Lockdown Extension: "Always Remember That The Virus, If Contacted Will Be Calamitous" - Mr. Latin To Yoruba Actors On COVID-19

Bolaji Amusan aka Mr. Latin who is the president of the Theater And Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), appreciate every members of the association for remaining at home to observe the lock down order by the government to battle the feared Coronavirus pandemics.

Mr. Latin already ordered every member of the association to stop going to location to shoot movies even before the declaration that Nigerians should remain at home for 14 days, in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The below information was made available to Yorubamoviegist.

“My dear Creative Colleagues, I am very pleased to thank you all for your cooperation on the suspension of Film shoot or related works for the last two weeks. I see this as a display of patriotism not only to our association, but also to our dear country Nigeria.

In consideration of the national broadcast by President Mohammed Buhari on April 12th 2020 on the extension of the lockdown order in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun by another two weeks.

And observing the lockdown or partial lock down of most of our state of practice by their governors, it becomes obligatory for us to abide by the pronouncement of the lock down extension by another two weeks.

Majorly, our film locations are situated in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti. These states are locked down except Oyo where movement is partial, and there are stern looking security agents moving round to ensure a strict compliance to the lock down order.

In this regards, and having consulted with Association of Movie Content Owners & Distributors (AMCOD), our leaders and elders, various creative industry heads and our Central Working Committee, I hereby sustain the suspension of all film shoots and related works till the lock down in our major state of practice are lifted.

I strongly advise we endure this Lock Down order to avoid contacting this virus ravaging the entire world. As at today, the confirmed cases in Nigeria have risen to 373 and 10 deaths. According to World Health Organization, Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

Remember that our logo in TAMPAN is “Creativity For Nation Building”, and as nation builders, we must be law abiding at all times, and always remember that the virus, if contacted will be calamitous and ruinous to us and our loved ones.

May God continue to protect our household.

Finally, endeavor to always wash your hands with soap and water, sanitize your hands, avoid mass gatherings, let us make use of nose mask and hand glove regularly, and maintain social distancing during this lock down and after.

I reiterate, STAY HOME TO STAY ALIVE!

God bless TAMPAN,

God bless Nigeria”.