BENIN – To cushion the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, against the backdrop of the shutdown of most business sectors, except for food, markets and Pharmaceutical sectors, the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) has provided palliatives to members to the tune of N1.4 million.

President of the Benin Grand Commandery ( KSJI ), Brigadier- General Sylvester Egbase and Grand Respected President, Our Lady of Angels (LAUX) , Lady Elizabeth Omoijuanfo made the disclosure during the presentation of the palliatives.

“BENIN Grand Commandery and LAUX of KSJI have decided to have a compassionate and fraternal consideration for our distressed and vulnerable members during the lockdown period as a result of the Corona Virus Pandemic, Covid 19,’’ Brig- Gen Egbase stated .

HE said that amidst the lockdown, 140 members of the Ancient and Noble Order, a Lay Apostolic Body of the Roman Catholic Church, have benefited from the palliatives at a total cost of N1.4 million.

BRIG-Gen Egbase, expressed hope that it is the body’s fervent prayers that the Covid 19 scourge should be put under control.

HE however advised members of the body to comply with the regulations of the National Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) and should wash their hands regularly under running water with soap and should use alcohol based hand sanitizers, where soap and running water is not available.

ACCORDING to Brig-Gen Egbase, Social Distancing is equally important in stemming the spread of Covid 19 (sometimes defined as a distance of two-three feet) coupled with the use of face mask which protects uninfected persons against the virus droplets from sneezing, coughing or talking from someone who has been infected.

BRING –Gen Egbase further urged the Nigerian Scientific Communities , Universities, Research Institutions and other Research Agencies to see the Covid 19 pandemic as a challenge for which they could contribute their quota towards finding a cure from the effects of the virus, among other diseases.

“WHILE other countries have embarked on research for vaccines and drugs and have even commenced human trials, our Scientists and Researchers should not be left behind and should do their utmost best to add to the global effort to contain the virus,” he affirmed.

HE therefore called on the States and Federal governments to do everything possible to support Research Agencies, the Ivory towers and other bodies who engage in medical researches to come out with solution on a cure for the virus.