The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has deployed members of its War Against Indiscipline (WAI) Brigade to engage the public on `persuasive enforcement’ campaign to ensure that COVID 19 Protocols are adhered to.
The Director General of NOA, Mr. Garba Abari said the campaign became necessary following the lackadaisical attitude towards COVID 19 protocols by the Nigerian Public, adding that campaign begins today in FCT and its environs.
Abari said the WAI brigade would use persuasive means to enforce face mask wearing, physical distancing and regular hand washing.
“The brigade will use their persuasive skills in convincing their respective communities in all part of the country to practice wearing of face mask and maintain the prescribed safe distance of at least 2 meters or 6 feet from other persons,” he said.
He stated that WAI was an integral part of NOA that had been effective in community mobilization, sensitization, organisation and peace building.
The director appealed Nigerians to take responsibility for their own safety and that of their loved ones.
“Just yesterday, Nigeria had 69,255 total confirmed cases and 1180 deaths and the number of daily confirmed cases is on the increase.
“It shows that Corona Virus is real,” he said.
He therefore, urged Nigerians to put aside myths and skepticism about COVID 19 and take necessary precautions.
Earlier, the Commandant of WAI, Mr Muhammed Yahaya said the WAI Brigade would use their members’ nationwide campaign to market places, motor parks and schools to sensitize the members of the public the need to continue observing the COVID 19 protocols.
Yahaya said the campaign came at the right time given to what is happening in other countries, “the rate at which COVID 19 is killing people is alarming.
“We will not use force on them, we will appeal to their conscience the need for the safety of their lives and that of their loved ones,” he said.
He therefore, directed their commandants nationwide from state to local government to carry out the campaign.
The Commandant thanked the agency for the mandate given to them to take lead in the campaign and assured them that they would do their best.
Meanwhile, Mrs Mete Edokobi, Director, Special Duty and State Operation NOA, said WAI was a voluntary organisation enshrined in the law that set up NOA.
Edokobi described the officers as patriotic Nigerians who are not paid to do their job, “NOA does not pay them salary, they are volunteers, all we do is support them,” she said. (NAN)
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