Buhari names task force on coronavirus

President Muhammadu Buhari has established a Presidential Task Force for the control of Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) in the country.

This followed concerns over the global outbreak of the disease and its potential of causing significant disruptions to health services in Nigeria and negatively impact the economy.

The task force, headed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha has been mandated to prepare for the unlikely but probable outbreak of the disease, which would require a multi-sectorial and inter-governmental approach.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu yesterday, the President explained that the decision came following World Health Organisation (WHO) advice similar to that adopted for the HIV epidemic in the last two decades.

Other members of the task force are, Dr. Sani Aliyu (National Coordinator), Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Services, Sadiya Umar Farouk and Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.

Others are, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, his Environment counterpart, Mohammed Mahmoud, Director-General, State Services, Yusuf Bichi, Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekwazu and WHO’s Country Representative.The task force is expected to deliver within six months.