Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) says his government has been struggling with the challenges of saving both lives and livelihood since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The president stated this in his state-of-the-nation address in celebration of Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary at Aso Villa, Abuja.
Recall that since the first reported index case of COVID-19 in the country on February 27, Nigeria’s economy and the health sector have both taken a hit.
This was followed intermittently by numerous strikes by frontline health workers over welfare, inadequate personal protective equipment and hazard allowances.
“Our government is grappling with the dual challenge of saving lives and livelihoods in face of drastically reduced resources.
“To start this healing process, we are already blessed with the most important asset any nation requires for such – OUR PEOPLE – and this has manifested globally in the exploits of Nigerians in many fields,” he said.
He further lamented that the internally generated revenue of the country was seriously affected following a dip in foreign exchange earnings and restriction of movements.
“Fellow Nigerians, in addition to public health challenges of working to contain the spread of the Coronavirus, we have suffered a significant drop in our foreign exchange earnings and internal revenues due to 40 per cent drop in oil prices and a steep drop in economic activities, leading to a 60 per cent drop in government revenue,” he stated.
As of October 1, 2020, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reported that Nigeria has recorded 58,848 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 50,358 and 1,112 fatalities.
