The Ondo State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has called on the Ondo State Government to declare a 7-day or 14 day lockdown in order to stop the recent spike in the case of Coronavirus in the State.
The call was made in a statement jointly signed by the State chairman of NUJ, Comrade Adetona Aderoboye and the Secretary, Leke Adegbite in Akure.
The Union also commiserate with the entire people of Ondo State on the death of the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, noting that the unprecedented spike in the confirmed cases of the deadly virus pandemic since the last 3 weeks has become worrisome.
“Ondo State NUJ is also concern that the health facilities have been over stretched by the Covid-19 pandemic, no doubt the State is in a health crisis even as we pray to Almighty God to grant our State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, his wife and other Covid-19 patients quickest recovery.
“The Union findings from its member who are on the field shows that the State Government was on top of the situation of fighting the disease, until three weeks ago when the Government ordered the reopening of religious centres with poor enforcement of 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. dusk-to-dawn curfew as well as total violation of measures at all markets, hotels, relaxation centres, and other factors without stiff penalties.
The Union however appeal to the Presidential Committee on Covif-19 and NCDC to deploy necessary resources to the Ondo State Government as it has helped in Kano, Lagos, and other States in cushioning the spread of the disease.
“We want members of the public to obey various covid-19 precautionary measures and they should know that the disease is real and deadly while the Union seriously advises Media professionals in the State to perform their duties with extraordinary caution.”
Yemisi Oreoluwa
