirus. 

“As Muslims, we believe that you don’t have to go to mosques before you can pray and that is why during the period of Prophet Muhammad, Peace be onto Him and there was a pandemic, the prophet instructed that people should pray in their homes. Every space on surface of the earth is a mosque, you can pray there”. 

In a contrary opinion, Chairman, Christian Council of Nigeria Oyo state, Reverend Stephen Adekunle said the churches were pleased with the reopening stressing that there had been meetings of leaders under the State Chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to finetune on making churches model by putting measures in place to prevent spread of COVID-19. 

“Churches are ready to become standards as they used to be. As we resume by opening churches, social distancing and other regulations should be strictly adhered to and people should face the reality of the challenges of COVID-19”.

Reverend Adekunle who is also the President, Ibadan Baptist Conference said the closure of worship centres had opened the minds of church leaders to look inward to explore other ways of preaching the words of God. 

“During the closing of churches in the first place, we had not closed down the daily programmes like reading of the scriptures and other activities. However, it has opened our eyes and our minds to other ways by which we can disseminate the gospel”.

He said the leadership of CAN had been meeting the state government on the development urging Christians to be law abiding and avoid acts that can lead to the spread of coronavirus.

“We have been meeting with the government. The CAN executives have been meeting with the government for sometimes and the head of churches had met at CAN Secretariat to discuss on modalities of opening of churches”.

Reverend Adekunle called on the state government to support churches to manage the challenges of COVID-19.

“People should pray to God that we will adjust to the aftermath of COVID-19. I want to challenge the government to help us to manage COVID-19 by supporting Christendom in order to make progress and we will be praying for the government”.

Governor Seyi Makinde had early this week approved the resumption of religious activities in the state, with the directive that mosques and churches should operate at twenty- five percent capacity.

According to the data from Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Oyo state is number four on the table after Lagos, Abuja and Kano with 764 positive cases.

Ridwan Fasasi

Education

Deteriorating Condition of School Premises in Ibadan amidst Coronavirus Pandemic

By Web News 786

The prolonged closure of schools as part of the preventive measures against the spread of Covid-19 has affected infrastructure in public schools.

In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the environment and premises of schools reflected total deterioration due to uncontrolled weeds and encroachment by hooligans as well as domestic animals.

As Radio Nigeria correspondent, Rotimi Famakin observes in some public primary and secondary schools visited that ever since the coronavirus made its presence known in Nigeria, academic activities put on hold had made students to vacate schools compulsorily thereby leaving schools infrastructure in poor condition.

Some of the primary and secondary schools visited were overgrown with weeds and unpruned flowers, roofs of some classes were damaged while dried leaves and tree branches littered the premises.

At Agbaje Memorial Primary School Ayeye, IMG Primary and Secondary School, Sharp Corner Oke-Bola, Orogun Grammer  School, Ajibode Grammer And Community High School,human and animal feaces littering the classrooms.

Apart from the smooth open fields converted to football pitch, coaches used some school premises to train footballers.

Of serious concern are hooligans who use some of the schools mentioned as smoking lodge while they consume alcohol, defecate and perpetrate other nefarious activities.

Radio Nigeria caught up with a 20-year-old boy, Joshua Sunday who convey waste for traders at Ayeye market but use Agbaje Primary School as his second home.

“I carry waste for people and dump the in the river over there. The people I state with said I am old enough to rent a room. I don’t have the money to rent an apartment that is why I come here. I change my cloth here and go to work and come back later in the evening.”

Some residents around the school including Oladimeji Akerele and a security guard in one of the secondary schools, Mr Raji Bayonle, confirmed the regular presence of Indian hemp smokers and hooligans who use facilities of the schools during the lockdown.

“There are no chairs, no window, no door. It was because of the poor security in this school, the contribute to the problem. Unkown persons come here. Some do all sort of things there. They defecate, some bath there, and even sleep. At the back over there, some boys come in the evening and smoke. Some come come here to play ball. They contribute money and give it to some boys to clear the bush for them.”

A teacher who did not want his name mentioned said the situation of the schools were expected due to the absence of students

“The situation is expected. It was because the students were not in school. Everything will normalize when coronavirus pandemic is over.”

Reacting to the situation on ground, Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science And Technology Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye said the state government was not unaware of the condition of public schools in the state, saying the state governor had devoted 22.3 percent of the state budget to the education sector.

Professor Olaleye said with the budget, facilities in public schools including fence would be repaired to prevent hoodlums who use the public schools as hiding places.

“You will recall that the his excellency has devoted 22.3 percent of the the education sector. i assure you that with the fund, we shall reposition the education sector before the end of this year’”

The state commissioner who said the state governor had prioritized the welfare of teachers and also ensure free education in the state cautioned against the use of public schools as a relaxation spot for hoodlums.

It would be recalled that some group of people were arrested recently for converting one of some of the public schools to block making industry.

Rotimi Famakin

Religion

Eidul-Fitri Celebration amidst Coronavirus Pandemic

By Web News 1026

For almost a month now, Muslims all over the world have embarked on Ramadan fasting.

The end of the spiritual exercise is marked with Eidul-Fitri celebration which is preceded with 2 Rakaat prayer which is observed in the morning with a large congregation at open grounds. 

In this report, Ridwan Fasasi examines observance of Eidul-Fitri amidst the coronavirus pandemic. 

Ridwan Fasasi

Health

Highlighting the Spread of Coronavirus Pandemic

By Web News 742

It has now become imperative that more proactive measures be adopted by critical stakeholders to stem the rising pace of COVID-19 currently devastating the entire globe.

Positive FM Health correspondent, Adebukola Bardi, who has been monitoring daily reportage and updates of coronavirus cases including number of deaths and recoveries, observed that the rate at which confirmed cases are rising, calls for concern.

Specifically, our correspondent notes that between Monday fourth and Monday tenth of this month, a total number of one thousand, eight hundred and thirty four cases were confirmed across the country as posted on the twitter handle of NCDC. This alarming number of cases translates to two hundred and sixty two cases per day

During the same period, three hundred and seventy eight discharges were recorded after the patients received full treatment.

This amounts to fifty four cases per day while a total of fifty seven deaths translating to eight per day was also confirmed.

Our correspondent reports that Lagos State has been consistently leading the table of recorded confirmed cases and deaths from the pandemic, closely followed by Kano State

First case of the disease was recorded in the country in late February this year.

It will be recalled that COVID-19 has ravaged the globe since the beginning of the year with yet to be discovered vaccine for its treatment.

Ondo State on Monday this week, confirmed first death from the total sixteen number of confirmed cases till date.

Assessing the situation, Ondo State epidemiologist, Dr Stephen Fagbemi said even though the world, and Nigeria in particular was still far from winning the war against Covid-19, stakeholders were trying their best to curb the spread.

Dr Fagbemi however stressed the need for citizens to do more in assisting government to end the episode of coronavirus disease.

Bukola Bardi

Health

Covid-19 Update: 5 New Cases Recorded, 85 Discharged

By Web News 833

Five new cases of covid-19 have been reported as follows:

2 in Lagos
2 in Kwara
1 in Katsina

As at 09:10 pm 12th April there are 323 confirmed cases of covid-19 reported in Nigeria. 85 have been discharged with 10 deaths

There are 19 states with confirmed cases in Nigeria they are:

Lagos- 176
FCT- 56
Osun- 20
Edo- 12
Oyo- 11
Ogun- 7
Bauchi- 6
Kaduna- 6
Akwa Ibom- 5
Katsina-5
Kwara- 4
Delta- 3
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 2
Rivers-2
Ondo- 2
Benue- 1
Niger- 1
Anambra- 1
Kano-1

@NCDCgov

News Analysis

Examining the Effects of Lockdown on Nigerians

By Web News 2787 11

Covid-19 has wreaked havoc worldwide, with over one million confirmed cases, while deaths are being recorded on a daily basis.

To curtail the spread of the pandemic, the federal and some state governments have been coming up with various measures, which include total lockdown in three states, partial lockdown in few states, with a ban on religious and social activities.

Also, dusk to dawn curfew was imposed in some states of the federation, where few cases of Covid-19 were recorded, while the large gathering of people is also banned.

Though it sounds so harsh, the lockdown order in Lagos and Ogun states as well as the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, remains the government’s most proactive step towards containing the spread of covid-19.

In China, the United States and England for instance, lockdowns worked to a large extent.

In China, in particular, the couple of weeks delay in imposing a lockdown by the country accounts for the importation of the virus into other parts of the world.  

According to research, if China had implemented its control measures a week earlier, it could have prevented a large percentage of all cases in the Asian country.

However, the government’s plans at cushioning the effects of the lockdown on Nigerians seem to be slow as this has caused the inability of citizens to comply with the lockdown, with some being arrested in parts of the country.

Though many Nigerians had stocked up their homes with food items in the wake of Covid-19 outbreak, the government must provide free electricity and water services to the people during this lockdown.

Some state governments had begun distribution of food packages to people of the state, efforts must be intensified at ensuring even distribution of the packages to virtually all indigent residents of their states.

The Ministers of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, and that of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed had at different functions said millions of Nigerians had benefitted from government’s palliative measures, but it is still like a drop of water in the ocean.

A large part of the population depends on a daily trade for survival; therefore, asking Nigerians to stay indoors for weeks in the name of lockdown will be so difficult and bring so much damage to their finances.

Though health is wealth, and effective lockdown will no doubt reduce the prevalence of Covid-19, but the government must as a matter of priority provide effective palliative measures for Nigerians.

Policymakers and other stakeholders must use the effects of the lockdown to address many challenges confronting the wellbeing of the masses, most especially the poor state of the healthcare system, epileptic electricity supply, provision of potable water and good road network.

Olaolu Fawole

Health

Covid-19 Case Update: 6 New Cases Reported 35 Discharged

By Web News 745

Six new cases of covid-19 have been reported in Nigeria: 2 in Kwara, 2 in Edo, 1 in Rivers and 1 in the FCT.
As at 09:30 pm 6th April there are 238 confirmed cases of covid-19 reported in Nigeria. Thirty-five have been discharged with five deaths.
Currently :
Lagos- 120
FCT- 48
Osun- 20
Oyo- 9
Edo- 11
Bauchi- 6
Akwa Ibom- 5
Kaduna- 5
Ogun- 4
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 2
Rivers-2
Benue- 1
Ondo- 1
Kwara- 2
@NCDCgov

Security

Covid-19: NSCDC Enforces Total Border Lockdown in Ogun

By Web News 886

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, is engaging residents of riverine communities along the Nigerian – Benin Republic border towards enforcing the restriction of movement on the creeks and waterways.
Ogun State Commandant of Corps, Mr Hameed Abodunrin who made this known to Radio Nigeria in Abeokuta said 570 officers and men of the Corps had been deployed at strategic locations to ensure the total lockdown directed by President Muhammadu Buhari against the spread of covid-19.
Mr Abodunrin said personnel from the marine section and disaster management unit of the state command were detailed to riverine communities around the international borderline to monitor identified creeks and waterways for compliance.
He maintained that the Corps had adopted non custodian arrest approach in handling violators of the lockdown by delaying them for about one hour before allowing them to go back home.
The NSCDC State Commandant said the community leaders, led by Chief Ezekiel Tundonu from Whekan town in Ipokia Local Government area of Ogun State and youth groups in the border communities had been trained to enlighten others on the need to adopt precautionary measures against the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Oluremi Olugbenro

Health Politics

Makinde’s Recovery, The Most Cheering News of The Year – Oyo Speaker

By Web News 982

The news of the recovery of the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde from the ravaging pandemic, Coronavirus is the most cheering news of the year to the people of Oyo State and the entire People’s Democratic Party family in the South West and indeed Nigeria and a further testament that we are serving a faithful God.

The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin stated this in a statement following the announcement of the recovery of the Governor from the deadly virus.

Mr. Ogundoyin said the people of Oyo State awoke to the good news of Governor Seyi Makinde’s complete recovery from Covid-19 on Monday having tested negative twice to the virus after receiving treatment.

The Oyo State Speaker said it was heartwarming and praiseworthy to hear that the People’s Governor has received divine healing and will take full charge of affairs again as the number one citizen of the pacesetter state.

He noted that the prayers of the good people of Oyo State who trusted Engr Seyi Makinde with their mandate and who have been enjoying good governance and masses oriented policies of the Governor have been answered by God with his recovery from the dreaded virus.

While congratulating the Governor, the Oyo State Speaker used the medium to pray for the speedy recovery of other Nigerians in various isolation centers across the country.

Mr Ogundoyin commended the Covid-19 Task Force established by the Oyo State Government for the various measures put in place to contain the spread of the pandemic and urged residents of the State to always observe all precautionary measures announced by health professionals.

The Speaker assured the Governor of the resolve of the ninth Oyo State House of Assembly to continue to give necessary legislative backings to all his policies and programmes aimed at taking the state to an enviable height.

Kehinde Mosope

Health

Covid-19 Case Update: 8 New Cases Recorded 33 Discharged

By Web News 822

Eight new cases of covid-19 have been reported in Nigeria: 5 in Lagos, 2 in the FCT and 1 in Kaduna State.
As at 09:30 pm 5th April there are 232 confirmed cases of covid-19 reported in Nigeria. Thirty-three have been discharged with five deaths.
Currently:
Lagos- 120
FCT- 47
Osun- 20
Oyo- 9
Edo- 9
Bauchi- 6
Akwa Ibom- 5
Kaduna- 5
Ogun- 4
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 2
Rivers-1
Benue- 1
Ondo- 1
@NCDCgov

Health

Covid-19 Case Update: 25 New Cases 2 Deaths Recorded

By Web News 853

Twenty five new cases of covid-19 have been reported in Nigeria, 11 in Lagos, 3 in the FCT, 3 in Edo, 6 in Osun 1 in Oyo & 1 in Ondo.
Two new deaths have been recorded in Lagos and Edo State.
As at 10:30 pm 3rd April there are 210 confirmed cases of covid-19 reported in Nigeria.

Currently:

Lagos- 109
FCT- 41
Osun- 20
Oyo- 9
Akwa Ibom- 5
Ogun- 4
Edo- 7
Kaduna- 4
Bauchi- 3
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 2
Rivers-1
Benue- 1
Ondo- 1

@NCDCgov

Health

Environmentalist Urges Nigerians to Sustain Personal Hygiene

By Web News 769

An environmentalist professor Godson Ana wants Nigerians to sustain the hygienic habit they are displaying now against coronoavirus and after.

Professor Ana stated this in Ibadan while speaking with journalists on the impact of coronavirus in the country.

The environmentalists noted that it would have been much easier for the government to sensitize citizens if the momentum it had during ebola virus crisis was maintained.

Professor Ana noted that the only way to prevent outbreak of disease in any country was by ensuring hygienic environment.

He therefore called on private sector to do more to assist the government in the fight against coronavirus.

He also cautioned members of the public against self medication.

Sunday Ogunyemi

News Analysis

Examining the Efforts of Ondo State Government at Preventing Coronavirus

By Web News 1763 Post a comment

Coronavirus, also known as Covid-19 is one disease that is currently ravaging the world with so many deaths recorded and new cases reported by the day.

Nigeria happens to be one of the countries of the world facing the challenge of coronavirus as it was imported into the country in February by an Italian national who has now recovered from the disease.

The entry of Covid-19 into Nigeria no doubt sent shivers down the spines of every Nigerian for the fact that it has no cure for now and that it is highly infectious, killing people by the day especially In Asia, Europe and America.

Since the emergence of this disease in Nigeria, the federal government has deployed all necessary measures to contain its spread while ensuring that victims get the best of medical care to prevent death from coronavirus.

Governors of states where confirmed cases of coronavirus have been announced have also put in place various safety measures to stem the tide of the viral disease.

It is noteworthy that even states where a single case of Covid-19 infection has not been recorded, are not leaving anything to chance in ensuring that the disease does not catch them unawares.

One of such states is Ondo, where the government wasted no time in announcing some safety measures towards preventing the entry of coronavirus into the state and also contain it in case of any eventuality. 

The first step was to embark massive media awareness campaign sensitizing people on the dangers of Coronavirus and the need to increase both environmental and personal hygiene especially regular hand washing with soap and running water to keep it away.

Another step being taken by the Ondo State Government against Covid-19 is the activation of its rapid response mechanism, mounting of surveillance on all border towns, ban on interstate travels, the closure of schools, markets, and worship centres.

Besides, the government has also directed workers on grade level one to twelve to work from home while Governor Akeredolu has also cancelled all official activities for two weeks, all in the bid to reduce the chance of contracting the disease.

Other safety measures are the ban on political gathering, social gathering and the convergence of more than fifty people at a time.

The government has also set up a task force to ensure total compliance with the shutting of markets, worship centres.

To cap it all, Governor Akeredolu directed all members of the state executive council to proceed to their local government areas to sensitise the people on the deadly virus.

An awareness video post by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

These steps have no doubt helped Ondo State in keeping coronavirus away thus becoming the only state in the Southwest of Nigeria that has not recorded any confirmed case of Covid-19.

While the government, through the Ministries of Health and Information has promised to introduce more precautionary measures against the disease as the days go by, residents are also calling on the government to sustain the tempo to help Ondo state remain coronavirus-free.

Stakeholders believe that if this is done, more people will live beyond the pandemic.

Adebukola Bardi