The Federal Government has indicated its readiness to evacuate Nigerians in Wuhan province in China if the need arises amidst the ongoing Coronavirus epidemic. Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunibe Mamora, made this known during a press briefing on resolutions reached by the Ministers of Health of the Economic Community of West African States on regional preparedness and response to the ongoing Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic in Abuja.
The statement comes in the wake of appeals from Nigerians in China through social media for the Federal government to facilitate their evacuation. Minister Mamora assured that the government is closely monitoring the situation through Nigeria’s ambassador to China and in collaboration with the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria.
“We are in touch with our Ambassador in China and the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria is also in touch with the ministry, and we are getting information on the condition of Nigerians in Wuhan and we are monitoring the health of our citizens, if and when the need arises to evacuate them, we will do so but we don’t want a situation we create panic, this is not time for fear, this is not time for stigmatization, it is time for science. Chinese government is testing everyone that is trying to leave China to ensure that they don’t go and spread the virus,” Mamora said.