Coronavirus: Buhari Suspends FEC, NEC Indefinitely, Orders Closure of Land Borders

Related stories

These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World

Europe is home to several famous mega-cities, from London...

Elon Musk’s Fortune Plummets By $34 Billion As Feud with Trump Escalates

By Abiola Olawale Tech billionaire and founder of Tesla, Elon...

Gov. Umo Eno: Why I Dumped PDP For APC

By Kolawole Ojebisi After weeks of dilly-dallying which fuelled widespread...

[Video] Akwa Ibom: Gov Umo Eno Officially Defects to APC in Major Political Shift

By Abiola Olawale Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has...

Otedola Hails Dangote’s Refinery As “Eighth Wonder Of The Modern Era”

Applauds Tinubu’s Vision By Kolawole Ojebisi Nigerian businessman, Femi Otedola,...

…Approves Additional Measures

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the suspension of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting until further notice, in a decision that marks a major government shutdown in the country in decades.

The president was said to have taken the decision following the recommendation of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Coronavirus on Monday.

According to a statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, the council of state meeting earlier scheduled for Thursday has also been postponed.

He made this known as he also announced the total closure of all the country’s land border—- all measures meant to tackle the growing incident of Coronavirus pandemic.

Mustapha’s Statement Reads:

In furtherance of our ongoing engagement with the public and stakeholders through the Presidential Task Force (PTF) and the Honourable Minister of Health (HMoH), I have found it necessary to update you on recent developments regarding the management of matters arising from COVID-19 Pandemic.
2. Let me remind you that as at the time the Honourable Minister of Health (HMoH), briefed you earlier today, the numbers from the World Health Organisation (WHO), confirmed that the virus has covered 192 countries, reporting over 329,000 cases. In Africa, 42 out of 54 countries have reported cases while 48 deaths have been recorded.
3. In Nigeria 36 cases have been reported and one fatality has occurred. The first responders, particularly the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), continues to attend to reports received through telephone calls and other medium.
4. We commend Nigerians for stepping out to report and/or make enquires through the dedicated hotlines. Records show that on Sunday, 22nd March, 2020, over 4500 calls were received. This shows the high level of awareness amongst Nigerians.
5. The strategy of government is to focus on testing, detection and containment through contact tracking in order to minimize hugely, the possibility of community spread. We urge anyone experiencing the symptoms of the virus or has been in contact with anyone who has been suspected or tested positive to please report at the nearest medical facility or the designated center.
6. The Presidential Task Force (PTF) continues to monitor the global and domestic developments and has isolated Lagos and Abuja for particular attention in view of their population, mobility and number of cases already reported.
7. As you are all aware, a number of advisories have been issued and measures taken. Part of the measures being taken presently include the following:
i. escalating the nation’s capacity for testing and detection through the acquisition of more testing kits and establishment of additional test centres;
ii. acquisition of personnel protection equipment (PPE) for different categories of frontline personnel;
iii. enhancing contact tracking;
iv. deepening awareness creation;
v. mobilization of experts and trained personnel whether in service or retired;
vi. introduction of social distancing policies and banning mass gathering of over fifty (50) persons
vii. closure of schools and tertiary institutions;
viii. The total ban on international travels shall commence at 12.00 midnight tonight at all our airports; and
ix. leaders of different faiths have been encouraged to restrict services and activities that involve mass gathering of more than fifty of their adherents. State governments are also enforcing this policy at different levels.
8. Ladies and gentlemen, after a further review, Mr. President on the recommendation of Presidential Task Force (PTF) has approved the following additional measures:
i. Suspension of the weekly FEC meetings until further notice;
ii. Postponement of the meeting of the Council of State scheduled for Thursday 26th March, 2020;
iii. All land borders that have been hitherto under partial closure shall now be closed for human traffic for four weeks effective, 23rd March, 2020;
iv. In order to protect Federal Civil and Public Servants, a circular to be issued by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) shall direct on actions to be taken immediately;
v. If and when the need arises, any national assets required for use in the response to COVID-19 shall be mobilized and deployed;
vi. Federal Government, is at the highest level, engaging with State Governors in order to ensure a collaborative and effective response to COVID-19 Pandemic; and
vii. All Abuja and Lagos residents are strongly advised to stay at home, avoid mass congregation of any kind as well as non- essential outings, until further advice is given.
9. Finally, the PTF assures all Nigerians of the concerns of Mr. President and his determination to mobilize all resources to backup this national response. However, this commitment should be reciprocated by all citizens by respecting the advisory and obeying measures put in place to curtail the spread of COVID-19. The Presidential Task Force (PTF) shall be updating Nigerians from time to time when the need arise.
10. I thank you very much.

Hamilton Nwosa
Hamilton Nwosa
Hamilton Nwosa is an experienced, and committed communication, business, administrative, data and research specialist . His deep knowledge of the intersection between communication, business, data, and journalism are quite profound. His passion for professional excellence remains the guiding principle of his work, and in the course of his career spanning sectors such as administration, tourism, business management, communication and journalism, Hamilton has won key awards. He is a delightful writer, researcher and data analyst. He loves team-work, problem-solving, organizational management, communication strategy, and enjoys travelling. He can be reached at: hamilton_68@yahoo.com

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

[tds_leads input_placeholder="Your email address" btn_horiz_align="content-horiz-center" pp_msg="SSd2ZSUyMHJlYWQlMjBhbmQlMjBhY2NlcHQlMjB0aGUlMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMiUyMyUyMiUzRVByaXZhY3klMjBQb2xpY3klM0MlMkZhJTNFLg==" pp_checkbox="yes" tdc_css="eyJhbGwiOnsibWFyZ2luLXRvcCI6IjMwIiwibWFyZ2luLWJvdHRvbSI6IjQwIiwiZGlzcGxheSI6IiJ9LCJwb3J0cmFpdCI6eyJtYXJnaW4tdG9wIjoiMTUiLCJtYXJnaW4tYm90dG9tIjoiMjUiLCJkaXNwbGF5IjoiIn0sInBvcnRyYWl0X21heF93aWR0aCI6MTAxOCwicG9ydHJhaXRfbWluX3dpZHRoIjo3NjgsImxhbmRzY2FwZSI6eyJtYXJnaW4tdG9wIjoiMjAiLCJtYXJnaW4tYm90dG9tIjoiMzAiLCJkaXNwbGF5IjoiIn0sImxhbmRzY2FwZV9tYXhfd2lkdGgiOjExNDAsImxhbmRzY2FwZV9taW5fd2lkdGgiOjEwMTksInBob25lIjp7Im1hcmdpbi10b3AiOiIyMCIsImRpc3BsYXkiOiIifSwicGhvbmVfbWF4X3dpZHRoIjo3Njd9" display="column" gap="eyJhbGwiOiIyMCIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTAiLCJsYW5kc2NhcGUiOiIxNSJ9" f_msg_font_family="downtown-sans-serif-font_global" f_input_font_family="downtown-sans-serif-font_global" f_btn_font_family="downtown-sans-serif-font_global" f_pp_font_family="downtown-serif-font_global" f_pp_font_size="eyJhbGwiOiIxNSIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTEifQ==" f_btn_font_weight="700" f_btn_font_size="eyJhbGwiOiIxMyIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTEifQ==" f_btn_font_transform="uppercase" btn_text="Unlock All" btn_bg="#000000" btn_padd="eyJhbGwiOiIxOCIsImxhbmRzY2FwZSI6IjE0IiwicG9ydHJhaXQiOiIxNCJ9" input_padd="eyJhbGwiOiIxNSIsImxhbmRzY2FwZSI6IjEyIiwicG9ydHJhaXQiOiIxMCJ9" pp_check_color_a="#000000" f_pp_font_weight="600" pp_check_square="#000000" msg_composer="" pp_check_color="rgba(0,0,0,0.56)" msg_succ_radius="0" msg_err_radius="0" input_border="1" f_unsub_font_family="downtown-sans-serif-font_global" f_msg_font_size="eyJhbGwiOiIxMyIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTIifQ==" f_input_font_size="eyJhbGwiOiIxNCIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTIifQ==" f_input_font_weight="500" f_msg_font_weight="500" f_unsub_font_weight="500"]

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The WorldElon Musk’s Fortune Plummets By $34 Billion As Feud with Trump EscalatesGov. Umo Eno: Why I Dumped PDP For APC[Video] Akwa Ibom: Gov Umo Eno Officially Defects to APC in Major Political ShiftOtedola Hails Dangote's Refinery As "Eighth Wonder Of The Modern Era"Tears as Mohammed Uwais, ex- Chief Justice of Nigeria, Dies at 89Trump Slams Musk in Explosive Fallout Over Policy ClashNo Untouchables, I'll 'Touch' Abuja Wealthy And Heavens Won't Fall -- Wike BoastsTears As Nigeria's Ex-Ambassador To US, Jubril Aminu, Dies At 85"Why Wike's Politics Should Be Studied At Universities," Says Ooni of IfeUsing FOI Act As Blackmail tool Not Activism But Sabotage -- NEITI WarnsOil Prices Rise Despite OPEC+ Output Hike PlansTop 10 wealthiest cities in the world in 2025Ruto Teases Kenyan Men: Nigerians Marrying Our Women...'Balance This Scale' To Avoid Brain DrainTrump, Biden Clash Over Probe Into Alleged Cover-Up of Health Crisis
X whatsapp