Coronavirus: Nigerians in China urged to obey public health directives

By Ochiaka Ugwu

Nigerians in China have been admonished to obey China’s public health instructions and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to stay safe against novel Coronavirus.
The admonition was given yesterday in Abuja by the Acting Director of Asia and Pacific Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Aisha Dewa during a briefing by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria on the fight against the novel Coronavirus otherwise known as COVID-19.
Dewa who commended Chinese government on the effort put in fighting the scourge of Coronavirus, said that Nigerians in Wuhan, the Capital city of Hubei Province did write to be evacuated, but the situation has not reached that level.
She informed that evacuation will be the last option as there is no plan for it now stating that Nigerian Embassy and consulates in China are reaching the citizens through online means established for such purpose.
She revealed that no Nigerian national has been diagnosed of the virus and they are looking on how to support the students in Wuhan both materially, psychologically and otherwise.
She however, urged Nigerians to support the government by reaching out to their people in China and to assure them of government commitment to their protection.
Dewa said that Nigerian envoys are at alert and consulting with them on the latest development as it concerns the wellbeing of Nigerians in China.
Also speaking, Director, Port Health Services of the Ministry of Health, Ms. Morenike Alex-Okoh said that the Ministry has been having briefings with the embassy on the turn of event and assured that Nigerians in China will be safe if they obey the health instructions of Chinese Government and that of WHO.
Ambassador of People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pingjian who spoke earlier said that China has strived hard to guarantee the life needs of foreign nationals maintaining that ensuring their wellbeing has been made a priority in the work of local governments and community level bodies.
He said they worked hard to meet the needs of foreigners in daily life in the area of epidemic prevention and treatment.
Zhou informed that consulates have been provided with masks, sanitizers and other preventive materials to solve their difficulties.
In his solidarity letter, President of Chinese Alumni Association, Mr. Muhammad Sulaiman said they are committed in supporting all Nigerian students irrespective of their courses and places of study in China as welfare, rights and dignity of every students are their major concern.