The global social distancing rule enforced by nations (Nigeria inclusive) to eliminate and stop further spread of the novel coronavirus [COVID-19] seems to have been thrown out of the window during the brief burial rites for President Muhammadu Buhari’s late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari on Saturday in Abuja.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the federal, state, local governments NGOs, and corporate organisations have for long stressed the need to avoid public gatherings or strictly maintain the social distancing rule in extreme cases that one must go out.
However, some top government functionaries and other politicians freely interacted and held body contacts before, during and after the burial which held at Gudu Cementry, Abuja.
TNG reports that Kyari’s death was announced early Saturday morning by the presidency. He died of complications from the deadly virus while receiving treatment at a Lagos hospital.
NCDC warns against mass gatherings during burial
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has however warned against mass gatherings as the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari and other victims of the COVID-19 pandemic are buried.
The agency via its verified Twitter account on Saturday warned that such mass gatherings could further escalate the spread of the virus.
Even at this time, as we mourn loved ones lost to COVID-19, including the recently deceased, President’s Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, we need to refrain from attending mass gatherings to prevent the further spread of #COVID19
Let us #StaySafe & protect each other
— NCDC (@NCDCgov) April 18, 2020
Violators of social distancing rule must be punished – Netizens
Meanwhile social media users, particularly on popular microblogging and social networking site, Twitter have expressed concerns over the flagrant disregard for the social distancing rule during Kyari’s burial. The angry netizens insisted that if popular nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, her husband and well wishers could be prosecuted for organising a birthday during the lockdown in Lagos, those in Abuja should not be above the law.
See some of the reactions below:
Those security operatives who arrested Funke Akindele needs to go arrest everyone at the Abba Kyari burial ceremony,
Cus the gathering is unlawful.
But they won't arrest them cus it has the backing of the same govt that preached no gathering.Hypocrites.
— |James _Mathew✳️| (@JamesMa88746987) April 18, 2020
*U.K. 17 infected with #COVID-19 after attending same burial
*US 6 died from #COVID-19 after attending same burial
*US 15 infected with #COVID– 19 by same man after he attended a burial
Over 100+ attended Kyari’s burial. Even @NCDCgov PTF that made the Burial rules attended. pic.twitter.com/GqzUp5Ipuy
— Adetutu Balogun, MBA (@Tutsy22) April 18, 2020
Pass this message to @NGRPresident
Kyari’s corpse received by scores of people. Why fly in a covid19 Patient dead body to another state for burial?
This is totally irresponsible of the Presidency & this is intentionally endangering the lives of more people.#Social distancing pic.twitter.com/NspRrROn2o
— Adetutu Balogun, MBA (@Tutsy22) April 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/cliqik/status/1251465329026502656?s=20
If only the @PoliceNG and @NCDCgov will apply the same energy they used in arresting Funke Akindele here.
— Slimfit (@iSlimfit) April 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/Thatnaijayarn/status/1251456055650979841?s=20
https://twitter.com/mrmanhere_/status/1251469372511617024?s=20
https://twitter.com/henryshield/status/1251464654594936832?s=20
I will never understand us, Nigerians. We lockdown cities and preach social distancing but former chief of staff, Abba Kyari is buried and top govt officials gather in scores at Gudu with cameras for us to see? Shouldn't the times dictate a quiet family affair?
— Attamah Ifeanyi (@fybloom) April 18, 2020
Funke Akindele watching people gather for the funeral, while doing her community service. pic.twitter.com/X4pdptAbrV
— Iya Shukudi (@Literaldiva) April 18, 2020