Buhari Speaks on Defeating Covid-19, Silent on Lockdown Extension

Cat:

Related stories

Senate Speaks on Rumors of Discord Between Akpabio, Bamidele

By Abiola Olawale  The Nigerian Senate has debunked spreading reports...

Hunger and Food Crisis: Shettima Heads to Ethiopia for UN Food Summit

By Abiola Olawale  Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja...

(VIDEO) Tinubu Celebrates Super Falcons’ Historic WAFCON Victory via Video Call 

By Abiola Olawale  In a moment of national pride, President...

(VIDEO) Like Dancing Gov Adeleke, Wike Dances at UNIPORT’s Honorary Doctorate Conferment

By Abiola Olawale  The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,...

Ranked: Southeast Asian Countries by Wealth, Spending & Size

Southeast Asia is a perfect microcosm of the world...

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Nigerians to unite against the Covid-19 pandemic that has extended its foothold across the six geopolitical zones in the country.

In a statement on Saturday, he pleaded with Nigerians to obey the stay-at-home order, saying: “the defeat of the virus in our country will be in our hands, alone. We cannot wait for others.”

However, Buhari was silent on whether he would extend the lockdown imposed on Lagos, Ogun and Abuja.buhari

Read also: Breaking! Covid-19 Cases Top 318 in Nigeria, Penetrate 6 Geopolitical Zones

The 14-day lockdown order is expected to elapse on Sunday evening, even though there have been calls to extend it to curtail the virus spread.

The President’s statement reads:

“We realize that today, there will be sons and daughters unable to visit their parents, and elders that are isolated from young ones. And there will be those who live day-to-day, eating as they earn, who face real and present suffering.

“No elected government could ask more of the citizens of the country that elected them than today we ask of you. But we must ask you – once more – to observe restrictions on movement where they are in place, and follow the instructions of our scientists and medical advisers: stay home, wash your hands, save lives.

“The freedoms we ask you to willingly forsake today will only last as long as our scientific advisers declare they are necessary. But they are essential – world over – to halt and defeat the spread of this virus.

“For those who suffer most egregiously, the Government has announced multiple measures to assist: 70,000 tonnes of grain is being released from the National Strategic Grain Reserves for distribution to those in most need; distribution of small cash payments are also being made, and will continue to be made by the federal government in the states and local government areas.

“We ask you to listen and follow public announcements via the mass media for instructions as to how to receive this government support – and learn of more public assistance in the coming days.

“All that the Government is asking you to endure is because nowhere in the world today is there any known way of defeating this pandemic. There is no vaccine. And that means there are choices to be made: between continuing as usual, or accepting the restrictions even when they come with unintended consequences.

“But at this darkest hour, it remains our duty to offer you the full and unvarnished truth: This is a global pandemic. 210 countries and territories across the globe are affected. We cannot expect others to come to our assistance. No one is coming to defeat this virus for us.

“Instead, the defeat of the virus in our country will be in our hands, alone. We cannot wait for others. We can only depend on ourselves now. And so we must – and we will – end this outbreak ourselves as Nigerians, together”.

'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide's journalism works intersect business, environment, politics and developmental issues. Among a number of local and international publications, his work has appeared in the New York Times. He's a winner of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Award. Currently, the Online Editor at The New Diplomat, Akintomide has produced reports that uniquely spoke to Nigeria's experience on Climate Change issues. When Akintomide is not writing, volunteering or working on a media project, you can find him seeing beautiful sites like the sandy beaches that bedecked the Lagos coastline.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
Senate Speaks on Rumors of Discord Between Akpabio, BamideleHunger and Food Crisis: Shettima Heads to Ethiopia for UN Food Summit(VIDEO) Tinubu Celebrates Super Falcons’ Historic WAFCON Victory via Video Call (VIDEO) Like Dancing Gov Adeleke, Wike Dances at UNIPORT’s Honorary Doctorate ConfermentRanked: Southeast Asian Countries by Wealth, Spending & SizeIntimate Affairs: When a woman padlocks her honey jar, By Funke EgbemodeWhat To Expect From Monday’s OPEC+ MeetingGarba Shehu Speaks on Buhari’s Medical Trips AbroadThai-Cambodian conflict pits a well-equipped US ally against a weaker adversary with strong China links2027 : Why Kwankwaso is Mulling Presidential Run, Triggers Conflicting SignalsAGF Fagbemi Warns Gov Adeleke: Refund 7 Months LGA Funds in line with Supreme Court OrderWhat Europe's response to a no-deal with Trump could look likeOil Prices Climb Amid U.S.-EU Trade Hopes and Russian Export RestrictionsU.S. Refiners Rethink Crude Sourcing After Chevron Gets Venezuela Green LightPresidency, Kwankwaso Clash Over Claims of Northern Marginalization
X whatsapp