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General News of Thursday, 12 March 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Atiku warns Fed Govt. to take coronavirus seriously a second time

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has asked the Federal Government to take the battle against coronavirus a notch higher by restricting flights from nations with a high prevalence of the Coronavirus plague.

According to the Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, temporarily suspending flights to and from affected countries is not only in line with global best practices but it builds up the country's ability to contain the deadly virus.

Atiku argued that land borders should, however, be open to Nigerian citizens, regardless of their status.

He praised the commendable efforts of the country's patriotic health officials but noted that the country has failed to identify or locate multiple passengers who flew in with the index case from Italy.

"They could be anywhere," he said.



Atiku, who challenged Buhari for the Presidency in the 2019 General Elections advised the Government to be careful in managing the spread of this deadly virus that has ravaged Europe to bits.

"We must, therefore, err on the side of caution. We cannot afford to broaden the possibility of future infections.

"The economic impact of a widespread infestation of the virus in Nigeria will be catastrophic and will affect our national security, and status as Africa’s leading economy.

"The ravages of this scourge, which has officially been classified as a global pandemic, must not be allowed to test our already fragile economy," the ex-vice president said in a statement.

Promising to lend a hand in helping Nigerian curb the spread, he said he was willing to put political differences aside to help Nigerians at whatever cost.

"I urge that every political & any other differences be put aside. On my part, I am first a Nigerian, & I am willing & ready to work with anybody, at anytime, at whatever cost, to ensure the safety of this country, which is the only country we have to call our home, & her peoples," he concluded.

Recall that Atiku gave a similar warning of this manner last month after Nigeria registered her index case. This was before the confirmation of the second case in the country.

Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehinare today said the Federal Government was not contemplating the imposition of a travel ban on foreigners from any country over the spread of the deadly virus.

This was after the United States placed a 30- day travel ban on European travellers to the US as part of the measures to contain the virus.

Ehinare, who assured foreign diplomats of the measures put in place by the federal government to contain the spread of the virus said, there was no immediate reason for now to impose a travel ban.