Niger NOA partner NUJ to contain community spread of Covid-19

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

The Chairman Niger State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Malam Abdul Idris has charged Niger state government to adequately engage the media and National Orientation Agency (NOA) if Covid 19 committee must succeed in containing the community spread of the pandemic.
He made the observation when the state Director of NOA, Alhaji Yahaya Gbongbo visited him in his office in Minna to seek for partnership on how to prevent the alarming spread of coronavirus at community levels.
Idris reiterated that it is only the media and NOA that has the mechanism and technical know how for adequate sensitization, mobilization and informing the citizens as well to set agenda on what and how to convince the masses especially the rural dwellers on its misconceptions.
He appreciated the agency for the partnership while assuring them of continuous support in ensuring their success.
According to him, “ society depends so much on the media on government activities, Programmes and policies most especially as it concerns Covid – 19 for society sensitization and anything contrary is subject to failure” he stated.
The State Director of NOA, Alhaji Yahaya Gbongbo decried on the level of community spread of the dreaded coronavirus in the country called for urgent action from government considering the consequences of its spread.
Gbongbo noted the masses needed to be engaged especially the on going misconception on its existence and preventive measures put in place to contain it spread hence the need for collaboration with the NUJ in the state for more sensitization.
He hinted that although the agency had earlier approached the Niger state government even before the state have its first case record but without any positive response on the matter up till date decrying paucity of funds.