Tag: Covid-19 - Page 7 - African News Today

Northern Govs to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine in Pubic

29Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, News, Nigeria

Northern Govs to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine in Pubic

The Governors of the 19 Northern States in the country have reached an agreement to take the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that the country will receive to take away fears surrounding the vaccine. This was contained in the address of the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, during a webinar organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, where the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine were scrutinised. Lalong, in his speech delivered by his representative, Prof. Danladi Atu, said in an attempt to take away fears and controversies surrounding the vaccines, “We – the Northern Governors – have agreed to take the first doses of the vaccines.” In his address, the Executive Director National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Fai...

Buhari Criminalizes Non-use of Face Masks Among Other Regulations

28Jan

By Obiajulu Joel Nwolu1 Comment

Covid-19, Judiciary, Law Enforcement, News, Nigeria

Buhari Criminalizes Non-use of Face Masks Among Other Regulations

President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the Coronavirus Disease Health Protection 2021 which made the use of face masks in public places compulsory among other measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country. Boss Mustapha, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force, PTF, on Wednesday told reporters in Abuja that the president accented to the document on Tuesday. The PTF boss who doubles as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, noted that the President exercised the powers conferred on him by Section 4 of the Quarantine Act, Cap. Q2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2010 by signing the document. As part of the law, the first part which deals with restrictions on gatherings stipulates that at all gatherings, a physical distance of at least two metres shall ...

Enugu Red Cross Trains 20 Volunteers on COVID-19 Risk Communication

26Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, News, Nigeria

Enugu Red Cross Trains 20 Volunteers on COVID-19 Risk Communication

The Nigerian Red Cross Society has trained over 20 selected Red Cross volunteers in Enugu State on COVID-19 risk communication and community engagement. The two-day training which was supported by the International Federation of the Red Cross had volunteers from Enugu North, Enugu East and Nkanu West local government areas of the state. It was aimed at engaging more communities to increase awareness about COVID-19 and curtail the spread of the virus in the state. Declaring the training open, the Branch Secretary, Hon. Tony Udegbu said the campaign which will involve “house to house visits, community sensitization and focus group discussions will provide timely, relevant and actionable life-saving information that will encourage people to adopt safe health practices and reduce fear, s...

21Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Covid-19, Nigeria, Press Statement

Govs Disown Yahaya Bello COVID-19 Claim

Members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have dissociated themselves from the reported claim by Kogi Governor Yahaya that coronavirus vaccines are meant to kill people and reduce population. The Governors, in a communiqué at the end of their virtual meeting on Wednesday, said their decisions and actions in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic would be guided by science and informed opinions. “On the ill-fated pronouncement made by a member of the forum, regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, in a national daily, the forum (NGF) totally and categorically dissociated itself from the statement. “The forum will continue to be informed and guided by science and will ensure that every decision it takes retains public and professional trust and is not compromised by conflicts of interest.” ...

Insecurity Deserves More Attention Than COVID-19 – Bafarawa

21Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, News, Nigeria, Safety, Security

Insecurity Deserves More Attention Than COVID-19 – Bafarawa

Dalhatu Bafarawa, erstwhile Governor of Sokoto State has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to channel the proposed N400bn for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines to tackle the deteriorating insecurity in the country. Bafarawa asked the Buhari administration to show more concern on insecurity than the pandemic that had led to the death of 2,000 people. The former governor in a statement issued on Wednesday said northerners and indeed all Nigerians are not happy with the security situation in the country. He said, "The government appears to have abandoned the situation and channelled all its effort to a pandemic that has taken barely 2000 lives in the country. "When I see that things are not going well, I cannot keep quiet. If I keep quiet, other parts of the country would accuse...

PTF Urges Nigerians to Avoid Second Lockdown

19Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, News, Nigeria

PTF Urges Nigerians to Avoid Second Lockdown

Boss Mustapha, Chairman of the Presidential Task Force, PTF, has admonished Nigerians to intensify efforts to avoid a second lockdown due to COVID-19 in the country. He disclosed this on Monday during the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-10 in Abuja. Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said this can be done by strict adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines released by the government. He also said that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control had been authorised to immediately implement the 450 tests per local government plan. He said, “We are considering all options while hoping that broad cooperation will be received. We must do everything possible to avoid a second lockdown in Nigeria.” According to Mustapha, the PTF would pu...

Nigeria Has Adequate Facilities to Store COVID-19 Vaccine – NPHCD Boss

19Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, News, Nigeria

Nigeria Has Adequate Facilities to Store COVID-19 Vaccine – NPHCD Boss

Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, has said Nigeria had adequate facility to store the 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine which the country is expecting to receive. This was contained in his speech during the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-10 in Abuja on Monday. Shuaib debunked claims that the doses being expected would be wasted as a result of lack of storage facility. He said, “I want to reiterate that the first set of vaccine expected in the country is the Pfizer Biotech vaccine and the equipment required to store them – the ultra-cold chain equipment – are available at the National Strategic Cold Store of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.” According to Shuaib, it was the decision of...

Reps Propose Three-month Postponement of School Resumption

17Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, Education, Legislature, News, Nigeria, Safety

Reps Propose Three-month Postponement of School Resumption

The House of Representatives has frowned at the decision of the Federal Government to allow schools to resume on Monday despite a spike in cases of COVID-19. The Green chamber alleged that the Federal Government failed to consult the relevant committees of the National Assembly, contrary to their claim that all relevant stakeholders were consulted before arriving at the January 18, 2021, resumption date. The house, therefore, asked the federal government to postpone the resumption of schools for three months, pending implementation of safety measures against COVID-19. This was disclosed by Prof Julius Ihonvbere, Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Services in a telephone interview with The Punch on Saturday. He said, “They did not consult us; at least in my c...

COVID-19: NYSC Ignores Osinbajo Report, Mobilises Corpers to Camps

16Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, News, Nigeria, Safety, Youths

COVID-19: NYSC Ignores Osinbajo Report, Mobilises Corpers to Camps

Despite the rising cases of COVID-19 across the country, the Federal Government has once again ignored the recommendation by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo led Economic Sustainability Committee and approved the re-opening of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, orientation camps nationwide next Tuesday. The committee had in June 2020 report recommended that while the NYSC programme could go ahead, the three-week orientation camp should be suspended for two years. The report partly read, "Consideration will be given to suspending the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp exercises for at least 24 months while allowing deployment to places of primary assignment. This will ensure that there is no backlog in the national service placement pipeline." It was learnt that when th...

Breaking: FG Directs Schools To Resume Jan 18

14Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Covid-19, Education, News, Nigeria

Breaking: FG Directs Schools To Resume Jan 18

The Federal Government has asked schools to resume on January 18, 2021 after “due consultation” with stakeholders. The decision was reached after a meeting with stakeholders, including Governors, Commissioners of Education, Proprietors and heads of institutions, staff unions and students. The Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, in a statement on Thursday, said the consensus at the meeting was that the resumption date of 18th January should remain, while parents and respective institutions ensure full compliance with COVID-19 protocols. The meeting however insisted on the compulsory wearing of facemasks by all students, teachers and workers in all schools. Other measures arrived at during the meeting included compulsory temperature che...