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General News of Monday, 18 January 2021

Source: www.mynigeria.com

We do not need a national lockdown now, Prof Ihonvbere says

File photo: Professor Julius Ihonvbere File photo: Professor Julius Ihonvbere

Professor Julius Ihonvbere, Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Services, has stated that he does not think the country needs a lockdown at this moment.

Prof Ihonvbere in an interview with Channels Television's Sunday Politics said the government must ensure that Nigerians begin to take the fight against the coronavirus pandemic more seriously.

“I do not think we need a national lockdown now, I think what we need now, in the first instance is serious controls,” he said.

He added the government is not engaging in a serious public enlightenment campaign and as such, the people are not taking the COVID-19 pandemic seriously.

On the resumption of schools, Professor Ihonvbere said the nation is not ready, noting that arrangements have not been made to ensure that the children are safe.

“Our classrooms are crowded, some have no furniture, they sit on the floor; we have not made arrangements for this.

“Even if you say children are asymptomatic or their immunity system is much stronger than that of adults, what about the school workers? What about their parents they go to meet at home?” he quizzed.

He advised Nigerians to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic with all seriousness and not as a joke and urged the government to rise to the occasion and do the right thing.