By Paul Odenyi, Assistant Director, Press, NOA
As Nigerians celebrate Easter 2020 amid the Coronavirus Disease (COVID19) pandemic, the Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Garba Abari has charged staff of the Agency, especially those at the community level, to intensify the enlightenment campaign on the pandemic during the celebrations in order to curb the spread of the disease in communities.
This has become necessary following indications from the Presidential Task Force on COVID19 and available data that local transmission of the disease is on the increase as imported transmission is on the decline.
In an Easter message to Nigerians, the NOA Director General called on staff of the Agency to waive their Easter holidays, using the period to enlighten their communities on the symptoms of COVID19 and preventive measures.
Abari urged Nigerians to use the Easter celebration to pray for the safety of health workers who are making great sacrifices within and beyond the call of duty to combat the scourge and save lives, likening their sacrifices to that of Jesus Christ who gave His life to save humanity.
While wishing Nigerians a happy Easter in spite of the pandemic and lockdown, the NOA Director General urged citizens to maintain precautionary measures against COVID19 during the celebration, including regular hand washing, use of hand sanitizers, covering the nose and mouth with disposable napkins or with a bent elbow when sneezing or coughing, the need to stay at home and reporting promptly to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) if a COVID19 infection is suspected.