Nigerians on social media are currently reacting to a video of President Muhammadu Buhari speaking on Coronavirus disease in the country.
Officially known as COVID-19, the pandemic disease originated from China late last year. Nigeria, as at the time of this report, has officially recorded 30 cases confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Health.
On Sunday evening, a twenty three seconds video surfaced on the internet showing President Buhari speaking on the outbreak of the disease in the country. This came after critics and the Nigerian Senate called on the president to address Nigerians on what his administration is doing to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Bashir Ahmed, the president’s media aide, also reposted the version of the clip which appeared to have been edited.
“We are working with the Federal Ministry of Health on protecting our citizens from #COVID-19. As a government, this is now a key priority for us,” the president is heard saying in the video clip which showed he was addressing an audience.
“I therefore enjoin you to ensure that adequate medical provisions and other welfare requirements are afforded,” he said before the clip abruptly ended.
Some Nigerians who watched the video reacted to the president’s pronunciation of some words. See some reactions this reporter picked from Twitter.
@MBuhari obviously couldn’t pronounce corona virus so his handlers avoided the word in his speech and chose to use covid-19 which Buhari could still not pronounce instead calling it civik 1-9. It’s now very clear that Nigeria is presidentless. We re officially on autopilot mode.
— Olom Egana Basil-Uka (@Basil_Uka) March 23, 2020
https://twitter.com/bulamabukarti/status/1241814854484312065?s=19
Covid -19 or Covik One Nine, na una sabi. WHO wasn't wrong. PMB might have pronounced Covid as Covik, but was not wrong with One Nine. That's how the owners of the name wanted it. Buhari is right on that.
So can we all put same energy on getting people to follow safety protocols? https://t.co/oTd3L613Un— Tunde (@ogbenibabalola) March 23, 2020
President Buhari finally speaks on the Covid19 endemic and it was utterly disappointing.
— Toluwatope ???????? (@Mart_bay) March 23, 2020
Buhari should have put Nigeria on lockdown 2 weeks ago but he did nothing.
He isn’t even aware there’s such thing called Covikk one nine virus. Now Nigeria may have to grapple with an epidemic far worse than what Italy is going through.
Pray for Nigeria ???????? ????????
#COVID19 #atiku— not Omah Lay???????? (@69KELV) March 22, 2020
We were all waiting for #buhari to deliver just one speech right… #COVID19 = covik 1.9
And he didn't disappoint… for a country of over 200million look at the man we chose to entrust our lives on.God how did Nigeria get here pic.twitter.com/dClNkt6JRC
— Matthewtegha (@matthewtegha) March 22, 2020
Buhari’s “Kovik One Nine” pronunciational Mishap Proves His Dementia-THREAD
After so much pressure, which my widely shared Saturday Tribune back-page column has added to, the Aso Rock cabal finally forced Buhari, a dementia-plagued, insentient old geezer who masquerades as
— Farooq Kperogi (@farooqkperogi) March 22, 2020
I told my family and friends on Facebook that Buhari can not cope with that office.
A man that can't pronounce Covid-19 properly is not fit to be president.@FemAdesina @GarShehu @ShehuSani @ShehuZubair https://t.co/bnE5YUOIDt
— Dokun Ojomo (@DokunOjomo) March 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/Ahmadgeologist1/status/1241843582732034048?s=19
Buhari calling #COVIDー19 as #COVIC -1-9 is a testament that he doesn’t know what’s going on in the world. He just read what was written to him.
The most important word right now in the world is COVID-19, that a President of a country pronounced it as 1 & 9 is a clear “unaware”— Toornie???? (@toornie) March 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/Ahmadgeologist1/status/1241841876002627585?s=19
Nigerians: Buhari must address us
Buhari: we are on top of the situation
Nigerians: ohhh Doomsday, he cant even pronounce covid-19 virus ????????????How do we please Nigerians?
— Damilola (@Damsoqueen) March 22, 2020
If you're gazed bcos president Buhari couldn't pronounce Covid-19, then you will keep gazing till 2023. My problem is how did the president rose to the highest rank in military. Was there no exams to be taken before any promotion or it was just promotions based on quota system.
— F .M Julius (@f_mjulius) March 22, 2020
I do not care whether Buhari can pronounce the COVID-19 correctly. What I care about is for him to take decisive action to slow the spread and contain the virus. Failing on both fronts is even more fatal even though I will overlook the first. Sigh
— Emir (@ikhanaib) March 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/OluniyiGates/status/1241837149248540673?s=19
Nigerians y'all are damn hypocrites, Yes Buhari has his flaws but he's human, y'all wanted him to address the nation on COVID-19 he did, and y'all are finding fault at what he said, what did he say that was different from what the minister for health hasn't said before now??
— DJ Drugz???????? (@drugz_dj) March 22, 2020
All the people defending that Buhari’s speech on #COVID19 seem to have forgotten that speech coherence is an important leadership skill.
— Naija (@Naija_PR) March 22, 2020
Buhari actually addressed the nation on covik 1-9. We are expecting his speech on corona virus very soon. #COVID19 #covik
— ????????????????????????????︎ (@GreatAbdool) March 22, 2020
Covid-19; Buhari’s speech on Coronavirus.
As a president, but he doesn't know the name of the disease that afflicts the world, as he said "Covikk one nine virus".
Of course we have the worst president ever. pic.twitter.com/NhkSpGAhZQ
— Muhammad Sanusi (@abban_hajia) March 22, 2020
With this video, it's quite clear that President Buhari knows nothing about the pandemic covid-19. It means he has never watched it on news to hear how it's pronounced nor has he heard anyone speak about it anywhere around him. @chinedu66272481 https://t.co/vegyRyE2EN
— Harrison Elekwa (@Elexharry) March 22, 2020
If we have any hope of surviving this Covid-19 Pandemic it's on d @NCDCgov & @Fmohnigeria. All d Executive and and other arms of government needs to do is give these agencies and ministries the needed resources and support they need.
If you like kill yourself over Buhari speech.
— I Am Who I Am… Que Sera Sera.. (@Erhiskobi) March 22, 2020
I’m almost in tears,, so President Buhari never cared or seeked details on this Corona virus ???? outbreak. I mean he called COVID19 “covik 1 9 virus” ????♀️????♀️
— Bird ???? (@NaijaVirgin) March 22, 2020
