The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has expressed concerns over spike in cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country, urging Nigerians not to flout the rules to checkmate the second wave.
The Director-General of NOA, Dr. Garba Abari, said at a sensitisation campaign the agency organised on Tuesday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi, that continuous observance of the coronavirus protocols was necessary.
Abari, represented by Mr. Desmond Onwo, the Acting Coordinator of the agency in Ebonyi, noted that the disease had not been defeated completely in the country.
“COVID-19 is still within us; it has not been defeated completely, hence the need for complete adherence to the protocols.
“A simple observation of the attitude and practices of some Nigerians have shown non-adherence to the safety protocols, due to easing of the lockdown.
“This portends more community transmission and loss of lives.This loss of lives has been on as many Nigerians appear not to believe that COVID-19 is real.
“We cannot afford to continue to lose lives to preventable virus nor risk further lockdown in the country.
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“The effects of the one we have had on our economy and the social sector are unbearable for both government and citizens.
“We shall work collectively to achieve the theme of this programme, ‘Take Responsibility for the Protection of All. Coronavirus is Real.’
“Let it be know to everyone that your safety and freedom from the pandemic starts from your acceptance of the reality of the existence of the disease,” the director-general advised.
Mr. Theophelus Nwokpor, an Assistant Director in NOA in Ebonyi, also emphasised the need to strictly obey the safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as Nigeria witnessed the second wave of the disease.
“There is need to resume regular washing of hands, use of face masks, avoidance of gathering and keeping social distancing, among others.
“Let me say that the throwing away of caution to the winds brought us to where we are today, which is the resurgence of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
“There have been confirmation of new cases by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
“The development therefore required us to be cautious to contain this second wave of the viral disease,” Nwokpor stated.
A health educator in the state, Mrs Prescilia Ajaodi, represented by Mr. Maduabuchi Iboko, another health official, highlighted some of the safety protocols, including regular washing of hands and avoiding hand shakes.
He listed other safety measures as use of hand sanitiser, avoiding touching of eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands as well as disregarding fake news.
Mrs Ikeburu Okechukwu, the Vice-Chairman of the Ebonyi chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), pledged support for NOA to ensure that the campaign got to all schools in the state. (NAN)
