The Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba has called on the Federal Government to reject the May 2022 Amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHRs) as a bid to ensure the freedom of Nigerians.
The Supreme Knight of the Order made this call in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, while hosting a press briefing as part of the lined-up program of its 44th Supreme Council Convention, on Thursday.
Adopted in 1969, the International Health Regulations are an instrument of international law which is legally binding on Nigeria and 195 other World Health Organization States.
According to Dr. Charles Mbelede, the Supreme Knight, Order of the Knights Of St. Mulumba, the Catholic order’s grouse with World Health Organization’s IHR is that “WHO effectively created a council of leaders independent of the people of the world, stripping them of their rights to democratically participate in health decisions at the global level.”
The Supreme Knight added that WHO’s constitution gave the authority to adopt the IHRs and its future amendments to delegates of State State Parties without any parliamentary or executive input from member states.
The Catholic Knight therefore implored President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to write the WHO and reject the May 2022 amendment before Friday, December 1, 2023.
“We call on well meaning Nigerians to ensure that our freedom is protected by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This letter rejecting the IHR Amendments needs to be received by the WHO before this Friday, Dec. 1st, 2023,” he said.
While fielding questions from journalists, the Supreme Knight asserted the order’s commitment to the unity and oneness of Nigeria.
He recommended planning and thinking together as a way to greater national achievements.
“I cannot say here that our corporate policy is for Nigeria to divide. We don’t believe that. We believe that there is need to ensure social ecological and continuity of movements and discussions, equality, betterment and prosperity of mankind to the glory of God. We must think and plan together as a means to achieving our national goals. Nigeria can never be divided of we think and work together,” he said.
