The Borno state coronavirus (COVID-19) response team; has shunned the
daily media updates over rising cases of disease in Maiduguri
metropolis.
During the two-day media blackout, residents were allegedly denied of
free flow of information on COVID-19 in Internally Displaced Persons
(IDPs) camps and communities.
According to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the state
currently has 69 confirmed cases of disease with nine deaths on April
29, 2020.
The confirmed cases; have also ranked COVID-19 position of Borno state
to fifth out of 35 infected states in the country.
The shunting of daily media briefing led by response team Chairman,
Umar Kadafur, who also doubles as Deputy Governor, however, negated
Governor Babagana Zulum’s directives on daily media updates on
COVID-19.
According to Zulum, the daily briefings were to keep all residents
enlightened on fight against the deadly virus.
“The high powered team under His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, has
been directed to as from Tuesday, commence a daily centralized media
briefing at 4pm,” said Zulum last week.
The response team, at the weekend did not avail journalists of
reason(s) for media blackout.
The team’s press briefing on COVID-19 was stalled after some prominent
citizens allegedly died of coronavirus, but the government chose to
keep mute, claiming on health personnel’s oaths they have taken to
practices.
Before the media blackout, the Kadafur stopped attending the daily media update.
He claimed that he has other state matters to attend; than the daily
COVID-19 daily media briefing.
Response team Secretary, Dr. Salihu Kwayabura; who doubles as Health
Commissioner; followed the footsteps of Kadafur by not attending the
briefing for two days.
He was also said to be “having issues related to coronavirus pandemic”
across the state.
“I don’t have any report as per the number of people infected by this
infectious disease, I don’t have the record now. The record could
have been given to us by the commissioner for Health who is the
Secretary of the Committee, but due to circumstances beyond his
control, he will not be able to attend today’s ( Thursday) seating .”
Jato said
However, Friday was worse as no member of the committee showed up to
address Journalists who had waited patiently. It took the intervention
of one of the media aide to governor Zulum to urge journalists to
disperse and hope for future media update .
