A former federal lawmaker, Sen. Dino Melaye, has urged Nigerians, individuals and corporate entities alike, to support government’s efforts toward combating the spread of Coronavirus.
Melaye, in a statement he issued on Tuesday in Abuja, said that it was now clear that Coronavirus pandemic was a threat against humanity, hence the need for drastic measures by all to rise up to the occasion.
“The government alone cannot do everything; it is the responsibility of all. All hands must be on deck to combat the virus.
“I call on rich and well-to-do Nigerians, multinationals, oil companies and corporate Nigeria to financially support the government to curb this menace.
“This is a test of their corporate social responsibility to Nigeria. I will take a lead in this regard from the level of my native state, Kogi.
“Nigerians should not see the fight against coronavirus as a ‘government thing’. It is not about the government, it is about humanity.
“Public health affects national development, it should not be politicised,” he said.
Melaye, who represented Kogi West Senatorial District in the 8th and beginning of the 9th senate, commended government for the preventive measures and actions adopted so far, to stop the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria
“Further to measures and actions are taken so far by the Federal Government to fight Coronavirus, I call on President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, lock down the nation’s capital, Abuja and the nation’s commercial nerve, Lagos, via an Executive Order.
“This is necessary in the circumstance in order to prevent further spread of Coronavirus.
“There is no doubt that preventive measures are cheaper than treatment of any ailment, not to talk of a global pandemic,” Melaye said.
He urged Nigerians to, as a matter of necessity, abide by all the rules of personal hygiene, self-isolation and social distancing as spelt out by relevant government agencies, in order to win the battle against the deadly virus.
The agencies, according to him, include the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Federal and State Ministries of Health across the country, and others,
“Every Nigerian should act as if he or she has contracted the virus already and see everyone as a carrier of the virus also so that all of us will see it as our collective duty to make Nigeria Coronavirus-free.
“This is the time when wealth made or stolen provides no protection, guarantee or refuge,” he pointed out.
Melaye, however, called for a national day prayer to seek God’s face to heal the country and the world of Coronavirus.
“Prayer is the key; I urge us all to ask for God’s mercy and pardon. We should have a day of National Prayer,” he added.