The Niger State Government in North Central Nigeria, has directed the closure of public and private schools as well as tertiary institutions across the state from Friday, 18th December, 2020.
The Secretary to the State Government and Chairman, Niger State Task Force on COVID-19 pandemic, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, stated this through his press officer Lawal Tanko. He said the closure followed an upsurge of the COVID-19 across the country.
“The second wave of corona virus in the country necessitated the closure of all schools in the State for the period of thirty days” Matane said.
The Covid-19 Task Force, further said that the Government in the State has also directed all Civil Servants to stay at home from Monday, 21st December, 2020 till further notice except those on essential services in order to curb the spread of the disease.
He also enjoined people on the need to quickly return to the use of face masks, physical and social distancing, so as to help curb the spread of the pandemic in the State.
“Despite massive advocacy and sensitization by the Government, it is disappointing to see the crowd at worship centres, banks, markets, motor parks across the State flouting the coronavirus guidelines.
“We will be forced to take the painful decision of bringing the State under the COVID-19 Preventive, Containment and Emergency Order if it remains clear that Nigerlites are determined to flout the rules” Matane said.
Alhaji Ahmed Matane, also expressed optimism that the fight against the dreaded virus will be won if people adhere strictly to the safety protocols of COVID-19.
He however called on financial institutions, supermarkets, corporate entities, and commercial vehicles and motorcycles owners to strictly ensure the enforcement of “no face mark, no entry” in order to halt the further spread of the virus in the communities and flatten the curve.
Emmanuel Ukoh
