COVID-19: Buhari holds virtual meeting with Govs, COVID-19 pandemic amongst issues discussed

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, May 18, revealed that not even technology, power, and resources can solve the problem of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Buhari cited the examples of countries around the world blessed with these attributes who continue to record high casualty figures.

The president spoke during a virtual meeting with the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), where he called on the state chief executives to work closely with the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

This is in order to engender better harmony in the daunting task of checking the pandemic.

“In my meeting with the Governors today, I informed them that I have directed the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 to work very closely with all State Governors. To succeed in containing this pandemic we have to improve collaboration.

“I also stressed the need for extensive public education and enlightenment. We need to continue to educate and persuade Nigerians to accept the reality of the situation, and do all that is necessary to stay safe,” Buhari said.

A statement issued by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) in Abuja said Buhari disclosed that the PTF had briefed him on the next steps in the national response to the pandemic.

It said the meeting also discussed economic and security issues, among others, with the governors commending the president on the “leadership and direction” he has given the country in combating COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu says it is considering full re-opening of the critical sectors of its economy after assessing the readiness of businesses to re-open.

Sanwo-Olu said this on Sunday, May 17, after the State’s Security Council meeting, held at the State House, Marina.

However, he stated that the move to fully re-open the economy would not be pushed in a hurry.

Indeed, the governor revealed that in the coming days, the state government would be rolling out the “Register-to-Open” initiative; as part of the plans that would enable it to assess the level of readiness of the players in the identified sectors for supervised operations.