By Rita Iliya

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) has embarked on community sensitisation on how to prevent the spread of the COVID-19  in Niger State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that since the onset of the global COVID-19  pandemic, the world has recorded 91,816,091 confirmed cases with 1,986,871 death, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In Nigeria, the country has recorded 107, 345 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 1413 death,  the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) says.

Speaking during the sensitisation on Saturday, Malam Bala Musa, Assistant Director in Charge of Public Education and Mass Moblisation Department  of NOA, explained that the activity was a motorised community sensitisation strategy to educate people on the second wave of COVID-19.

“This sensitisation is to educate people living in rural areas on the dangers of COVID-19.

“Especially the spike in the second wave of the virus which is spreading very fast and the need to take preventive measures,” he said.

Musa said that the sensitisation was across 10 Local  Government Areas  in the state including  Chanchaga, Bosso, Lapai, Gurara, Suleja, Tafa, Bida, Borgu, Kontagora and Mokwa.

According to him, the activities are at the instance of UNICEF as COVID-19 continues to ravage the world, hence the need for the agency to educate communities on the second wave of the virus.

Also, Mallam Suleiman Usman, Health Educator, Tafa Local Government, advised people to obey preventive measures by wearing face mask, washing of hand and sanitising their hands to prevent community transmission.

“We are telling people that COVID-19 is real because many people still have this belief that there is nothing like it.

“We are telling them the dangers of not observing COVID-19 protocols,” he said.

Similarly, Mrs Fidelia Dan, Chief Orientation and Mobilisation Officer of NOA in Tafa, said that the sensitisation had been ongoing even before the second wave of COVID-19 and would be a continuous process.

“COVID-19  is still much around and it is real.

“The virus is spreading fast and people are dying from the COVID-19. We are urging you to take precautions and follow the preventive measures,” she said.

Highlights of the event included a drama presentation to demonstrate how to prevent COVID-19  and  attend to COVID-19 suspected cases. (NAN)