By Asmau Ahmad
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the mandate of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 for till the end of March, 2021.
President Buhari who disclosed this Tuesday in Abuja while receiving the End-of-Year Report of the task force, said the extension was bearing in mind the new surge in the number of cases and the bid for vaccines.
He said recent reports that reached him indicated that Nigeria is now facing a rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide which is similar to the second wave of infections occurring in other countries across the world.
“New epicentres have been identified and the nation cannot afford to lose the gains of the last nine months.” I have critically evaluated the situation and remain convinced that urgent measures have to be taken to halt the spread and the attendant fatalities.
“Closely associated with the foregoing is the need to speedily and strategically access and administer the COVID vaccine in a safe, effective and timely manner,” he said.
The president said it is an important obligation that, “we owe Nigerians as we go into year 2021 and it must be carried out through an efficient machinery.”
He said the nation is clearly in a perilous situation given the virulent nature of the second wave, adding that as leaders they must act decisively to protect the people.
The president urged all sub-national entities, traditional rulers, religious and leaders of thought to collaborate with the PTF by taking up the responsibility for risk communication and community engagement at all levels.
He stressed the need for all stakeholders to intensify efforts in checking the spread of the virus.
“As the festive season approaches, I urge all Nigerians to remain vigilant and stay safe. Non-essential trips and large social gatherings should be avoided or shelved completely,” Buhari added.
