President Muhammadu Buhari
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has extended the lockdown in the country on account of the Coronavirus pandemic that is on the increase though with increment in the number of recovered and discharged cases across the nation.
Buhari who made the extension on Saturday appealed for understanding stating that the country has two choices; either to submit to the guidelines and preventive measures other nations have adopted or to put the public lives under a colossal risks by living freely as desired.
The President added that the federal government was aware of the pains the citizens are going through due to the lockdown and will continue to provide relief materials to the vulnerable class to lessen their sufferings.
From enquiries, the “indefinite lockdown” was considered as an option while the health agencies and Federal Ministry of Health observe the situation and will give appropriate directions that will not jeopardize the lives of the citizens at appropriate time.
“I wholeheartedly thank all Nigerians for your patience, resolve and strong determination to defeat the Covid-19 outbreak.
“We realize that today, there will be sons and daughters unable to visit their parents, and elders that are isolated from young ones. And there will be those who live day-to-day, eating as they earn, and who face real and present suffering.
“No elected government could ask more of the citizens of the country that elected them than what we ask of you today.
“But we must ask you – once more – to observe restrictions on movement where they are in place, and follow the instructions of our scientists and medical advisers: stay home, wash your hands, save lives.
“The freedoms we ask you to willingly forsake today will only last as long as our scientific advisers declare they are necessary. But they are essential – world over – to halt and defeat the spread of this virus.
“For those who suffer most egregiously, the Government has announced multiple measures to assist: 70,000 tonnes of grain is being released from the National Strategic Grain Reserves for distribution to those in most need; distribution of small cash payments are also being made, and will continue to be made by the federal government in the states and local government areas.
“All that the government is asking you to endure is because nowhere in the world today is there any known way of defeating this pandemic. There is no vaccine. And that means there are choices to be made: between continuing as usual, or accepting the restrictions even when they come with unintended consequences.
“And that means there are choices to be made; between continuing as usual, or accepting the restrictions even when they come with unintended consequences.
“But at this darkest hour, it remains our duty to offer you the full and unvarnished truth: This is a global pandemic — 210 countries and territories across the globe are affected” Buhari stated.
Mr. President also emphasized that the nation cannot hope on external assistance as ithe contagion is a global challenge.
“No one is coming to defeat this virus for us. Instead, the defeat of the virus in our country will be in our hands, alone. We cannot wait for others. We can only depend on ourselves now. And so we must and we will end this outbreak ourselves as Nigerians, together” he said.