Monday, April 27,
2020 / 9:05 PM / State House Press Release
Highlights
New nationwide measures are to be introduced as
follows;
a. There will be an overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am.
This means all movements will be prohibited during this period except for
essential services;
b. There will be a ban on non-essential inter-state
passenger travel until further notice;
c. Partial and controlled interstate movement of goods
and services will be allowed for the movement of goods and services from
producers to consumers; and
d. We will strictly ensure the mandatory use of face
masks or coverings in public in addition to maintaining physical distancing and
personal hygiene. Furthermore, the restrictions on social and religious
gatherings shall remain in place. State Governments, corporate organisations
and philanthropists are encouraged to support the production of cloth masks for
citizens.
For the avoidance of doubt, the lockdown in the
FCT, Lagos and Ogun States shall remain in place until these new ones come into
effect on Monday, 4th May 2020.
Full Speech
1. Fellow Nigerians
2. I will start by commending you all for the
resilience and patriotism that you have shown in our collective fight against
the biggest health challenge of our generation.
3. As at yesterday, 26th April 2020, some 3 million
confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been recorded globally with about 900,000
recoveries. Unfortunately, some 200,000 people have passed away as a result of
this pandemic.
4. The health systems and economies of many nations
continue to struggle as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
5. Nigeria continues to adapt to these new global
realities on a daily basis. Today, I will present the facts as they are and
explain our plans for the coming months fully aware that some key variables and
assumptions may change in the coming days or weeks.
6. Exactly two weeks ago, there were 323 confirmed
cases in 20 States and the Federal Capital Territory.
7. As at this morning, Nigeria had recorded 1,273
cases across 32 States and the FCT. Unfortunately, this includes 40 deaths.
8. I am using this opportunity to express our deepest
condolences to the families of all Nigerians that have lost their loved ones as
a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is our collective loss and we share
your grief.
9. Initial models predicted that Nigeria will record
an estimated 2,000 confirmed cases in the first month after the index case.
10. This means that despite the increase in the number
of confirmed cases recorded in the past two weeks, the measures we have put in
place thus far have yielded positive outcomes against the projections.
11. The proportion of cases imported from other
countries has reduced to only 19% of new cases, showing that our border
closures yielded positive results. These are mostly fellow Nigerians returning
through our land borders. We will continue to enforce land border arrival
protocols as part of the containment strategy.
12. Today, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control
(NCDC) has accredited 15 laboratories across the country with an aggregate
capacity to undertake 2,500 tests per day across the country.
13. Based on your feedback, Lagos State Government and
the FCT with support from NCDC have established several sample collection
centers. They are also reviewing their laboratory testing strategy to further
increase the number of tests they can perform including the accreditation of
selected private laboratories that meet the accreditation criteria.
14. Several new fully equipped treatment and isolation
centres have been operationalised across the country thereby increasing bed
capacity to about three thousand.
15. I commend the State Governors for the activation
of State-level Emergency Operation Centres, establishment of new treatment
centres and the delivery of aggressive risk communication strategies.
16. Over 10,000 healthcare workers have been trained.
For their protection, additional personal protective equipment have been
distributed to all the states.
17. Although we have experienced logistical
challenges, we remain committed to establishing a solid supply chain process to
ensure these heroic professionals can work safely and are properly equipped.
18. In keeping with our Government's promise to
improve the welfare of healthcare workers, we have signed a memorandum of
understanding on the provision of hazard allowances and other incentives with
key health sector professional associations.
19. We have also procured insurance cover for 5,000
frontline health workers. At this point, I must commend the insurance sector
for their support in achieving this within a short period of time.
20. Nigeria has also continued to receive support from
the international community, multilateral agencies, the private sector and
public-spirited individuals. This support has ensured that critical lifesaving
equipment and materials, which have become scarce globally, are available for
Nigeria through original equipment manufacturers and government-to-government
processes.
21. The distribution and expansion of palliatives
which I directed in my earlier broadcast is still ongoing in a transparent
manner. I am mindful of the seeming frustration being faced by expectant
citizens. I urge all potential beneficiaries to exercise patience as we
continue to finetune our logistical and distribution processes working with the
State Governments.
22. Our Security Agencies continue to rise to the
challenge posed by this unusual situation. While we feel deeply concerned about
isolated security incidents, I want to assure all Nigerians that your safety
and security remain our primary concern especially in these difficult and
uncertain times.
23. As we focus on protecting lives and properties, we
will not tolerate any human rights abuse by our security agencies. The few
reported incidences are regrettable, and I want to assure you that the culprits
will be brought to justice.
24. I urge all Nigerians to continue to cooperate and
show understanding whenever they encounter security agents. Furthermore, for
their protection, I have instructed that the personnel of all the security
agencies be provided with the necessary personal protective equipment against
infection.
25. As we continue to streamline our response in the
centers of Lagos and the FCT, I am gravely concerned about the unfortunate
developments in Kano in recent days. Although an in-depth investigation is
still ongoing, we have decided to deploy additional Federal Government
manpower, material and technical resources to strengthen and support the State
Government’s efforts, with immediate effect.
26. In Kano, and indeed many other States that are
recording new cases, preliminary findings show that such cases are mostly from
interstate travel and emerging community transmission.
27. Drawing from these, I implore all Nigerians to
continue to adhere strictly to the advisories published by the Presidential
Task Force and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
28. These include regular hand washing, physical
distancing, wearing of face masks/coverings in public, avoidance of
non-essential movement and travels and avoidance of large gatherings.
29. Fellow Nigerians, for the past four weeks, most
parts of our country have been under either Federal Government or State
Government lockdown. As I mentioned earlier, these steps were necessary and
overall, have contributed to slowing down the spread of COVID-19 in our
country.
30. However, such lockdowns have also come at a very
heavy economic cost. Many of our citizens have lost their means of livelihood.
Many businesses have shut down. No country can afford the full impact of a
sustained lockdown while awaiting the development of vaccines.
31. In my last address, I mentioned that Federal
Government will develop strategies and policies that will protect lives while
preserving livelihoods.
32. In these two weeks, the Federal and State
Governments have jointly and collaboratively worked hard on how to balance the
need to protect health while also preserving livelihoods, leveraging global
best practices while keeping in mind our peculiar circumstances.
33. We assessed how our factories, markets, traders
and transporters can continue to function while at the same time adhering to
NCDC guidelines on hygiene and social distancing.
34. We assessed how our children can continue to learn
without compromising their health.
35. We reviewed how our farmers can safely plant and
harvest in this rainy season to ensure our food security is not compromised.
Furthermore, we also discussed how to safely transport food items from rural
production areas to industrial processing zones and ultimately, to the key
consumption centers.
36. Our goal was to develop implementable policies
that will ensure our economy continues to function while still maintaining our
aggressive response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These same difficult decisions
are being faced by leaders around the world.
37. Based on the above and in line with the
recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the various Federal
Government committees that have reviewed socio-economic matters and the Nigeria
Governors Forum, I have approved a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures
in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Monday, 4th May, 2020.
38. However, this will be followed strictly with
aggressive reinforcement of testing and contact tracing measures while allowing
the restoration of some economic and business activities in certain sectors.
39. Furthermore, new nationwide measures are to be
introduced as follows;
a. There will be an overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am.
This means all movements will be prohibited during this period except for
essential services;
b. There will be a ban on non-essential inter-state
passenger travel until further notice;
c. Partial and controlled interstate movement of goods
and services will be allowed for the movement of goods and services from
producers to consumers; and
d. We will strictly ensure the mandatory use of face
masks or coverings in public in addition to maintaining physical distancing and
personal hygiene. Furthermore, the restrictions on social and religious
gatherings shall remain in place. State Governments, corporate organisations
and philanthropists are encouraged to support the production of cloth masks for
citizens.
40. For the avoidance of doubt, the lockdown in the
FCT, Lagos and Ogun States shall remain in place until these new ones come into
effect on Monday, 4th May 2020.
41. The Presidential Task Force shall provide sector
specific details to allow for preparations by Governments, businesses and
institutions.
42. In respect to the above guidelines, State
Governors may choose to adapt and expand based on their unique circumstances
provided they maintain alignment with the guidelines issued above.
43. To support our businesses and traders, the
monetary and fiscal authorities shall deploy all the necessary provisions
needed for production to continue and thus, jobs restored.
44. These revised guidelines will not apply to Kano
State.
45. With regards to Kano, I have directed the
enforcement of a total lockdown for a period of two weeks effective
immediately. The Federal Government shall deploy all the necessary human,
material and technical resources to support the State in controlling and
containing the pandemic and preventing the risk of further spread to
neighboring States.
46. I wish to once again commend the frontline workers
across the country who, on a daily basis, risk everything to ensure we win this
fight. For those who got infected in the line of duty, rest assured that
Government will do all it takes to support you and your families during this
exceedingly difficult period. I will also take this opportunity to assure you
all that your safety, wellbeing and welfare remain paramount to our Government.
47. I will also recognise the support we have received
from our traditional rulers, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian
Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and other prominent religious and community
leaders. Your cooperation and support have significantly contributed to the
successes we have recorded to date.
48. I will urge you all to please continue to create
awareness on the seriousness of the coronavirus among your worshippers and
communities while appealing that they strictly comply with public health
advisories.
49. I also thank the Nigeria Governors' Forum and the
Presidential Task Force for all their hard work to date. Through this
collaboration, I remain confident that success is achievable.
50. I also wish to thank corporate organisations,
philanthropists, the UN system, the European Union, friendly nations, the media
and other partners that have taken up the responsibility of supporting our
response.
51. And finally, I will thank all Nigerians again for
your patience and cooperation during this difficult and challenging period. I
assure you that government shall continue to take all necessary measures to
protect the lives and livelihoods of our citizens and residents.
52. I thank you for listening and may God bless the
Federal Republic of Nigeria
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