The Mediation Training Institute (MTI) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order a complete shutdown of non-essential activities and movements and ask Nigerians to self-isolate for an initial period of twenty-one 21 days, starting from 12noon on Monday 30 March, 2020.
This is even as the institute stressed that only security officers should be on the road to enforce the Presidential order, while medical practitioners cater for the sick.
The institute in a letter to President Buhari with a copy made available to Journalists yesterday in Abuja, signed by its president, Ogunyannwo Olusegun, said that ‘’other Nigerians should be asked to stay at home while all borders are shut completely.’’
Lauding the proactive steps taken so far on the Covid-19 pandemic, Olusegun stressed that ‘’all hands must be on deck to curtail the pandemic.’’
Olusegun decried that Covid-19 virus is spreading like wildfire in the harmattan with the devastating effect destabilizing many countries, taking down people of all races, sex, tribe, religion and social status.
The statement reads in part: ‘’Some Nigerians are already infected. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to them. We wish them a speedy recovery.
‘’I am very concerned and I believe that I can contribute in my little way to preventing the spread in Nigeria if we act now when we still can.
‘’Sequel to the foregoing, yesterday, I launched the Mission to Save Nigeria from Covid-19: An Integrated Approach in collaboration with the Just One Foundation, My Take Initiative and the Abuja Branch of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC).’’
He said the institute mission is aimed at mobilizing grassroots support for the prevention of the spread of the deadly virus in Nigeria and the complete eradication of the same in 21 days.
Olusegun said: ‘’Another objective of the Mission is to encourage and ensure voluntary self-isolation for All Nigerians for 21 days, starting from 12 noon on Monday, 30 March, 2020.
‘’The initial gestation period of the virus is 14 days. If we all stay at home for 21 days, it will be enough time to identify and know those who have been affected.
‘’Perishable food items and non-perishable items should be bought off markets before they are shut down by the government and by well-meaning and commuted individuals within the different communities and stored at the LG Secretariats Local vigilante groups will kindly keep watch over the items.’’
He added that organisations and business owners are encouraged to pay their staff for March and April if they can afford it or make provision for them to buy things that they may need for the period.
