Southwest governors block all roads leading into the geo-political zone and make nosemasks compulsory

GOVERNORS of the six states that make up Nigeria's southwest geo-political zone have closed all entry points into the region as part of an intensified effort to combat the spread of the dreaded coronavirus pandemic.

More than half of Nigeria's 493 cases of coronavirus are in the southwest, with Lagos State in particular bearing the brunt of the virus. Nigeria's federal government has twice imposed a total lockdown on Lagos and Ogun states to control the spread of the pandemic but taking this a step further, the governors of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states have agreed to close all entry points into the region.

Yesterday, the governors held a virtual meeting during which among other things they agreed to close all roads leading into the geo-political zone as well as make the wearing of facemasks compulsory in all their states. Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, the chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum, added that they also agreed to dissolve the board of directors of the Odua Investment company and hand over its running to the group managing director.

Governor Akeredolu said:  “We have agreed that the entry points of our six states be closed forthwith to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. The state governors also agreed that people involved in essential services or dealing in medicine, water and consumable items in particular traders and market men/women should endeavour to wear nose masks while outside plying their trade to minimize the spread of the deadly virus.

“The governors further agreed that wearing of nose masks will be made compulsory for everybody coming out of their homes effective from Friday 24th April, 2020 in their respective states.”