Possible lockdown extension: Pres. Buhari to broadcast to nation tonight

Sources reveal the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammad Buhari, will lay to rest speculations about possible lockdown later in the day.

As the 14-day lockdown in Lagos, the FCT, and Ogun State winds down, the president will speak to the nation at 7pm tonight to unveil the next plan of the government to contain the spread of the deadly novel Coronavirus.

It will be recalled the president held a similar broadcast a fortnight ago to lockdown Nigeria’s major commercial hub, Lagos, and its neighbouring state, Ogun, in addition to the Federal Capital Territory.

Since no vaccine has been found yet to cure, or protect against, the virus, governments around the world are making frantic efforts to reduce the spread by minimizing contact. This has therefore led to economic hiatus which is badly hurting family incomes and national revenue; hence a debate about the viability of minimizing infection at the expense of citizen’s economic well-being.

Presently close to 2 million people have been infected globally. The records of death due to the virus is also building in places such as the US, UK, Italy, and France. Nigeria has recorded over 300 cases so far. Although Lagos is recording over 25% successful management and discharge of its 130-plus cases, the numbers are increasing, even as citizens wallets are hurting.

Tonight’s broadcast will unveil the next phase of the strategies nationally deployed to contain the virus. Meanwhile WHO Director General, Tedros Adhanom, has warned member nations against loosening tight control previously installed to manage the situation.