The Federal Government has officially mandated the compulsory use of face masks for all Nigerians. This was disclosed by the Secretary to the Government of The Federation (SGF), and Chairman Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha at the 31st joint national briefing of the taskforce in Abuja on Thursday.
According to the PTF chairman, the use of face masks by Nigerians is no longer an option but a directive backed by law. he enjoined the 36 governors of the federation and security agencies to enforce its compliance in their respective jurisdictions.
The SGF stated that "It was part of the declaration that was signed by Mr President. All protocols that were predicated by the authority vested on Mr President by the Quarantine Act. and once he attested his signature to that, it has the force of law.
"Our appeal is that this is a collective effort that each and every Nigerian should be responsible to himself and other Nigerians by wearing a mask, not necessarily a medical mask.
"That is why we said mask or cloth covering so that our people would not be going to pick things from the dustbin and be hanging on their faces," Mustapha said. According to him, even a handkerchief could serve the purpose."
He continued by appealing to security agencies and the State governments and sub-national entities that have the power of enforcement to do that. "It is very important that we inculcate the culture of doing things to the overall benefits of all."
