AHEAD OF RAMADAN 2021, H.E. DR ZAINAB SHINKAFI-BAGUDU MEETS FEMALE STAKEHOLDERS IN KEBBI; ADVOCATES COVID19 VACCINES ACCEPTANCE

H.E Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu has engaged the wives of LG chairmen, commissioners, legislators, female councillors, as well as other notable female leaders in a meeting in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, 6/04/2021. This meeting was to enlighten the women on the safety and necessity of the vaccine.

Welcoming the women, Her Excellency stated that the meeting is her personal effort to dispel doubts on the vaccine and to encourage them to accept it as the safest way to return to normal life. She also used the opportunity to inform them of plans from her office on upcoming Ramadan lectures and Tafsirs for women.

She said that the Kebbi Women’s 5th annual Ramadan Lecture was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic but joyfully, the popular lecture is set to hold this year with the emergence of the vaccine that provides security and safety for attendance. She also announced that during the holy month, there will be a lot of activities that will benefit women and their families. The First lady invited the women to join the daily Tafsir that always holds in the mornings at the Presidential lodge hall for the duration of the holy month. She also said as always, she plans to visit different local governments for their Tafsirs.

Speaking on the vaccine, Dr Bagudu encouraged the women to take the shot and cautioned against speculative rumours about supposed dangers and ulterior motives behind the vaccine. She suggested that like other drugs, one might experience mild side effects and this is nothing to worry about. Finally, she said she and her husband have had the vaccine and are very well. She also cited many other leaders such as President Muhammadu Buhari and the Emir of Gwandu who have all been vaccinated.

Dr Bagudu commended efforts of the community health extension workers who have been going around villages to vaccinate people, The State Primary Healthcare Development Agency as well as the state Ministry of Health for their efforts in ensuring smoothness in the exercise.

The Commissioner for Health, Hon Jafar Muhammad who spoke earlier, talked to the women about the necessity of the vaccine, he explained the vaccine as a requisite for travelling for people who are intending to go for the Hajj pilgrimage and others whose business involves travelling around the world.

The APC state party women leader, Aisha Gunabi and Hon Zara’u Wali encouraged the women to appreciate the effort of Governor Bagudu and his wife and embrace the vaccine. Haj Aisha thanked God for blessing the women with a mother such as Dr Bagudu. Others who gave goodwill messages include representatives from UNICEF, WHO and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

In the course of the meeting, vaccination was carried out where over 80 of the women received their first jab. Dr Bagudu gave some of the stakeholders herself. Lunch and gifts were provided before a closing photo session.

MUKTAR A BAGUDO
SSA, OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY
GOVERNMENT HOUSE BIRNIN KEBBI
7/04/2021