The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has expressed his support for the Federal Government’s decision to continue the vaccination of Nigerians with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, noting that it remains the viable method of exiting the pandemic.
He further urged religious and traditional leaders to enlighten their followers on the reality of COVID-19 pandemic and the benefits of getting vaccinated.
This comes after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) declared the vaccine fit for use after its investigation of suspicion of blood clot associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. It clearly stated that countries can resume the use of the vaccine as its investigation has not linked the random cases of blood clotting with the AstraZeneca vaccination.
Speaking during the sensitisation of Muslim scholars and Imams on COVID-19 vaccination, yesterday in Abuja, organised by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in collaboration with the NSCIA, Abubakar said: “As Muslims, we know leaders must consult before taking decisions on behalf of those they are leading. This morning’s programme is in furtherance of that consultation because the time we met last time till yesterday, I think there was still more confusion as regards the vaccine, its efficacy, the various conspiracy theories that we have been hearing or seeing on pages of media.
“The vaccine has been rolled out in Nigeria in some states and some states are yet to roll out the vaccine. Some don’t even believe that there is COVID-19. But we are all here to discuss some of those issues.
“We have seen Mr. President publicly take the vaccine, the Vice President and others, and we expect to see more political leaders coming out openly to take the vaccine. All political leaders must take the vaccine first before the common man on the street because they are our leaders and they have to be protected first. They have to be saved first from any pandemic. It is when they are strong, healthy, and alive that they will now take our country to greater heights.
“There are those who do not believe in the vaccine or that COVID-19 even exists, but we believe because we have lost many of our close friends and family members. It is very important for us in advocating letting people know that yes COVID-19 is there and yes there is a possibility of getting out of it. But it is left for you to act on it,” he said.
