All state governments, traditional and religious leaders must take the lead in the mobilisation effort within their environments and spheres of influence in the Covid-19 vaccination exercise.

All eligible Nigerians should present themselves and be vaccinated in accordance with the order of priority already mapped out, at the various authorised designated centres only.

President Muhammadu Buhari made the plea after he took the first dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine jab along with the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, in Abuja.

The President described his decision to take the vaccine in public as a demonstration of leadership and faith in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.

President Buhari and his vice received the first shots of the vaccine in the presence of members of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, and senior government officials, among others.

The personal physician to the President, Dr Sanusi Raafindadi, administered the vaccine to him while that of the Vice President was done by his personal physician, Dr Nicholas Audifferen.

President Buhari congratulated the PTF on the successful multi-sectoral approach to the management of the pandemic.

He also acknowledged and commended the support of governments, donors, development partners, the private sector, traditional and religious leaders, as well as critical stakeholders who have supported Nigeria’s response to the pandemic.

He said, “Infection from the virus has resulted in over two million and five hundred thousand fatalities and destroyed several global and national systems.

“The response in Nigeria and the ECOWAS sub-region has been robust, collaborative, and united. It was driven by a collective knowledge of the fact that no country is safe until every country is safe.”

“The speedy development of the COVID-19 vaccines is quite significant and underscores the collective resolve of humanity to overcome the pandemic.

“Similarly, the collaborative effort to ensure equal access has brought relief to poor and developing countries,” President Buhari added.

He echoed the assurance by the PTF that the AstraZeneca vaccine which Nigeria has accessed would arrive in batches, beginning with the almost four million doses already received.

The President was hopeful that the rollout and administration plan of the government would cater to over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population in 2021 and 2022.