Following his pedigree, Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State has gotten another National Assignment from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

In a statement made available to our correspondent by Dr. Sani Aliyu, National Coordinator Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Governor Umahi has been nominated as the COVID-19 Champion and will be saddled with the responsibility of public sensitization on multi-media platforms and community mobilization against COVID-19.

Recall that this is not the first National Assignment which Umahi will be embarking on as he had earlier led the Committee on reconciliation of Herdsmen-farmer clashes in Nigeria.

The statement reads,

“I have the honour to formally notify His Excellency that the Risk Communication and
Community Engagement and the Government Relations Pillars of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 have nominated you as the COVID-19 Champion.

2. The Risk Communication and Community Engagement Pillar is saddled with the
responsibility of public sensitization on multi-media platforms and community mobilization against COVID-19, principally to promote behaviour change among the people through information sharing and engagement that ensure decision making for compilance towards prevention and containment
of COVID-19.

3. The Government Relations Pillar works through the Nigeria Goveriors Forum and serves as the linkage among the three tiers of government.

4. As the COVID-19 Champion, you will be expected to serve as the driver for community
mobilization and public awareness on the various aspects relating to COVID-19 prevention and
containment, especially at the community level.

5. You are also expected to leverage on your influence among your colleagues in the Nigeria Goverors Forum and with the traditional and religious leaders as well as the media and development partners to ensure that the entire country is mobilized against COVID-19.

6. Your Excellency, the task we are proposing for you is herculean but we hope that with your antecedent, especially in the fight against COVID-19 in Ebonyi State and also a survivor of the virus yourself, you will provide the needed leadership and the required support to accomplish the task even after the exit of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

7. While thanking you in anticipation of your favourablo response, please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards”.