The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, has shut down activities in the palace and warned Nigerians against dishing out unverified information or fake news during this pandemic period.
Oba Adeyemi, who is the chairman of the Oyo State traditional council, made this announcement in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Bode Durojaiye made available to newsmen on Sunday.
The monarch said that he has shut down social and non-social activities in the palace, with strict restrictions of movement in and out, except for visitors on essential missions.
“Let us take our personal hygiene seriously and embrace handwashing with clean water and soap. We must also cover our nose and mouth while sneezing.
“We should not panic, or dish out unverified information and fake news. By observing all these, the pandemic will be a thing of the past.” the monarch said.
He added that in a bid to lead by example the washing of hands with water, soap and sanitizers have been made compulsory in the palace in order to prevent the spread of this deadly virus.
He also enjoined Nigerians to comply strictly with the directive of Government and authorities at various levels to curtail the spread of a virus that has killed thousands globally.
In his words, “This is what the new situation requires. I have the responsibility, to show an example to the people in order to impress it upon them how serious and very sensitive it is.
“Ordinarily, a health issue is serious and sensitive only that we are easily carried away when we feel we are strong. I am positive that the world is going to overcome this”.
The call of the highly placed monarch is coming following the rapid increase in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country.
At the time of writing this report, the total number of confirmedcases in the country is 97 with one death.
The index case in Oyo state is now seven making it the state withthe third-highest number of confirmed cases in the country afterLagos and Abuja.