National Center for Disease Control commends Ogun state government on fight against coronavirus

The National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has commended Ogun State Government for its willingness to go extra mile to support government in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic in the State.

Penpushing reports that, Director General, of the centre, Dr Chike Ihekweazu made this known on Wednesday when he, in company of the Country Director, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Fiona Braka, visited the State Governor,  Dapo Abiodun, in his country home, Iperu-Remo, saying the center for Disease Control was willing to work with the state government in its quest to battle the Corona virus pandemic.

“With what I have seen in Ogun today and over the past few weeks in my engagement with the Commissioner for Health, is a willingness to go the extra mile. For us, the job is half done, so the National Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation are committed to supporting you. You have been on this journey longer than any other state in the country, you deserve some of the support that we have”, he said.

Penpushing further reports that, Ihekweazu,  also noted that it was a bit difficult to put a stop to social gathering because ‘’the country is a social country’’, urged the State government to communicate effectively with the people, so they could take ownership and responsibility for the changes in the life style they would have to adopt.

“We are a social people, a social country, we love interaction, being close to each other, celebrating each other, our weddings, social events, football; all these are things that define who we are and giving up on all of that for longer periods of time will come with some pain; that is really where your leadership skills will be so needed, yourself and other leaders in the state, to communicate with the people in a way that they would take ownership and responsibility for these changes”, the Director added.

The Country Director, World Health Organisation(WHO), Dr. Braka, in her remarks applauded the state government for having the capacity that could take in more patients, adding that her Organisation was impressed with the state’s strides in the health sector.

“We are so much impressed and will like to congratulate your Excellency and your team that has been working very hard. We could not join you for the launching of those isolation facilities, thank you for the invitation, but we are here to see what you have done. We leave with a positive note that there is capacity in Ogun State to take more patients, so, congratulations, Ogun State”, she stated.

The Governor, disclosed that Ogun was fully set to tackle the pandemic, as it would also be giving facemasks to its people, as soon as it receives the first batch of a million facemasks, which were being produced locally.

Penpushing also reports that, Abiodun, while noting that, all his government had been able to attain in terms of setting up isolation centers and molecular laboratory was through self help, called on the federal government to come to the aid of his administration, so that more could be achieved.

The Governor seized the opportunity of the visit to appreciate the entire Presidential taskforce, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and other members of the team, for the wonderful and tireless job they are doing.