By Dare Ojelade and Blessing Williams, Lagos
As the Muslim Coalition Against COVID-19 concludes logistics arrangements to kick start its relief operations, not less that 700 health workers have been mobilized for the task.
Under the first phase, relief package distribution will start in the Federal Capital Territory, Rivers, Osun, Oyo and Lagos States.
The Chairman of the Medical Committee, Dr. Salisu Ismail gave the breakdown of medical and allied professionals to be mobilized to the frontline as follows:
Medical Doctors 120
– Nurses 150
– Pharmacists 100
– Laboratory Scientists 100
– Health Record Officers 80
– Environmental Health Officers 80
– Social Workers 70
– Biomedical Engineers 50
– Other Supporting Staff 50
According to Prof. AbdulRazaq Kilani, Chairman of the Coalition’s Logistic Committee, thousands of families shall be supported with relief packages. The beneficiary family will go home with a pack of 22kg of food items containing the following:
Rice -6.5kg
Beans- 10kg
Garri- 5kg
Sugar- 250g
Salt- 250g
*Total – 22kg*
In the comprehensive out of mobilization released by the Coalition last night, a number of organizations will assist to coordinate the efforts in the pioneer states without compromising the safety guidelines of governments and World Health Organisation:
In Lagos State: TMC and NASFAT.
Oyo State: Dawah Front and Al-Mum’nnat
.
Osun State: NASFAT and NACOMYO.
Rivers: Al-Usrah Inc. Port Harcourt
FCT: NASFAT and FOMWAN
Already, efforts are ongoing to ensure that the distribution is hitch free as the coalition is in contact with relevant government organs to facilitate movement of its workers in Lagos.
Fortunately according to the coalition, movement appears not to be problematic
“In Osun, we have a good progress so far on this. The Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Abdullahi Adeyanju Binuyo, has gotten our letter and ready to support.
“But in FCT, we have been asked to supply the names of all those we want to give pass,” the Chairman of the Government Liaison, Alh. AlHazzan Muhammad explained.
He assured further that the list of Medical Volunteers will be mobilize in each state especially in all the northern and southwestern states facilitated by IMAN and Sakinah Medical outreach.
Hinting on the deployment of medical personnel to the Front line, Dr. Salisu Ismail offered: “We are deploying this nationwide to compliment government efforts”.
In addition to this the coalition is making arrangements to donate PPE, test kits and ventilators to state and federal governments.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has endorsed the initiative of the N500m global relief appeal fund.
The appeal fund was launched last week for relief to the poor and vulnerable Nigerians and for providing protective equipment for those at the front line of the grim battle against the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Already, participating organizations numbering 48 in the coalition now have pooled about N5 million into the fund with members of the public also contributing
At a strategic meeting recently, the Chairman of the Coordinating Committee, Disu Kamor profusely thanked good spirited Nigerians who hearkened to what he described as the call of Allah to provide respite to the vulnerable.
In expressing the appreciation of the Coalition to Nigerians who reposed confidence in the Coalition, Disu pleaded for more positive response and support,
He noted, “together, we are on a journey to touch hearts, give respite and offer hope in a distressing situation to our fellow countrymen and women, irrespective of their creed, tongue or tribe”
Earlier, a 60-man implementation team grouped into eight committees had been named by the coalition leadership with membership drawn from the corporate sector, public service, industry and the academic to manage the entire process.
The NSCIA endorsement of the Muslim Anti-COVID 19 Coaltion is coming on the heels of the entry of three more organizations into the coalition for Muslims to present a common front in ensuring an impactful response to the pandemic in Nigeria.
Speaking with journalists during a visit of the officials of NSCIA, Mpape to distribute relief materials, NSCIA Director of Administration, Ustaz Yusuf Chinedozi Nwoha had appealed to well-to-do Nigerians in general and Muslims in particular to support the Coalition
Already, members of the coalition have been redeeming their pledges, with each contributing not less than N100, 000 into the fund to mitigate the effects, on the poor masses, of the coronavirus stay-at-home order issued by the Federal government.
The Coalition Publicity Chairman, Alh. Abiola therefore urged the public to continue to support the coalition. He expressed gratitude to Lagos and Osun State Governments and FCT administration for acceding swiftly to coalition requests. He assured the public that the group will extend its kind gesture to all Nigerians Muslims and Non-Muslims
The organisations in the coalition are as follows:
1. Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC)
2. The Muslim Congress (TMC)
3. Al-Usrah Inc. Port Harcourt
4. Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria.
5. Islamic Forum of Nigeria, Kano
6. Sakinah Medical Outreach
7. Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN)
8. ClearPath Islamic Centre
9. Islamic Education and Faith Initiative, Magodo, Lagos
10. The Companion
11. Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN)
12. Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative
13. University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA)
14. Nigeria Aid Group of Islam
15. Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA)
16. Muslim Welfare Fund
17. Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation (ZSF)
18. Network for Democracy and Development (NDD)
19. Islamic Impact Centre
20. Association of Muslim Professionals, (AMP)
21. Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT)
22. Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association
23. NASFAT Agency for Zakat and Sadaqah (NAZAS)
24. Guild of Muslim Professionals (GMP)
25. NASFAT Relief Initiative
26. The Criterion
27. Forum for Islamic Education and Welfare
28. Zakat and Awqaaf Amana Foundation
29. The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO)
30. Islamic Education Trust, Minna, Niger State
31. Islamic Mission for Africa (IMA)
32. Human Concern Foundation International (HCFI)
33. Pious Muslim Women International Organization
34. The Academy, Lagos
35. Yaba College of Technology Muslim Alumni (YMA)
36. Muslim Students Society of Nigeria
37. Pink Clinic Radio- Diagnostics Centre, Maiduguri
38. Ansar-Ud-Deen Youth Association of Nigeria (ADYAN), Lagos State Council
39. Da’wah Front of Nigeria
40. Al-Furqan Nigeria
41. Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, Abuja
42. Muslim Association of Visually Impaired of Nigeria-MAVIN
43. Al Muminaat (The Believing Women)
44. Pure Heart Islamic Foundation of Nigeria (PHF)
45. Da’wah and Guidance Bureau of Nigeria (DGBN)
46. Initiative for Muslim Sisters (IMSA)
47. The Beneficent Hands of the Ummah
48. Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU)
