In a press briefing in the Federal Capital Territory, Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture expressed his disappointment with the way Nigerians are taking the pandemic. While the country has refused to give in to fright to tackle the pandemic, some religious and political leaders also refused to adhere to the ban placed on large gatherings while perpetuating the dangerous idea that there is no coronavirus.
According to him, leaders of all hues at this trying time must show signs of being responsible. By not taking or making decisions that would directly or indirectly affect the safety of the general public.
In the same breath, every leader going against the measures put in place to battle the pandemic disease in the country will eventually face the law. Nigerians must also take responsibility collectively and not point accusing hands at each other at this time.
The minister stated that the bitter truth is the situation may worsen which will make the government make difficult decisions. However, these decisions no matter how tough are for the wellbeing of its citizens.
The Federal government already made some decisions like the restriction of the gathering of more than 20 people, shut down of International Airports across states, travel restriction from high-risk countries, and the 1.1 Trillion Naira credit relief as announced by the central bank of Nigeria.
He advised that all hands must be on deck during this period as the situation may get worse. Speaking on ‘contact tracing’, this is the tracing of anyone who has been in contact with patients that have been confirmed positive. Minister begged for the cooperation and collective efforts of Nigerians.
He stated that those who came in contact with an infected person and as refused to submit themselves to the authorities will be brought in by the government who will do everything to legally trace them. According to him, following the shutting down of Airports, the issue of ‘contact tracing’ is what the government has been battling with.
Lai Mohammed in the Press briefing stated also that Nigerians should not feed on the myth of being immune to the virus. Everyone is at risk of pandemic disease both old and even young. According to data from New York, 54% of those infected are between the ages of 18 and 49.