COVID-19 Lockdown: Buhari Addresses Nigerians Again At 7pm Today

BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – With the Presidential Task Force (PTF)’s mood suggestive of a likely extension of the two weeks lockdown declared by the Fedefal Government in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun State, President Muhammadu Buhari is set to address Nigerians again on the next line of action this evening.

The nationwide broadcast comes up at 7pm with anxiety running high in many quarters that an extended lockdown aimed at tackling the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) will further inflict hardship on Nigerians and businesses.

Amid raging national discourse on the exigency of either extending or lifting the 14 days sit-at-home order that expires today, a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina in Abuja on Monday said, “President Muhammadu Buhari will broadcast to the nation Monday, April 13, 2020 at 7pm.”

The statement therefore enjoined Television, radio and other electronic media outlets “to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) respectively for the broadcast.”

Addressing the nation on Sunday, March 29, 2020, the President had ordered a ban on social and economic activities and gatherings of people in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, the nation’s commercial nerve centre, Lagos, and Ogun state to stem the spread of the virus.

“I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11 p.m. [2000GMT] on Monday, 30th March 2020″, he said in a nationwide broadcast.