By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
As part of proactive measures against the spread of the dreaded coronavirus- Covid-19 pandemic raging across the globe, all inter states routes into Sokoto State have been closed from midnight of Friday, March 27th 2020 to 10th April 2020.
Similarly, all state civil servants on GL 12 and below are to work from their homes for an initial two weeks from Friday March 27 2020 to Friday April 10 2020.
However, the directive, except for the supply of food and essential medical commodities, pending observations on trends of the disease in the state and country is to last for the initial two weeks.
The development is coming despite the fact that the State has not recorded any case of Covid-19 disease.
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal issued the directive Thursday night in a statewide broadcast in which he noted that the pandemic has caused losses in human lives and the economy of all nations, including Nigeria.
” Consequent upon the nature of this disease and the need to take precautionary measures in line with international best practices and with national policies which conform with established and extant regulations as enshrined in the Islamic code that addressed challenges such as this.
” Further measures to be taken by the State will be predicated on expert advice from the State Ministry of Health, Nigerian Center for Disease Control and Federal Ministry of Health as and when the need arises”, he said.
According to Tambuwal ” Covid-19 is a global challenge that is affecting all parts of the world. Although, the state is experiencing a relatively safe situation, having so far recorded no case of infection even as he only suspected case has tested negative.”
The governor explained that a task force team of experts had been constituted with relevant terms of reference under the leadership of the State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Muhammed Ali Inname since on the 19th March 2020 to proffer preventive measures against spreading into the state as well engage in aggressive enlightenment campaigns with the participation of members of the public.
Accordingly, Tambuwal disclosed that more practical measures as recommended by the task force team committee which include;Training of medical personnel to handle patients of Covid 19, Provision of Isolation centers and Sensitization of the public on the disease were being implemented.
In furtherance to that, Tambuwal said a consultative meeting with traditional leaders and Ulama under the able leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto with the Task Force Committee on Coronavirus and leadership of security agencies in the State was held.
He dispassionately acknowledged and commended the efforts of his Eminence, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, other traditional leaders and the Ulama for their active participation in the engagement against the dreaded Covid-19 challenge while appealing for continued prayers and sensitization of the general public.
He urged all and sundry in the state to brace up to the health challenge by cooperating with relevant authorities and adhere to all measures in the interest, well-being and survival of the human race while appealing to leaders at all levels in the state to be alive to the collective responsibility and report any observed symptoms of the disease to the nearest and appropriate health facility.
” The Ministries of Environment and Health are hereby directed to intensify
efforts towards sanitation, cleanliness and provision of necessary medical supplies.
” I also solicit fervent prayers from all of us, for Divine intervention into the current situation”, he humbly requested.
