President Buhari Inaugurates 12-Member Task Force To Control The Spread Of Coronavirus In Nigeria

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

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, on Monday, Buhari explained that the decision came following World Health Organisation (WHO) advice similar to that adopted for the HIV epidemic in the last two decades.

The statement read: “Given the current global outbreak of the novel Coronavirus and its potential of causing significant disruption to health services in the country as well as impacting negatively on the economy, President Muhammadu Buhari has established a Presidential Task Force for the Control of the Coronavirus-19 Disease (COVID-19).

“This action is in preparation for the unlikely but probable major outbreak of the disease in the country which will require a multi-sectoral inter-governmental approach as advised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) similar to that adopted for the HIV epidemic in the last two decades.”

It said that the start and finish task group would be expected to deliver within a maximum period of six months.

Below is the list of the Presidential Task Force (control) members:

1. Boss Mustapha (SGF) – Chair
2. Dr. Sani Aliyu – National Coordinator
3. Osagie Emmanuel Ehanire (Hon. Minister of Health)
4. Rauf Aregbesola (Hon. Minister of Interior)
5. Hadi Sirika (Hon. Minister of Aviation)
6. Sadiya Umar Farouk (Hon. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Services)
7. Adamu Adamu (Hon. Minister of Education)
8. Lai Mohammed (Hon. Minister of Information and Culture)
9. Suleiman Hassan (Hon. Minister of Environment)
10. Yusuf Magaji Bichi (Director-General, State Services)
11. Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu (Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control)
12. Dr Wondimagegnehu Alemu (WHO Country Representative)

Nigeria currently have two confirmed cases of coronavirus since it was detected in Wuhan, China in December.

The first was reported on February 28 in an Italian businessman who had flown into the country on business.

The second case was reported on March 8, in one of the people who had contact with the Italian.