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Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde , on Saturday disclosed that he is now in self isolation to ascertain his coronavirus status.
According to Oyoinsight, Makinde made the declaration during a live radio programme on Fresh 105.9 fm, Ibadan.
Makinde while responding to some questions during the radio programme tagged “South West political update,” said the disease is no respecter of anyone or status.
He said he took the decision based on the advice given to him by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control(NCDC).
Makinde noted that all the governors who attended a meeting in Abuja had been advised by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to isolate themselves.
Makinde who spoke for about twelve minutes to address the people, noted that he will make the result of the test known to the public.
He said:“I am now in self isolation. Yes. I have been advised by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to isolate myself because I had contacts with some people.
“All the governors who had contacts with some of the people who have it have been advised to isolate themselves. The governors forum advised us to do so.
“This disease is no respecter of anyone, whether you are rich or poor. I am currently on isolation.
“It is unfortunate that some people rather than assist themselves or their people, they are criticising. When they want to criticise, we are not saying that they should not criticise, but I care for the people of Oyo state.
“We are in discussion with some private companies. The NPG donated some items to us. I am already in talks with British American Tobacco. I believe that they will get in touch with the Commissioner for Heath.
“We are learning from the countries that have experienced the virus, we are now looking at the ways to regulate some companies based on the protocols. There is a protocol to follow if we have an environment like this in a company.”
The governor urged anyone with ideas on how to curtail the spread of the virus to come forward.
“You just don’t operate based on emotions, everybody is an expert in this Coronavirus crisis.
“You can see if you are in US or UK, you see them fumigating the environment, before they sell a car, they have fumigated the car, but it is another environment here. Here, there is no palliative. Because, we don’t know the number of Okada riders, market women, have we done the registration for them to know their number: we don’t have that.
“So those are some of the challenges we are facing. And we are happy, anyone with ideas should come forward.
“I am your governor, it is your governor that is speaking. This coronavirus is a serious challenge to us. I advise the residents to take care of their heath. It is my prayer that it will not reach us and those that have it will soon recover. Thank you,” Makinde added.