Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, has taken the COVID-19 jab.
Prof. Gambari received the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, in Abuja.
The vaccine was administered to him by the Chief Nursing Officer of the State House Clinic, Esther Ibrahim.
Prof. Gambari took his own jab after President Muhammadu Buhari had, on Saturday, received the first dose of the vaccines publicly together with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during a ceremony held at the New Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, in the presence of members of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, senior government officials and journalists.
The public vaccination commenced, on Friday, with some frontline health workers to reassure Nigerians of the safety and the efficacy of the vaccines.
The foremost diplomat was later presented with a vaccination card by the Chief Medical Director of the State House Medical Centre, Dr. Hussain Munir.
Apart from Prof. Gambari, a former military administrator of Lagos and Borno states, and the Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), also received his jab at 10:39a.m, while the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Tijjani Umar, received his at 10:11:43am and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, received his at 10:41 am.
Dr. Munir, thereafter, handed them their vaccination card.
In his remarks, Prof. Gambari, said the vaccination was painless amd explained that he followed in the footsteps of his principal.
He advised eligible Nigerians to take the vaccines, assuring them of its safety and efficacy.
He added that “the more Nigerians are vaccinated the more we are safe.”
Marwa, while speaking, said the vaccine was painless and he feels good.
He congratulated Nigerians that the vaccines are now in Nigeria and urged Nigerians to take the vaccine, expressing optimism that the country would soon be COVID-19-free.