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Lagos state Govt To Sanction Travellers Evading COVID-19 Test

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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A warning has been issued out to Incoming passengers who shun the Federal Government’s guidelines against COVID-19.

The Lagos State government issued the warning recently in a statement jointly signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, and the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi.

It explained that this was necessary to protect residents against the fatal effects of the reversal of the gains made against the pandemic, which are loss of lives, livelihood, and economic hardship.

“It has been reported severally through notification from Port Health Services, NCDC, the Lagos State Biobank and Accredited Private Laboratories carrying out COVID-19 tests that inbound passengers arriving Nigeria are breaching the COVID-19 protocols.

We have on good authority that some passengers, having registered and paid for COVID-19 test have failed to report to assigned private laboratories after completion of their seven days isolation,” the statement said.

It added, “Some incoming passengers even failed to register and pay for the test altogether whilst making their journey to the country in total disregard and breach of the safety protocols.

“Likewise, a large number of international passengers provided wrong information and contact details while registering online, making it difficult for them to be reached, traced, or contacted by our logistics team.”

According to the government, the action of such people is worrisome and portends danger for public health and safety as the populace stands the risk of infecting unsuspecting patients.

It stated that it would not fold its arms and watch the gains made against the disease to be reversed by the irresponsibility of those who choose to flagrantly disregard COVID-19 guidelines.

The government said it was ready to take action against people who flout the protocols, noting that it has reported the trends to the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

It added that the PTF has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to take action against travelers who breach the travel protocols and guidelines.

“The Federal Government through the Immigration Service is compiling names and passport numbers of returned passengers who are yet to present themselves for the PCR test.

“We wish to advise those who fall within this category to rethink their decision and present themselves for the test within one week to avoid deactivation of their passport,” the statement said.

COVID-19 Vaccine: WHO Warns Against Complacency

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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As many nations gear up for a massive rollout of vaccines to tackle surging Covid-19 infections, The World Health Organization has warned that vaccines will be no magic bullet for the coronavirus crisis.

The word of caution comes as the United States notched a record number of Covid-19 cases for a second day in a row, with the country preparing for what US President-elect Joe Biden has called a “dark winter”.

The Universal face mask use was also recently recommended by America’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Biden said he would scale down his January inauguration ceremony to mitigate the virus risk.

It comes as countries prepare for the approval and rollout of several vaccines that have proven effective in trials.

The WHO however warned against vaccine complacency on Friday and what it said was an erroneous belief that the Covid-19 crisis is over with jabs on the horizon.

“Vaccines do not equal zero Covid,” said WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan, adding that not everyone will be able to receive it early next year.

“Vaccination will add a major, major, powerful tool to the tool kit that we have. But by themselves, they will not do the job.”

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also said that progress on vaccines signaled “light at the end of the tunnel.”

But he cautioned against the “growing perception that the pandemic is over” with the virus still spreading fast, putting enormous pressure on hospitals and health care workers.

The WHO says 51 candidate vaccines are currently being tested on humans, with 13 reaching final-stage mass testing.

Britain on Wednesday became the first Western country to approve an inoculation, from Pfizer-BioNTech, for general use, piling pressure on other countries to swiftly follow suit.

The United States is expected to give a green light later this month.

Belgium, France, and Spain have said jabs will begin in January for the most vulnerable.

With the imminent arrival of vaccines that need storage at ultra-low temperatures, US companies are preparing for a massive logistical effort to aid their distribution.

Firms specializing in insulating containers are on a war footing after Pfizer and BioNTech said their vaccine needs to be stored at -94 degrees Fahrenheit (-70 Celsius).

Meat processing giant Smithfield said it was ready to put the cold rooms at its abattoirs at the disposal of rollout operations.

And US logistics giant UPS is producing 1,100 pounds (500 kilograms) of dry ice an hour in its depots and has developed portable freezers capable of storing the vaccines at temperatures down to -112 Fahrenheit.

Standing in the way of success are growing signs of vaccine skepticism, with misinformation and mistrust coloring public acceptance of inoculation.

Several high-profile figures have pledged to receive the vaccine in public in an effort to build confidence, including Biden, Tedros, and former US presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.

The United States recorded 225,000 new infections on Friday — the second daily record in a row for the world’s worst-hit nation.

Biden said the surging number of cases meant he would scale back his inauguration ceremony set for January.

“We’re going to follow the science and the recommendations of the experts,” Biden told reporters.

“So it’s highly unlikely there’ll be a million people on the mall.”

More than 65 million people have contracted Covid-19 globally with the death toll from the disease topping 1.5 million.

British medical chiefs said the arrival of a vaccine should see deaths reduce “significantly” by early next year but warned social mixing over Christmas could cause another spike before then.

“By spring the effects of vaccination will begin to be felt in reducing Covid admissions, attendances, and deaths significantly but there are many weeks before we get to that stage,” they said.

Italy is seeing a dramatic resurgence of infections after it largely tamped down an earlier outbreak by enforcing a strict lockdown, while Latin America and the Caribbean have seen an 18 percent spike in cases in a week.

Other countries are unveiling holiday restrictions, with Switzerland banning Christmas caroling in the streets and Madrid canceling most New Year events in the city centre.

 

Army decorates promoted Senior Officers

Emmanuel Ukoh
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The Nigerian Army has decorated 39 Major Generals out of the 136 newly promoted Senior Officers.

The Acting General Officer Commanding, 7 Division, Maiduguri, Major General Kalif Ibrahim and the Acting General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Sokoto, Major General  Aminu Bande are among the officers decorated in Abuja.
In his remarks, the Minister of Defence, Retired Major General Bashir Magashi, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the ceremony advised the senior officers to maintain hard work, loyalty and dedication to the service of the nation.
One of the newly promoted Major General being decorated by the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai

 

 

He reminded the Senior officers that a greater responsibility has been placed on them with the promotion. He also charged them to make more sacrifices while redoubling their efforts in the discharge of their duties in the midst of security challenges.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, in his remarks said ensuring the welfare of the troops, is one of his major priorities while urging the promoted generals to do their best to protect the country within the rules of engagement.
The Army Chief warned that the authority would not tolerate any form of indiscipline and disloyalty.
“I challenge you to maintain state of fitness and be ready to show fitness in leading your troops and also pay attention to the welfare of your subordinates. There is much work to be done and some of you are in the theatre of operation while some of you can also find yourselves there,” he said.
The Chief of Policy and Plans,  Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun, advised the officers to be firm in making decisions  and to take mentoring of young officers seriously .
The Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai decorating another of the newly promoted senior officers
Speaking Earlier, the Chief of Administration, , Major General Usman Yakubu, said it is in view of hard work, and competence that the Army council approved the promotion of the 39 Brigadier Generals to Major Generals.
Among Officers promoted from the Rank of Colonels to Brigadier Generals is the Current Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sagir Musa.

Population commission seeks support of Traditional Rulers in its enumeration exercise

Emmanuel Ukoh
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The National Population Commission, NPC, has sought for the support of traditional rulers in Kwara State for the success of its coming enumeration and demarcation exercise in the three local government areas in the state where the exercise will take place by December this year.
The Commissioner for the Commission in Kwara State, Rasaq Gidado made the plea at a meeting with the traditional rulers in Irepodun, Ekiti and Oke-Ero Local Government Areas of the Kwara South where the exercise will take place.
Speaking at the palace of the Olupo of Ajasse-Ipo, Oba Sikiru Atanda Sanni Woleola the second, Gidado said the coming enumeration and demarcation exercise is not the proper census but the  foundation to build census on.
“We know the importance of having support of the traditional rulers and the people of the communities in our activities and as a result of that, we are here to intimate you and seek for your support for the coming enumeration and demarcation exercise that will begin on 19th of December 2020 to 20th of January 2021”
“The enumeration and demarcation is an exercise that is always carried out by the National Population Commission,  ahead of the general census” he explained.
 The NPC boss therefore implored the royal fathers to give members of  staff of the commission that will be out for the assignment  all the necessary support most especially in the area of security.
He also disclosed that the community will have the privilege of presenting a representative that will be taking the people around the various communities in a particular area.
National Population Commission staff with members of the community

 

 

While addressing the traditional rulers from Oke-Ero and Ekiti Local Government Areas gathered at Oke-Ero Local Government headquarters in Iloffa, the Commissioner disclosed that the commission no longer relies on pen and paper for its work but now explore technology in areas of Satelite imagery and Geographical Informatiom System.
The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba AbdulRaheem Adeoti at his palace in Omu-Aran, also declared support for the commission.
However, he  said one of the major problems the country is facing is lack of proper data of people that are living in a particular area which according to him, had made it difficult for the government to cater for its citizens
The monarch disclosed that the exercise is long overdue, and promised to give adequate support to the workers of the commission that will be deployed to his domain for the exercise.
In continuation of the advocacy, the commission also visited groups of Royal Fathers at the Palace of Olosi of Osi, Oba (Alhaji) Salihu Abdulkareem Adasofegbe who is the Chairman of Traditional rulers in Ekiti Local Government Area.
Addressing the monarchs,  the NPC Federal Commissioner, intimated them on the reason for the visit and sought for their unflinching support for the workers of the commission that will be visiting their domains for the exercise.
Gidado, also disclosed that the commission will commence training for the workers that will be deployed  for the exercise on the 10th of December in the state.
Similar advocacy visit had earlier been held in five local government areas in the state namely Edu, Patigi, Ilorin South, Isin and Oyun.

TETFund targets N500b education tax collection in 2021

Confidence Okwuchi
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By, Temitope Mustapha, Abuja

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, has set a target of N500 billion education tax collection for the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, in 2021.

The Chairman, TETFund Board of Trustees,  Alhaji Kashim Imam disclosed this at the 2020 TETFund/FIRS Joint Interactive Forum in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Imam said the new target was necessary as the number of beneficiary public institutions has risen to 226.

Imam said the fund was on course to surpass the N277 billion mark set for 2020, that as at September, education tax collection had already hit N251 billion, and that the figure could rise up to N300 billion by the end of December 2020.

“I am happy to report that for about two to three years now we have been in the region of N250 billion. TETFund’s budget for this year was N250 billion; for this year, TETFund  gave the Federal Inland Revenue Service a target of N277 billion for the year 2020. We are very much on course not only to actualise that target but to surpass that target.

 “As at the end of September, collection was in the region of N251 billion; if we are lucky, we may actually hit N300 billion by 31st of December.

 ‘We have set a new target already for 2021 and that target is the sun of N500 billion. Considering the magnitude of the challenges facing tertiary education in Nigeria, we cannot afford to do less,” he explained.

Speaking on the theme of the forum titled, “New Trust in Sustaining the EDT Collection During Covid-19 Pandemic for Effective Service Delivery of the Mandate of the Fun,” he said TETFund was not comfortable with just sustaining collection as each year the fund makes effort to ensure improvement in its tax collection.

Imam noted that the fund has interacted with the Federal Inland Revenue Service over the 2021 target and FIRS made commitment toward meeting the N500 billion mark set by TETFund.

“The partnership between TETFund and FIRS is one that is made in heaven. And it hass worked effectively in the past nine years in addressing lunch, all the problems of tertiary institutions across the country,” he stated.

Impact more, Achieve More
He assured that TETFund’s Board of Trustees was determined to do more and prove that public agencies can deliver services to the people with integrity, that the fund was determined to impact more and achieve more.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Muhammad Nami, said TETFund and FIRS have forged a relationship that has endured for 27 years since an act was enacted establishing the education tax fund.

Nami, who was represented by the FIRS Director in charge of Ondo, Ekiti and Kwara, Mr Ishola Akingbode, said the agency moved from zero tax activities to perform greatly in 2013, that the collection for 2020 will exceed what was collected previously.

He said a lot of modalities are put in place to ensure seamless collection of the 2 per cent education tax collection, and that despite being a difficult year, FIRS has put machinery in place to ensure that taxes are collected.

Increase Drive for Education Tax Collection
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Prof Suleiman Bogoro, stressed the need to increase the drive for education tax collection as the Covid-19 pandemic has affected economic activities and could likely effect education tax.

Bogoro said since 2013, when education tax collection rose to N279 billion, FIRS has been striving to achieve the annual 2 per cent education tax collections.

Represented by the Director Finance, TETFund, Alhaji Idris Saidu, the TETFund boss noted that over the years, the fund has performed creditably well notwithstanding the increased number of institutions and limited resources.

He said the fund was taking practical steps to put the nation on a revolutionary path of a knowledge-based economy by ensuring increase of the national research fund to N7.5, establishment of 12 centres of excellence and inauguration of a standing Committee on R&D to facilitate and accelerate the outcome of research.

The TETFund team also took time to tour TETFund projects at University of Ilorin, Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin, Nigerian Army College of Education, Ilorin, and Kwara State University Malete .

 

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Human Rights Commission calls for decriminalisation of petty offences

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By Peter Bahago, Abuja

The National Human Rights Commission in Nigeria has called on governments in Africa to consider the use of non-custodial actions as alternatives to conventional sentencing,

The commission says that petty offences should not attract any form of sentencing.

Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Tony Ojukwu stated this in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital during a consultative meeting on Road map for the Development of Action Plan on Decriminalisation of petty offences in Africa.

The consultative meeting which was organised in collaboration with the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions, NANHRI, is aimed at galvanising critical stakeholders to discuss issues of decriminalisation of petty offences in the African Region.

Minor Offences
In a statement by the  Assistant Director Public Affairs of the Commission, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed,  the Chief Human Rights Officer noted that most of the awaiting trial inmates in our correctional centers in Africa are arrested for minor offences like begging, hawking, loitering, failure to pay debts amongs others.

He said a good number of such inmates have been held in custody for longer than necessary, in flagrant violation of their human rights as guaranteed by the African Charter of Human and People’s Rights.

“I therefore called on key stakeholders in the criminal justice system to be committed in pushing for best practices in the administration of criminal justice, bearing in mind that petty offences have a strong link with poverty as well as social and economic issues that affect the dignity of the human person,” he said.

Reforms in Correctional Service Centers
He reiterated that the National Human Rights Commission in Nigeria, as a key stakeholder in the criminal justice system has been involved in initiatives geared towards reforms in correctional service centers in the county and that it will continue to highlight and push for more initiative and best practices in the criminal justice system.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, House Committee on Human Rights in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Mr. John Dyegh, represented by his Deputy, Mr. Kawu Simon Elisha, stated that petty offences grossly violate the rights and freedom of the perpetrators.

He said the degree of offences are not sufficient for confinement in correctional centers or restriction of movement whatsoever.

According to the Lawmaker, “sensitisation of law enforcement agencies as well as correctional service personnel on offences sufficient for arrest in order to reduce prison congestion is necessary.”

Speaking on behalf of NANHRI, the Programme Officer NANRI, Phanice Akinyi Odhacha stated that her organisation has a great interest in decriminalisation of petty offences in Africa.

She was also optimistic of major reforms in the justice system, saying that the commission is empowered to champion the course.

 

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Minister urges Broadcast Stations to Tell Nigerian Narrative 

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By Solomon Chung, Ogbomosho

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has challenged the Nigerian broadcast media to take the lead in telling the Nigerian story in order to guard against distortion of facts by a section of the foreign media.

The Minister gave the challenge in Oko, Oyo State, while commissioning the 89.3 FM Station of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria on Saturday.

“Please permit me to use the occasion of this commissioning to challenge broadcast media in Nigeria to take the lead in telling the Nigerian story, especially by informing the people about the various projects of government and their impact on the people.

“A situation in which foreign broadcast stations arrogate to themselves the power to tell our own story gives room for distortion of facts, the type of which we saw recently when CNN reported that 38 people were killed at the Lekki Toll Gate during the EndSARS crisis, only to backtrack and review the number to one – after 35 days of what it called exclusive investigation,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed noted that had the local broadcast media lived up to their billing, CNN would have relied on them for news about EndSARS in particular and other happenings in Nigeria, in general.

He stressed that the broadcast media would have saved Nigeria from the one-sided, unfair, unbalanced and jaundiced narrative that CNN foisted on the world under the guise of exclusive investigation.

“A situation in which the local media will rely and quote a foreign broadcast media, for an event that happened in Nigeria, is an anomaly. It has to stop,” hthe minister said.

While quoting a website www.lifelineenergy.org, to underscore the critical role of radio in public communication in particular, the Minister said ”radio goes where newer technologies can’t. – Beyond electricity, beyond a mobile signal, beyond literacy. It’s the most effective way of delivering information in remote corners where having the right knowledge can mean the difference between a harvest and hunger, between feeling confident or humiliated, or even between life and death.”

He commended the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Value, Mr. Olusegun Odebunmi, for initiating the project, adding that this is the first time ever that a Federal Lawmaker is initiating the construction and equipping of a radio station as his constituency project.

Alhaji Mohammed implored the people of Oko and its environs to take ownership of the radio Station, guard it jealously and ensure its viability.

In his remarks, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Value, Mr. Odebunmi, said information is power but that it will be less effective without the means to transmit it in order to counter fake news and hate speech that are threatening the peace and unity of the country and the world in general.

The Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Mansur Liman, and the management staff of the Corporation, traditional rulers as well as religious and community leaders attended the inauguration of the radio station.

The Minister and Mr. Odebunmi were the first guests to feature on the live discussion programme on 89.3 FM ‘Ogo Ilu’ station

 

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Government to revive major Power Projects in Abia

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By Golfa Franccis

The Nigerian Government has strategies to reactivate and complete three major Power projects, located in Abia Northern senatorial district in the first quarter of next year.

Minister of Power, Sale Mamman who gave the assurance said that the 2×30/40MVA substations 132 KVA transmission lines, which are located in Arochukwu, Ohafia and Ubur-Ihechiowa were awarded since 2001 but abandoned more than ten years ago at about ninety five percent completion.

Mamman during an inspection visit to the three projects, expressed disbelief that such projects would be abandoned at such levels, pledged that the contracts would be reviewed and rewarded for immediate completion.

He noted that the Power projects were of immense importance to the people because they would not only boast their electricity supply but give room for expansion to cover the entire Abia Senatorial district.

The Minister who was accompanied on the inspection by Senator Orji Uzo Kalu of Abia North, addressed crowds at the project locations that their long wait was over.

Both Senators Kalu and leaders of the host communities expressed appreciation for the Minister’s visit.

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Tigray crisis: “Continued fighting delays aid” – UN

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The UN says continued fighting in many parts of Ethiopia’s Tigray region is hindering efforts to deliver aid.

Millions of people are said to be running out of food and medicines.

UN officials said there was still no access on Friday, despite a deal allowing “unimpeded” humanitarian access to government-controlled areas.

The military entered the regional capital Mekelle last weekend and said the month-long conflict with forces of the TPLF group was over.

Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed in the fighting with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced, with a wave of refugees fleeing into Sudan.

Spokesman for the UN’s humanitarian co-ordination office, Saviano Abreu, said “we have reports of fighting still going on in many parts of Tigray. This is concerning and it’s a complex situation for us.”

On Wednesday, the UN announced it had reached an agreement to deliver aid in areas of Tigray that were government-controlled.

But as of Friday, security assessments were still being conducted and reports said aid was not expected to arrive before next week.

“We have been granted this access, this agreement with the federal government. But we also have to have the same kind of agreement with all parties to the conflict to make sure we actually have unconditional free access to Tigray”, Mr Abreu said.

Thousands in need of aid
Among those in need of urgent aid are some 96,000 refugees who fled persecution and compulsory military service in neighbouring Eritrea and have been living in camps in Tigray.

Their camps are believed to be running out of food. There are also unconfirmed reports of attacks and abductions.

Head of the UN refugee agency in Ethiopia,  Ann Encontre, said it was urgently trying to get food, medicines and other supplies to the refugees, and assess “very grim” reports on the security of the camps.

“We’ve heard of deaths of refugees, we’ve heard of some being forced into conscription. We’ve heard of abductions,” she said.

Communications blackouts since the start of the fighting have made it difficult to verify such reports.

 

Nneka Ukachukwu/BBC

Defence Ministry commissions Research and development Bureau

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By Martha Obi, Abuja

The Nigerian Defence Minister has commissioned the Defence Research and Development Bureau  Complex in Abuja to facilitate security strategies in restoring lasting peace in the country.

Major General Bashir while commissioning the complex said“Bureau is the key driver in employment of unique and modern techniques on the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria”.

General Bashir said the research and development have shown capacity to generate technical solutions of efficient quantities skills that would help Armed Forces to tackle security challenges facing the country.

He explained that this was a landmark achievement as the Nigeria Armed Forces commissioned a permanent Defence Research and Development Bureau Office Complex in Abuja.

The Nigerian Minister of Defence, Retired Major General Bashir  Magashi said “this would help in confronting several operational challenges in the country”.

He said he was impressed by the progress made by the Bureau within a short period of existence as far as security is concerned.

The Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin said “provision of befitting office accommodation for the personnel remains top priority for Defence Headquarters especially with the envision of positive inputs”.

He added that it would enable the Bureau to conduct and coordinate research activities effectively.

The Director General Defence Research and Development Bureau, Air Vice Marshal Onyebuchi Osahor said the Bureau has witnessed support and progress within three years of its existence.

He said “the mission of the Bureau mission is to provide strategic direction for self-reliance in defence and security needs through research and development”.

Many dignitaries were in attendance, the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Yusuf Tukur Buratai, and Members of the National Assembly among others.

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