Dr Rilwanu Suleimanu Adamu, the Emir of Bauchi, said the Bauchi Emirate Council would not hesitate to saction traditional rulers who look away while people violate the boundary closure put in place by the state government to tame the spread of coronavirus.
The Emir who gave the warning today at a stakeholders meeting on COVID-19 chaired by Governor Bala Mohammed of the state insisted that traditional rulers have the capacity to help the state government enforce the boundaries’ closure.
Dr Rilwanu Adamu who is the Chairman of the State Palliative Committee said, traditional institutions in Bauchi state will be decisive in dealing with violators of the boundaries’ closure.
He pledged their readiness to support the state government to implement all its policies and programmes geared towards curbing the spread of coronovirus.
The Stakeholders’ meeting houses religious and traditional leaders in the state who converged to review the steps taken by the state government to fight the dreaded Coronavirus.
Those who spoke at the meeting were unanimous that the partial lockdown put in place by the state government was better option as against full lockdown in some other states.
Contributing during the meeting, Professor Salisu Shehu, Chairman, Muslims Coalition against Coronavirus said, community transmission of the virus can be tackle through contact tracing, testing, and observing social distancing, personal hygiene and the use of face masks.
He called on the state governor, Bala Mohammed to make it compulsory for Imams and Pastors to wear face mask, which he argued will serve as example for their followers.
Others who spoke at the meeting also suggested intensive awareness on the dangers of COVID-19 pandemic at the grassroots as part of measures to curb its spread.
The state Governor Bala Mohammed who chaired the meeting said, “we thank you for your commitment and leadership, we know that without you, we will not be able to take some of the milestones we have taken.
“We will continue to engage you in any decision we will take in curtailing this deadly disease, we really appreciate your support to us.
“We have resolved to enforce observing social distancing at worship centres, markers and other public places so that we can reduce the rate of infections in the state.
