The Nigerian Interfaith Action Association (NIFAA), in collaboration with Pathfinder International, organized a one-day interfaith dialogue in Abuja on Thursday to sensitize Nigerians through faith leaders on COVID-19 vaccines.

NIFAA Program Manager Dr. Fatima Mairami in her welcome address to the session tagged; “Access Project Inter-Faith Town Hall Dialogue,” said some thought COVID was gone, but it was very much around, changing lives, and still doing great harm to its victims.

She said, “COVID-19 vaccines were developed to help fight the virus, but unfortunately the uptake is low in Nigeria due to several misconceptions; and NIFAA is organizing this meeting to better inform the religious leaders to clarify their doubts and dispel the rumors that scare people.

“Part of the goal of this event is to gain strong acceptance of the recommended COVID-19 vaccines and to get more people taking them by educating religious leaders about the importance of COVID-19 vaccines, and they should carry the message to their followers,” she added.

The meeting urged leaders of faith communities to ensure that they impart the right information about COVID-19 vaccines to their members as an act of love, as they will protect themselves and others around them.

“Religious leaders need to take ownership of the process, empower themselves and equip themselves with the necessary information, live by example, motivate people around them, be an advocate using every opportunity given to educate members about the vaccine COVID-19; be innovative and creative, for example using group discussions, plays, short presentation on COVID-19,” she said.