By Patricia Amogu

The entertainment industry, in affiliation with the Lagos State Government and the Federal ministry of information and Culture, is to launch an innovative Roundtable toward harnessing the potential of the industry.

Also in the partnership is the Federal Ministry of Finance and Budget Planning, according to Mr Chuks Akamadu, Director General of Afrocultour, a brainchild of the initiative.

He told newsmen on Monday in Abuja that the roundtable was expected to put the entertainment industry in the forefront of harnessing Nigerias vast resources, potentials and assets.

The prime objective of the roundtable is to urgently design an inclusive industry framework for stimulating and re-energising the economy to stabilise and flourish sustainably amid COVID-19, post-COVID-19, and in the face of unprecedented crude oil dwindling fortunes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the innovation, which is expected to take off on December 10, is the first Nigeria Entertainment and Economic Roundtable.

It is borne out of a need to fill in the gaps associated with grant initiatives; it is a policy intervention meant to support the creative and entertainment industry.

Akamadu said that the creative and entertainment industry was a potential cash cow that should be nurtured to take its rightful place in the nations economy to enable it contribute to the nations Gross Domestic Product.

He said that the Roundtable was conceived to be a robust platform for mutually profitable engagement between creative and entertainment industry practitioners and their diverse stakeholders.

Mr Butven Nkem, a former Nigerian Ambassador and Chairman of the Roundtable committee, commended the efforts toward injecting substantial changes in the entertainment industry.

Mrs Joy Maduakor of the finance ministry, in her remark, said that the ministry was ready to partner with the industry to grow the economy.

The entertainment, hospitality, culture and tourism industry are all categorised into the creative industry; our focus is to harness its economic potentials.

It is a major focal area in the diversification agenda. If the tourism industry begins to work again, it will attract foreign investors and people will always want to come which will have a mass of multiplier effects, she said.

NAN reports that the theme of the maiden Roundtable expected to hold in Lagos is: Positioning the creative and entertainment industry to lead private sector role in supporting federal and state governments efforts at acheiving urgent economic diversification.

Source: NAN News

Tokyo Olympics

Japan said on Tuesday it would take counter-measures to ensure next years Tokyo Olympics were not derailed by cyberattacks.

Britain and the U.S. had accused Russia of orchestrating efforts to disrupt the Games.

Olympics organisers reported no significant impact on their operations for the 2020 Games, which were postponed until next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Britain and the U.S. on Monday condemned what they said were a series of malicious cyberattacks orchestrated by Russian military intelligence, including attempts to disrupt the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Japanese chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato declined to give details but said Japan would make every effort to protect the Games from possible hacking attempts.

We cannot turn a blind eye to malicious cyberattacks that threaten democracy, Kato told a news conference, adding that Japan was gathering and analysing information and in close contact with Britain and the U.S.

The Olympics are a major international event that attract attention, and cybersecurity measures are extremely important.

British officials said on Monday the hackers from Russias GRU military intelligence agency had also conducted cyber reconnaissance operations against Tokyo Games organisers.

They declined to give specific details about the latest attacks or say whether they were successful but said they had targeted Games organisers, logistics suppliers and sponsors.

The organising committee said in a statement they had already made extensive cybersecurity preparations and that there had been little disruption to its platforms.

While we have constantly monitored various types of cyberattack on the digital platforms owned by Tokyo 2020, no significant impact has been observed in our operations, spokesman Masa Takaya said.

Olympic sponsor Panasonic Corp said in a statement they were strengthening their global monitoring efforts, adding we did not detect any evidence of an attack.

A representative for fellow sponsor Toyota Motor Corp declined to comment.

A string of hacking attempts have been conducted against international sports organisations which Western officials and cybersecurity experts say were orchestrated by Russia since its doping scandal erupted five years ago.

Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Russia was banned from the worlds top sports events for four years in December over widespread doping offences, including the Tokyo Games.

An International Olympic Committee (IOC) spokesman said cybersecurity was one of their priorities.

The IOC and the Organising Committees of the Olympic Games have identified cyber security as a priority area and invest a lot to offer the Olympic Games the best cyber security environment possible, the spokesman told Reuters in an email.

Given the nature of the topic, we do not divulge those measures.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ibironke Ariyo

A Nursing expert, Mrs Victoria Opakunle, has warned Nigerians against consuming dented and rusted canned foods as it could cause some deadly diseases in the body.

Opakunle, Head of the Nursing Unit, Kamwire Medical Centre, Ilorin, gave the warning in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

She said that dented or rusted cans could have tiny holes which allowed bacteria to enter the food, saying that this could be disastrous to health.

She condemned the habit of some Nigerians who consumed foods from rusted containers, saying that this could also cause cancer and other deadly diseases.

Opakunle noted that dented, swollen or rusty cans were indications that the food inside the container was no longer safe to consume.

There are some things people do not take serious and one of them is eating from dented or rusted containers because they may not be aware of the health implications.

Cans that are heavily rusted can have tiny holes in them, thereby allowing bacteria to enter.

Surface rust that you can remove with your finger or paper towel is not serious.

If you open the cans and there is any rust inside, do not eat the food.

The way cans are stored will affect the life of the food inside the cans, she said.

According to her, if foods are stored in a cool, dry place with a stable temperature, they will last longer than cans stored in places where the temperature fluctuates widely.

Damp storage areas can cause the can to rust which will also shorten the shelf life of the can, Opakunle said.

The nurse advised that Nigerians should stop consuming foods from rusted containers because that was serious food poisoning.

She also advised dealers not to store canned foods under the sun or rain for too long to avoid rusting before they were distributed.

Opakunle called on the National Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to take adequate steps to ensure that manufacturers and dealers did not circulate rusted canned foods.

Source: NAN News

Security agents

By Ifeoma Aka

An Enugu-based socio-cultural organisation, Igbo Oriental Think Tank Worldwide (IOTTW) has called for an overhaul of the nations security and electoral systems.

Its Coordinator, Dr. Kenneth Anozie, made the call in a statement issued in Enugu on Tuesday.

He said that the current realities in the country called for urgent steps by the Federal Government to strengthen the countrys security architecture and make the electoral process more credible.

Anozie suggested that appointment of heads of security agencies in the country should be made to reflect the federal character.

Headship of Nigerias security agencies should be equitably distributed among the geo-political zones in the country, he said.

The IOTTW coordinator also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts towards stamping Boko Haram and other militant groups out of the country.

He said that most challenges plaguing the nation would be effectively tackled if the leadership showed the political will to promote national unity, enhance security and ensure credible polls.

Challenges such as corruption, youth restiveness, unemployment, security, and poverty will be over if the leadership listens to the yearnings of the people, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

PAN to introduce new brands of affordable vehicles in Nigeria Wadada

By Salisu Sani-Idris

PAN Nigeria is to introduce new brands of vehicles into the market to re-launch brand affordability in the country.

The Chairman, PAN Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Ahmed Wadada made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Wadada said: in 2019, Nigeria imported at least 400,000 used cars (Tokunbo) as against 68,000 brand new vehicles.

Because of these imbalances, PAN will do this so that Nigerians will have access to brand new vehicles, he said.

He also disclosed that over the next three years, the company would be injecting 150 million dollars to retool, upgrade its assembly line, support infrastructure and working capital.

We treasure our human capital and strongly believe in them to drive our vision and aspirations for PAN Nigeria.

That is why we are immensely putting in place an attractive condition of service that will retain and motivate our human capital.

And also attract the best hands to restore PAN Nigeria to its number one position in Nigeria and West Africa, Wadada noted.

Heappealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to represent the Automotive Bill to the National Assembly for consideration and passage.

He assured Nigerians that PAN would lobby the National Assembly to support President Buhari to ensure the enactment of the legislation.

He expressed hope that Buhari would continue to sustain the favourable environment to attract more investors in to the country.

The former lawmaker also appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to support the company and all other genuine assembly plants by making foreign exchange available for their imports.

Wadada revealed that the company would introduce a robust car financing scheme which would be a collaboration and partnership between its dealership and few selected banks.

This will be in fulfillment of President Buharis wish for Nigerians to afford brand new vehicles, Wadada said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

FRSC personnel at an scene of an accident

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Niger has confirmed the death of six persons in a multiple accident that occurred on the Lapai-Agaiye-Bida road on Tuesday.

FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr Joel Dagwa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Tuesday that three other persons sustained various degrees of injuries in the auto crash.

He blamed the accident on loss of control and brake failure and advised motorists to exercise caution and adhere strictly to speed limits while driving.

He said that five trucks were involved in the accident, which occurred at about 5 a.m. and that they caught fire.

Nine persons were involved in the accident; six died while three sustained various degrees of injuries and were all evacuated to Lapai General Hospital.

He added that the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the morgue in the same hospital, while those injured were already responding to treatment.

We will sustain our aggressive patrols across all major highways to ensure that road users adhere strictly to traffic rules and regulations to avoid road accidents, Dagwa said.

Source: NAN News

By Okeoghene Oghenekaro

The Governing Council of the National Parks Service has approved the promotion of 245 officers in the Service to various ranks.

Dr Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General of Service (C-G) disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday after flagging off the decoration of the officers at its headquarters.

Goni in his speech commended the promoted officers for their high sense of duty, honesty, loyalty, discipline and total commitment to the course of the Service.

While I congratulate you for achieving this feat, I must hasten to draw your attention to the emerging challenges in the management of our national parks and other protected areas in the country.

As you are aware criminal elements are now using the forests as hideouts to execute organised crimes such as banditry and kidnapping and menacing the public, thereby heightening insecurity in the country.

Therefore, I charge you to redouble your efforts in the discharge of your duties to ensure that our national parks and their environs are free from all manner of criminalities.

I also expect you to live up to the responsibility of your new offices and serve as role models to upcoming officers while providing new vista in protected areas management, he said.

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the wherewithal to develop the National Parks and thanked the Minister of Environment for always giving the National Parks Service accelerated attention.

Two of the officers decorated on Tuesday were Emmanuel Bebiem from Conservator of Parks (CP) to Assistant Conservator-General (ACG) in charge of Works and Maintenance Department and Yakubu Zull the Media Assistant to the Conservator-General from Deputy Conservator of Parks to CP.

The new ACG, Bebeim, in his vote of thanks expressed gratitude to the Conservator-General and the management team for the promotion, noting that the exercise confirmed the focus and determination of the C-G to put the welfare of staff first in repositioning the Service for greater productivity.

Bebeim assured the C-G of the staff members loyalty and support to reciprocate the honour done to them.

Source: NAN News

Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations.

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters, Abuja, says troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralised two bandits at Kango and Adumata villages in Nasarawa State on Oct. 18.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, said in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja that operatives of Whirl Stroke encountered the bandits while on patrol around the villages and an exchange of fire ensured.

He said the troops overwhelmed the bandits, neutralised two of them while some others escaped with gunshots wounds.

He explained that the troops recovered one AK47 rifle, one locally made rifle, six AK47 magazines, 110 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and assorted hard drugs from the bandits.

He added that the operation was in continuation of reinvigorated efforts to stamp out banditry and other criminal activities in the country.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, in furtherance of the objective of restoring peace and security in the country, will sustain the offensive against the enemies of our nation he stressed.

Source: NAN News

5G

Operators bidding for frequencies in Swedens 5G networks have been banned from using equipment from Chinese tech giants ZTE and Huawei, a government agency said.

The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) said the four firms selected were Hi3G Access, Net4Mobility, Telia Sweden and Teracom, a partnership between Swedish telecommunications firm Tele 2 and Norways Telenor.

The first auction was set to open on Nov. 10.

The PTS said the firms had been selected in accordance with legislation that entered into force on Jan.1.

The Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Security Service were consulted to ensure that the use of radio equipment in these bands does not cause harm to Swedens security.

ZTE and Huwawei have been brought into question in other parts of Europe as rival firms allege they have close links to Chinas military.

If existing infrastructure for central functions is to be used to provide services in the relevant frequency bands, products from Huawei and ZTE must be phased out latest by Jan. 1, 2025, the PTS said.

The PTS added that if central functions are dependant of staff or functions placed in foreign countries, this must be phased out by Jan. 1, 2025 and replaced with staff based in Sweden.(dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Vulture

By Vivian Emoni,

Underscoring the importance of vultures, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation observed the International Vulture Awareness Day recently, describing vultures as environmental sanitary officers with a clean-up service.

Dr. Joseph Onoja, the Director of Technical Programmes of the foundation, explains without vultures, humans are vulnerable to the spread of infectious diseases, because, in the absence of vultures, dogs and rats become the clean-up crew.

The danger in this is that these animals dogs and rats are not equipped for such and are close to human population, exposing humans to diseases.

Similarly, some cultures rate the importance of the vulture high, making vultures to take part in traditional funeral activities by placing bodies in high places for vultures to eat up.

Explaining the capacity of the vulture in this regard, zoologists observe that the vultures can quickly devour large amounts of flesh and the acids in them can neutralise pathogens to limit the spread of bacteria and diseases.

However, in some other communities, vultures face threats such as elimination, lead poisoning, persecution and habitat destruction, resulting in death of most of the birds.

Critics of the existence of vultures among humans insist that vultures have somewhat bad reputation; eating human bodies and rotting animals and pretty strange habits that vomit when feeling threatened and urinating indiscriminately.

In spite of this, Mr Joseph Effiong, an environment and development expert, says vultures recycle many important nutrients in the environment.

An ecosystem without vultures would be like a city without waste removal services; vultures do their work for the ecosystem very efficiently.

They consume the meat of dead animals very quickly, which reduces the risk of large colonies of insects gathering around the animal bodies.

Give them an inch and theyll take a mile! In doing so, vultures limit the risk of disease in ecosystems by keeping insect populations in check.

Not only is this beneficial to us as humans, but also to the agricultural industry, since vultures also help prevent livestock from getting sick, he said.

But Mr Suileman Muhammad from Biological Sciences Department, Federal University of Dutse, Jigawa, says vultures in extreme pressure from a range of human activities are the most threatened group of birds on earth.

In recent decades, drastic and wide spread vulture population declines, whereas vultures provide critically important ecosystem service by cleaning up carcasses and other organic waste in the environment.

We really cans vulture species are on the verge of complete disappearance. Historical and recent vulture population declines. Prior to the mid-20th century, decline in Cape vulture and others had already begun in Asia.

Although over this period, vultures were still abundant, significant difference in abundance, species and in population trends varied within regions and among continents.

In Africa, vulture population decline occurs mostly in East and West Africa; and in West Africa, population of vultures except the hooded vulture, has declined by an average of 95 per cent.

In protected areas within the Sudanese zone, vulture populations fell by nearly 42 per cent by poisoning from highly toxic pesticide in 2012.

Similarly, 144 white-backed vulture, an old world vulture and the most common large vulture in Africa vultures, were killed in Zimbabwe after feeding on elephant carcasses, he said.

Explaining further on the benefits of vultures, he notes that vulture can be used for treating of psychological diseases.

Ringim notes that absence of vultures may lead to pollution of water by dead animals; as dead animal attracts flies and disease carrying bugs.

According to him, free ecological service provided by vulture will no longer be there and absence of vultures causes loss of culture, value and heritage.

He expresses concern that the Nigeria Conservation Foundation teams surveyed no fewer than eight local government areas in Yobe, covering more than 1,436 kilometre in October 2018, without sighting a single vulture.

Similarly, in November 2018, two teams independently conducted a road transect survey of 2,783 kilometres in Jigawa, and 2,110 kilometres in Yobe without a single sight of vulture species.

Again, the teams also visited sites that should typically have vultures, including abattoirs, slaughter houses, slab and rubbish dumps.

In 2017, Egyptian Vulture New LIFE project, one of the most ambitious ever vulture conservation initiatives, was launched with support from the European Union Life programme in partnership with institutions and organisations from 14 countries, including Nigeria.

The essence of the project is to sensitise people to the importance of vulture and how to address drastic and increase vulture population, Ringim explains.

The lecturer, therefore, advises that people should discourage the killing and use of vulture body parts for medicine or other traditional rituals.

He calls on relevant stakeholders to strongly embark on campaigns about the critical roles and importance of vultures to ecosystem.

People should change from negative attitude and perceptions they have towards vultures, preserve them, observe their right to life and keep the environment for human healthy living.(NANFeatures)

Source: NAN News

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Quinta Health, says it has concluded arrangements to screen 2,000 market women for breast cancer at no cost in Ilorin.

The Founder of the NGO, Dr Tunde Adewumi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday that the screening would
cut across 10 major markets in the town.

He said that the group was targetting market women aspart of programmes lined up to mark this years Breast Cancer Awareness
month.

The month of October is celebrated as Breast Cancer Awareness month in many countries around the globe to help women to know
their breast status.

Adewumi said we plan to screen 2,000 market women for free, as a way of giving back to the society.

We decided to choose market women because they do not have time to take care of their health as they go about
fending for their families.

He added that the screening would start with Yoruba road market and Mandate market and move to other markets, as they get approval from the market heads.

For now, we are starting with Yoruba road market on Thursday, Oct. 22 between 9 a.m and 2 p.m and on Saturday, Oct. 25, we will be heading to Mandate market.

The screening will be preceded by health talk to prepare the women on what we intend to do and what to expect.

We will also have free blood pressure checks, courtesy of our partners and distribute drugs, as well as give health advices.

The screening would be restricted to Ilorin for now due to logistics and funding but could be extended to other local governments in the state,
as funds were available, he noted.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Tuesday advised people to abide by the COVID-19 protocols, to avoid the second wave of the pandemic in Nigeria.

Prof. Baba Issa, Chairman, Kwara chapter of the Association, gave the advice while addressing newsmen on the sidelines of the 2020 Physicians Week, in Ilorin.

He observed that the second wave of the pandemic could happen anywhere, as witnessed in some parts of the world.

People should abide by the COVID-19 protocols, including using face masks, hand sanitisers and practising social distancing.

The curve is flattening in Nigeria, but all must ensure we keep to the guidelines, to prevent the second wave of the pandemic, he said.

On schools resumption, Issa advised all schools across the country to follow strict protocols and guidelines, to stop the disease from affecting the children.

Children must be provided with face masks and shields, as well as hand sanitisers, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mrs Julie Okah-Donli NAPTIP D-G

By Isaiah Eka

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says the Agency has secured conviction of 38 sexual offenders since November 2019.

The Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, disclosed this in her opening remarks during the training of Stakeholders and members of the state taskforce on human trafficking in Uyo on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was organised for stakeholders from South South, South East and South West members of the taskforce.

She said that the purpose of the training was to build the capacity of frontline members of the state taskforce and other stakeholders.

This is with a view to sharpening their professional skills so that they could effectively contribute to national efforts to curb human trafficking, she added.

Okah-Donli said that during the period, no fewer than 143 cases were reported to the agency.

She added that some 442 traffickers convicted are serving various jail terms as almost 17,000 victims have been rescued.

She said that NAPTIP had resolved to end human trafficking in the country, stressing that the agency will continue to engage various stakeholders to achieve its objective.

NAPTIP relies on the support of all men and women of goodwill to continue to achieve its mandate.

To date, about 442 traffickers have been convicted and are serving various jail terms and almost 17,000 victims rescued and counseled with a good number of them empowered by the agency.

I wish to reiterate that our resolve to end human trafficking in Nigeria is firm and we shall continue to engage with various actors across board to achieve this, she said.

She noted that the challenges of human trafficking and irregular migration were quite enormous and new initiatives must be developed to ensure sustained successes against these twin monsters.

The D-G commended the International Organisation for Migration for sponsoring the project. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

EPL logo

The Premier League in England said on Monday that eight people had returned positive results in its latest round of COVID-19 tests conducted on players and staff last week.

The league said the individuals who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus would now self-isolate for 10 days.

The Premier League can today confirm that between Monday Oct. 12 and Sunday Oct. 18, 1,575 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19. Of these, there were eight new positive tests, the Premier League said in a statement.

A total of 42 people have tested positive for the virus in seven rounds of testing since the new campaign began on Sept. 12.

There have been more than 750,000 COVID-19 infections and over 43,000 deaths in the UK, according to a Reuters tally.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

SGF and COVID-19 PTF Chairman Mr Boss Mustapha

By Abujah Racheal

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 says the nation is winning the war against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said this on Monday in Abuja at the joint national briefing of the taskforce.

Mustapha, however, said that the PTF had adopted an approach of cautious optimism and shall encourage Nigerians to do same in view of the observed level of risk perception, skepticism, and general non-compliance with the NonPharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs).

The SGF said that the focus of the next steps, in the national response, would be on consolidating the gains recorded as well as the preservation of lives and livelihood.

The PTF continues to monitor developments in-country and around the world so as to improve on its activities and its decisions.

A review of our situation in Nigeria within the last one week shows that scores of COVID-19 patients were discharged after recovering from the disease, leaving Nigeria with less than 4,000 active cases, he said.

He maintainedthat 4,876 patients recovered and were discharged which represented a 388 per cent increase when compared with 967 people discharged in the previous week.

The chairman noted that cumulatively, a total of 56,611 patients had been discharged after treatment, as at date, representing 92 per cent of all cases since Nigeria recorded her index case in February.

He added that currently, Nigeria was managing around 3,704 patients in various isolation centres across the country.

Last week was week 34 of our National Response and week 42 of the year. Indications are that Nigeria appears to be winning the war against COVID-19. Some of the current figures support this position, he explained.

According to him, in the 34th week of the pandemic in Nigeria, a total of 1,174 new cases were recorded in the country, representing a 32 per cent increase from the 921 recorded in the previous week.

The PTF boss said that the increase in new cases could have been caused by an increase in the number of people tested for the virus.

Mustapha said that a total of 25,699 samples were collected for testing in the week under review, compared to the 18,597 tested the previous week.

He said: This statistical review becomes very relevant when we remember that over the same period, quite a number of large gathering events, particularly the protests across the country, have been taking place.

It becomes more pertinent because of the fact that measures such as mask wearing, social distancing and use of sanitisers were never observed.

The PTF chair noted that similarly important is the fact that the education sector had joined aviation in the gradual but safe reopening process.

While we continue to monitor the process, the need for constant reminders and engagement with communities, proprietors, parents, teachers, among others cannot be over emphasised.

Civil Servants on all grade levels have been allowed to return to work for the first time since March.

This also calls for caution, vigilance and effective preparation and leadership by Permanent Secretaries and CEOs of agencies of government.

He, therefore, urged that alternate days of attendance be worked out to avoid overcrowding the offices.

The SGF, who urged the #EndSARS protesters, mostly youths, to harken to the invitation to dialogue,also emphasised that non-compliance with the NPIs were very risky adventures that must be avoided.

Mustapha said that the nation could not afford to lose momentum and risk a second wave that might overwhelm the nations health systems.

It will not be out of place for the PTF to, in consideration of the foregoing, remind all Nigerians that we are in the middle of a global pandemic.

The virus remains very virulent, deadly and dangerous. It is an unseen enemy which thrives when people lower their guard.

The PTF has, on account of these developments, accelerated its plans for the National Testing Week (NTW) and shall continue to monitor developments in all areas of the economy that have reopened.

We shall also monitor mass gatherings over the next three weeks for signs of spike in numbers.

We urge everyone who has been exposed unduly to large gathering to get tested and/or report any signs of the symptoms of COVID-19, Mustapha said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Electricity transmission power line

By Abujah Racheal

The Ministry of Health has said that erratic electricity supply is hampering the nations Coronavirus (COVID-19) responses.

Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora, the Minister of State for Health, who stated this on Monday in Abuja at the joint briefing of the task force, explained that epileptic power supply had affected sensitive medical equipment resulting in the disruption of services.

According to Mamora, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for infrastructural development of the nations health system.

The good thing is that government is determined to address the infrastructural needs of the health system.

We are exploring opportunities that will guarantee regular and stable power in our hospitals.

The ministry has met with the management of the Niger Delta Power Holdings Company (NDPHC), to discuss a partnership that willensure regular power supply to the nations teaching hospitals and Federal Medical Centres.

This partnership will not only ensure steady power supply, but reduce the overhead cost of the hospitals with the savings expected from this initiative ploughed into other areas of need in the hospitals.

The minister said that as at Monday, the country had recorded 61,440 confirmed cases from 578,841 persons tested for COVID, while 56,611 cases had been discharged.

We have sadly lost 1,125 persons to the disease. We now have 3,704 active cases as more persons are treated and discharged with case fatality rate of 1.8 percent.

While most of those infected are between the ages of 21 and 40, the fatalities are higher among older groups, especially those above 60 years with comorbidities. We advise people to take responsibility and protect the older ones among us, hesaid.

He said that the government had distributed medical equipment like ventilators and oxygen concentrators to all the federal tertiary hospitals and the states.

Our experience with managing the pandemic showed that many of those who died could have been saved if they had access to services on time.

During our intervention in Kano, ambulances were deployed to evacuate cases, especially critical conditions, to hospitals for treatment.

The National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) is designed to provide Nigerians with prompt access to medical treatment when needed, Mamora further explained.

The minister said he had met with the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to discuss a collaboration for the deployment of critical assets like ambulances, EMT Personnel and communication infrastructure for the Emergency Medical Treatment Programme.

According to him, the collaboration will also ensure that accident victims have access to emergency medical care in health facilities without having to wait for payment or deposit. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dr Chikwe Ikekweazu NCDC Boss

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) has said that it is supporting and providing a public health guidance for safereopening of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps across the country.

Mrs Elsie Ilori, the Head of Department, Surveillance and Epidemiology Department, NCDC, said this on Mondayin Abuja at thejoint Presidential Tasks Force Briefing on COVID-19.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government has disclosed that NYSC orientation camps will reopen on Nov. 10, 2020.

Ilori said that the agencywasworking with the NYSC to ensure the safety of our youth and communities as they resume activities across the country in various camps.

Ilori said that COVID-19 had caused a lot of disruptions in most of the countrys activities and no one anticipated that this would happen.

We had all planned and made preparations, our young ones had planned but unfortunately it did not happen because of COVID-19 which came and disrupted most things.

We have been working with the Ministry of Youths and Sports through the NYSC to put in place and strengthen the infection, prevention and control capacity of the NYSC camps.

Beyond this, we are going to support the NYSC camps with authorities to ensure prompt identification of COVID-19 cases for treatment, she said.

She said that the key measure NCDC put in place was the use of Rapid Diagnosis test for screening corps members as they arrive in camp.

She noted that the tests were approved for use in specific settings by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and it wouldbe beneficial for the identification of COVID-19 cases for treatment given their high sensitivity and specificity.

Weve also a self-reporting form the Corps members will fill before they go to camps.

The form will enable them to give their details ahead of resumption and this will give us a seamless process for sample collection.

Every Corps member must fill this form before resuming. It is online.

To make the process easier we are going to provide step-by-step guide on how to go about this as well as the guideline to stay safe while in camp.

All of this we are doing in collaboration with the NYSC officials.

Each NYSC camp will have what is known as the IPC Vanguards; they will help to monitor compliance with the COVID-19 preventive measures to significantly lower the risk of infection, she explained.

She disclosed that the agency would also be using NYSC communication channels including the NYSC radio stations to amplify theefforts in each state as well as to sensitive the public and the NSYC community to what was being done.

Last week, we carried out the risk assessment for the camp in Abuja and that has helped us to look at the gaps and guidelines we have set up.

And that has helped to find risk assessment tools and this will be rolled out across the country this week.

This tool will be used by states NYSCand surveillance teams to evaluate the potential risks, she noted.

She, however, asked for co-operation by all Corps members and adherence to IPC measures for their safety and those of their loved ones.

To ensure the safe reopening of camps, it is important that we work collectively; of course the government cannot do it alone.

It is a collective measure and collective action. We have to exercise collective responsibility, she said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Abujah Racheal

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has predicted a spike in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak in the country in the next two weeks.

Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, made this known on Monday in Abuja at the joint national briefing of the task force.

Mustapha said the prediction was due to the total disregard for the preventive measures against the virus exhibited by thousands of Nigerians protesting in the ongoing #Endsars campaign across various cities in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that thousands of Nigerians have in the past 10 days, taken to strategic areas across Abuja, Lagos, Edo, Anambra, Rivers and other states to protest against reported police brutality, harassment and extra-judicial killings.

Such brutality is said to be perpetrated by the operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The SGFsaid : Truth be told, two weeks from today, if you get all the people that congregated at the Lekki toll plaza and run a test, you would establish for sure several infections.

Any mass gathering that does not adhere to the non pharmaceutical interventions that have been put in place, which include wearing of masks, social distancing, keeping personal hygiene and avoiding mass gatherings, they become super spreader events, whether you like it or not.

So I can say with a definitive voice that two weeks from today, get everybody that congregated in those places, not only at the Lekki toll plaza, but also the Unity Fountain in Abuja but several other places, we would definitely be contending with an increase in infections, two weeks from now, and thats why we must be extremely careful when we congregate. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Male ward of hospital

By Polycarp Auta

The Chief Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai, has inaugurated a 30-bed hospital at Tigi Community of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau.

Inaugurating the project in Riyom on Monday, Buratai said the hospital was built and equipped by the Nigerian Army.

According to him, the gesture is part of Civil-Military Cooperation, aimed at winning the minds and hearts of the rural populace.

He said the hospital would address the medical needs of the local people as well as commuters plying the Jos-Abuja road, especially victims of road traffic accident.

He explained that the facility would handle maternity cases, common paediatric illnesses, adult diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

Buratai said that other common illnesses like malaria, upper respiratory illness, diarrheal diseases, injuries from road traffic accidents, among others, would be attended to.

Speaking at the event, Mr Dachung Clement, a Community Leader of Tigi, thanked the army for the gesture, saying that it would enable his people have access to proper medical care with ease.

Clement, who decried the lack of a functional hospital in the area, said the coming of the new facility would also create job opportunities for some of his subjects.

We are indeed happy with this development. This is laudable because my people can now access good medical services with less stress, he said

He promised that the community would ensure the safety of personnel and equipment at the hospital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of equipment at the hospital include: Electronic Patient Monitor, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), theatre table, cylinder and couch.

Others are neonatal resuscitator, spectrophotometer, minor surgery pack, wheel chairs, beds, among others. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Electricity meters

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released its framework for National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).

The framework was released by the Development Financing department of the apex bank through its official website on Monday.

It stated that introduction of the Service-Based Tariff (SBT) in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) effective Sept. 1, had put increased emphasis on the need to close the metering gap in the NESI.

Closing this gap will enhance efficiency of revenue collection by Distribution Companies (DisCos) and thereby facilitate meeting their obligations to other upstream market participants.

According to analysis provided by Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, the current metering gap in the NESI based on recent customer enumeration data is over 10 million.

This comprises of unmetered customers as well as customers with obsolete meters that need to be replaced, it stated.

CBN stated that the framework outlines the operational modalities of the CBN financing support to the DisCos (Downstream), and Local Meter Manufacturers (Upstream).

It added that key objectives of the NMMP included increasing Nigerias metering rate, elimination of arbitrary estimated billing, strengthening the local meter value chain by increasing local meter manufacturing, assembly and deployment capacity.

It will support Nigerias economic recovery by creating jobs in the local meter value chain and reducing collection losses and increasing financial flows to achieve 100 per cent market remittance obligations of the DisCos.

It will also improve network monitoring capability and availability of data for market administration and investment decision making, it stated. (NAN)

Source: NAN News