Following the outbreak and further spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), President Muhammadu Buhari has cancelled the meeting of the heads of state of the Chad Basin Commission scheduled for next week, as a safety measure to stop the spread of the Coronavirus.
The development was disclosed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Monday at a media briefing in Abuja.
The Minister said: “The government, at the highest level, is already leading by example. Mr President has cut down the number of courtesy visits. Mr President is not shaking hands. One of the president’s daughters is in self-isolation.
“Visitors to the State House get their hands sanitised and their temperature taken at several points before reaching the executive council chambers.”
Mohammed, also stated the federal government was aware that some political and religious leaders had either defied the directives to avoid a large gathering or denied the existence of coronavirus.
He said that leaders of all kinds must show great responsibility at this time, and avoid putting the lives of not just their followers but also those of the general public in danger.
He said: “For those who would continue to willfully flout the directives aimed at checking the spread of this disease, the long arm of the law will soon catch them.”
According to findings, many religious institutions and public places adhered to the directives to limit public gatherings while some others ignored the directive.
Several night clubs in Lagos were reportedly open on Saturday despite the directive of the state government.
In Ogun State, however, while many churches were closed and resorted to virtual services on Sunday, the Living Faith Church Worldwide, headed by Bishop David Oyedepo, held its regular service which was attended by thousands of people on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Nigeria recorded her first death from the pandemic on Monday, while also confirming five new cases, making a total of 36 confirmed cases including one death.
