NMA and health experts slam Nigerian leaders for ignoring Covid-19 protocols at Buhari's son's wedding

NIGERIAN health professionals have condemned the recent mammoth gathering in Kano State to celebrate the wedding of President Muhammadu Buhari's son saying it poses a risk to the public and is a flagrant abuse of Covid-19 guidelines.

On Friday, Yusuf Buhari got married to Zahra, the daughter of Emir of Bichi, Nasiru Ado Bayero, at a lavish ceremony in Kano State. Attracting the who-is-who in Nigeria, the wedding was graced by politicians from both the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, with as many as 100 private jets hired to fly dignitaries there.

Objecting to such a reckless gathering at a time when Covid-19 restrictions are still in force, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Joint Health Sector Union (Johesi) said such a congregation of large numbers posed a public health risk. To make matters worse, guests at the event shunned Covid-19 social distancing rules while many other did not wear facemasks.

Johesu spokesman Olumide Akintayo, said: “Ours is a society where those who lead us never set the right examples. It is always the case of do what I say and not necessarily do what I do and that is why value migration has become the major fallout of years of social decadence.

“At a time health experts keep warning the people that the reality of Delta variant of Covid-19 is here with us, it is sad that it is such a time that you have major public gathering without regard for Covid-19 protocols. It was President Buhari who signed the law that made it punishable for anybody not to obey Covid-19 protocols, yet it is the cream of his officials who are not making use of facemasks and are not observing social distancing.”

NMA general secretary, added: “We are very worried as one thing we must make clear is that Covid-19 is still with us. We are also worried about the Delta variant and have been studying to know whether it thrives in the midst of fully vaccinated people.

“We are watching as people are gathering and we are urging the people to obey the Covid-19 protocols. Our people should not let the excitement of the occasion make them to ignore public health protocols.”