COVID-19: NOA to intensify sensitisation in 4 states, 11 LGAs

Mr Garba Abari, Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA) says that the agency will intensify sensitisation on COVID-19 in four states and 11 Local Government Areas to reduce the infection rate of the virus in the communities.

Abari told newsmen on Thursday in Abuja that communicating the right messages was key to reducing infection in the communities.

He listed the states as identified by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 as Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa and Ogun.

According to him, the ultimate goal is to minimise the rate of spread of the disease in the country.

“We believe that providing enough information about the disease, method of spread and how to stop the spread will help communities affected to take the required precaution.

“I call on all residents in these states to work hard toward curtailing the spread of the pandemic,” Abari said.

Abari, while appraising NOA’s efforts in the fight against the virus, regretted that many Nigerians had continued to live in denial of the existence and spread of the disease.

He also regretted that many Nigerians were not taking responsibility by refusing to use the recommended safety measures including the use of face masks, hand sanitisr and the washing of hands.

He, however, commended PTF on COVID-19 for consistently providing information and guidelines that had sustained the fight and led to low death rates.

The NOA boss condemned the unruly attitude of some youths, especially in Nasarawa State, who recently went about forcing people to remove their face masks with the argument that the virus did not exist.

Abari pointed out that the gradual easing of lockdown did not mean an end to the scourge, adding that Nigerians should take responsibility.

He urged citizens to take individual and community responsibility for the health of everybody in the society, and appealed to states and local governments to begin sensitisation in schools where classes had partially resumed.

Abari urged service providers to ensure that customers were reminded to observe the precautionary measures, especially the use of sanitiser and face masks.