An Islamic Group, Ummah Support Initiative (USI), on Friday urged Nigerians to comply with Federal Government’s stay at home order aimed at containing the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.

Mr Danjuma Abdullahi, the Executive Director of the initiative, gave the advice in a statement signed by him to the Nigeria News Agency on Friday in Abuja.

Abdullahi, who described the lockdown as inevitable act to stem the tide of COVID-19, said live was more precious than money.

“The lockdown is for public health, and health should come before economy. It is true the world economy has lost over US$6 trillion dollars.

“The economy can recover but we can’t recover 100,000 lives already lost and those that we will be lost,” he said.

The executive director explained that as a people and community, it was everyone’s role to obey government and health workers for a desired victory over the deadly virus.

According to him, there are many who are peddling all kinds of conspiracy theories around COVID-19, but the fact remains that people are losing lives daily around the world and that should be our worry.

He reiterated the need for all to adopt safety measures calling for intensive education of those that doubted the existence of the pandemic.

“We need to mobilise and sensitise our communities on the reality of the virus, we are not safe until all are safe.”

Besides, Abdullahi urged Nigerians to always adhere to safety rules as social distancing, washing of hands with soap, use of face masks and staying safe at home, among others.

“Our singular focus should be working in our different ways to serve all people to save lives and stop the pandemic quickly.

“We implore government at all levels to commit resources in educating our people at grassroots so they can play their roles in curtailing the novel virus.”

Abdullahi, who reiterated the imperatives of synergy, said only commitment of all could defeat COVID-19.

He described the pandemic as fatalistic, which was much more than health crisis that required collective involvement of both government and individuals response, especially religious, community leaders and Civil Society Organisations.

The executive director commended the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for their relentless efforts in reducing the spread of the virus.

NAN reports that the Federal Government recently made stay at home order compulsory for residents of Abuja, Lagos and Ogun.

Edited By: Abiemwense Moru/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
(NAN)