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COVID-19: Lagos, Kano, Kaduna lead as Nigeria vaccinates 1,133,325

Mosunmola Ore
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Lagos, Kano and Kaduna states have the highest number of people that have been vaccinated for COVID-19 as Nigeria vaccinated 1,133,325 people with a single dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine as of yesterday.

This was found in an update of  the ongoing vaccination across the country, released by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), showed that on the whole, vaccination in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has progressed to 56.3 per cent.

The statistics showed that Lagos State is still leading in the number of persons vaccinated with 218,174, followed by Kano, 59,040 and Kaduna with 58,026.

The vaccination figures showed that Abia has 11,163; Adamawa, 20,446; Akwa Ibom, 12,729 ; Anambra, 11,755,; Bauchi, 36,458; Bayelsa, 10,751; Benue, 22,727; Borno, 22,081; Cross River, 15,710,; Delta, 21,859; Ebonyi, 9,567; Edo, 29,685; Ekiti, 23,434,; Enugu, 13,076; FCT, 52,348; Gombe, 27,354; Imo, 19,803; Jigawa, 28,901; Kaduna, 58,026; Kano, 59,040; Katsina, 39,646; Kebbi, 16,146 and Kogi, 12,040Others are: Kwara, 31,260; Nasarawa, 17,927; Niger, 27,449; Ogun, 53,314; Ondo, 31,579; Osun, 21,387; Oyo, 40,122; Plateau, 28,922; Rivers, 29,926; Sokoto, 11,975; Taraba, 9,335; Yobe, 21,123 and Zamfara, 16,088.

Meanwhile, fresh facts have emerged that the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID vaccine facilitated through support from the COVAX facility to the federal government will expire by July 9, 2021.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the state had concluded the first half of phase one of the vaccination campaign, in line with the directive of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).

Kogi, 12,040Abayomi said the conclusion of the first phase, which took an average of 20 days, followed the federal government’s directive to stop vaccination once half of the consignment has been administered so that those who received the first dose would have an opportunity for the second dose

‘’The remaining doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine have been reserved at the Lagos State Cold Chain Store for the second dose exercise, which will commence on May 28, 2021, following the expiration of the eight-12 weeks interval as required by the manufacturers. Residents are encouraged to check their vaccination cards for their next appointment dates and where possible to try to go to the same health facilities where they got the initial dose for their second dose.‘’

Thereis no need for citizens who have received the first dose to pre-register before going to the health facility for the second dose because their already captured details will only be updated with additional information after vaccination. The vaccines are due to expire on July 9, 2021.

Our monitoring and evaluation quality assurance activity indicates that our cold chain distribution logistics has been maintained ensuring the integrity of the vaccines,’’ he stated.

According to him, the state inoculated 257,756 persons, as of April 15.

 

MTO/ThisDay

Food: Inflation rises 22.95 percent

Hauwa Abubakar Anaja
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The National Bureau of statistics , NBS, has said the prices paid by consumers for food items like rice, eggs, tomato and yam rose in March.

NThis corresponds with the Bureau’s March inflation report which stated that the composite food index rose by 22.95 percent in March 2021 compared to 21.79 percent in February 2021.

In its “Selected Food Price Watch Data for March 2021,” NBS said: “The average price of one dozen of Agric eggs medium size increased year-on-year, YoY, by 14 percent and month-on-month, MoM, by 1.19 percent to N524.47 in March 2021 from N518.30 in February 2021 while the average price of piece of Agric eggs medium size (price of one) increased YoY by 21 percent and MoM by 2.3 percent to N48.43 in March 2021 from N47.35 in February 2021.

“The average price of 1kg of tomato increased YoY by 4.8 percent and decreased MoM by -0.64 percent to N267.45 in March 2021 from N269.18 in February 2021,” the report showed.

 

 

Vang/Hauwa Abu

Biden to recognize massacre of Armenians as genocide.

Oluwasola Akintonde
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U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to formally recognize the massacre of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War One as an act of genocide, reports said, a move likely to infuriate Turkey and further strain already frayed ties between the two NATO allies.

The move would be largely symbolic but would mean breaking away from decades of carefully calibrated language from the White House and come at a time when Ankara and Washington are already at loggerheads over a string of issues.

Biden is likely going to use the word “genocide” as part of a statement on April 24 when annual commemorations for the victims are held around the world, three sources familiar with the matter said.

“My understanding is that he took the decision and will use the word genocide in his statement on Saturday,”  a source familiar with the matter said. Sources cautioned that given the importance of bilateral ties with Turkey, Biden may still choose not to use the term at the last minute.

Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary said the White House would likely have “more to say” about the issue on Saturday, but declined to elaborate.

The State Department referred queries on the issue to the White House and National Security Council had no comment beyond what Psaki said.

A year ago, while still a presidential candidate, Biden commemorated the 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children who lost their lives in the final years of the Ottoman Empire and said he would back efforts to recognize those killings as a genocide.

“Today, we remember the atrocities faced by the Armenian people in the Metz Yeghern, the Armenian Genocide. If elected, I pledge to support a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide and will make universal human rights a top priority,” he said at the time.

Turkey accepts that many Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire were killed in clashes with Ottoman forces during World War One, but contests the figures and denies the killings were systematically orchestrated and constitute a genocide.

For decades, measures recognizing the Armenian genocide stalled in the U.S. Congress and U.S. presidents have refrained from calling it that, stymied by concerns about relations with Turkey and intense lobbying by Ankara.

Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish President, had established a close bond with former U.S. President Donald Trump, but he has yet to speak to Biden since he became president on Jan. 20.

While Turkish and American officials have held talks since then, the Biden administration has stepped up pressure on Turkey by frequently expressing its discontent over Ankara’s human rights track record, and the gap between the two sides over a host of issues including Turkey’s purchase of Russian weapons systems and policy differences in Syria remains.

Any move by Biden to recognize the mass killings as a genocide will further harm already strained ties between the NATO allies, Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkish Foreign Minister, said.

Ian Bremmer, founder of the Eurasia Group research and consulting firm, said Biden’s expected move reflected the deteriorating relationship between the NATO allies, but Erdogan’s response would be likely limited.

“Erdogan is unlikely to provoke the U.S. with actions that could further undermine Turkey’s weak economy,” he said.

In 2019, the U.S. Senate passed a non-binding resolution recognizing the killings as a genocide, in a historic move that deeply angered Turkey.

Adam Schiff who is a representative together with a group of 100 bipartisan lawmakers sent a letter to Biden this week urging him to follow through on his campaign pledge and “right decades of wrongs.”

 

Olusola Akintonde/Reuters

Federal Government reiterates commitment to curtail the spread of Covid-19

Mosunmola Ore
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The Federal Government of Nigeria reiterated its commitment to deploy all resources to curtail the spread of Covid-19 and have access to safe vaccines across the country.

Read Also: COVID-19: possible delay in second dose of vaccine – Federal Government

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha stated this while speaking at the Town Hall Meeting on COVID-19 Vaccination review meeting for the North Central Geopolitical Zone, held in the capital of Nasarawa State.

The zonal meeting was organized by the Presidential Steering Committee COVID-19 in conjunction with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Abuja.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha said that government at all levels would continue to develop measures towards the control and containment of the spread of the virus among people.

He said that “As of April 20th, 2021, over a 1.1million Nigerians, representing 55.2 % of the eligible persons targeted in this current phase, have received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine”. Boss noted

Furthermore, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib said that the meeting aims to discuss COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria, explore relevant perspectives and reach a consensus that will enrich the ongoing efforts by the government to ensure that Nigerians are protected from the disease.

“Our coming together today as a community of North Central Nigeria, aligns with our core principles that it is not enough to offer vaccines to Nigerians, we must also do the hard work and provide the resources to ensure that Nigerians are provided with the correct information required to make an informed decision about accepting the vaccine”. Dr. Shuaib added

The Host Governor, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State said that sensitizing the people of the North Central Zone on the importance of taking the COVID-19 vaccine is appropriate and sensible because of the need to take proactive measures for the prevention of the spread of the deadly virus.

According to Governor Sule, “The Federal Government of Nigeria flagged off the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine precisely on the 12th March 2021 in its commitment to fight the COVID-19 pandemic”.

“By the same token, Nasarawa State COVAX Technical Working Group (TWG) received a total of 61,350 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on the 9th March 2021, thereby making Nasarawa State be one of the first two (2) States to commence the first phase roll out of COVID-19 vaccination”. Governor Sule said.

The meeting is in recognition of the need to pursue a continuous and constructive dialogue with stakeholders at the National, State, LGA, and community levels in the fight against COVID-19.

African Union to meet over situations in Chad and Somalia

Olajumoke Adeleke
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The African Union Peace and Security Council has announced that it will hold a meeting today Thursday 22 April 2021, at 12:30pm EAT over the situation in Chad and Somalia.
“The late President Déby played a key role in promoting the African Union’s Agenda to promote peace and security and was an ardent supporter of the Union’s efforts to create an environment of security and stability, especially within the Sahel region,” the Council stated.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Somali President Mohamed Farmaajo welcomed the African Union (AU) to take a leading role in facilitating an election process in which “every citizen elects their representatives through free and fair elections.”
“All Somali stakeholders will actively participate in the dialogue on the future of our democracy.” He said.
Situation in Chad
The Military Council in Chad has issued a statement saying they have “assessed the security situation in the Country” and announced a change in Curfew time.
The curfew will now be from 8pm to 5am instead of 6pm-5am.
Land and air borders have also been re-opened after being closed following the announcement of President Déby’s death.
Idriss Deby’s State Funeral will be held on Friday, April 23, in Ndjamena, the capital, before his burial in his native region in the far east, the presidency said.
Various heads of state are expected to be in attendance, including France President Emmanuel Macron.

Edited by Olajumoke Adeleke

Senate commends Bawa for reinvigorating EFCC

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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The Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes has commended the new chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa for reinvigorating the morale of staff of the Agency.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Suleiman Kwari, made the remarks when he led other members of the Committee on oversight visit to the EFCC in Abuja.

Senator Kwari said; “We think this organisation is fit for purpose. We have seen the staff morale and this comforting environment and also the brand EFCC, being an international organization, will be better promoted in the eyes of the world.”

Commendation
He acknowledged the commitment of the Commission’s Staff to rid Nigeria of financial crimes and urged them to work assiduously with the Chairman to achieve the mandate.

“Let me say well done to all the staff of EFCC for the journey so far. You have done well and we are very proud of what you have achieved so far, hoping that with the new management team’s support, we can move the organisation forward, help him (Bawa) to achieve all that he has come before us (Senate) to say and that is why each and every one of you is important in achieving the said objectives.

“You have a lot to deliver on and once this roadmap and goal is set and are strictly adhered to, then we can say there is no way that the organisation will not succeed in achieving its set target,” Senator Kwari stated.

The lawmaker said they were In the Commission to see things for themselves and have an overview of the performance of the 2020 budget.

Open door policy
While welcoming the Senators, the EFCC Chairman, Abdurasheed Bawa said the Commission operated an open door policy and was pleased to be policed by the Senate Anti-Corruption committee which has oversight responsibility for the EFCC.

”We are very happy to open our doors, our books and ourselves to you, as the police and legislators, to come and scrutinise what we are doing,” Bawa said.

The EFCC boss briefed the Committee on the performance of the 2020 budget of the Agency and took time to respond to questions and issues raised by the lawmakers.

He later conducted them round the ultramodern headquarter complex of the Commission located in Jabi, suburb of Abuja.

Members of the Committee present during the visit include; Senators Aliyu Wamakko, Smart Adeyemi, Uba Sani, Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, Mike Omache, Steven Ode, Kola Balogun and Micheal Nnaji.

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere

Covid-19: Nigeria confirms 65 new cases

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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Nigeria has confirmed 65 new cases of Coronavirus also called Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 164,488 with 154,441 Discharged and 2,061 Deaths.

The latest report includes data from Enugu recorded between the 14th and 19th of April, 2021.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, made the announcement on Wednesday, 21st April, 2021.

On its official Twitter page @NCDCgov,  is the breakdown of the new cases as recorded  in 11 States across the country;

Nigerian Government to sell N150bn worth of bonds

Hauwa Abubakar Anaja
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The Federal Government is scheduled to raise some N150 billion through the issuance of new medium and long-term bonds at the primary segment of the debt market on Thursday.

The primary market auction (PMA) involves reopening of a medium-term bond and two long-term bonds with offer size of N50 billion each. The bonds being reopened include the 16.2884 percent FGN March 2027 bond, 12.50 percent FGN March 2035 bond and 9.80 percent FGN July 2045 bond.

The 16.2884 percent FGN March 2027 bond has five years and 11 months to maturity while the 12.50 percent FGN March 2035 bond and 9.80 percent FGN July 2045 bond have 13 years and 11 months, and 24 years and three months.
The previous stop rates for the three bonds were 10.5 percent, 11.5 percent and 12.00 percent.

Last week, secondary market trading on the FGN bonds had continued on a bearish note as investors exited positions following the release of March, last year inflation rate at 18.17 percent.

Data showed that the slowdown in demand pushed average yield across the curve by 108 basis points (bps) to 11.45 percent by the weekend as against 10.37 percent penultimate weekend.

The short-dated maturities such as 27-Apr-23, 14-Mar-24, and 23-Mar-25 recorded the most sell-offs, advancing 333 bps, 272 bps and 202 bps respectively during the week.
The fixed-income market has taken a bearish note in recent period as investors slowed down from the previous rush to rebuild fixed-income portfolios.
According to Analysts, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) open market operation (OMO) maturities worth N10 billion, which will hit the system this week, will continue to put the funding levels under pressure.

The Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) had last week traded negative at the secondary market following pressured liquidity levels and primary auctions.
Average yields across the curve dipped slightly by five basis points last week to settle at 4.35 percent from 4.40 percent recorded in the previous week.

The 26-Aug-21 and 9-Sep-21 bills witnessed the most buying interest from investors, declining 37 basis points and 33 basis points.

 

 

Nation/Hauwa Abu

Senate Committee and Police seek collaboration with Nigerian Army

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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The Senate Committee on Army and the Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Baba have paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, to appreciate the sacrifices of the Nigerian Army.

This was the first visit by the Senate Committee on Army led by its Chairman, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume since the assumption of office of the Chief of Army Staff.

Senator Ndume and his team also went to formally congratulate COAS on his appointment as the Army Chief and to acquaint the COAS with observations and findings during  the oversight visits by the Committee to Nigerian Army formations and Units.

In his response, General Attahiru thanked the Committee for the visit which he said was timely and afforded the leadership of the NA an opportunity to discuss issues that would impact positively on the its activities and operations.

General Attahiru said; ”the visit will strengthen the cordial relationship between the Nigerian Army and the National Assembly, and the NA requires more equipment such as armoured fighting vehicles and various combat enablers to confront insurgency and other security threats across the country.”

The Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Baba also visited the Army Headquarters for the first time since his appointment and reiterated the importance of synergy among security agencies.

He stated that ”they are all working along functional lines to combat security challenges in the country and to ultimately restore normalcy to troubled areas.”

Security collaboration
The acting IGP who was accompanied on the visit by some of his principal staff officers, said his visit was to seek further collaboration and synergy with the NA in tackling insecurity.

According to him, ”the collaboration and synergy will match forces to confront insurgency, banditary and other criminalities confronting the country.”

”The Nigerian security environment is currently dicey and security forces especially the Police Force and the NA are central in bringing the situation under control,” Baba said.

Commendation
He commended the NA under the leadership of Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru for the successes recently recorded in the North-east  and other flashpoints around the country.

Baba  promised the Police’s commitment towards collaboration with the NA and other security agencies in  maintaining law and order.

“I need to come here and pledge my unalloyed support, cooperation, collaboration and synergy with the military, to enable us provide the required environment for citizens of this country to go about their lawful businesses.

“My purpose of coming is to inform you and assure you that the Nigerian Police, under my leadership, will always be ready to work with you in whatever way that will make this country governable, peaceful and enable Nigerians to go about their lawful businesses.

“The security environment is very dicey, as we came in at a period when we have to do something extra, that is different from what our colleagues have been doing, and change the narratives,’’ the Police boss stated.

Responding, the COAS  thanked the Acting Inspector General of Police  for the visit while congratulating him on his recent appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari which he said, was a reflection of the confidence reposed on him by Mr President.

General Attahiru  said; “I want to assure you that the Nigerian army, under my leadership, will continue to synergise and support the Nigerian police to build appropriate capacities, so as to collectively secure the nation.”

He added that the appointment came at a time when the country was facing myriads of security challenges that needed urgent and sustained intervention.

The COAS also congratulated the  officers and men of the NPF for sacrifices and loyalty in the discharge of their constitutional roles.

 

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere

Nigeria to boost Science and Technology ties with North-Korea

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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Nigeria’s  Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu says forming a Joint Committee between Nigeria and the Democratic People Republic of Korea will further enhance Science, technology, and innovation (STI).

The Minister said this when the Ambassador of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea to Nigeria Ambassador, Jon Tong Chol paid a courtesy call in Abuja, Nigeria.

Dr. Onu who commended the Ambassador for the work his country has been doing in Nigeria, saying ”the  bilateral relationship between both  countries will be further strengthened.”

The Minister further said  that ”Nigeria  is working hard to ensure that the economy will no longer be dependent on commodities  but on knowledge that is innovation driven.”

Resources
This he said will enable the nation to tap into the vast resources God has endowed Nigeria by deploying Science, technology and innovation to convert those resources into the products and services that Nigerians need in their various homes, hospitals and schools.

“Applying STI,  will help the nation to strengthen the economy and will help in the fight against poverty…The President Buhari’s led administration is committed to lifting over 100 million Nigerians from poverty. Also through Science Technology and Innovation, Nigeria will drastically reduce the level of poverty and will attain what China has achieved by eliminating poverty which is the ultimate goal of our nation,” Dr Onu stated.

He commended the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for their tremendous contribution to Science and Technology in the development of Human Society.

The Ambassador of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea  to Nigeria Ambassador, Jon Tong Chol, commended Nigeria as a giant in Africa and its self-reliant effort.

   Mr Jon Tong Chol

 

 

 

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere

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