The Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa has told local governments top guns in the state that the period of fight against the spread of Covid – 19 in the state is the best time for them to show the leadership stuff they are made of.
Obasa said this at an interactive session between the Assembly, the state Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi and LG Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Secretaries to the local governments, councillors and supervisory councillors at the Assembly’s chambers on Thursday, 23 April, 2020.
The Speaker likened the fight against the pandemic to a war situation. According to him, “It is during war time that the leadership quality of a leader is known.”
He agreed with them that there is hunger amongst the people because of the lockdown. He said that can always be solved later.
“Where you are needed now is in the area of educating the people at the grassroot about social distancing, using of face mask and regular washing of hands. These are very essential now since there is no known cure or vaccine for the virus.”
He implored them not to be discouraged by the people’s scepticism and nonchalant attitude toward the precautionary measures introduced by the government to curb the pandemic.
On the issue of finance , the speaker advised them to look inward since the state is spending so much now to battle the pandemic.
In response to the state Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi’s comment, the Speaker praised him and the Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu for the good work they have been doing in the fight against the pandemic.
He however advised him to collaborate with the local governments officials particularly in the areas of contact tracing and identification of infected persons.
He assured the commissioner of the House’s support in areas of law making to arrest people who refused to go to isolation centres or run away from such centres.
