President Muhammadu Buhari, Saturday was briefed by the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehinare, and the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, at Presidential Villa.
Personal Assistant to the President on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, tweeted this on verified Tweeter handle, @BashirAhmaad.
According to him, the duo met with President to update him on the going plans to halt the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.
He tweeted at 12:55pm disclosing that the meeting was held at the President’s residence in the Villa, adding that the meeting was ongoing at the time of tweeting.
“JUST IN: President @MBuhari receiving briefings from Minister of Health and Director-General of @NCDCgov on Nigeria’s fight against #COVID19 pandemic at his residence, Presidential Villa, Abuja” the tweet said.
President Buhari, in the last two days, had worked from home after testing negative to COVID-19. He was last seen at the office on Wednesday.
On Thursday, he had called on Nigerians to heed all advisories continuously put out by the Ministry of Health and the NCDC, like social distancing and shunning of gatherings of any kind.
“I advise all Nigerians to follow to the letter the health guidelines issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and our State Governments.
“Wash your hands thoroughly many times throughout the day. Observe ‘social distancing’ of a minimum of two metres. Do not make unnecessary journeys outside of your homes. Do not attend public meetings or public gatherings – including religious events – which is where, through social contact, the virus can easily be transmitted.
“The Federal Ministry of Health will continue to issue daily updates on all developments. Please refer to public announcements by the Ministry on radio, television, www.health.gov.ng and @Fmohnigeria”, President said.
The President had also announced the sum of N10 billion to Lagos State to aid its fight against the pandemic.
The President had also approved and ensured the prompt release of N5 billion special intervention requested by the NCDC to equip and expand their facilities and laboratories.
In the same vein, the President has given approval to NCDC’s request for an aircraft from the Presidential Air Fleet for emergency situations. He has furthermore authorised the evacuation of three critical members of the NCDC team who are stuck in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo where they went for a training organsied by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
