Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday announced a national emergency toll-free number for Nigerians and other residents as a measure towards tackling the emerging security challenges in the country reported All Africa.
“The toll-free free number, 112, has demonstrated our resolve to keep Nigerians safe,” he said.
President Buhari said the emergency number would provide easy access to Nigerians especially those in remote areas. Nigerians can use the number to seek help in times of distress and emergency.
The number will receive distress calls from the public and convey the information to appropriate response agencies who will respond to the needs of the callers as early as possible. The response agencies include the police, fire service, ambulance service, road safety (FRSC) etc.
He also announced the Nigerian National Broadband plan 2020 -2025, the Communication and Digital Economy Complex, the Emergency Communications Centre and flag-off the Digital innovation and entrepreneurship training.
He added the digital economy would also help in fight against corruption through the utilization of digital services.
“Digital economies have become a useful platform for diversification, we have to recognise them,” Mr. Buhari said. “The dwindling price of crude oil has affected our budgetary projections and it has increased our sense of urgency with regards to the diversification of the economy.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government reported four new Covid 19 cases in the country on Wednesday, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in Nigeria to 12.
During a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos State health commissioner Akin Abayomi revealed that 14 people were tested but four tested positive for the coronavirus.
In order to contain the spread of coronavirus, the Nigerian government has put animmediate ban on flights from countries of COVID-19 frontline — including China, the U.S., the U.K., and 11 others which confirmed hundreds of cases. The government has also suspended the visa issuance on arrival for travelers from these countries.
