The Sultan of Sokoto and President general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammed Abubakar Sa’ad has urged political leaders in Nigeria to take the COVID-19 Vaccines public to encourage other Nigeria to follow suit.
He was speaking at a Sensitisation Programme on COVID-19 vaccine for Muslim Scholars and Imams organised by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Friday in Abuja.
He said we have seen the president take the vaccines publicly and we expect to see more political leaders take the vaccines openly adding that we believe all political leaders must take the COVID-19 vaccines first before the common man on the street because they are our leaders.
The rollout of the Vaccines started with healthcare workers who are often at the risk of exposure to infections being the first responders to patients since COVID-19 vaccination campaign having received 3.94 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines through the COVAX facility in early March.
The Sultan said some people are still in denial of the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic which has infected over 100 million people globally saying some people don’t believe in the vaccines, they don’t even believe COVID-19 exists, but we know many that have died.
He urge Islamic leaders to educate people in their various constituencies on the safety and importance of taking the COVID-19 vaccines while also noting that religious leaders will play a very important role in people’s acceptance of the vaccines.
“We all know the roles you play as leaders, your voices are very strong and people listen to you, they also believe in you,” he said.
The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha said, it is important for leaders at all levels to take the COVID-19 vaccine as a way of encouraging other people.
He lauded the efforts of the Islamic scholars for their support in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As leaders of Islamic faith and custodians of Islamic principles, we enjoin you to sensitize your people that the vaccine is safe and effective as confirmed by the European Union and the World Health Organisation,” he said
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said the suspension of the Oxford- AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine by some countries does not disqualify its use.
Dr. Osagie said every medication has side effects but the positive effects of the vaccine outweigh the negative effects adding that with this vaccine, the reaction is not universal.
He said European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Thursday declared the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine safe and effective for use against the virus.
The ED, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib said, the engagement provides an opportunity to have an honest conversation on the safety and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination and the role of Muslim leaders adding that the programme was facilitated by the NPHCDA as part of efforts to ensure people accept the COVID-19 vaccines.
The Secretary-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, (NSCIA), Ishaq Oloyede also said there is a need to work together as a Muslim umma to address the issue of vaccine hesitancy amongst the people.
He said we have no choice, but to work assiduously, collectively and individually, with the entire Nigerian Ummah to confront and surmount the hurdles of hesitancy in Vaccine acceptance, the fear of reluctance, resistance or even outright rejection and opposition to the new vaccine by members of our dear Ummah.
“The train has metaphorically moved and we must get on board since we are all heading in the same direction, else we would lose the opportunity to maximize the benefit of the new COVID-19 vaccine.”
