BY DAYO ADESULU
The thirty-six states governors have unanimously agreed on what to do in each state of the federation about the deadly coronavirus which berthed in the country on Friday.
The governors who spoke under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) agreed that all states should employ surveillance and emergency response to locate those infected by the dreaded coronavirus.
While they sympathised with Lagos State and the first victim of the deadly virus, the governors maintained that they were committed to preventing the spread of the disease.
Governor Kayode Fayemi, the chairman of the governors forum in Abuja on Saturday issued the statement.
Fayemi said: ”The State Governments have been strengthening emergency response preparedness and capabilities in conjunction with the Federal Government and all other relevant Agencies.”
“In response to the first case reported, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has already activated its National Emergency Operations Centre and is working closely with Lagos State Ministry of Health to respond to this case and implement firm control measures to prevent further widespread.
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“As a forum of proactive Governors, we have initiated surveillance and emergency response in all states to ensure that quick response and attention is given to anyone showing symptoms of the disease.
“We encourage the citizens to self-quarantine if they notice symptoms related to the viral disease and contact the nearest health facility within the states. We will deploy all resources available to respond and contain further spread of the virus.
“We hereby appeal to the general public to be calm and follow precautionary measures recommended by the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant government agencies.
“We also enjoin citizens not to spread fake news and misinformation that can trigger fear, panic and chaos. The Federal Ministry of Health and other designated Federal and State agencies will provide the relevant updates related to the disease,” Fayemi said.
