Amid rumours of being sick with symptoms of coronavirus, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday approved N10 billion for the fight against the disease.
The president announced this in a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, directing the Nigeria Center for Disease and Control (NCDC) to draft its recent retirees back into service to assist in containing the outbreak.
The president said protecting Nigerians from the pandemic is a key priority of his administration.
The statement read, “With developing news around the world and in Nigeria on the Coronavirus pandemic, President Buhari issues the following statement: I advise all Nigerians to follow to the letter the health guidelines issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and our State Governments,” Shehu said.
“Wash your hands thoroughly many times throughout the day. Observe ‘social distancing’ of a minimum of two metres. Do not make unnecessary journeys outside of your homes. Do not attend public meetings or public gatherings – including religious events – which is where, through social contact, the virus can easily be transmitted.
“The Federal Ministry of Health will continue to issue daily updates on all developments. Please refer to public announcements by the Ministry on radio, television, web at http://www.health.gov.ng and Twitter at @Fmohnigeria.
“With regard to the request by the government of Lagos State for financial support to combat and contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Lagos and Nigeria, the President has already approved the sum of N10 billion which release was effected within two days of the request.”
CHECKPOINTCHARLEY 