President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the lifespan of the
presidential task force on COVID-19 till March 2021.
Speaking while receiving the end-of-the-year report of the
task force at the presidential villa in Abuja on Tuesday, the president said
the nation cannot afford to lose the gains of the past nine months in the fight
against the virus.
In March, the president had named Boss Mustapha, secretary
to the government of the federation, as head of the 12-man task force.
The president also called for vigilance amid the surge in
COVID-19 cases.
“Recent reports reaching me indicate 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,” he
said.
“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. This is an important obligation that we owe
Nigerians as we go into year 2021 and it must be carried out through an
efficient machinery.”
The President added that “the nation is clearly in a
perilous situation given the virulent nature of this second wave and we must
act decisively to protect our people. I therefore urge 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. Now is the time for collective efforts to
be intensified.
“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.”
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