ECOWAS picks Buhari to lead mission against Covid-19
Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari has been appointed to lead the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) mission against Covid-19 in the sub-region.
This decision was made during an online video conference of members of the organization on Thursday to deliberate steps to combat the coronavirus pandemic that is currently poising a great challenge to the world..
Breaking the news, Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, announced the appointment on Twitter on Thursday.
He said, “ECOWAS leaders at an extraordinary summit held by video conference have appointed President Muhammadu Buhari as champion that will coordinate the COVID-19 response in the sub-region.
“All the other Presidents will be available to support President Buhari.”
Buhari has been largely criticized by countrymen for not keeping up with media appearances to address issues relating to the pandemic.
With this new task given to him by the ECOWAS, it is uncertain if the Nigerian leader would consider several media briefings to the region on the pandemic.
Africa currently has a total of 25,940 confirmed cases, 1,240 deaths and 6,968 recoveries.
With these rising figures, leaders in the region are devising strategies to mitigate the spread within their countries and within the sub-region.