Nigeria’s Vice President, Dr. Yemi Osinbajo has demanded the intensification of public enlightenment and sensitization on the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic at all government levels so that more and more Nigerians would become aware of the compelling and critical dimensions of the situation.
A statement made available to Alltimepost.com on Wednesday by Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Office of the Vice President, said Osinbajo made the demand, while speaking at the second meeting of the Special Committee of the National Economic Council on COVID-19, chaired by him.
The Vice President emphasized the importance of the committee’s assignment and the urgency required, as it continues its task of coordinating the Federal and State governments’ responses to the impact of the disease.
He disclosed that the newly created Economic Sustainability Committee, ESW, constituted by the President will also be meeting this week to start its work and respond to the situation appropriately.
The Special Committee of the National Economic Council on COVID-19 is working hard to develop additional measures to alleviate the challenges being faced by Nigerians because of the implications of the global pandemic in the country.
Present alongside the Vice President at the meeting held via videoconference anchored from the Presidential Villa were Governors Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna; Abdullahi Sule, Nasarawa; Mohammed Abubakar, Jigawa; Godwin Obaseki, Edo; David Umahi, Ebonyi; Dapo Abiodun, Ogun; and Atiku Bagudu, Kebbi.
Osinbajo assured the governors that the FG was already packaging further resources for a comprehensive economic response to alleviate the challenges of the pandemic, support the States and provide succor to Nigerians in a timely and effective manner.
The meeting was also attended by the Finance Minister, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Mr. Ben Akabueze among several other top officials.
The NEC Committee received the report of its Technical Working Group which proposed an array of policy options and recommendations on how federal, state and local governments can bring relief to the people and take other adequate measures in containing and responding to the adverse economic effects of the pandemic.
