From Mathew Jwantu,
Minna
The Niger State Government has directed the closure of Public and Private Schools as well as Tertiary Institutions across the State from Monday, 23rd March, 2020.
A statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane stated that all public gatherings are hereby suspended by the State Government.
Ahmed Matane disclosed that the closure of the Public, Private Schools and Tertiary Institutions which is for the period of thirty days and the suspension of all Public gathering is with immediate effect.
The SSG revealed that the measure to shut down the Schools for thirty days and suspend public gatherings is part of Government deliberate efforts to contain the global spread of Coronavirus Pandemic.
Ahmed Matane called on the people of the State to always uphold the highest degree of personal hygiene, remain calm and adhere strictly to all safety measures earlier announced by the State Ministry of Health.
Recalled that Niger state commissioner for health and Hospital Dr. Sidi yesterday rolled out the symptoms of the Dreaded disease to include, fever, weakness of the body, sneezing, nostrils bleeding etc. Said Niger state has put every thing humanly possible in place because according to him, prevention is better than cure, advised Nigerians to cut their expenditures for raining days as price of crude oil may crash.
According to him the 25 Local government has isolation ward and disease control mechanism to report any suspected outbreak not only corona virus but any stretch diseases.
In addition to the isolation centres, train personnel have been put on red alert for preventions.
He advice the general public on personal hygiene, use of sanitizer, and how to sneeze through the arm to avoid contacting the diseases.
To curb the diseases according go him ” Handshake and congregational gathering should be avoided as much as possible, be it wedding gatherings, naming ceremonies etc
Meanwhile, the commissioner dismissed said the Pakistani worker in the on going Zungeru Dam Construction was confirmed to have died of cardiac arrest and not the suspected coronavirus as speculated in some quarters.
He explained that the deceased was a truck driver who has not travel out for over one year now but died of cardiac arrest who
Dr Sidi also dispelled the rumor that someone died of convid -19 (Coronavirus) at Minna general hospital saying that it was not true noted that patient has been sick and on admission for some weeks and did not died of the said disease as alleged.
He charged on all hands to be on deck to curtail the spread of Coronavirus, Lassa Fever and Meningitis in the state hence proactive measures has been put in place like isolation centre at Minna general hospital and isolation wards in 21 health centres of the state
Is worthy of note that globally, there has been an outbreak of Coronavirus otherwise known as Covid-19. It causes illness such as common cold, fever and difficulty in breathing. The virus spreads via droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes and their droplets lands in the mouth or noses of nearby people. It can be contracted by touching contaminated surfaces or objects and touching the eyes, nose or mouth.
“In Niger state, sanitation, sensitization, enlightenment has been given at any given opportunity to ensure that Niger, Nigerian remains corona free.”
Dr Sidi, who admitted that the state Governor has put off all his trip Abroad, said ” is not even only our Governor this is an order from the federal government that all top government functionaries should put off all their trips to Abroad including even Mr. President himself.