Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has advised traditional and religious leaders to sensitize their people on taking COVID-19 vaccine to save their lives. According to him, the sensitization is in continuation of state government’s enlightenment campaign over AstraZeneca vaccine against coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the state. Zulum gave the advice Thursday in Maiduguri, the state capital; while addressing religious and traditional leaders on the need to protect themselves and their people against deadly virus that claimed many lives. The Governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Isa Hussaini; disclosed that; “The State government is committed to the protection of its citizens against the devastating impacts of COVID-19 pandemic across the state. “To protect your lives and the people, you should take the AstraZeneca vaccine; as a protection against the deadly virus,” he said.
He noted that traditional rulers should not compel any of their subjects to take the vaccine, as it’s administered free of charge. According to him, prevention is always better than cure to save people’s lives from the pandemic. He warned that COVID-19 is real and has killed so many people in the country including the ones from the state. While lamenting COVID-19 deaths, he said: “We thanked God for minimizing the number of deaths caused by the virus in Borno; compared to other 35 states in the country,” Sheik Muhammad Arabi Abulfatahi, a Muslim cleric, suggested to the Governor that medical professionals from the sects be engaged in the sensitization of people on the need to take the AstraZeneca vaccine. “This is to protect their lives against the deadly virus,” he said. He said that medical professionals are competent to enlighten the people on the import of taking the vaccine for protection against COVID-19 disease. Bishop Naga Mohammed, also supported the enlightenment campaigns on Radio and Television embarked by the representatives of sects. “This vaccine will get the acceptability of the majority of our people and debunked the negative campaigns against taking AstraZeneca jab. The Chief Imam of Borno, Zanna Laisu Ahmed, assured the state government that they will proceed with the enlightenment campaigns for people to take the vaccine.
