JUST IN: Osinbajo did not appoint me to any Sub-committee on COVID-19 – Okowa

TRACKING____The Delta state government has reacted to reports that Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo appointed state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa to head a sub-committee on COVID-19.

According to a statement made available to POLITICS NIGERIA, signed by Jackson Ekwugum, Communications manager for the Delta state government house, Okowa was not appointed to any sub-committee. The statement read;

“Our attention has been drawn to the above-titled story, which has been circulating in the national news media and social media for some days now. Consequently, there have been an avalanche of comments, inquiries and goodwill messages from well-meaning Nigerians regarding this “appointment”

“His Excellency, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, is mindful of the earnest desire of Nigerians for life to return to normal as quickly as possible. However, it has become necessary to set the record straight and correct the wrong impression that has been created by this story.”

“It is not true that Governor Okowa was appointed to lead a Sub-Committee on post-COVID-19 economic growth. The National Economic Council (NEC) headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo recently created a Sub-Committee, chaired by Okowa, to work/liaise with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on the process of lifting the national lockdown and reopening the economy.”

“It is pertinent to point out that this is a normal practice of NEC; the body has always set up Sub-Committees to deal with pressing national issues and, therefore, not something deserving of media feeding frenzy.”

“The media and the public are please requested to take note of this clarification and take appropriate steps to stop the misinformation. Meanwhile, Governor Okowa enjoins Nigerians to continue to pray for divine intervention to resolve the current health crisis even while they maintain the necessary safety protocols/guidelines.”