Nigerian comics fight COVID-19 with gags and slapstick slaps

Comedian Apaokagi "Taaooma" Maryam displays some of her costumes used during her skits production in her office, as the government struggles to contain coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Lagos, Nigeria May 6, 2020, Picture taken May 6, 2020. REUTERS/Seun Sanni

LAGOS (Reuters) - Nigerian comedian Maryam Apaokagi has a sure-fire way of getting people to listen to her coronavirus health advice - she delivers it with a hard slap in the face.

The 21-year-old has joined a line-up of the nation's top performers working health tips into their routines to spread the word about COVID-19.