Fact Not Fiction: Funke Akindele Tells Nigerians To Stay Safe

With the confirmation of the first COVID-19 (Corona) Virus case in Nigeria, let’s just say there has been a lot of information moving around, especially on the ever-faithful WhatsApp mummy grapevine. Thankfully Funke Akindele, a mother of two herself, is giving us only the facts.

In a public service announcement, that was released by Dettol in conjunction with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Funke Akindele spells out what Nigerians need to know to stay protected from infection.

The steps she tells us, recommended by the NCDC, are:

1. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water. Wash your hands for about the length of one verse of a Davido song.

2. Use hand sanitizers frequently. Enough quantity each time to completely rub over your entire hands.

3. When sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth with a tissue paper and dispose it immediately.

4. If you can’t use a disposable tissue, cough into your elbow. It is important to not re-use handkerchiefs.

5. Avoid close contact with anyone coughing or sneezing.

6. For anyone who has travelled recently to any country with known COVID-19 cases, and has displayed symptoms of breathing difficulties or coughing, call the NCDC toll lines before going to a hospital. Even if you are not exhibiting any symptom, isolate yourself from people for at least 14 days.

She placed emphasis on not spreading rumours or unverified information on the situation. If you need to check whether it is fact or fiction, get in touch with the NCDC by calling 0800 970 000 10 or sending a message to 0809 955 5577.

Funke Akindele joined Dettol as a brand ambassador in April 2019, and has since been working with them on the Clean Naija initiative. The goal, as told by Funke, is to get 20 million clean hands by the end of year 2020. She began with this by embarking on a series of hospital and school visits to educate new mothers and children on better health practices. Also giving out Dettol products such as antiseptic liquid, anti-bacterial soap and hand sanitizer which will be instrumental to the achievement of the campaign’s goals.