{"id":209695,"date":"2020-04-13T20:55:08","date_gmt":"2020-04-13T19:55:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arewa.ng\/?p=209695"},"modified":"2020-04-13T20:57:32","modified_gmt":"2020-04-13T19:57:32","slug":"coronavirus-lockdown-extended-full-text-of-president-buharis-broadcast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arewa.ng\/?p=209695","title":{"rendered":"Coronavirus lockdown extended: Full text of President Buhari\u2019s broadcast"},"content":{"rendered":"
President Muhammadu Buhari has restated that lockdown to curtail the spread of coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19 in affected states is still on.<\/p>\n

This was contained in the full text of his national broadcast Monday night.<\/p>\n

The full text of his speech below.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cFellow Nigerians<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my address on Sunday, 29th March, 2020, I asked the residents of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory to stay at home for an initial period of fourteen days starting from Monday, 30th March 2020.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany State Governments also introduced similar restrictions.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs your democratically elected leaders, we made this very difficult decision knowing fully well it will severely disrupt your livelihoods and bring undue hardship to you, your loved ones and your communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, such sacrifices are needed to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our country. They were necessary to save lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur objective was, and still remains, to contain the spread of the Coronavirus and to provide space, time and resources for an aggressive and collective action.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe level of compliance to the COVID-19 guidelines issued has been generally good across the country. I wish to thank you all most sincerely for the great sacrifice you are making for each other at this critical time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will take this opportunity to recognise the massive support from our traditional rulers, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) during this pandemic.<\/p>\n

\u201cI also acknowledge the support and contributions received from public spirited individuals, the business community and our international partners and friends.<\/p>\n

\u201cI must also thank the media houses, celebrities and other public figures for the great work they are doing in sensitizing our citizens on hygienic practices, social distancing and issues associated with social gatherings.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a result of the overwhelming support and cooperation received, we were able to achieve a lot during these 14 days of initial lockdown.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe implemented comprehensive public health measures that intensified our case identification, testing, isolation and contact tracing capabilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo date, we have identified 92% of all identified contacts while doubling the number of testing laboratories in the country and raising our testing capacity to 1,500 tests per day.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also trained over 7,000 Healthcare workers on infection prevention and control while deploying NCDC teams to 19 states of the federation.<\/p>\n

\u201cLagos and Abuja today have the capacity to admit some 1,000 patients each across several treatment centres.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany State Governments have also made provisions for isolation wards and treatment centres. We will also build similar centers near our airports and land borders.<\/p>\n

\u201cUsing our resources and those provided through donations, we will adequately equip and man these centres in the coming weeks. Already, health care workers across all the treatment centers have been provided with the personal protective equipment that they need to safely carry out the care they provide.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur hope and prayers are that we do not have to use all these centres. But we will be ready for all eventualities.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this point, I must recognise the incredible work being done by our healthcare workers and volunteers across the country especially in frontline areas of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are our heroes and as a nation, we will forever remain grateful for your sacrifice during this very difficult time. More measures to motivate our health care workers are being introduced which we will announce in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a nation, we are on the right track to win the fight against COVID-19.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, I remain concerned about the increase in number of confirmed cases and deaths being reported across the world and in Nigeria specifically.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn 30th March 2020, when we started our lockdown in conforming with medical and scientific advice, the total number of confirmed cases across the world was over 780,000.<\/p>\n

\u201cYesterday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases globally was over one million, eight hundred and fifty thousand. This figure is more than double in two weeks!<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the last fourteen days alone, over 70,000 people have died due to this disease.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the same period, we have seen the health system of even the most developed nations being overwhelmed by this virus.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere in Nigeria, we had 131 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 12 States on 30th March 2020. We had two fatalities then.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis morning, Nigeria had 323 confirmed cases in twenty States. Unfortunately we now have ten fatalities. Lagos State remains the center and accounts for 54% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria. When combined with the FCT, the two locations represent over 71% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of our efforts will continue to focus in these two locations.<\/p>\n

\u201cMajority of the confirmed cases in Lagos and the FCT are individuals with recent international travel history or those that came into contact with returnees from international trips.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy closing our airports and land borders and putting strict conditions for seaport activities, we have reduced the impact of external factors on our country. However, the increase in the number of States with positive cases is alarming.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe National Centre for Disease Control has informed me that, a large proportion of new infections are now occurring in our communities, through person-to-person contacts. So we must pay attention to the danger of close contact between person to person.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this point, I will remind all Nigerians to continue to take responsibility for the recommended measures to prevent transmission, including maintaining physical distancing, good personal hygiene and staying at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition, I have signed the Quarantine Order in this regard and additional regulations to provide clarity in respect of the control measures for the COVID-19 pandemic which will be released soon.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe public health response to COVID-19 is built on our ability to detect, test and admit cases as well as trace all their contacts. While I note some appreciable progress, we can achieve a lot more.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, the cessation of movement, physical distancing measures and the prohibition of mass gatherings remain the most efficient and effective way of reducing the transmission of the virus. By sustaining these measures, combined with extensive testing and contact tracing, we can take control and limit the spread of the disease.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur approach to the virus remains in 2 steps \u2013 First, to protect the lives of our fellow Nigerians and residents living here and second, to preserve the livelihoods of workers and business owners.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith this in mind and having carefully considered the briefings and Report from the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered, it has become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT for another 14 days effective from 11:59 pm on Monday, 13th of April, 2020. I am therefore once again asking you all to work with Government in this fight.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not a joke. It is a matter of life and death. Mosques in Makkah and Madina have been closed. The Pope celebrated Mass on an empty St. Peter\u2019s Square. The famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris held Easter Mass with less than 10 people. India, Italy and France are in complete lockdown. Other countries are in the process of following suit. We can not be lax.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe previously issued guidelines on exempted services shall remain.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a difficult decision to take, but I am convinced that this is the right decision. The evidence is clear.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must not lose the gains achieved thus far. We must not allow a rapid increase in community transmission. We must endure a little longer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will therefore take this opportunity to urge you all to notify the relevant authorities if you or your loved ones develop any symptoms. I will also ask our health care professionals to redouble their efforts to identify all suspected cases, bring them into care and prevent transmission to others.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo country can afford the full impact of a sustained restriction of movement on its economy. I am fully aware of the great difficulties experienced especially by those who earn a daily wage such as traders, dayworkers, artisans and manual workers.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor this group, their sustenance depends on their ability to go out. Their livelihoods depend on them mingling with others and about seeking work. But despite these realities we must not change the restrictions.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the past two weeks, we announced palliative measures such as food distribution, cash transfers and loans repayment waivers to ease the pains of our restrictive policies during this difficult time. These palliatives will be sustained.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have also directed that the current social register be expanded from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million households in the next two weeks. This means we will support an additional one million homes with our social investment programs. A technical committee is working on this and will submit a report to me by the end of this week.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Security Agencies have risen to the challenges posed by this unprecedented situation with gallantry and I commend them. I urge them to continue to maintain utmost vigilance, firmness as well as restraint in enforcing the restriction orders while not neglecting statutory security responsibilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cFellow Nigerians, follow the instructions on social distancing. The irresponsibility of the few can lead to the death of the many. Your freedom ends where other people\u2019s rights begin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe response of our State Governors has been particularly impressive, especially in aligning their policies and actions to those of the Federal Government.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the coming weeks, I want to assure you that the Federal Government, through the Presidential Task Force, will do whatever it takes to support you in this very difficult period. I have no doubt that, by working together and carefully following the rules, we shall get over this pandemic.<\/p>\n

\u201cI must also thank the Legislative arm of Government for all its support and donations in this very difficult period. This collaboration is critical to the short and long-term success of all the measures that we have instituted in response to the pandemic.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a result of this pandemic, the world as we know it has changed. The way we interact with each other, conduct our businesses and trade, travel, educate our children and earn our livelihoods will be different.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo ensure our economy adapts to this new reality, I am directing the Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment, Communication and Digital Economy, Science and Technology, Transportation, Aviation, Interior, Health, Works and Housing, Labour and Employment and Education to jointly develop a comprehensive policy for a \u201cNigerian economy functioning with COVID-19\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ministers will be supported by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and Economic Sustainability Committee in executing this mandate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am also directing the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the National Security Adviser, the Vice Chairman, National Food Security Council and the Chairman, Presidential Fertiliser Initiative to work with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to ensure the impact of this pandemic on our 2020 farming season is minimized.<\/p>\n

\u201cFinally, I want to thank the members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for all their hard work so far. Indeed, the patriotism shown in your work is exemplary and highly commendable.<\/p>\n

\u201cFellow Nigerians, I have no doubt that by working together and carefully following the rules, we shall get over this pandemic and emerge stronger in the end.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thank you all for listening and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

President Muhammadu Buhari has restated that lockdown to curtail the spread of coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19 in affected states is still on. This was contained in the full text of his national broadcast Monday night. The full text of his speech below. He said: \u201cFellow Nigerians \u201cIn my address on Sunday, 29th March, 2020, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":209696,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[5661,41,14173,250],"class_list":["post-209695","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-more","tag-babajide-sanwo-olu","tag-buhari","tag-coronavirus","tag-lagos"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/arewa.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209695","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/arewa.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/arewa.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arewa.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arewa.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=209695"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/arewa.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209695\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arewa.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/209696"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/arewa.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=209695"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arewa.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=209695"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arewa.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=209695"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}