President Umaro Sissoco and President Muhammadu Buhari
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has received the Madagascan native formulation for the treatment of the Covid-19 pandemic at the State House, Abuja from President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea Bissau.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu in a statement disclosed that Bissau’s President on Saturday brought along with him the samples of the traditional medicine as shared to African nations by Madagascar while on a courtesy call to Nigeria’s President.
The statement however revealed that President Buhari commended the invention, but reiterated his position on all such herbal or traditional therapy that all must go through the appropriate bodies for accreditation before they will be approved to be administered to citizens.
“We have our institutions, systems and processes in the country. Any such formulations should be sent to them for verification. I will not put it to use without the endorsement of our institutions”, President Buhari said.
The statement also revealed that the main reason for his visit, according to President Embalo was to seek counsel from President Buhari on his plan for a “government of national unity” having stabilized his country after the tussles that attended the general elections won by him, and a proposal for war against corruption in his country.
President Embalo who said president Buhari is his “father” explained that his new government met a country beset with complex issues and problems, and believed that the country would require tremendous assistance from Nigeria as a “big brother”.
“Problems of Guinea Bissau are problems of Nigeria. I have come to you as your son. I need your help and assistance to make the people happy. I will not let you down, neither will I put you in any difficult situation,” the visiting leader told President Buhari.
In response to these demands, the Nigerian leader commended “General” Embalo on his confirmation as President and for stabilizing the country.
President Buhari reiterated the determination of Nigeria to keep West Africa politically stable and promised to support the new government in Guinea Bissau.
“I commend your political dexterity in getting the opposition to join the proposed unity government.
“I will cooperate and help in every way possible,” assured the Nigerian President.
President Buhari also used the opportunity of the visit to praise the good work that the President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou, who is the current Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is doing in the sub-region, and commended him for keeping him informed of all that is happening around.