It is no longer news that President Muhammadu Buhari announced an extension of the lockdown in Lagos, Ogun, and FCT by 14 days effective from 11:59 pm on Monday, April 13.
The lockdown was imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 which experts say is in the community transmission stage in Nigeria.
The president also followed it up by signing the COVID-19 Regulations No 2 of 2020, giving legal backing to the lockdown extension.
The Herald brings you 20 notable quotes from Buhari’s nationwide broadcast that kept millions of Nigerians glued to their seats on Monday evening.
Read Also: COVID-19 will leave only after world embarks on compulsory holiday – Pastor Adeboye
- As your democratically elected leaders, we made this very difficult decision knowing fully well it will severely disrupt your livelihoods and bring undue hardship to you, your loved ones and your communities.
- Sacrifices are needed to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our country
- As a result of the overwhelming support and cooperation received, we were able to achieve a lot during these 14 days of initial lockdown.
- . To date, we have identified 92% of all identified contacts while doubling the number of testing laboratories in the country and raising our testing capacity to 1,500 tests per day.
- Our hope and prayers are that we do not have to use all these centres. But we will be ready for all eventualities.
- As a nation, we are on the right track to win the fight against COVID-19.
- In the last fourteen days alone, over 70,000 people have died due to this disease. In the same period, we have seen the health system of even the most developed nations being overwhelmed by this virus
- This morning, Nigeria had 323 confirmed cases in twenty States. Unfortunately we now have ten fatalities.
- By closing our airports and land borders and putting strict conditions for seaport activities, we have reduced the impact of external factors on our country. However, the increase in the number of States with positive cases is alarming.
- Today, the cessation of movement, physical distancing measures and the prohibition of mass gatherings remain the most efficient and effective way of reducing the transmission of the virus
- Our approach to the virus remains in 2 steps – First, to protect the lives of our fellow Nigerians and residents living here and second, to preserve the livelihoods of workers and business owners.
- This is not a joke. It is a matter of life and death.
- This is a difficult decision to take, but I am convinced that this is the right decision. The evidence is clear.
- The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable.
- No country can afford the full impact of a sustained restriction of movement on its economy.
- I have also directed that the current social register be expanded from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million households in the next two weeks.
- The irresponsibility of the few can lead to the death of the many. Your freedom ends where other people’s rights begin.
- In the coming weeks, I want to assure you that the Federal Government, through the Presidential Task Force, will do whatever it takes to support you in this very difficult period
- As a result of this pandemic, the world as we know it has changed.
- Fellow Nigerians, I have no doubt that by working together and carefully following the rules, we shall get over this pandemic and emerge stronger in the end