By Aisha Gambo
Kaduna – The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Tuesday called on Nigerians to continue practicing the precautionary measures stipulated by health authorities and government in fighting COVID-19 and shun disobedience.
The Kaduna state director of NOA, Mr Zubair Galadima-Soba made the call during a community engagement on COVID-19 safety and awareness campaign in Kaduna North Local Government.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sensitisation programme which took place at the district head of Gabasawa office was in collaboration with the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).
“In our continued effort to sensitise Nigerians towards observing the preventive protocol of COVID-19, we are here flagging off an advocacy visit and sensitisation programme to various target groups with the network of youth and civil organisation and traditional rulers.
“The essence of this gathering is to remind us of our responsibilities in preventing the rapid spread of COVID-19 particularly in the communities and the grassroots where there is disbelief on the existence of the disease,” he said.
According to him, people had hitherto believed in the existence of the disease but along the line, became relaxed for reason best known to them and started showing disbelief and denial of the existence of the disease.
He added that the recent development propelled NOA to continue with the orientation and reorientation of the people particularly at the grassroots and communities due to massive community transmission of the disease.
Galadima-Soba urged leaders of community based-organisations, religious and traditional leaders and the media to double efforts in ensuring members of communities observe the preventive measures of COVID-19.
Earlier, Alhaji Shittu Ibrahim-Dikko, the district head of Gabasawa, Kaduna North Local Government Area, thanked the organisers of the campaign for bringing the programme to his community.
He urged members of community to abide by the safety measures stipulated by health authorities and government in fighting COVID-19 so as to reduce community transmission.
Similarly, Shehu Sani, the local government coordinator, NYCN, said their council collaborated with NOA to sensitise communities on the importance of practicing social distancing and washing hands to prevent contacting the disease.
He urged members of the community to abide by the laid down measures by health authorities and government in order to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 rise in the grassroots and communities.
Meanwhile, some participants at the event commended NOA and NYCN for the awareness creation, saying they would communicate the message learnt to their families and friends.
One of them, Shehu Salisu said the sensitisation programme was apt and timely as some people still think the disease was false.
He added that the death of former Chief of Staff to the President and some prominent people due to the disease should serve as a lesson to Nigerians that the disease was still in existence.
Balaraba Muhammad, another participant said the sensitisation programme was an eye opener to her on how to properly wash her hands, adding that she would ensure that she teaches women at her neighbourhood on its importance.
NAN reports that social distancing and hand washing were observed at the programme.
(NAN)