Nigerian celebs sport ‘blinged-up’ face masks at awards ceremony

Several Nigerian celebrities attended the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) on Saturday in bejewelled face masks to draw attention to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 

This is despite the fact that medical experts say face masks do not provide effective protection against the virus. A few of the stars said it was more abut making a statement than trying prevent the spread of the disease. 

Big Brother Naija finalist Omashola Kola Oburoh said in an Instagram post “Fashion can also be a Protest/Educative not just a Statement …… let’s join hands to fight Covid19”. 

It is not clear whether the comment about joining hands was intended as a joke. 

Another masked star, television presenter Ada Afoluwake Ogunkeye, complained that people were getting too close to her at the awards.

“No one really paid attention to my social distancing cries so I will be avoiding large crowds for the foreseeable future” she posted on Instagram. 

At present Nigeria has only two confirmed cases of coronavirus and no deaths. The disease was first reported in sub-Saharan Africa after an Italian man flew into Lagos from Milan in February.

Photo: BBC