Recall that the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, ravaging the world, breaking down the country’s economy who’s aftermath effect is the social tension and a breakdown in law and order, comes this very unpopular positions as regards the COVID 19.
Very particularly, is the recommendations by the WHO on the use of face mask, placing restrictions to only health care workers, COVID 19 patients and those taking care of infected persons.
The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade in a very diverse position had marshalled out a NO MASK, NO MOVEMENT policy in the State, this he said could offer some degree of protection.
With this, the social media went haywire with tones of verbal slander, all drawing inference to the WHO’s directive on the use of face mask.
As weeks past, Countries and States expert after strategic and close studies carried out on the Coronavirus, advised Governments on the viability of such postulations, hence, disrupting the former directive of the WHO as regards face mask.
Today, the question bugging the airspace is, are these postulations truly viable?
“Yes”, aides to the Governor on Communication and Advocacy and Strategic Communication gave a strong affirmation through a live TV session with the Cross River Broadcasting Corporations – CRBC.
Stating emphatically, Ms. Beatrice Akpala, Senior Special Assistant on Communication and Advocacy noted that while it is imperative for constructive criticism on certain policies, total condemnation of a subject matter completely alien to some should not be encouraged. Drawing emphasises to one Dr. Reuben Abati and some presenters on Arise TV who during their analysis on one of their program described the Governor’s projections as an “ignorant” attempt to endanger the lives of the people.
Similarly, the Special Assistant on Strategic Communication, Mr. Andrea Ekeng while buttressing on the point said, it would be a nice sight to behold a strong critic of a concept being subjected by to the dictate of such concept.
“Critics who once criticize the concept of fabric mask, who are now going to be using those mask, would serve as an open apology to the man they vilified publicly for such postulations”
“Yes today, the decision on the use of face mask is being reserved and we are very certain that Nigeria will be taking the challenge to work on vaccines to aide loosen up on their nationwide lockdown”
Aides concluded that the total shutdown of the countries local economy could be very disastrous in the coming weeks as predicted by the Governor.
Such negative impact which are already being felt in most parts of Lagos and some other states in the South-East and South-South serves as a confirmation.
While commending Gov Ben Ayade for his continuous introduction of proactive models which are being adopted by most states and which is helping keep Cross River State free from COVID 19.
Ms Beatrice Akpala also applauded the Governor’s kind gesture for the creation of massive job opportunities, release of palliatives to the aged and vulnerable across the 18LGA and His People Oriented Disposition for reaching out to other states in the provision of face mask to help flatten the curve by slowing down the spread of COVID 19 in Nigeria.
Howbeit, she called on Federal Government of Nigeria on the need to start adopting Governor Ben Ayade’s world class projections to provide a soft landing for Nigeria as a Nation.