Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, is under fire for inviting Nigerians to an event amid the Coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus has killed over 6,500 people and infected 260,000 people worldwide.
On Saturday, Shehu posted about the programme with an image of the invitation.
He tweeted: “Please find time to join us at the Barewa Old Boys Association (BOBA), 2020 Annual Leadership Lecture, where I will be speaking on “Media and Democracy: Challenge of Journalism”.
“His Excellency, Governor Nasir @elrufai is expected to Chair the occasion, with the Ministers of Defence and FCT as special guests.”
Nigerians have stormed the thread to condemn Shehu.
They accuse him of asking people to attend a mass gathering while the country scrambles to manage the disease.
Alowonle Olowomojara said: “Nigeria are not just ready! When govt are restricting religious gathering, officials are organizing lectures. If religious leaders refuse to obey the govt orders, you will be castigating them, not knowing that govt officials are not leading by examples.
chroniclesbylee replied: “What is the sole importance of this lecture in this times? How is it key to National security and the wellbeing of the Nigerian people. Jokers.”
Kayode Ogundamisi said: “The event should be cancelled. Considering National efforts to combat #CoronaVirusNigeria, it is unhealthy and dangerous for anyone to attend such gathering.”
Adesoji Adelore said Shehu was sending “a very poor signal by still having huge gathering in spite of the possibility of spreading the virus.
Please cancel this meeting, if Jumat and Church services can be canceled what is this about”.
Olufunke Lawson: “Uncle Garba, pls why are we closing downs schools and churches and all if we would still end up fixing up some “Annual Leadership Lecture”? This is part of social distancing?”
Meanwhile, Lagos State Government is in the process of conducting a trial on the effectiveness of chloroquine to manage coronavirus.
Health Commissioner, Prof. Akin Abayomi, stated that the drug was not yet approved as an effective treatment for the disease.
Abayomi warned that chloroquine had significant side effects and advised people not to consume without an expert supervision.
On Friday, Nigeria restricted international flights to Lagos and Kano States in a bid to control air passengers.
