Worried by the increasing cases of the dreaded Coronavirus disease ravaging nations of the world and in efforts to contain the pandemic, the Council of Ohafia Monarchs (Onoko Nde Ezieogo Ohafia) in Abia State of Nigeria has ordered their sons and daughters residing outside their communities to remain abroad and should not return until the end of April 2020. By implication, they have been retrained from returning home for Easter celebration.

The Ohafia monarchs who commended the efforts of both the federal and state governments aimed at containing the spread of Coronavirus, urged governments at all levels "to quickly put in place further mechanisms and enforceable laws that will secure and keep the rural communities (our food baskets) safe from the virus."

The directive and commendation were contained in a communiqué issued by the monarchs after their monthly meeting, which was held at the Palace of His Royal Paramountcy, Ezieogo Prof. EUL Imaga.

The communiqué, which was signed by His Royal Majesty, Ezieogo Mba Odo Okereke, the Secretary General of the council, equally advised the people to keep safe and free from COVID-19.

To contain and stop the spread of the deadly virus, the council banned all social gathering in their respective domain in line with the standard protocol for prevention of Coronavirus disease.

Parts of the communique reads: "The Council have carefully studied the press releases, activities and plans of the Abia State Government aimed at achieving a secure, safe and virus free environment in the State and commends the State Governor, urging him and the task force set up to be more proactive.

"The Council in pursuit of this onerous goal, hereby bans with immediate effect all social activities, burials, send off, traditional marriages, weddings etc involving more than 50 persons in Ohafia until further notice.

"Also suspended until further notice with immediate effect are all meetings, including the Council of Monarchs, Community/Town Development Union , Age Grades, etc, involving more than 30 persons.

"All Churches in Ohafia are to hold services in streams of not more than 50 members observing the recommended social distancing of 1.5m in seating arrangement.

"All burials, traditional marriages and other ceremonies already scheduled for and up to Sunday 29th March are to be drastically scaled down or reduced to in-house family affair, observing all the recommended safe practices.

"Where such an event cannot be cancelled outright, the use of Sanitizers, hand washing and social distancing must be strictly observed", the monarchs stated.

The Council urged governments to followed procure and immediately distribute to the rural communities "agricultural and farm inputs/incentives to avert a famine arising from sustained shutdown globally."

The monarchs vowed to "use "Akpan" authority, Town Criers to begin the Publicity of this directives/orders", "teaching and demonstrating self hygiene, constant hand washing, clean environment, etc to keep the virus out of the community."




The Council then mandated the Ohafia Improvement Union (OIU inc) and Town Unions to equally "issue complimentary directives to all our sons and daughters living in the Cities outside Ohafia and in the Diaspora to keep safe, self-isolate where necessary and applicable.
"No one will hold it against anyone for not coming home until further notice as all compulsory activities have been put on hold.
"Where anyone must come home he/she should ascertain his status and be subjected to the State's and local laws in place."

The Council also urged the Chairman, Transition Committee of Ohafia Local Government Area, Chief Fred Eke "to swing into immediate action and implement the directives of the state government in Ohafia."

Thanking everyone, indigenes and residents alike, the monarchs request for full compliance and urged everyone to As play his or her role, praying for God's mercies and quick intervention.

The Council suspended the Ohafia Monarchs meetings temporarily and appointed a committee to "meet with The Udumeze, Prof EUL Imaga to take immediate and necessary action as the need arises".