COVID-19: Be Responsible And Call NCDC – Filmmaker, Fidelis Duker To AMVCA Guests

By Jonathan Ugbal

Veteran filmmaker, Fidelis Duker has called on his colleagues who attended the seventh edition of the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) to be socially responsible and step forward if they have noticed any symptom of COVID-19.

The Lagos State Ministry of Health had on Tuesday announced that attendees at the event held on March 14th at Eko Hotels in that state “may have come in contact with one of the confirmed cases in Lagos and
are most likely to have been exposed to #COVID19 Infection.”

And Duker, who served twice as the President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria and is currently the Chairman of the FAD Media Group made this known in an open letter to his colleagues midweek in Calabar wherein, he stressed the need for his “colleagues” to step forward and contact the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC).

In the letter, he also sued for the public to desist from stigmatizing those who have tested positive as the country continues to battle the pandemic.

Below is the full letter…

OPEN LETTER TO AMVCA GUEST

“Dear colleagues and guest of AMVCA,

“I bring you good tidings even though the most difficult time in our nations history.

“It has become imperative some of us speak out for the collective good of our country.

“The responsible thing I expect from all those who attended the 7th AMVCA is to show the world a high level of social responsibility. Though I wasn’t at the award, I will still appeal to all those who attended and have observed any of the symptoms to call the NCDC Phonelines and report your cases because it is about 11 days after the award.

“It is better you do this for yourselves, family, friends, colleagues and importantly the nation. Even the venue has shut which evidently shows a responsible organisation.

“One of the reasons for the spread and increase number of cases is the irresponsibility shown by some of the confirmed cases.

“We can only reduce this spread by doing the right thing.

“However, for all those who attended and haven’t seen any symptoms. Please continue to observe the self isolation rules and avoid contacts.

“It is obvious, coronavirus is with us and we must individually and collectively fight it to a stand still.

“Note also that the fact you attended the AMVCA does not mean you have the virus. However there are possibilities you have had contact knowingly and unknowingly with any of the two cases mentioned by the Lagos state government.

“To all of us, this is not the time for stigmatization of anybody rather we must offer support and empathy to ourselves.

“Importantly the fatality rate can be minimized in Nigeria if we collectively maintain responsible behavioural traits.

“In conclusion as the Lagos state government continues its efforts at contact tracing, please be responsible enough to offer the required cooperation.

“Stay safe and God bless you.”

Fidelis Duker
Calabar
25th March 2020

As at 8:35PM on Thursday, the NCDC announced 14 new cases bringing the total to 65 of which 61 are active and one death recorded.