Nigeria just at the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic - NCDC

The Nigerian Center for Disease Control, NCDC, has said that Nigeria is just at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was stated by the NCDC Director-General, Chikwe Ihekweazu, when the agency appeared before the House of Representatives.

“We are still in the middle of a very, very bad outbreak. In fact, it is most likely that we are at the beginning of a very bad outbreak. This is the honest truth.

“And as we dig into the details of what we have done, I really crave your indulgence to please, bear in mind that we do this work together because we really have a collective responsibility to our people,” the NCDC boss said.

Also speaking, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF Boss Mustapha, urged the representatives to lend assistance so that Nigeria will not be caught unawares by the next pandemic.

“We don’t know how long this will take us. Even the budget that the National Coordinator mentioned is for a period of six months. We do not know how long it will take us. But by the grace of God, we shall overcome.

"There is no medicine or vaccine for this. Humanity is simply overwhelmed by it. Everything has been turned upside down. Today, we are all masked up. We never used to know it like this. Please, honourable members, there is a lot you can do for us; a lot of legislative actions that can be taken, looking into the future. We are dealing with it today; the next pandemic must not catch us unawares. We must prepare for it.”