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Covid-19: Germany approves AstraZeneca vaccine for older people 

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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Germany’s vaccine commission has now recommended the AstraZeneca/Oxford Covid-19 vaccine for people over the age of 65.

“This is good news for older people who are waiting for a vaccine. They can now be vaccinated more quickly,” the Health Minister Jens Spahn said.

Germany had previously said it lacked sufficient data to greenlight the vaccine for older people, but has changed its position following recent studies.

“The new data also shows that the vaccine is even more effective when the first and second jabs are administered 12 weeks apart,” Spahn said.

He added that Germany’s vaccine law would soon be changed to reflect the new recommendations.

Thursday’s announcement came after Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday that the commission would be changing their position on the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The German government had been criticised in recent weeks for muddled communications about the AstraZeneca, leading to a public perception that the vaccine was less effective than those developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

Some of the Germans first in line for a Covid-19 vaccine have spurned the AstraZeneca offer, leaving the country with hundreds of thousands of unopened doses.

Greenlighting the vaccine for the oldest age groups is expected to help Germany work through the backlog and pick up the pace of its sluggish vaccine rollout.

 

 

AFP/Mercy Chukwudiebere

 

 

Senate to partner with NDLEA in war on drugs

Emmanuel Ukoh
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The Nigerian Senate has confirmed it’s readiness to partnering with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to curb the menace of drug abuse & trafficking.

The Senate is also advocating a restructuring of the NDLEA as one of the pre-requisites for the partnership.

President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan made these known on Thursday while hosting a delegation of the NDLEA officials, led by it’s Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd).

Senator Lawan who is also Chairman of the National Assembly believes that besides the partnership, there should be a multi sectoral approach in the war against drug trafficking in order to tackle the challenge.

As a signal to the Lawmakers’ commitment to the partnership, Senator Lawan assured the NDLEA officials that any bill presented to that effect, will receive priority attention before this year’s recess.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the NDLEA delegation, Brigadier General Buba Marwa  (Rtd.) highlighted several request tabled before the National Assembly, which includes a workable partnership to enable the Agency meet its mandate.

Mr. Marwa, who is a former Lagos state military administrator, also confirmed that the state of affairs in the NDLEA is demoralizing and so demanded accelerated attention to resolve the issues.

 

 

 

Emmanuel Ukoh

Insecurity: Niger State sets up Security Trust Fund

Emmanuel Ukoh
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Niger state government in North Central Nigeria, plans to  establish a Security Trust Fund to enhance sustainable and adequate funding for security activities in the state.

The Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, stated this in Minna the state Capital on Thursday.

The Secretary said that the bill has already been assented to by the Niger state Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

He further mentioned that the establishment of the security trust fund will create  opportunities for private sectors and individuals to participate by supporting the trust fund through corporate social responsibility to achieve the desired aim of the Government.

“The members whom will be drawn from the public and private sectors and led by a Chairman whom will be screened by the state House of assembly for confirmation are to be independent of government interference “ Matane said.

The Security Trust Fund according to the Niger state SSG, will serve as a platform to fund security and that the committee will go along way in fighting insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other criminals in the state.

Alhaji Matane, who reassured government’s commitment in eradicating all forms of criminality across the state said the state government is ready to dialogue with bandits that are genuinely ready to repent.

He confirmed of a group of bandits planning to approach government for a possible solution in bringing an end to the kidnapping menace in the state.

 

 

 

Emmanuel Ukoh

FAO: Food prices rise for 9 consecutive months

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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The prices of food globally rose for the ninth conservative month in February, led by sugar and vegetable oils, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations has said.

The FAO said this in its Food Price Index report released on Thursday. The index tracks international prices of most commonly traded food commodities. The FAO Food Price Index averaged 116.0 points in February, 2.4 per cent higher than the previous month and 26.5 per cent from a year ago.

In the report, the FAO Sugar Price Index rose by 6.4 per cent from January, as production declined in key producing countries together with strong import demand from Asia prompted ongoing concerns over tighter global supplies.

“Expectations of a production recovery in Thailand and a bumper crop in India dampened the increase,” it said.

The report said the FAO Oil Price Index gained 6.2 per cent reaching its highest level since April 2012. “Prices for palm, soy, rape and sunflower seed oils all rose.”

According to the report, the FAO Dairy Price Index rose by 1.7 per cent led by International export quotations for butter where firm imports by China met limited supplies from western Europe.

“Cheese prices declined partly due to high inventories in the United States of America,” it said.

It said the FAO Cereal Price Index averaged 1.2 per cent higher than in January.

“Sorghum prices rose 17.4 per cent in the month driven by ongoing strong demand from China. “International prices of maize, wheat and rice were either stable or edged up slightly,” the report said.

In the report, the FAO Meat Price Index increased 0.6 per cent pushed higher by tight supplies of bovine and ovine meats in key producing regions.

“By contrast, pig meat price quotations fell underpinned by reduced purchases by China amidst heavy over supplies and a rise in unsold pigs in Germany due to the continued ban on exports to Asian markets,” it said.

Meanwhile, it said the Global wheat production in 2021 is likely to increase and hit a new record of 780 million tonnes. It said the maize production in South Africa is expected to reach a near-record level in 2021 while outputs in South America are forecast at well above average levels.

While the Global cereal stocks are forecast to end 2021 at 811 million tonnes, 0.9 per cent below their opening levels pushing down the stock to use the ratio to 28.6 per cent.

“World rice and wheat stocks are expected to increase while those of coarse grains to decline,” it said.

Suzan O/ Nairametrics

Ogun Assembly removes Deputy Speaker

Nneka Oyibo Ukachukwu
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The Ogun State House of Assembly has removed the former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Dare Kadiri Oluwatimileyin from office having found him guilty of acts of gross misconduct.

Kadiri’s removal followed the presentation of the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the ‘Petition for Removal of the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Dare Kadiri, Oluwatimileyin from Office for Gross Misconduct’ by the Committee Chairman and Majority Leader, Hon. Yusuf Sheriff, shortly after which a member representing Ijebu-North East, Hon. Abayomi Fasuwa thereafter moved the motion for its adoption, seconded by his Ijebu-Ode counterpart, Hon. Kemi Oduwole and supported by 19 other lawmakers at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

According to the Chairman, “the committee gave all the parties involved ample opportunities to make their presentations with relevant evidences including: documents, phone recordings, CD Rom and printed photographs to establish their facts.

On the involvement of a lawyer, Hon. Kadiri Oluwadamilare failed to have exploited all internal mechanisms of getting information sought before calling a lawyer. To this end, the committee considered that: as the Vice-Chairman of fund management Committee, he has direct access to all the information; as the Vice Chairman of the Principal Officers body, he never reported the matter for discussion; as the Vice-Chairman of the House, executive meetings held every plenary day, he never raised the issue for discussion.  

On the petitions submitted by Adebiyi Odugbesan and Co. after listening to both parties, the Committee observed that, the matter is neither here nor there. The Committee is of the opinion that Hon. Kadiri, as an Honourable Member and Deputy Speaker of the House, should have exhibited some caution. However, since the matter is still pending and awaiting further investigation by the Nigeria Police, the Committee will not make any pronouncement on the issue”, the report stated.

Thereafter, Fasuwa submitted a report endorsed by 19 lawmakers conveying their unanimous confirmation in support of the recommendation of the ad-hoc committee’s report which they noted had found Kadiri guilty of acts of gross misconduct and therefore endorsed his removal from office as Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.

Fact-finding sitting
The ad-hoc Committee had in the previous day held its preliminary/ fact-finding sitting, where it examined the petitions on the allegations levelled against Kadiri on their merit with all petitioners, witnesses and respondents as well as representative of the Nigeria Police, CSP Joshua Adewalehinmi in attendance.

Clarifying the voting pattern, Speaker Oluomo explained that the Assembly’s Standing Order specified that voice vote shall not be used in determining the removal of principal officer, thus the submission of the endorsement by 19 signatories (lawmakers) who demanded his removal from office which was equally read before the lawmakers  by the Clerk, Mr. Adeyemo.

Nomination of additional member
The State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has forwarded to the State House of Assembly, the nomination of an additional member, Mrs. Remilekun O. Olaopa for the State Independent Electoral Commission.

Speaker Oluomo, who read the governor’s letter dated March 2, 2021; thereafter directed the nominee to appear before the Assembly’s Selection Committee for screening tomorrow, March 5, 2021 with 30 copies of her Curriculum Vitae at the Assembly’s Conference Hall by 12 noon.

 

 

Nneka Ukachukwu

EU to extend Covid-19 vaccine export controls until June

Oluwasola Akintonde
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The European Union is planning to extend its export authorisation scheme for COVID-19 vaccines to the end of June, two EU sources said on Thursday, in a move that could reignite tensions with countries who rely on shots made in the EU.

The mechanism was set up at the end of January as a reaction to vaccine makers’ announcements of delays in the deliveries of COVID-19 vaccines to the EU.

It is due to expire at the end of March, but the European Commission wants to extend it through June, the two officials said.

“The Commission will propose its extension into June. And that was greeted by the member states with approval, not necessarily enthusiasm, but there is a feeling that we still need that mechanism,” one senior EU diplomat said.

The second official added that at a meeting with EU diplomats on Wednesday, many countries supported the measure, including heavyweights Germany and France.

The EU Commission was not immediately available for a comment.

Mario Draghi, Italian Prime Minister has also called for sanctions on companies that do not respect their contractual obligations with the EU.

When the EU’s export control mechanism was introduced in late January it triggered an outcry from importing countries who feared their vaccine supplies might have been hampered.

Under the scheme, companies must get an authorisation before exporting COVID-19 shots, and may have export requests denied if they do not respect their supply commitments with the EU.

However, the EU has authorised all requests for export since the scheme’s debut on Jan. 30 to Feb. 26, which amounted to 150 requests for millions of shots to 29 countries, including Britain, the United Arab Emirates and Canada, an EU Commission spokeswoman said.

She added, however, that at least one request was withdrawn by an exporting company. She declined to elaborate.

Export requests mostly concern the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine which is manufactured in Belgium. AstraZeneca and Moderna shots have also been exported from the EU.

’’Since Jan. 30 more than 8 million vaccines were shipped from the EU to Britain,’’ a third EU source said.

Britain has so far prevented the export of AstraZeneca vaccines to the EU, using a UK first clause in its supply contract with the Anglo-Swedish firm, reports said.

The United States also has regulations that effectively ban vaccine exports, Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission said.

 

Olusola Akintonde/Reuters

DMO opens new Federal Government Bonds subscription

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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Nigeria’s Debt Management Office (DMO) is once again offering 2-year Federal Government-backed Savings Bonds which will be due March 10, 2023, at 5.181% per annum and a 3-year Federal Government Savings Bond due on March 10, 2024, at 6.181% per annum.

This announcement which was made in February was reiterated by Director- General DMO, Mrs Patience Oniha through the organisation’s Twitter handle @DMONigeria

The subscription opened on March 1, 2021, and will close on March 5, 2021. Units of Sale include N1,000 per unit with a minimum subscription of N5,000 and a maximum subscription of N50,000,000. Interest payments will be made quarterly.

Suzan O/ DMO Website

Minister mourns Veteran Broadcaster

Confidence Okwuchi
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Nigeria’s  Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has mourned the demise of Mr. Sadiq Daba, describing him as an iconic thespian/broadcaster and a giant of his time.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister said the death of Mr. Daba was a huge loss to the entertainment industry and the nation in general.

He lauded the pioneering role of the deceased, along with his contemporaries, in nurturing the Nigerian movie industry to its present towering status as the second largest movie industry in the world.

Alhaji Mohammed recalled his attendance of the premiere of the Nollywood/Nigerian Air Force movie, Eagle Wings, in which Mr. Daba made a cameo appearance in spite of his health challenges.

He said the deceased was a role model, who created a path for many movie stars who rose from obscurity to stardom.

He condoled with the family of the deceased, as well as his colleagues and the movie industry in general, urging them to take solace in the fact that his legacy is assured because of his monumental success in his chosen fields.

He prayed to God to grant repose to the soul of the deceased and to give his family the courage to bear the irreparable loss.

Confidence Okwuchi

“Nigeria’s Global Security Index must improve”- President Buhari

Nneka Oyibo Ukachukwu
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President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS to improve surveillance and control around the nation’s borders, and “ensure that criminal elements don’t find Nigeria as a safe haven to hide and perpetrate their criminality.’’

President Buhari, in his speech on Thursday, at the virtual Commissioning Ceremony of the Nigeria NIS Technology Building, also instructed all security agencies to raise their performance in protecting lives and property, with a mandate that the country’s Global Security Index must be improved.

“It is imperative that our ranking in the Global Security Index improves and I am using this medium to call on all security agencies to step up their activities towards achieving this goal. I assure you that the administration will give the much-needed support to you in your operations,’’ he said.

The President urged the NIS to collaborate with International Security Organizations like INTERPOL in safeguarding the borders.

“As a security agency, I charge you to be relentless in carrying out your statutory duties of keeping our borders safe while you ensure that criminal elements don’t find Nigeria as a safe haven to hide and perpetrate their criminality.

I urge you to actively collaborate with International Security Organizations like the INTERPOL, in safeguarding our borders. Remember that a safe border is a prerequisite for a safe Nation.

You must develop strong working relationships and ties with the international community and friendly nations as it relates to migration management; adopt and implement workable strategies from them while also sharing your best practices.

Frontline workers and operators should remember that they are our windows to the world. They must show the best face of Nigeria at all times,’’ the President added.

The President commended the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, for consistently pushing for the completion of the Technology Building, which will serve as the Command and Control Centre of the NIS, as well as the repository of personal data of Nigerians and expatriates resident in Nigeria.

“This is in line with the vision of our administration to formulate and implement policies that will protect and enhance the lives and standards of living for Nigerians.

This administration is relentless in its avowed desire to create an enabling business environment that will usher in economic boom for Nigerians and all those who do business with and in Nigeria,’’ he said.

President Buhari also congratulated all officers and men of the NIS for their dedication and work towards changing into a World Class Migration Management Agency.

Temporary Challenges
The Minister of Interior assured that the security challenges facing the country were temporal and surmountable, pointing out that the “weakest link’’ had been the land borders and the Technology Building will play a pivotal role in control of illegal migration.

Aregbesola noted that the Visa-on-Arrival policy of the Federal Government gets proper documentation of all entrants and sharing with international security structures to ensure tight surveillance and compliance, while announcing a review period of stay from 90 days to 30 days.

He said 50% of all immigration personnel will now work at the borders of the country.

The Comptroller General of NIS, Muhammed Babandede said the Technology Building remains the best project the service had ever initiated and completed since it was established in 1958.

He said the deployment of technology from the Control Room will optimize intelligence, ensure that no passport lost, stolen or re-issued can be presented in any part of the world and enhance synchronization and virtual sharing of information with other security outfits, both local and international.

The Minister and Immigration boss thanked President Buhari for approving the project in 2018 and following up with the completion of all phases of the Technology Building.

 

Nneka Ukachukwu

Lagos government, others welcome launch of China-Africa Business Council

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other dignitaries have welcomed the commissioning of three offices by the China-Africa Business Council (CABC) in the state.

According to Diana Chen; the CABC representative who spoke at the event, the newly unveiled offices are; China – Africa Business Council, Nigeria; Belt & Road Service Connections Centre; and Belt & Road Mediation Centre.

The three offices, which are the first of its offices in Africa are aimed to enhance the cooperation between Nigerian and Chinese companies.

At the Choice International Group Headquarters in Victoria Island Lagos, Chen said, “The purpose of setting up a representative office in Lagos is to develop the membership of not only the Chinese enterprises but also enterprises that are looking for business opportunities and investment in China.”

She also hinted that they aimed to enhance the cooperation between Nigerian and Chinese companies into a more integrated and efficient platform.

“We also want to increase the number of reliable, high performing and high-quality Nigerian companies joining the council’s office in Nigeria,” she expressed.

According to her, CABC, which is headquartered in China, is also on the quest to incorporate Nigerian companies as members with their representative office in Nigeria.

Others present at the unveiling included the Consul-General of the PRC in Nigeria, Mr Chu Maoming.

Suzan O/ VANG

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