COVID-19: Oyo Govt Blasts NUJ Committee

The Oyo State government, on Monday, described as false and complete misrepresentation, a statement credited to a committee of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) indicating that the State was not ready to tackle the coronavirus scourge.

The government, in a statement endorsed by the Special Assistant (Print Media) to Governor Seyi Makinde, Moses Alao, declared that the State was not only ready but doing everything to stop the spread of the virus.

According to the statement, the position of the NUJ Committee was given out of lack of adequate information and probably with the intent to mislead the people of Oyo State and cause panic and disaffection towards the government.

The statement called on members of the public not to panic over the alarm raised by the union, noting that the government is, indeed, in control of the situation regarding COVID-19 situation in the state.

The government called on members of the public to focus on adhering to hygienic practices, maintaining social distance and above all, not to panic where actions are necessary, stating that the government is taking actions that are necessary to prevent the spread of the virus in the state as evident in the activation of Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs) and the Isolation Centres.

According to the statement, it came as a shock to the state government that the NUJ, which is supposed to be a body of well-trained journalists, could rush to the press with misinformation at such a time like this when the people look forward to credible information over the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement government maintained that the NUJ ‘Committee’ misinformed the public by confusing the Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo for an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), which Governor Makinde said would be set up within 72 hours from Friday, 20 March, 2020.

It noted that while the facility in Olodo was re-designated on a permanent basis to take care of Infectious Disease Control, it should not be confused for an isolation centre or an EOC.

The government frowned upon the report that the emergency operating centres it activated were ill-equipped, wondering how journalists who should be well-trained could become confused and misled the public on such a sensitive matter.

The statement noted that the EOC, which has been activated, was not open to the public yet, adding that the centre was already operational.

“On Sunday, Governor Seyi Makinde appointed Dr. Taiwo Ladipo as Incident Manager. That’s an indication that the State was ready to tackle the rampaging virus.

“One wonders how the NUJ Committee could claim it visited a centre that was only open to professionals with clear assignment at the centre.

“One also wonders why an isolation centre would suddenly become a viewing centre as being claimed by the NUJ Committee.”

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