A Senator who represented Kogi West during the 8th Assembly, Dino Melaye, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to consider locking down the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and Lagos State in order to curb the spread of Coronavirus in the country.
Mr. Melaye, in his address to Nigerians, tagged: ‘The Scourge of Coronavirus and the Way Forward’, said the President should, “as a matter of urgency, lock down the nation’s capital – Abuja – and the nation’s commercial nerve – Lagos – via an Executive Order”.
The Senator also called on Nigerians to declare a national day for prayers, saying that “prayer is the key, I urge us all to ask for God’s mercy and pardon.”
According to him, locking down the capital city is necessary in the present circumstance, so as to prevent further spread of Coronavirus.
“There is no doubt that preventive measures are cheaper than treatment of any ailment, talk more of a global pandemic.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that these are bad times anywhere in the world today and Nigeria is no exception.
“It is now clear that Coronavirus pandemic is a threat against humanity, hence the need for drastic measures by all of us – the humanity – to rise up to the occasion.
“The responsibility lies with all of us – this is not about government alone or any particular agency of government – it is about all of us, hence all hands must be on deck to combat Coronavirus,” he said.
Mr. Melaye also called on the rich and well-to-do Nigerians, multinationals, international oil companies, IOCs, and corporate Nigerians to financially support government at all levels to curb this menace.
“This is a test of their corporate social responsibility, CSR, to Nigeria. I will take a lead in this regard from the level of my native Kogi State.
“Also, Nigerians should not see the fight against Coronavirus as a ‘government thing’. It is not about the government, it is about humanity. Public health affects national development, hence it should not be politicized.
“Therefore, every Nigerian should act as if he or she has contracted the virus already and see everyone as a carrier of the virus also, so that all of us will see it as our collective duty to make Nigeria Coronavirus-free.
“This is the time when wealth made or stolen provides no protection, guarantee or refuge.”
Mr. Melaye commended governments at all levels for the preventive measures and actions adopted so far to stop the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria.
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