President Muhammadu Buhari, Friday, met with the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor of Ekiti state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on the production and administration of the Covid-19 vaccine.
This is as President Buhari has expressed the willingness to engage Bishops, Chief Imams, top musicians, sports personalities among others in the COVID-19 vaccination in order to remove the doubts of many Nigerians that may be harbouring negative opinion on the vaccine.
Fayemi made this known in a interview with journalists after meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the issue of worsening security situation in the country was also discussed and that the President assured that there would be a remarkable improvement in the security this year.
He said he was at the State House for the usual routine meeting with the President, adding that the meeting, being the first in the year, they reviewed a number of issues that were of interest to the governors including security, economy, vaccines management and the general outlook for 2021.
According to him, “As governors, the number one priority in vaccine management relates to public health and risk communication.
“I commended the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for at least, wanting to use Mr. President and the Vice President as their publicity vehicles for reassuring those who may have their doubts about vaccines use that, this is no threats to them.
“You know there are cultural and religious concerns in various parts and we are at the state level, we are reviewing that with all of our colleagues.
“But the good thing is, Mr. President has agreed with me that he would convey to the PTF the necessity of using other influencers, maybe the Chief Imams, the Bishops, top musicians, our sports personalities because, the more of such people are seen taking the vaccines the more the likelihood of resistance will break down in our various localities. So, we discussed that.
“Of course, procurement of vaccines we also discussed. Our view is that ultimately, we really need to ramp up manufacturing of vaccines locally. It’s okay that COVAX that Nigeria is part of is going to be delivering some vaccines to us.
“As we understand, the first 100,000 and then 43 million and ultimately 165 million doses. “But, there is nothing as good as having the ability to manufacture our own vaccines locally. And we understand that there is a partnership with May & Baker, which is important for the Federal Government to really accelerate, so that we can produce the vaccines here in Nigeria and not be dependent on what is coming from other parts.”
