By Taofeek LAWAL
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) under the chairmanship of Ekiti State Governor, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, says there must be a uniform and coordinated policy on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) at both the national and sub-national level in order to harmonise efforts towards defeating the scourge of the virus.
The Governors, in a letter to chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and to Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, also said that the thrust of this policy was enunciated during a teleconference meeting of the Governors and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on 22nd April, 2020.
In the letter dated April 24, 2020 titled ‘COVID-19 Protocol – NGF Input on the Proposed Presidential Intervention,’ and signed by Dr Fayemi, the Governors sought the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari for some of its proposals including inter-State lockdown, excluding movement of essential supplies like foods, beverages, medical and pharmaceuticals, petroleum supplies and agricultural products.
The Governors also sought that internal free movement within States but with restrictions on large gatherings and assemblies be incorporated into the President’s pronouncements.
Others are the implementation of overnight curfews, flights’ lockdown and the compulsory use of face masks or coverings in the public.
The total of confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) globally is 2,848,102 with 198,023 deaths and a total recovery of 812,094. The figures are from 210 countries and territories around the world and two international conveyances.
For Nigeria, the total number of cases has hit 1,095 with a total of 32 deaths and 208 discharged cases.