The Rivers state Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has closed all schools in the state and directed all religious organisations to restrict their activities following the global coronavirus pandemic.
Wike, in a statewide broadcast on Friday, said he took the action in the general interest of the state.
He said all public and private primary, secondary and tertiary institutions were affected by the directive adding that the decisions were taken with a deep sense of responsibility.
“The state can be described as to-be-at-an alert state. To further strengthen our resolve to protect our citizens, the state government has directed that all schools in the state are to be closed down with effect from Monday, March 23, 2020.
All religious organisations are to restrict their activities.
“As you are aware, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has described coronavirus as a global pandemic. This development calls for collective action by all well-meaning citizens,” he said.
Continuing, he said, “As a responsive government, even though we have not had a confirmed case of coronavirus, we did not rest on our oars as we set-up a five-man inter-ministerial committee to carry out an aggressive public enlightenment that will protect all those living and doing business in the State from the disease.
“This decision was taken because we understand that we are the headquarters of the Hydrocarbon Industry and also a major commercial hub in the country that attracts people from all walks of life.
“The committee had since its inauguration carried out stakeholder engagement with community development committees, religious groups, principals and head teachers of schools, Traders Association, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), military, paramilitary, police, international oil companies and the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON).
“In addition to this, radio and television jingles, flyers and billboards have been fully utilised by the committee to pass the prevention message to all the nooks and crannies of the state.”
