By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the defunct Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, has described Nigeria’s recent global recognition for its effective management of the pandemic as the best gift he could receive on his 69th birthday.
Mustapha made the remark on Thursday while receiving friends, associates, and well-wishers who visited his Asokoro residence in Abuja to celebrate with him.
His reaction followed a report by Professor Osondu Ogbuoji of Duke University’s Centre for Policy Impact in Global Health, which ranked Nigeria among the top three countries worldwide—after China and Japan—for effective coordination and management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reflecting on his appointment to head the PTF, Mustapha recounted how former President Muhammadu Buhari selected him to lead the national response despite his lack of a medical background.
“When the president asked me to chair the programme, I questioned why, since I am not from the medical profession. But he insisted that what the nation needed was diligence, integrity, and someone who could serve as the image of Nigeria for proper coordination. That trust was what guided my team and I,” he said.
Mustapha described the recognition as a validation of the sacrifices and collaborative efforts of frontline health workers, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), health authorities, and members of the PTF during the pandemic.
“This is the best birthday gift anyone could have given me. To see Nigeria recognised globally for its resilience, coordination, and management of COVID-19 gives me deep joy,” he added.
He called for Nigeria to entrench the lessons learned from the pandemic in order to strengthen its preparedness for future health crises, while expressing gratitude to Nigerians for their resilience during what he described as one of the country’s most difficult periods.
The event was marked by goodwill speeches, prayers, and best wishes from various groups who gathered to honour Mustapha on his 69th birthday.
