Enugu govt. sets up emergency response plan to mitigate flooding

By Stanley Nwanosike

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State says the state has set up an emergency response plan to mitigate any incident of flooding.

Ugwuanyi made this known in Enugu on Wednesday while receiving a delegation of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) who were in the state on flood advocacy visit.

The NEMA delegation also paid a similar advocacy visit to the 103 Battalion Akwunanaw in Enugu, which had been designated the Disaster Response Unit (DRU) of the state.

Ugwuanyi was represented by the Executive Secretary of Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mrs Nkechi Eneh.

He said the state had received tremendous human and material support from NEMA in the areas of capacity building, training and relief materials.

The governor said that the state recorded cases of flooding yearly with huge negative impacts.

Ugwuanyi said that the state was also aware of the 2020 flooding as predicted by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMeT).

As part of the ongoing implementation of the states emergency response plan to mitigate flooding and its devastating impact; we have engaged council chairmen and various chairmen of the Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) to embark on the following:

Organize flood sensitization campaign in communities most likely to be impacted and we have engaged in massive desilting of drainages to allow free flow of water.

Put in place mechanism and sensitization to discourage dumping of refuse inside water channels and removal of water hyacinths or weeds from water channels to allow free flow of water, he said.

Ugwuanyi also noted that the state Ministry of Health was already working on mechanisms to prevent public health hazards from flooding by providing emergency drugs for women and children affected by flooding.

These include mass immunization of children in the 10 council areas predicted to be impacted by NIHSA through Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA).

Another is the acquisition of mobile toilets through the state Ministry of Environment, he said.

The governor thanked NEMA for the advocacy visit and engagement, and urged the agency to do more for the state.

He said more should be done especially as it concerned relief for the 2018 Uzo-Uwani council area flooding, which affected 3,500 hectares of farmlands with 2,500 persons displaced.

Also speaking, Lt.-Col. Yusuf Salisu, Commanding Officer of 103 Battalion, Akwunanaw, assured NEMA that officers and men of the command were ready to attend to any emergency when called upon.

Earlier, the Director-General (DG)of NEMA, AVM Muhammadu Muhammed (Rtd), called on the state to activate all contingency and emergency flood plans especially sensitization and preparation of all stakeholders.

Muhammed was represented by Mr James Eze, NEMA Team Leader of the advocacy visit.

He urged the state government to take proactive flood mitigation plans like opening of drains and waterways and massive flood sensitization campaigns in communities.

The NEMA DG also urged the government to identify high grounds and appeal to its residents in lowland and flood plains to relocate to such places as well as open effective communication between it and NEMA.

There is a need to stock SEMA warehouses to enable swift reaction to supply food and non-food items to Internally Displaced Persons prior to NEMA and other stakeholders intervention, he said.

NAN reports that in Enugu State, council areas prone to high risk of flooding include Enugu East, Udi, Nsukka, Enugu North, Enugu South and Oji-River.

Council areas that have low flooding risk are Igbo-Etiti. Ezeagu, Uzo-Uwani and Nkanu East. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Sheyi Makinde

By David Adeoye

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Wednesday, inuagurated the construction of 360 units of houses at Ajoda New Town Housing Estate in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the project, which is Public Private Partnership in collaboration with Remax Realtors Limited, will cost N2.5 billion.

The housing units consist of 2-bedroom semi-detached, 3-bedroom semi-detached and 3-bedroom detached.

Speaking at the occasion, Makinde said the project was in fulfilment of one of his campaign promises.

Those who have taken time to study our Roadmap for Accelerated Development in Oyo State, 2019-2023, would have come across our promise to facilitate private sector driven housing delivery through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives.

The government, through the Oyo State Housing Corporation (OYSHC), is providing 13 hectares of land for the scheme, while the developer will solely finance the entire project.

The project will cost N2.5 billion and, upon completion, the developers will recoup their finances when the houses are sold.

We have seen the wisdom of getting developers to commit to projects by using their own monies to carry them out.

Some people may wonder why we are starting off in Ibadan Zone.

Well, the need for an affordable housing scheme in Oyo State is clearly evident.

Statistics show that the population of the capital city has been growing at over two per cent since 2018 with a peak of over 2.5 per cent in 2020.

So, half of the population of Oyo State live in Ibadan zone.

But that the project is starting in Ibadan zone, does not mean that it will end here.

Our plan is to replicate these housing units in other parts of Oyo state in the shortest possible time, Makinde said.

He assured the people of the state that the Ajoda New Town scheme of the state government and other housing schemes under the supervision of OYSHC across the state would be fully revived.

He called on all interested members of the public, who were desirous of buying land in any of the government schemes, to approach the appropriate government agencies for that purpose.

Earlier, the Chairman of the corporation, Chief Bayo Lawal, said OYSHCs mission was to provide site and services, undertake provision and development of residential, commercial and industrial estates to members of the public has remained the guiding principle of the corporation.

He said that the flagging off of the construction of the estate was another giant step by the Makindes administration to ensure that people have access to decent accommodation at affordable prices.

He called on other prospective investors to collaborate with the corporation to make accommodation accessible.

He said that the corporation had adequate land in all the nooks and crannies of the state and called on indigenes of the various communities, where the corporation estates were domiciled, to partner with the corporation for speedy development of the estates.

He also use the opportunity to invite individuals, who were desirous of owning land for either residential, commercial or industrial development, to approach the corporation.

In her welcome address, the Managing Director of Remax Realtors Limited, Mrs Adefunke Adesoji, said the 360 units of houses would be ready in the next nine months.

Adesoji implored the governor to encourage civil/public servants to buy from the houses.

Highlight of the occasion was the turning of the sod by for the commencement of the construction works by the governor. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

AU calls for development of digital skills for African teachers in post COVID-19

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The African Union (AU) has called for development of digital skills in teachers across Africa, especially in post COVID-19 period to ensure dynamism in learning at all levels.

Prof. Sarah Agbor, Commissioner, AU Human Resources, Science and Technology, made the call at the first phase of webinar to celebrate the International Literacy Day of the Year in Sub-Saharan Africa on Wednesday.

The celebration was organised by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) offices in Abuja, Dakar, Harare, Nairobi and Yaound in collaboration with the International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA).

The meeting focused on policy dialogue on innovative methodologies for youth, adult literacy programmes in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, as well as the role of educators.

The 2020 theme is: Literacy, Teaching and Learning: The Role of Educators and Pedagogical Changes.

Agbor explained that with the increase in remote learning, the role of educators needed to be examined now and during post COVID-19 era, to ensure that quality education was delivered.

She said that technology was driving the means of education and learning in the pandemic era, hence the need for teachers to get skilled digitally.

The roles of educators are influenced in the way of remuneration because job motivation should also ensure satisfaction.

Teachers need to be skilled digitally and their capacity developed to teach with the right infrastructure post COVID-19 era.

Teachers also need to get acquainted with the cognitive socialisation of school children because they play a major role in their early lives, she said.

The commissioner also said that AU was focusing on developing strategic policies, frameworks to foster education, encourage youth engagement.

She mentioned that the policies included Agenda 2063, 50 years set of initiatives proposed and being implemented by AU, the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024 and continental strategy on youth entrepreneurship, innovation and employment.

Ms Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education, UNESCO, regretted that about 235 million children from primary to tertiary level had been denied access to learning due to COVID-19.

Giannini stated that some children on the continent could not access education prior to COVID-19 due to conflicts and human engineered problems but the pandemic had provided opportunity for a change.

She said that some African countries were taking steps to modify means of learning through online platforms.

The assistant director general said that literacy educators were not frequently on the spotlight, adding that there would be no progress in education without adequate attention to teachers.

Teachers need to be projected to ensure achieving Sustainable Development Goal four.

UNESCO will ensure continued collaboration with AU to promote continental education platforms in Africa.

We are focusing on 29 countries facing literacy challenges and we will continue to proffer solutions, policies to support educators, she said.

According to her, lets make literacy first important step to create acceptance, resilience and ensure development especially in the COVID-19 period.

Mr Mamadou Sow, Officer In Charge, UNESCO Regional Office, Abuja, hoped that African countries would adopt the Literacy Strategy of November 2019 to promote education on the continent.

Mrs Awut Acuil, Minister of General Education, South Sudan, said there was need for increased investment in education by government and development partners for inclusive literacy.

Some Non-Governmental Organisations like Just Commit Foundation, Ghana, Tabitha Kumi Foundation, Nigeria who were being supported by UNESCO gave testimonies of their interventions toward delivering literacy in their localities.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Minister of Youth and Sports development, Mr Sunday Dare

By Franca Ofili

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Tuesday in Abuja urged all state governments to ensure a return of the state sports festivals.

Dare, while receiving Daniel Igali, the Bayelsa Commissioner of Youths and Sports who paid him a courtesy visit, said the state sports festivalswould enhance the competitive level of Nigerian athletes.

He lamented the fact that most states have in the last 15 years completely stopped holding their sports festivals.

If the sports festival is done as expected, it will increase the competitiveness of our athletes, Dare said.

He congratulated Bayelsa on its forthcoming state sports festival, and assured thatthe ministry would ensure the proper development of sports at the grassroots.

Dare disclosed that the ministry had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the state over the upgrading of the Sports Academy at Asoama.

The ministry will ensure that the academy spots and grooms young talents for the country.

I think it will go a long way to accelerate and deepen sports development in this country, he said.

Dare thanked the state government for its effort in encouraging grassroots sports development in the state.

The minister also noted that the wrestling sport was one of the countrys hopes for medals at international competitions.

He then urged Igali, who is an Olympic champion in the sport, to use his talent to bring up other wrestlersto enable the sport win more medals for Nigeria.

Bayelsa is the wrestling theatre of Africa, and this had made Nigeria stand tall in the medals category in various international sports competitions, Dare said.

He also promised that the ministry would support Igali to seek nomination to be a member of theUnited World Wrestling Bureau.

While speaking, Igali pointed out that Bayelsa had been home for the national wrestling team for the past 10 years.

He appreciated the minister for his efforts to help boost sports in the state, saying the wrestling theatre under construction was nearly completion.

The commissioner then called for collaboration with the ministry ashe seeks to be nominated into the world wrestling bureau.

From history, Nigeria has not had any person who contested to be a member of the body, he said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

EFCC, key player in preserving democratic governance in Nigeria official

By Desmond Ejibas

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is now in custody of Felix Okpoh, who was declared wanted by the U.S Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) over alleged fraud.

Okpoh is wanted by FBI for alleged involvement in a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scheme that allegedly defrauded more than 70 different businesses in the United States of six million dollars (N2.79 billion).

A spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, that Okpoh turned himself in to the anti-graft agency on Sept. 18.

Okpoh, alongside Richard Uzuh, Alex Ogunshakin, Abiola Kayode and Nnamdi Benson were declared wanted by the FBI sometime in 2019.

They allegedly defrauded over 70 businesses in the United States, of over six million dollars, he said.

Uwujaren said that Okpoh allegedly provided over 40 bank accounts and conspired with others to receive fraudulent wire transfers from their victims totaling over one million US dollars.

Okpoh was, on Aug. 21, 2019, indicted in the United States District Court, District of Nebraska, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

He turned himself in to EFCC Lagos Zonal Office in the company of his parents on Sept. 18, 2020, he stated.

Source: NAN News

BY Desmond Ejibas

The Nigerian Navy has deployed troops on board six warships, including 60 gunboats, in a special military exercise to tackle pirates, oil smugglers and other criminalities in the nations waters.

Rear Adm. David Adeniran, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, announced the deployment at the flag-off of the exercise in Onne, Rivers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the operation was code-named, Exercise Sanga Sung, meaning Safe Transit in Ibibio dialect.

Adeniran said that the two-day exercise, aimed at consolidating on similar Exercises Bekan Mmon I and II, would hold on the territorial waters of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi and Rivers states, under the ENC.

Exercise Sanga Sung is one of the numerous operational engagements that the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) is currently undertaking to safeguard the nations maritime environment.

The purpose of the exercise is to check the state of preparedness of our fleets and training of our personnel, said the naval chief.

He said that personnel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) would also participate in the exercise.

Others are the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Customs Service.

The other security agencies are participating in the exercise knowing that safety and security of our maritime environment cannot be provided by a single security agency.

Also, there are so many personnel involved in this exercise from our naval headquarters, Defence headquarters, Western Naval Command and Central Naval Command, among others.

However, physically on ground, we have six major ships that would be going out to sea as well as 60 gunboats participating in Exercise Sanga Sung,he added.

The FOC said that Operation Bekan Mmon conducted in 2018 and 2019 recorded successes, including the arrest of over 600 suspected oil thieves and pirates and the destruction of over 200 illegal refining sites.

According to him, no fewer than 11,000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil as well as over 15,000 metric tonnes of illegally refined diesel were recovered during the exercise.

In addition, we also intercepted and recovered about 25,000 bags of 50 kilogramme of par boiled rice during Exercise Bekan Mmon I and II.

So, going by the successes, it became imperative that we consolidate on the gains recorded with exercise Sanga Sung, the FOC added.

Adeniran called for the support of stakeholders to ensure a secured and peaceful maritime environment and warned criminals to desist from maritime crimes.

Source: NAN News

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the opening ceremony of the First Lagos State Ministerial Performance Review Retreat in Ikeja

By Florence Onuegbu

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday charged members of his cabinet and Lagos State Government officials to brace up for optimum performance.

Sanwo-Olu gave the charge during the closing of the two-day Ministerial Performance Review Retreat organised by the executive arm of the Lagos State Government.

He urged them to deploy their physical and mental resources to bringing the administrations development vision to reality.

According to him, Lagos possesses all that is required to attain Dubai development model.

He then urged the drivers of his administrations vision of Greater Lagos to be articulate and purposeful in the discharge of the tasks assigned to them.

Sanwo-Olu commended the cabinet members and heads of the state governments agencies for the progress recorded in the last one year.

He, however, said that peoples expectations of the administrations efforts were more than what had been achieved so far, hence, the need to brace for more work.

The governor urged the cabinet members and executives of the parastatals to deploy more resourcefulness to the implementation of policies and programmes designed to transform the lives of the residents and the states economy.

There are many takeaways from this two-day retreat which must energise us further to deliver on our goals and promises to the people.

But, one key thing we must take away from this exercise is the fact that we have sustained our attempts to transform Lagos and these efforts are being acknowledged by those who understand what development is all about.

We have many great actions and ideas we have implemented, which probably have not been properly communicated. Now we need to be smarter, more organised and articulate in the way we go about our programmes, so that our efforts can be more visible.

The Ministry of Information and Strategy and everyone that has strength in communication should begin to magnify these efforts and show the world how Lagos is changing, he said.

The governor said that in spite the slow pace of socio-economic activities across all sectors, which was occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, his administration would not give excuses to residents.

According to him, the virus would not derail his governments development agenda.

Sanwo-Olu charged all commissioners and special advisers to work together and exchange information for better service delivery.

We need to work together and share information with one another. This way, we articulate our successes and progress better, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigerian High Commission in Canada

By Harrison Arubu

The Nigerian High Commission in Canada says it will resume in-person immigration and consular services on Thursday.

This is coming six months after it shut its doors in compliance with the host countrys guidelines for the prevention of the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The reopening of the commission is contained in a statement, which indicates a number of rules that applicants must comply with to access the services.

However, it has been issuing Emergency Travel Certificates (ETC) and visas to applicants needing urgent travels, via email since then.

One of the guidelines required applicants to apply online and request for interview appointment through email.

Everyone coming to the chancery has to come in with face masks/covering and sanitise their hands.

You are also required to practice social distancing. These are public health measures put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19, it stated.

Warning against gate crashing, which is common at Nigerian missions abroad, the High Commission said only those with printed interview invitations would be attended to.

Canadian authorities are expanding restrictions on gatherings amid a surge in COVID-19 cases to unprecedented levels in the country since May.

According to its Public Health Agency, the North American country has reported a daily average of close to 1,000 infections within the last seven days.

Tally by John Hopkins University puts the countrys caseload at 148,411, including 9,283 deaths. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria will continue to partner with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and some countries to ensure accelerated development, manufacturing and uninhibited supply of safe and effective coronavirus vaccines to all.

Buhari stated this on Tuesday night while delivering Nigerias National Statement via video link on the first day of the 75th session of the Unted Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Debate.

The President pledged Nigerias commitment to working with member states in the spirit of global cooperation and solidarity to promote human health and general well-being.

The theme of this years General Assembly is The Future We Want, The United Nations We Need: Reaffirming Our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism- Confronting Coronavirus Through Effective Multilateral Action.

The Nigerian leader described the theme of the conference as most appropriate and timely, saying that it captured the common desire for a renewed and revitalised UN in need of multilateral approaches to the many challenges facing the world.

As we reflect on the future we want and the United Nations we need, we must realise that the people of the world not only look up to us: they count on us.

If the United Nations system cannot mobilise the world to marshal out a truly effective and inclusive response to the coronavirus pandemic, then the United Nations would have failed in the core mission of giving expression, direction, and solution to the yearnings of the international community.

The future we want must guarantee human rights, human dignity, human prospects and prosperity.

The principles of Leaving No One Behind and Doing No Harm must be expressed through accountability, strategic growth initiatives, and elimination of threats of all kinds, he said.

He said that in order to give hope for a bright future and prosperity for all Nigerians, his administration had embarked on measures aimed at ensuring national resilience.

We intend to achieve this through the implementation of the Economic Sustainability Plan and the Medium Term National Development for the periods 2020-2025, and 2026-2030.

We expect that these ambitious initiatives will deliver sustainable economic growth and development to Nigeria, he said.

Speaking on the coronavirus pandemic, Buhari stressed the need for effective multilateral actions aimed at tackling the situation.

He expressed concern that the pandemic had devastated the world economy and strained the capabilities of health systems of many countries, including Nigeria.

In the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria, we prioritised vulnerable groups, including women, children, older persons, and the unemployed, in our efforts to provide medical and social assistance to cushion the socio-economic effects of the disease.

Accordingly, we have expanded our National Social Register to include an additional one million Nigerians.

Our National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) has been the vehicle for reaching out to the poor and vulnerable members of the Nigerian population, as well as providing cover for over 12 million households, he said.

While applauding the UN and WHO for the efforts they put in to help combat the pandemic, Buhari noted with appreciation the two billion dollars Global Response Plan launched by the UN Secretary-General to fund the coronavirus response in the poorest countries.

He also applauded the Secretary-Generals call for a cease-fire in conflict areas so that humanitarian assistance could reach groups vulnerable to the virus.

On poverty eradication in Nigeria, the president said that in order to mitigate its impact, his administration had embarked upon the disbursement of N10.9 billion to households engaged in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises as palliatives.

According to him, an additional N500 billion fiscal stimulus package as well as sustained delivery of humanitarian and social interventions to cater to poor and vulnerable households have been established.

He added that the Central Bank of Nigeria had also launched a N3.5-trillion-stimulus package to boost manufacturing and facilitate import substitution.

The Nigerian leader then urged the international community to complement efforts being made to address poverty, particularly in developing countries.

In this regard, he commended the outgone President of the 74th General Assembly, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande of Nigeria, for launching an Alliance for Poverty Eradication in June.

He enjoined global leaders, particularly from the global North, to support the alliance at a time when the COVID-19 is reversing gains made toward the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and pushing an additional half a billion people into extreme poverty.

On disarmament, international peace and security, Buhari said Nigeria remains deeply concerned over the illicit trade, transfer, and circulation of small arms and light weapons, particularly on the continent of Africa.

He, therefore, called on the international community to renew efforts that would help stem such activities and promote the Arms Trade Treaty in order to codify accountability in the battle against trans-border crimes, including terrorism and acts of piracy.

On terrorism and counter-terrorism, the president urged world leaders to redouble efforts at ensuring collective security, saying that the litany of sophisticated terrorist attacks across the globe is a harsh reality of the challenges the world is facing today.

In Nigeria, we are still facing violent extremism from the insurgency of Boko Haram and bandits.

We continue to count on our strong cooperation with UN counter-terrorism bodies and neighbouring countries to overcome the terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel Region.

We will vigorously sustain the rehabilitation, reconstruction, and resettlement of victims of terrorism and insurgency in the North East.

The North-East Development Commission has been established for that purpose, he said.

On illicit financial flows, Buhari said that global aspiration to recover from the impact of COVID-19 would not be fully met without addressing structures making it more difficult for countries to generate and retain their financial resources.

In this regard, the president again thanked Muhammad-Bande as well as the immediate past President of the Economic and Social Council, Amb. Mona Jul, for jointly launching the High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity (FACTI) for Achieving the 2030 Agenda.

Meanwhile, a statement by Mr Femi Adesina, the Presidents spokesman, indicates that Buhari also spoke on other issues that are of interest to Nigeria.

Adesina said that speaking on climate change, the Nigerian leader reiterated his countrys commitment to revitalising Lake Chad.

We are convinced that recharging the Lake will improve the living conditions of our people in the area, promote inter-state cooperation, strengthen community resilience, and assist in addressing environmental as well as security challenges threatening the region and its resources, he said.

Buhari, therefore, renewed his call for international support for the regional efforts being made to raise 50 billion dollars required to revitalise the lake.

On quality education, Buhari announced that Nigeria would be hosting the 4th International Conference on Safe Schools in 2021.

Quality education for all is the cornerstone of sustainable development.

I invite you all to Nigeria to participate in the conference, which aims to advocate the protection of education from attack as we work together towards the future we want, he said.

Buhari ended his speech at the virtual event by reaffirming Nigerias commitment to promoting international peace and security and sustainable development.

He also said that Nigeria remained committed to strengthening partnerships and cooperation with international organisations.

The general debate is held at the beginning of each session of the UNGA, usually in September in accordance with the Rules of ProcedureandA/RES/57/301.

Often member states are represented by their Heads of State or Government during the general debate. Not all member states participate in every session.

The general debate provides an opportunity for member states to raise any topic and statements often reflect issues of importance to the member state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Coronavirus update

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 176new cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in the country.

The NCDC made this known on its official twitter handle on Wednesday.

According to the agency, the new infection takes the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 57,437.

The NCDC said that the new cases were reported from 14 states of the federation.

It stated that Lagos reported the highest infection in the country with 73, Plateau (50), FCT (17), Rivers (8), Ondo (6), Niger (5), Ogun (5), Edo (3), Kaduna (3), Oyo (2), Bauchi (1), Bayelsa (1), Delta (1), and Nasarawa (1).

According to it, till date, 57613 cases have been confirmed, 48836 cases have been discharged and 1100 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the FCT.

The health agency said that a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, have continued to coordinate the national response activities across the country.

It added that the drivers of COVID-19 were different across the country, therefore subnational understanding of transmission was critical.

We cant celebrate decline in national figures until we test sufficient numbers in every state, it stated.

The NCDC said that the most common signs and symptoms reported by COVID-19 patients in Nigeria were cough and fever.

The agency said that in addition, most patients who died were reported to have difficulty in breathing.

Most people who died were 61-70 years of age.

The agency said that a properly worn face mask acts as a protective barrier to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Wear a mask properly covering your nose and mouth, no gaps secured with straps.

Remember, a face mask is a personal item and must not be shared, it said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News