…As Osinbajo harps on vigorous public enlightenment
Ranmilowo Ojalumo
As Coronavirus has continued to ravage the world, Nigeria cases of the deadly virus Pandemic has increased to 174 as at 8:00 PM on Wednesday April 1st, 2020.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Wednesday evening confirmed 23 new cases. According to NCDC, out of the 23 new cases, nine are in Lagos State, seven in Abuja, five in Akwa Ibom State, one in Kaduna State and one in Bauchi state. Nigeria now has a total 174 cases, nine discharged and two deaths as at 8: 00 PM on Wednesday April 1st, 2020.
The development is worrisome even as the Vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo earlier on Wednesday, urged top officials as well as government at all levels in country to intensified public sensitization and enlightenment on the seriousness of the Coronavirus pandemic to enable more Nigerians aware of the compelling and critical dimensions of the situation.
The Vice President made the call on Wednesday during the meeting of the Special Committee of the National Economic Council on COVID-19 which was chaired by the vice president.
The Committee held its second meeting on Wednesday afternoon as it continues its task of coordinating the Federal and State governments’ responses to the impact of the disease.
According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande, The NEC Committee received the report of its Technical Working Group which proposed an array of policy options and recommendations on how federal, state and local governments can bring relief to the people and take other adequate measures in containing and responding to the adverse economic effects of the pandemic.
The Vice President at the meeting assured the governors that the Federal Government is already packaging further resources for a comprehensive economic response to alleviate the challenges of the pandemic, support the States and provide succor to Nigerians in a timely and effective manner.
Akande quoted the vice President to have disclosed that the newly created Economic Sustainability Committee, ESW, constituted by the President will also be meeting this week to start its work and respond to the situation appropriately.
“Present alongside the Vice President at the meeting held via videoconference anchored from the Presidential Villa are Governors Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna; Abdullahi Sule, Nasarawa; Mohammed Abubakar, Jigawa; Godwin Obaseki, Edo; David Umahi, Ebonyi; Dapo Abiodun, Ogun; and Atiku Bagudu, Kebbi. The meeting was also attended by the Finance Minister, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Mr. Ben Akabueze among several other top officials”, the statement said.
