COVID-19: We’re concerned about health condition of journalists – Runsewe

… Provides face masks, sanitizers for journalists

The Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Olusegun Runsewe, has said the council was more concerned about the health condition of the media practitioners who ensure adequate and correct information about the novel coronavirus.

He said media practitioners are always exposed to dangers in the course of their profession both on the field and in news rooms where they interact with all different categories of guests.

The D-G disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja while unveiling some locally produced face masks, sanitisers, information manuals and jotters which the agency produced for the use of media houses and cultural stakeholders nationwide.

“We commend the Nigerian press for rising to the occasion by ensuring the timely and effective dissemination of adequate and correct information about the pandemic, we call on the Press not to relent on their oars in sensitising the masses and mobilising efforts and resources towards eradicating the pandemic, he said.

The items according to him were 100 per cent locally made, The use of Nigerian fabric for the face masks has vindicated my earlier position that we must continue to look inward for the diversification of our economy and the creation of jobs. If we didn’t introduce this local one, Nigerians will still continue to patronise the fake imported face masks and sanitisers.”

Runsewe, who is also the president, World Crafts Cultural Council commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the effective steps taken so far to end the pandemic in the country commiserated with him and the entire country over the death of the chief of staff from this deadly pandemic.

He emphasised the need to step up awareness about  the virus, as an immediate approach since no vaccine has been found for its cure, “relevant government agencies, traditional rulers and opinion moulders across the country must now step up public awareness while each state should establish a Neighbourhood Forum where authentic information about the virus can be easily accessed.

“It is my opinion that a National Document on COVID-19 is published at the end of the victory over the pandemic. This will be a compendium on how the disease came to Nigeria and how it was fought and defeated,” the D-G said.

He used the opportunity to call on the Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi  to find the best avenue to resolve the raging  face-off between him and journalists in his state in the overall interest of the state and the country.

Runsewe harped on the need for all hands to be on deck to fight towards the eradication of the deadly coronavirus scourge in the country and the entire globe.