PRESIDENT BUHARI ADDRESSES THE NATION ON COVID-19
ADDRESS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC SUNDAY 29TH MARCH, 2020
1. Fellow Nigerians,
2. Firstly, From the first signs that Coronavirus, or COVID-19 was
turning into an epidemic and was officially declared a world-wide
emergency, the Federal Government started planning preventive,
containment and curative measures in the event the disease hits Nigeria.
3. The whole instruments of government are now mobilized to confront
what has now become both a health emergency and an economic crisis.
4. Secondly, Nigeria, unfortunately, confirmed its first case on 27th February 2020. Since then, we have seen the number of confirmed cases rise slowly.
5. By the morning of March 29th, 2020, the total confirmed cases
within Nigeria had risen to ninety-seven.
6. Regrettably, we also had our first fatality, a former employee of PPMC,
who died on 23rd March 2020. Our thoughts and prayers are with his
family in this very difficult time. We also pray for quick recovery for
those infected and undergoing treatment.
7. Moreover, as of today, COVID-19 has no cure. Scientists around the world
are working very hard to develop a vaccine.
PRESIDENT BUHARI ADDRESSES THE NATION ON COVID-19
8. We are in touch with these institutions as they work towards a
solution that will be certified by international and local medical
authorities within the shortest possible time.
9. For now, the best and most efficient way to avoid getting infected is
through regular hygienic and sanitary practices as well as social distancing.
10. As individuals, we remain the greatest weapon to fight this pandemic.
By washing our hands regularly with clean water and soap, disinfecting
frequently used surfaces and areas, coughing into a tissue or elbow
and strictly adhering to infection prevention control measures in
health facilities, we can contain this virus.
PRESIDENT BUHARI ADDRESSES THE NATION ON COVID-19
11. Thirdly, since the outbreak was reported in China, our Government has been
monitoring the situation closely and studying the various responses
adopted by other countries.
12. Indeed, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control
(NCDC) was one of ten global health leaders invited by the World Health
Organisation to visit China and understudy their response approach.
I am personally very proud of Dr Ihekweazu for doing this on behalf
of all Nigerians.
13. Since his return, the NCDC has been implementing numerous strategies
and programs in Nigeria to ensure that the adverse impact of this virus on
our country is minimized. We ask all Nigerians to support the work the
Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC are doing, led by the Presidential Task Force.
14. Although we have adopted strategies used globally, our implementation
programs have been tailored to reflect our local realities.
15. In Nigeria, we are taking a two step approach.
PRESIDENT BUHARI ADDRESSES THE NATION ON COVID-19
16. First, to protect the lives of our fellow Nigerians and residents
living here and second, to preserve the livelihoods of workers and
business owners to ensure their families get through this very difficult
time in dignity and with hope and peace of mind.
17. To date, we have introduced healthcare measures, border security,
fiscal and monetary policies in our response. We shall continue to do so
as the situation unfolds.
18. Some of these measures will surely cause major inconveniences to
many citizens. But these are sacrifices we should all be willing and ready
to make for the greater good of our country.
19. In Nigeria’s fight against COVID-19, there is no such thing as an
overreaction or an under reaction. It is all about the right reaction
by the right agencies and trained experts.
PRESIDENT BUHARI ADDRESSES THE NATION ON COVID-19
20. Accordingly, as a Government, we will continue to rely on guidance of
our medical professionals and experts at the Ministry of Health, NCDC
and other relevant agencies through this difficult time.
21. I therefore urge all citizens to adhere to their guidelines as they are
released from time to time.
22. As we are all aware, Lagos and Abuja have the majority of confirmed
cases in Nigeria. Our focus therefore remains to urgently and drastically
contain these cases, and to support other states and regions in the best way we can.
23. This is why we provided an initial intervention of fifteen billion Naira
(N15b) to support the national response as we fight to contain and control
the spread.
24. We also created a Presidential Task Force (PTF) to develop a workable
National Response Strategy that is being reviewed on a daily basis as the
requirements change. This strategy takes international best practices
but adopts them to suit our unique local circumstances.
25. Our goal is to ensure all States have the right support and manpower
to respond immediately.
26. So far, in Lagos and Abuja, we have recruited hundreds of ad-hoc
staff to man our call centers and support our tracing and testing efforts.
27. I also requested, through the Nigeria Governors Forum, for all State
Governments to nominate Doctors and Nurses who will be trained by the
NCDC and Lagos State Government on tactical and operational response
to the virus in case it spreads to other states.
PRESIDENT BUHARI ADDRESSES THE NATION ON COVID-19
28. This training will also include medical representatives from our armed forces, paramilitary and security and intelligence agencies.
29. As a nation, our response must be guided, systematic and professional.
There is a need for consistency across the nation. All inconsistencies in
policy guidelines between Federal and State agencies will be eliminated.
30. As I mentioned earlier, as at this morning we had ninety-seven confirmed cases. Majority of these are in Lagos and Abuja. All the confirmed cases are getting the necessary medical care.
31. Our agencies are currently working hard to identify cases and people
these patients have been in contact with.
32. The few confirmed cases outside Lagos and Abuja are linked to persons
who have travelled from these centres.
33. We are therefore working to ensure such inter state and intercity
movements are restricted to prevent further spread.
ADDRESS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC SUNDAY 29TH MARCH, 2020
34. Based on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC,
I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for
an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30th March 2020.
This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity
to Lagos and the high traffic between the two States.
35. All citizens in these areas are to stay in their homes. Travel to
or from other states should be postponed. All businesses and offices
within these locations should be fully closed during this period.
36. The Governors of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Minister
of the FCT have been notified. Furthermore, heads of security and
intelligence agencies have also been briefed.
37. We will use this containment period to identify, trace and isolate
all individuals that have come into contact with confirmed cases.
We will ensure the treatment of confirmed cases while restricting
further spread to other States.
38. This order does not apply to hospitals and all related medical
establishments as well as organizations in health care related
manufacturing and distribution.
39. Furthermore, commercial establishments such as; a. food processing,
distribution and retail companies; b. petroleum distribution and retail
entities, c. power generation, transmission and distribution companies;
and d. private security companies are also exempted.
PRESIDENT BUHARI ELECTED ECOWAS CHAIRMAN
40. Although these establishments are exempted, access will be
restricted and monitored.
41. Workers in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print
and electronic media staff who can prove they are unable to work
from home are also exempted.
42. All seaports in Lagos shall remain operational in accordance
with the guidelines I issued earlier. Vehicles and drivers conveying
essential cargoes from these Ports to other parts of the country
will be screened thoroughly before departure by the Ports Health Authority.
43. Furthermore, all vehicles conveying food and other essential
humanitarian items into these locations from other parts of the
country will also be screened thoroughly before they are allowed
to enter these restricted areas.
ADDRESS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC SUNDAY 29TH MARCH, 2020
44. Accordingly, the Hon. Minister of Health is hereby directed to
redeploy all Port Health Authority employees previously stationed
in the Lagos and Abuja Airports to key roads that serve as entry
and exit points to these restricted zones.
45. Movements of all passenger aircraft, both commercial and private jets,
are hereby suspended. Special permits will be issued on a needs basis.
46. We are fully aware that such measures will cause much hardship
and inconvenience to many citizens. But this is a matter of life and death,
if we look at the dreadful daily toll of deaths in Italy, France and Spain.
47. However, we must all see this as our national and patriotic duty
to control and contain the spread of this virus. I will therefore ask
all of us affected by this order to put aside our personal comfort
to safeguard ourselves and fellow human beings. This common enemy
can only be controlled if we all come together and obey scientific
and medical advice.
48. As we remain ready to enforce these measures, we should see
this as our individual contribution in the war against COVID-19.
Many other countries have taken far stricter measures in a bid to
control the spread of the virus with positive results.
PRESIDENT BUHARI ADDRESSES THE NATION ON CORONAVIRUS
49. For residents of satellite and commuter towns and communities
around Lagos and Abuja whose livelihoods will surely be affected by
some of these restrictive measures, we shall deploy relief materials
to ease their pains in the coming weeks.
50. Furthermore, although schools are closed, I have instructed the
Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social
Development to work with State Governments in developing a strategy
on how to sustain the school feeding program during this period without
compromising our social distancing policies. The Minister will be contacting
the affected States and agree on detailed next steps.
51. Furthermore, I have directed that a three month repayment
moratorium for all TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni loans
be implemented with immediate effect.
ADDRESS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC SUNDAY 29TH MARCH, 2020
52. I have also directed that a similar moratorium be given to all
Federal Government funded loans issued by the Bank of Industry,
Bank of Agriculture and the Nigeria Export Import Bank.
53. For on-lending facilities using capital from international and
multilateral development partners, I have directed our development
financial institutions to engage these development partners and
negotiate concessions to ease the pains of the borrowers.
54. For the most vulnerable in our society, I have directed that
the conditional cash transfers for the next two months be paid
immediately. Our Internally displaced persons will also receive
two months of food rations in the coming weeks.
PRESIDENT BUHARI ADDRESSES THE NATION ON COVID 19
55. We also call on all Nigerians to take personal responsibility to
support those who are vulnerable within their communities, helping
them with whatever they may need.
56. As we all pray for the best possible outcome, we shall continue
planning for all eventualities.
57. Moreover, This is why I directed that all Federal Government Stadia,
Pilgrims camps and other facilities be converted to isolation
centers and makeshift hospitals.
58. My fellow Nigerians, as a Government, we will avail all necessary
resources to support the response and recovery. We remain committed
to do whatever it takes to confront COVID-19 in our country.
59. We are very grateful to see the emerging support of the private sector and individuals to the response as well as our development partners.
60. At this point, I will ask that all contributions and donations be
coordinated and centralized to ensure efficient and impactful spending.
The Presidential Task Force remains the central coordinating body on
the COVID-19 response.
NIGERIA PRESIDENT BUHARI ADDRESSES THE NATION ON COVID-19
61. Furthermore, I want to assure you all that Government Ministries,
Departments and Agencies with a role to play in the outbreak response
are working hard to bring this virus under control.
62. Every nation in the world is challenged at this time. But we have
seen countries where citizens have come together to reduce the
spread of the virus.
63. But i will therefore implore you again to strictly comply with the
guidelines issued and also do your bit to support Government and
the most vulnerable in your communities.
64. Lastly, I will take this opportunity to thank all our public health workforce,
health care workers, port health authorities and other essential staff
on the frontlines of the response for their dedication and commitment.
You are true heroes.
65. I thank you all for listening. May God continue to bless and protect
us all. President Muhammadu Buhari 29th March 2020.
Source: FG
