The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, held a meeting at the weekend with media executives across the State concerning the second wave of Covid-19 that is beginning to gain momentum across the world.
Mr Nsirim expressed the need to carry out public enlightenment programs to educate and inform residents of Rivers State on the need to take preventive measures to protect themselves from the second wave of the global pandemic.
“Coronavirus is spiking in Rivers State and I strongly believe that media executives can utilize their various platforms to intensify public enlightenment in this direction.
“All of you here cooperated with the Covid-19 committee last year, we produced some jingles which you all graciously helped us to air, right now it is so obvious that we need to intensify the campaign,” he stated.
Pastor Nsirim said the need for the message to be spread daily is to create the necessary awareness, as the second wave has been reported to be spiking globally.
“As major stakeholders in the State, it is important that we use our corporate social responsibility to begin to do something very fast.
“There are issues that are topical, that really need to generate conversations in order to enlighten and educate our people. With your various programs and contents, I appeal that you begin to draft this message,” he added.
Mr Nsirim said the need to cultivate the habit of washing of hands and wearing face masks is a necessity, and that if everyone in the State wears a face mask, the spread will be minimal.
“It is better to breathe with a face mask than to breathe with a ventilator, ” he opined.
The representatives of the media houses pledged to do their bit to curb the spread of the pandemic in the State, through public awareness.
