The Yobe State COVID-19 Committee on Prevention and Control has engaged traditional rulers in the state as part of a strategy to nip in the bud chances of Coronavirus community transmission.
Presided over by the State Deputy Governor who is also the Chairman of the Committee, Idi Barde Gubana said the move is to extend measures and sensitization campaign on the dangers of COVID-19 to the grassroots.
He noted that to achieve the desired goal, the monarchs must key into the agenda as they play a vital role in social mobilization particularly on issues that require people at the grassroots level to actively participate.
Gubana maintained that the committee decided to meet with traditional rulers, as critical stakeholders with a view to educating them on the measures taken by the state to fight COVID-19 for onward sensitization of their subjects.
According to the Chairman, strengthening contact tracing, self-isolation, compulsory wearing of face masks, physical and social distancing, frequent hand washing, quarantine of any defaulter who sneaks into the state as well as the banning of interstate movement were some of the issues discussed and adopted at the meeting.
Also speaking the Vice-Chairman, COVID -19 Committee on prevention and control and Commissioner for Health Dr. Mohammad Lawan Gana, said the meeting was intended to intimate the traditional institutions on the dangerous impact of the virus and the role expected from them to prevent its spread in the state.
On preventive measures, Dr. Gana explained that the Yobe State government has done all that is required in terms of the provision of necessary medical supplies and equipment while closely monitoring all preventive measures put in place.
Earlier, Chairman Yobe State Council of Chiefs and the Emir of Fika Alhaji Mohammadu Abali Ibn Mohammadu Idrissa who spoke on behalf of the 14 emirs, pledged that traditional rulers in the state will work, hands in glove with the committee to see that their subjects are better and adequately informed on the situation at hand.
He said the monarchs have also unanimously resolved to utilize traditional means of communication by further engaging District, Ward and Village Heads, as well as clerics in their respective domains to halt the spread of COVID-19 especially now that the virus has assumed community transmission in the state.
Recall that Yobe State has so far confirmed 13 cases of the COVID-19 disease.