Health
By Anthony Isibor
FAISAL Shuaib, executive-director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, has said that journalists who should lead in convincing Nigerians on the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines are themselves not vaccinated.
Speaking at the presidential steering committee media briefing on the progress of Covid-19 vaccination in Nigeria on Monday, Feb.7, 2022, Shuabi urged journalists to lead by example by getting vaccinated so that they would be able to convince other Nigerians, who are not vaccinated of the need to do so.
He noted that it is a matter of principle that one cannot promote what he does not believe in,
“And you cannot convince people about what you are not convinced,” he said.
“Majority of Nigerians depend on you – the journalists for rightful information to guide them, and you do not stand the true chance of convincing anyone to seek protection against COVID-19 if you are not convinced.
“Sadly, the information available to us is that there are quite a number of our distinguished members of the press who have not received their COVID-19 vaccine.
“I would like to appeal to members of the press to also intensify their support by delivering more strategic contents that will convince more Nigerians on the need to get vaccinated against COVID-19,” he said.
“Our series of engagements with the media and the vast array of information on COVID-19 vaccines available from trusted sources, plus evidence of the vaccine safety so far should suffice to convince every one of us to get vaccinated.
“I, therefore, call on all journalists who are not vaccinated yet to begin this change from themselves. Please get vaccinated so that you can convince others to get vaccinated.
He also urged them to report any fraudulent activities on COVID-19 vaccination and reiterated that the federal government will not condone offences relating to COVID-19 vaccination.
“The health of Nigerian people is at stake, and we must be firm in guarding it,” he added.
The NPHCDA boss also revealed that although, as of yesterday February 7th 2022, 15,792,329 eligible Nigerians have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines, while 6,172,468 have received their second dose, with another 563,642, who have received booster dose, Nigeria is still a far cry from achieving the 50% vaccination target.
“It is apparent from these figures that Nigeria was unable to meet the target of vaccinating 50% of her 111,776,503 eligible population by January 31st 2022.
– Feb. 08, 2022 @ 18:27 GMT |
A.I
Tags: Faisal Shuaib NPHCDA
