Kure made the call on Friday while speaking to newsmen in Kafanchan shortly after donating food items to Jema’a Local Government Area for distribution to residents.

The cleric noted that he would prefer a local cure to the disease to a foreign one, as it would help make Nigeria a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.

“I want to call on the Federal Government to encourage all the individuals and agencies that are trying to find a cure locally for this virus.

“I’ll prefer a Nigerian cure than a WHO cure so that Nigeria can also get into the map. These are all opportunities we should take advantage of to push Nigeria forward.

“So, I would call on the Federal Government to please support all those doing research on this to complete their research and help them start doing local testing like they are doing in China,” he said

He commended the Federal Government for the prompt steps taken to curb the spread of the disease, adding that his ministry was prepared to support efforts to defeat the pandemic.

“I want to use this opportunity to commend the Federal Government for the steps taken to nip this in the bud by not just closing our borders but also discouraging inter state travels.

“If there is anything more they can do to defeat this pandemic, they should go ahead and do it because it is for the good of everyone.

“Those of us that have read the history of past plagues, those plagues take people out like whirlwind.

“Please let’s save Nigeria from that trauma. We will stand with the Federal Government at all times and are willing to do more to see that the country is safe from this pandemic,” he added.

The cleric further tasked residents on complying with the lockdown order, while calling on security operatives to be humane in enforcing compliance.

“I want those enforcing the law to do so with a human face. People are desperate and suffering, we must sympathise with them.

“So, let’s put a human face to the law enforcement because if you were in their shoes you would probably feel the same way,” he said.

He called on other well meaning individuals to help by giving to those in need during such hard times as this.

NAN reports that the food items donated included bags of maize, rice, millet, beans and garri. (NAN)