Bola Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressives
Congress (APC), has postponed the annual colloquium to mark his birthday as a
result of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The former Lagos state governor will clock 68 on March 29.
In a letter to his associates organising the event seen by
TheCable, Tinubu said the decision to postpone the event is due to overriding
public health concerns.
He said there is a need to lead by example and help educate
and lift public awareness on all issues, including the coronavirus.
“The spirit of the colloquium has always been one of public
service and social progress. To keep faith with that spirit, we must seriously
consider the need to postpone the colloquium,” Tinubu said.
“Due to the troubling promulgation of the coronavirus, the
world has entered an unprecedented phase. Many nations have instituted travel
restrictions and have curtailed various forms of economic activity and social
events.
“However, we note the number of cases is slowly increasing
across Africa. This is of great concern. That the virus has not yet come in
great numbers should not lull us into false security. We know not why it has
not touched us in the way it has affected other nations. Thus, we cannot be
certain that it will not eventually visit Nigeria in significant numbers.
“The colloquium is something I look forward to every year.
This year I was greatly looking forward to the discussion on innovation in
basic education. However, I think it even more urgent that we educate and
increase awareness of this possible public health menace.
“We do not want a situation where we have gathered for a
good cause only to later find that the event might have been a conduit to
disseminate not only knowledge but also the virus as well. We should foreclose
this possibility even though it is slight.
“If you decide that caution is required, then the colloquium
can be postponed but not cancelled. It is important that your exceptional work
be presented to the Nigerian people once we believe public health concerns have
been addressed.”
The Lagos state government had banned religious gatherings
of more than 50 people in the state to curb the spread of the virus.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com