12th March, 2020
Former vice-president Atiku Abubakar has renewed his call on the Federal Government to impose a temporary suspension on flights from nations severely hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is a patriotic call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to take every reasonable step to protect the citizens of Nigeria, by temporarily suspending flights to and from such countries, until we build up our ability to contain the corona virus”, Atiku said in a statement on Thursday.
He said he was renewing the call because several countries have seen the prudence in taking such precautions.
“It will be recalled that to date, we are yet to identify and or locate multiple passengers who flew in with the index case from Italy. They could be anywhere. We must, therefore, err on the side of caution. We cannot afford to broaden the possibility of future infections.
‘The economic impact of a widespread infestation of the virus in Nigeria will be catastrophic, and will affect our national security, and status as Africa’s leading economy. The ravages of this scourge, which has officially been classified as a global pandemic, must not be allowed to test our already fragile economy.
‘I urge that every political and any other differences be put aside. On my own part, on this issue, I am first a Nigerian, and I am willing and ready to work with anybody, at anytime, at whatever cost, to ensure the safety of this country, which is the only country we have to call our home, and her peoples.
“We must act now. We must put Nigeria and her citizens first. We must ensure that our national policy is deliberately tailored to protect our greatest national resource, the great Nigerian people”, he said.