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Engr. Matthew Tsekiri, Delta State Commissioner for Science and Technology.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has been commended for the tireless efforts being engaged to ensure that the Covid-19 pandemic does not spread to the state.

The State’s Commissioner of Science and Technology, Engr. Matthew Tsekiri gave the Governor a pat in the back in a statement in which he applauded the Governor’s approach that has created awareness of the deadly disease among Deltans and those living in the state, and intimating about the proactive measures being put in place as safety guards for the people’s benefit.

Tsekiri stated: “As a Deltan I am particularly impressed and proud of the efforts of my State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa at stemming the spread of the Corona virus to Delta State. As at today, there is no confirmed case of COVID-19 in Delta State. However as a proactive measure, Governor Okowa, a medical doctor himself has taken far reaching measures with other critical medical stakeholders, the State Action Committee on COVID-19, Local Government Authorities and religious leaders to ensure that the Corona Virus does not spread to Delta State. As a precautionary measure too, the Delta State government has procured ventilators, monitors and other critical equipment for the management of the COVID-19 in case it occurs in the state.”

Full text of the statement reads:

COVID-19 PANDEMIC: APPLAUDING THE DELTA STATE GOVERNOR’S APPROACH.

As a Deltan I am particularly impressed and proud of the efforts of my State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa at stemming the spread of the Corona virus to Delta State. As at today, there is no confirmed case of COVID-19 in Delta State. However as a proactive measure, Governor Okowa, a medical doctor himself has taken far reaching measures with other critical medical stakeholders, the State Action Committee on COVID-19, Local Government Authorities and religious leaders to ensure that the Corona Virus does not spread to Delta State. As a precautionary measure too, the Delta State government has procured ventilators, monitors and other critical equipment for the management of the COVID-19 in case it occurs in the state.
The Delta State government has also completed a purpose built isolation centre at the Federal Medical Centre Asaba and another at the Central Hospital Asaba while also preparing other centres for use at the Central Hospital Warri and Delta State University Teaching Hospital Oghara. According to the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye, the state’s isolation centre at the Federal Medical Centre Asaba is well equipped, stating that the facility was approved and designed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Delta State Medical and Para-medical staff have been put on high alert and are working round the clock to ensure effective monitoring and proactive measures to ward off the spread of the Corona virus pandemic.
As at the 29th of March 2020, Delta State government closed all its land borders, airports, and also ordered a lock down effective from 1st April 2020. Consequent upon several meetings the Delta State Governor held with critical stakeholders and effective publicity given to ensure public awareness, Deltans now practice social distancing and use of alcohol based sanitizers in public places. Adherence to private and environmental hygiene has also improved as a result of publicity.

So far, Delta state government can be scored high for its effort to secure the lives of Deltans at this season of anomie. I would say that Deltans are united in favour of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and his government for sparing no details to secure lives.

The COVID-19 global crisis has brought out another side of Nigerians – Patriotism. For once, and far larger than football patriotism, Nigerians no longer think or act along tribal lines. Their actions, reactions and interactions have become essentially national.

The global scourge has also revealed that some highly placed Nigerians – and this is very encouraging – could come out boldly to own up that they have been tested positive to Corona virus. As a matter of fact, nothing has ever provoked such a wide public discourse and reactions as much as the corona virus pandemic amongst Nigerians.

As at 30th March 2020, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire has confirmed about 131 cases according to reports coming from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Many states have taken proactive steps to stem further spread into their states.

Hon. Engr. Matthew Tsekiri
Commissioner for Science and Technology, Delta State