Work Hand In Glove With Presidential Task Force-Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged state governors to cooperate with the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on coronavirus control in order to curtail the pandemic.

The president said this during a virtual meeting with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Monday.

Buhari in his address reminded the governors on the need to do all necessary in educating and persuading Nigerians to accept the reality of the situation and to observed all precautionary measures to stay safe.

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina in a statement quoted Buhari telling the governors that the PTF had briefed him on next steps in the national response to the pandemic, “and I have directed that they work very closely with the governors.”

President Buhari said the pandemic was “beyond technology, power, and resources,” noting that countries that had all those, were recording highest casualties around the world.

In the agenda of the meeting was also discussed, economic and security matters among others; the governors commended President Buhari on his “leadership and direction” he has given to the country in combating the pandemic.

At the meeting was also the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, among others.

“For sustainability of the gains recorded, the PTF shall continue to support states by developing guidelines to shape decision-making for future steps in the response and aggressively scale up efforts to ensure effective community information.

“The security agents are however urged to be mindful of the human rights of citizens, while citizens are equally urged to recognize the dangers posed to self, their loved ones and the entire community if they fail to take responsibility.

“Let me state categorically, that the exemptions allowed under the phase one are still in place. Particularly, Government remains conscious of the fact that we are in the rainy season and farming activities is critical to food and national security. It should therefore, not be hindered.

“States and security agencies to support, encourage and allow farmers to carry out their activities”, he said.