Lonely woman image

One in three women are suffering from loneliness in lockdown, suggests.

According to a study carried out by economists at the University of Essex, women are experiencing more problems with mental health than men during the coronavirus outbreak.

For example, the number of people reporting at least one underlying mental health issue has risen from seven per cent to 18 per cent during the pandemic.

For women, this figure has risen from 11 per cent to 27 per cent.

The researchers suggested the difference could be because of the greater demands placed on women in terms of childcare and domestic duties.

The study found that more than one third of women (34 per cent) have reported feeling lonely sometimes in lockdown while 11 per cent said they often felt lonely.

For men, 23 per cent said they were sometimes lonely and just six per cent reported feeling lonely often.

The research is based on online interviews using the UK Household Longitudinal Study.

Early studies produced since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic have found deteriorating mental well-being, particularly apparent for women, the study states.

Using rich data we document a similar finding for the UK. We add to these existing studies by showing that much of the gender gap in well-being can be explained by gender differences in social factors and increased feelings of loneliness.

We also show that gender differences in family-related time use and caring responsibilities appear to play a role.

Source: NAN News

Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko on Wednesday announced his plans to get inoculated with the Russian vaccine against COVID-19 later in the month.

As soon as the vaccine is released in August, Murashko told reporters when asked whether he will be vaccinated.

On Tuesday, Russia announced registering the worlds first coronavirus vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V, set to be produced industrially.

President Vladimir Putin has endorsed the vaccine, saying it has passed all necessary checks.

The Russian vaccine was developed jointly by the Moscow-based Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian Defence Ministry.

It has two separately injected components that together are expected to build sustainable immunity against the virus.

The vaccine has so far been tested on 76 volunteers separately at two institutions the Moscow-based Sechenov University and the
Burdenko Main Military Clinical Hospital.

Russian officials estimated the production capacity at 500 million doses in the next 12 months, including at facilities abroad. (Sputnik/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Muhammad Babandede, CG Nigeria Immigration Service

By Ibironke Ariyo

Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), says it has constituted a Comptroller General of Immigration Enforcement and Compliance team to fight irregular migration.

The Comptroller General, Mr Muhammad Babandede, inaugurated the team in a statement by Mr James Sunday, the NIS Public Relations Officer (PRO), on Wednesday in Abuja.

Babandede said that the team was empowered to visit states across the country to ensure Compliance and where necessary, enforce due diligent Immigration Processes and Procedures.

He said that this would be for the command operational activities and compliance of migrants in the country with a view to sustaining the objectives and goals of the e-migrant registration exercise.

This is a continuous process, the aim is to populate the NIS database and ensure the country has records of every resident migrant across the country for national security and policy administration, he said.

He promised a hub of credible data of all migrants deposited in the technology building when inaugurated.

The surest way of getting prepared for this is the stepping up of migrants data collection through the use of all technological tools MIDAS, e-migrant registration exercise.

Also residence card, data generated from the Divisional Immigration Officers (DIOs) in all the local governments of the country, and all sources available to the service.

In another development, the NIS Comptroller, Plateau State Command, Ms Nana Kemi-Nandap, has summoned DIOs from the 17 Local Government Areas of the state on plans to rid the state of irregular migrants.

James said that the development came after the expiration of the six months presidential amnesty period, with emphasis on continuous registration of resident migrants in the state.

He added that this was also to mop up those who were still not registered to get them complied through enforcement.

The command comptroller took the proactive step to prepare the DIOs for a safe and secured Plateau with near zero irregular migrants activities in the state, he said.

Source: NAN News

Train derails in Scotland

Emergency services are on the scene after aderailed in the north-east of.

Fire crews and the police also responded after the incident occurred on the line at, Aberdeenshire, on Wednesday morning.

Pictures posted from the area show at least six ambulance vehicles, an air ambulance and a number of police response cars on hand and smoke billowing behind them in the background.

Network Rail said it was investigating and it is not clear if there are any injuries at this point.

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: Officers are currently responding to an incident on the line in Stonehaven.

We were called at 9.43am, and are on scene alongside paramedics and the fire brigade.

The incident follows a night of flooding in the area.

Source: NAN News

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama

By Lizzy Okoji
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama has tested negative for the COVID-19 and has resumed his official duties.

Onyeama tested positive to the virus on July 19.

The Minister disclosed this via his twitter handle @GeoffeyOnyeama on Wednesday expressing appreciation to his medical team, family, friends, colleagues, among others.

Onyeama tweeted By the special grace of God, my latest COVID-19 test result came back negative after three weeks isolation.

I am eternally grateful to my family, the C-in-C and VP, the medical team, relations, friends, colleagues, religious leaders and numerous well-wishers, who through their care, prayers, fasting, messages of support and encouragement never let me walk alone.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that after testing positive for COVID-19 on July 19, Onyeama immediately went into isolation until this latest result.

Source: NAN News

Court Symbol

By Moji Eniola

Mrs Yinka Adeyemi, the Director of the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), on Tuesday said that courts in Lagos delivered 122 judgments on sexual offences cases from January to July 2020.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adeyemi disclosed this at a virtual conference organised by the Directorate of Citizens Rights, Lagos State Ministry of Justice.

The theme of the webinar is: The Crime of Defilement; The Role of Parents, Teachers and Caregivers in Ending the Scourge.

She said,There are 981 awaiting trial inmates for sexual offences at the Correctional Centres in Lagos. Also, 586 of these inmates (60 per cent) are in custody for cases of defilement.

Also, 207 of these inmates (21 per cent) are being held for cases of rape while 188 inmates (19 per cent) are in custody for other sexual offences.

The judgments that have been obtained in Lagos State from January 2020 to July 2020 for sexual offences are 122.

The DPP said as part of strategies created to combat the scourge of defilement and sexual offences in Lagos, a specialised prosecutor unit had been established in the states Ministry of Justice to handle sexual offences matters.

There is an ongoing training of prosecutors in prosecuting sexual offences, and protocols have been developed for prosecution of these cases.

We are working closely with experts on how to conduct forensic interviews with vulnerable witnesses, working with the police in evidence gathering and there has been a collaboration with the DNA Centre, she said.

Adeyemi, however, said that various challenges were often encountered in prosecution of sexual offences.

She said that they include: witnesses refusing to come forward to give evidence due to fear of the aggressor and pressure from the community and victims settling out of court with the perpetrators.

The DPP also warned parents and guardians of victims of rape and defilement to stop withdrawing complaints from court or law enforcement agencies.

She said that any attempt to withdraw such cases would lead to perversion of justice, which is also an offence against the state.

Also, the Dean Faculty of Law, the University of Lagos, Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa, advised parents to always have open discussions on sexual health education with their children.

Atsenuwaurged parents to also embrace cultural reorientation supportive of nurturing children to be assertive.

The don said,Teachers should know the facts, unlearn the myths and develop the skills. Myths such as that all homes are safe havens are not real; many children had been abused in their homes and schools.

The truth is that sexual abuse affects kids of all races, religions, socioeconomic levels and ages.

Teachers should equip themselves with necessary skills to recognise when a child is being sexually abused and how to respond to it.

Atsenuwa said that the government has a duty to educate the public, to adopt measures to protect teachers and others who report crime and to provide adequate medical and psycho-social support for victims.

In his address of welcome, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said that in spite of various measures and facilities put in place to curb sexual offences in Lagos, reports of the sexual crimes have been on a steady increase.

Onigbanjo said that the virtual conference was to enable various stakeholders educate themselves and strategise on how to curb the menace of sexual crimes in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Mohammed Baba Busu

The Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi on Tuesday inaugurated a six-man ad-hoc committee to assist the states Task Force on COVID-19 in curtailing the spread of the pandemic in the state.

Balarabe-Abduallhi while inaugurating the committee in Lafia, called on the members to live above board while discharging their duties.

The speaker, who was represented by the Deputy Majority leader of the House, Mr Daniel Ogazi, said that the setting up of the committee was not to witch-hunt anybody.

According to him, the committee is to monitor the activities of the states Task Force on COVID-19 and ensure that the people are safe from the pandemic.

The constitution has empowered us to monitor government activities, it is in view of this that the House has set up this six-man committee in order to monitor the activities of the state Task Force on COVID-19.

This is also to ensure that our people remain safe and in the interest of the health of the people of the state.

The committee is to oversight on COVID-19 activities in the state,through support,by ensuring that the right things are done, as well as help the state COVID-19 team address some of its challenges to achieve results, he said.

Balarabe-Abdullahi also urged the committee to live above board while discharging their duties in the interest of peace and development.

He assured of the readiness of the House to continue to give its support to the Gov. Abdullahi Sule- led administration to succeed.

Responding, Mr Abdullahi Angibi (APC- Lafia Central), the Chairman, House ad-hoc Committee on COVID-19, appreciated the speaker for the confidence reposed in them and assured of the committees readiness to discharge its duties without fear or favour.

Mr Speaker, thank you for the trust and confidence you and other members have in us.

We assure you that we will discharge our duties without fear or favour so that our people will continue to remain safe, he said.

The chairman urged the people of the state to continue to adhere strictly to COVID-19 protocols.

He urged them to ensure frequent washing of their hands, embracing social distancing and most especially the use of face masks,among others, in order to remain safe for the overall development of the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sport Minister Mr Sunday Dare

By Franca Ofili

Mr Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, has inaugurated the Ministerial Technical Committee on the establishment of the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF).

The minister said that the committee would facilitate the effective operationalisation and implementation of the N75 billion youth fund approved by the Federal Executive Council

He said that President Muhammadu Buhari on July 22, approved the establishment of the NYIF to the tune of N75 billion, for three years, dedicated to investing in the enterprise of the youth in the country.

This is aimed at turning the youth into entrepreneurs, wealth creators and employers of labour.

This approval underscores the absolute confidence this administration has in the innovation skills, talents and industry of the Nigerian youth.

The fund is expected to serve as a youth bank that will fund and support innovative ideas, skills, talents and enterprise of the youth through loan credit pathways, Dare said.

He said that members of the committee were drawn from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), which had the knowledge of the task a hand.

Dare said that the conception of the fund was thus driven by the urgent need to accelerate the loan and finance processes for talented youth in the country.

He added that it would fund their ideas and enterprises directly with a view to ratcheting up the number of youth that were entrepreneurs and received financial loans from government.

Dare said the members are Mr Gabriel Aduda, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry as chairman, Mrs Yewande Sidiku, Director-General, Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, and Mr Yusuf Yila, Director, Development Finance Central Bank of Nigeria.

Others are Mr Femi Adeagbo, Adviser on Innovation Development to the minister, Mr Ismaeel Ahmeed, a presidential aide on social Investment, among others.

Dare said that the Provisional Terms of Reference (TOR) for the committee were to develop implementation strategies, roll out, develop road map and funding sustenance strategy and advise implementation structure of the programme among others.

Source: NAN News

INEC Boss

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would approach the Supreme Court over conflicting judgements by the Court of Appeal on recently deregistered political parties.

The commission disclosed this in a statement issued by, Mr Festus Okoye,
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, in Abuja.

Okoye confirmed that INEC was in receipt of the judgement of the Court of Appeal delivered on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020 in an Appeal filed by Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) and 22 others relating to their deregistration by the Commission.

In the judgement, the Court of Appeal held that the deregistration of ACD and 22 others is ultra vires the powers of the Commission and ordered the Commission to reinstate them.

Okoye recalled that on July 29, 2020, the Court Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division in an appeal filed by the National Unity Party (NUP) affirmed the power of the Commission (INEC) to deregister political parties that fail to meet the constitutional threshold in section 225A.

He added that dissatisfied with the judgment the National Unity Party lodged an appeal which is presently pending before the Supreme Court.

The Commission is therefore faced with two conflicting judgements from the Court of Appeal; one affirming the powers of the Commission to deregister political parties and the other setting aside the deregistration of ACD and 22 others.

Faced with two conflicting judgements from the same Court, the Commission is not in a position to pick and choose which one of them to obey.

Consequently, the Commission will approach the Supreme Court for a final resolution of the issues raised in the two conflicting judgements.

Okoye noted that meanwhile, the Commission was focused on preparations for the conduct of the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections scheduled to hold on Sept. 19, and Oct. 10.

He added that the commission was strictly and methodically following its timetable and schedule of activities derived from the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

We assure Nigerians and the people of Edo and Ondo States that the Commission is on course and will deliver on its mandate.

INEC had, on Feb. 6, deregistered 74 political parties for their inability to fulfil requirements for existence based on Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)

It cited that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) vests in INEC, the power to register and regulate activities of political parties.
(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olukayode Babalola

The Police Command in Nasarawa State says is has arrested 27 suspects over alleged armed robbery and kidnapping in the state.

Mr Bola Longe, Commissioner of Police in the state, told newsmen on Monday in Lafia that the suspects were arrested from different locations across the state within the last two weeks.

Longe, while parading some of the suspects at the Police command headquarters in Lafia, said that amongst them were those connected to the killing of the village head of Odu community in Nasarawa Local Government Area, Mr Amos Obere, on July 31.

He explained that the suspected killers of the village head were arrested from a drinking joint in Nasarawa town where they were having fun.

He said the suspects also confessed to kidnapping some commuters in Loko village, who were travelling from Otukpo in Benue state to Abuja.

The CP said that the suspects behind the killing of a Superintendent of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Salisu Usman-Maku and his sister, Sadatu Usman-Maku, in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area, were also in police net.

Others in Police custody according to CP are the alleged kidnappers of Bishop Joseph Masin, state chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

He said that Seven firearms and several rounds of live ammunition as well as a vehicle were recovered from the criminal suspects during the various operations.

Longe said, The command wants to assert unequivocally that the security of lives and property of every law-abiding citizen remains its priority and will not shy away from this constitutional duty.

In the light of this, we want to reassure the public of our avowed commitment to the realisation of this objective.

The police also wants to appreciate members of the public, traditional rulers and other security agencies for their support and cooperation, which impacted positively on the police achievements in recent times.

Source: NAN News

Kaduna schools uphold COVID-19 guidelines as students resume

By Sani Idris

Many schools in Kaduna have resumed academic activities in full compliance with the states directive on COVID-19 guidelines.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) visit to some of the schools in Kaduna, showed that there were provisions for hand-washing facilities, observance of social distancing and wearing of face masks.

NAN also reports that thermometers were used to test the temperature of students and visitors at the gates before allowed entry into the schools premises.

The Kaduna State Government had directed students to resume on Aug. 10 to prepare for West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WAEC) which would begin on Aug. 17 and other examinations respectively.

At St. Michael Anglican College, Bidda road, Kaduna, the school had put in place necessary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as students and teachers resume classes.

From the gate, students, parents and visitors temperature were checked by the security officers with infrared thermometers, asked to put on their face masks and use hand sanitizers before entering the school premises.

The security officer at the school told NAN that the schools had also been decontaminated prior to the students resumption.

We have water and wash hand basins at the entrance of the school and classrooms for people to wash their hands, he said.

The school principal, Mrs Femi Elijah, said the school had long been preparing ahead for the resumption in order to avoid issues.

Also, speaking, a senior class student, Master Favour Akinpelu, a WAEC candidate, told NAN that he was happy to resume ahead of the examinations.

We thought it will reach 2021 before reopening of schools, we are glad to be back at least we will refresh out memories and have the opportunity to discuss and revise in group, he said.

At 2nd ECWA nursery, primary and secondary school, Taiwo road, Kaduna, wash basins were installed at the entrance of the school, with soap and sanitisers at the entrance of each class.

Already, the students have commenced mock examinations in preparation for the main WAEC examinations beginning Aug.17, and were seated in compliance to COVID-19 protocols.

The Vice Principal of the school, Ms Farombi Yetunde, said the school was fumigated in preparation for the students resumption.

NAN also observed that the school cleaners had tidied up the environment and an official was at the entrance ensuring that everyone used face mask and adhere to the hand-washing protocol.

At Government Girls Secondary School Maimuna Gwarzo, Unguwan Sunusi, it was observed that COVID-19 protocols were adhered to.

The Principal of the school, Malama Hassana Usman said the Kaduna Government gave schools in the state four hours to operate.

She also said that the turn out of their students was encouraging as 15 classes were enmarked for 285 students who would sit for the forthcoming WAEC examinations.

We divided the number of students by the 15 classes which equals 19 students per class and under strict observation of the COVID-19 protocols, she said.

At Government College, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna, there was low turn out of students, but those around hadface masks, and the school had provided water taps, hand-washing soap and sanitisers.

At Katari International School, Unguwan Muazu, Kaduna, NAN observed that hand washing soaps, sanitiser and buckets of water were situated at each class entry point, whileteachers and security officers wore face masks.

NAN recalls that the Secretary to the Government of Federation and Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, had during the PTF briefing in Abuja said the education sector was critical for the development of children and the nation.

Reopening the sector is also a source of concern based on the fact that the schools system remains a veritable ground for increasing community transmission if appropriate protocols are not put in place and more importantly, adhered to.

In this regard, the PTF wishes to implore stakeholders to ensure that the agreed protocols are put in place and measures strictly adhered to, he said. (NAN).

Source: NAN News

Officials of the NFVCB at a Drive-in cinema in Abuja

By Joshua Olomu

NFVSB

Mrs Bola Athar, Director of Operations of the NFVCB, made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

A drive-in cinema or theater is a cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor movie screen, and a parking area where customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars.

According to Arthar, the illegal drive-in cinemas are operated by some showbiz promoters and recreational spots owners.

Through our intelligence gathering efforts, we understand that films are being exhibited to the public for commercial purposes in these centres as drive-in cinemas.

These recreational centres and their promoters are not licensed exhibitors and the venue they are using are not approved by the board for exhibition, which is a contravention of relevant sections of the NFVCB Act .

As regulator of the motion picture industry, we have sealed off some drive-in cinemas in the FCT within this week , including the one at the Central Park, until the right thing is done, she said.

Athar explained that, for a film to be allowed for exhibition in Nigeria, it must be censored, classified and the exhibitor as well as the premises for its exhibition licensed.

NAN reports that the NFVCB is a Federal Government body that regulates the films and video industry, andis empowered by law to classify all films and videos whether imported or produced locally.

It also register all films and videos outlet across the country and keep record of all registered outlets, among other functions

NAN reports that a drive-in cinema is now a growing trend in the entertainment industry globally, as traditional movie theatres remain closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi of Egypt

Egypt is holding elections for a restored second parliamentary chamber on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Senate Council, parliaments upper house, was reinstated as part of constitutional amendments adopted in 2019.

Egypt used to have the Shura Council, another name for the upper house, until 2013 before it was dissolved in the 2014 constitution.

The constitutional changes also allowed Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, who first took the office in 2014, to stay longer in power, possibly until 2030.

The Senate would be formed of 300 members, two thirds of them elected by public vote and the remaining third appointed by the president.

A vote was held on Sunday and Monday for Egyptian expatriates.

The initial results of the vote will be announced on Aug. 19, with a run-off scheduled on Sept. 6 to Sept. 7 for expatriates and Sept. 8 to Sept. 9 in Egypt.

The National Election Authority has stressed that strict anti-coronavirus measures would be in place during the vote to prevent the spread of the virus.

All the polling stations would be sterilised before the start of voting, and voters would be required to wear masks and observe social distancing while casting their ballots.

Public gatherings for campaigning had been banned.

Lashin Ibrahim, head of the elections authority, has called on Egyptians to heavily participate in the vote.

Source: NAN News

Mahatma Gandhi

A pair of Mahatma Gandhis glasses will go on sale after staff at the East Bristol Auctions, the largest auction house in South West England, found them in a plain envelope.

Auctioneer Andrew Stowe said: Someone popped them into our letterbox on a Friday night and they stayed there until Monday literally hanging out.

One of my staff handed them to me and said there was a note saying they were Gandhis glasses. I thought Thats an interesting one and carried on with my day.

Upon investigating, Stowe said he almost fell off his chair to discover the circular rimmed, gold-plated glasses, had been worn by the Indian civil rights leader.

I phoned the guy back and I think he nearly had a heart attack, said Stowe.

The glasses are expected to raise more than ,600 and was the most important find in the companys history.

Stowe said the owner nearly had a heart attack when he was told their value.

Stowe said the owner told him the glasses had been handed down from generation to generation in the owners family, after a relative met Gandhi on a visit to South Africa in the 1920s.

We looked into the dates and it all matches up, even the date Gandhi started wearing glasses. They are probably one of the first pairs of glasses he wore as they are quite a weak prescription, he added.

Stowe said there had been a lot of interest in the glasses, especially from India, but that it was fortunate they reached him intact.

They were just in a plain white envelope. They could quite easily have been stolen or fallen out or just ended up in the bin. This is probably the most important find we have ever had as a company.

The glasses are going to be sold as part of an online-only auction on August 21.

Source: NAN News

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russia on Tuesday became the first country to officially register a coronavirus vaccine and declare it ready for use, in spite of international skepticism.

President Vladimir Putin said that one of his daughters had already been inoculated.

Putin emphasized that the vaccine underwent the necessary tests and has proven efficient, offering a lasting immunity from the coronavirus.

However, scientists at home and abroad have been sounding the alarm that the rush to start using the vaccine before Phase 3 trials which normally last for months and involve thousands of people could backfire.

Speaking at a government meeting Tuesday, Putin said that the vaccine has undergone proper testing and is safe.

I would like to repeat that it has passed all the necessary tests. The most important thing is to ensure full safety of using the vaccine and its efficiency, he said.

The Russian leader added that one of his two adult daughters has received two shots of the vaccine.

She has taken part in the experiment, Putin said.

Putin said that his daughter had a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit) on the day of the first vaccine injection, and then it dropped to just over 37 degrees (98.6 Fahrenheit) on the following day.

After the second shot she again had a slight increase in temperature, but then it was all over.

Shes feeling well and has high number of antibodies, Putin added.

He didnt specify which of his two daughters Maria or Katerina received the vaccine.

Russian authorities have said that medical workers, teachers and other risk groups will be the first to be inoculated.

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said that the vaccination of doctors could start as early as this month.

The Health Ministry said in Tuesdays statement that the vaccine is expected to provide immunity from the coronavirus for up to two years.

Putin emphasized that vaccination will be voluntary,Russian officials have said that large-scale production of the vaccine will start in September, and mass vaccination may begin as early as October.

When the pandemic struck Russia, Putin ordered state officials to shorten the time of clinical trials for potential coronavirus vaccines.

Becoming the first country in the world to develop a vaccine was a matter of national prestige for the Kremlin as it tries to assert the image of Russia as a global power.

State television stations and other media have praised scientists working on it and presented the work as the envy of other nations.

Prof. Alexander Gintsburg, head of the Gamaleya institute that developed the vaccine, raised eyebrows in May when he said that he and other researchers tried the vaccine on themselves.

Human studies started June 17 among 76 volunteers.

Half were injected with a vaccine in liquid form and the other half with a vaccine that came as soluble powder.

Some in the first half were recruited from the military, which raised concerns that servicemen may have been pressured to participate.

Amid Russias rush to become the first to create a vaccine, the U.S., Britain and Canada last month accused Russia of using hackers to steal vaccine research from Western labs.

As the trials were declared completed, questions arose about the vaccines safety and effectiveness.

Some experts scoffed at Russian authorities assurances that the vaccine drug produced the desired immune response and caused no significant side effects, pointing out that such claims need to be backed by published scientific data.

The World Health Organization said all vaccine candidates should go through full stages of testing before being rolled out.

Experts have warned that vaccines that are not properly tested can cause harm in many ways from a negative impact on health to creating a false sense of security or undermining trust in vaccinations.

Source: NAN News

NSCDC

By Philomina Attah
The Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Abdullahi Gana, said that 13 state commands of the corps have moved out of rented apartments into new permanent office structures built by the Corps.

Gana disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that on assumption of office in 2015, he discovered many of the state commands were operating from rented apartments and had issues with tenancy agreements.

Gana added that the corps had to source for fund to build office complexes in Edo, Delta, Ogun, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Anambra, Gombe, Sokoto, Niger, Ondo, Kebbi, Osun and Yobe states.

When I assumed office, I discovered a lot of our commands were operating from rented apartments.

This had its implications. We could not redesign the buildings to look like security structures and the premises also had limited spaces.

Another issue was, we had issues with some children of the landlords who wanted to alter the tenancy agreements we had with their fathers.

So, we had no choice than to cry to the Federal Government for budgetary provision for the building of our own permanent structures.

Since that 2015 till now, we have built about 13 new state commands while at the headquarters in Sauka (here in Abuja), we have built more classrooms for the NSCDC.

We completed the Academy, the medical centre and erected new office structures, he said.

The CG pledged the loyalty and commitment of the NSCDC personnel to President Muhammadu Buhari for his interest in the activities of the corps.

Source: NAN News

By Philip Yatai
The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday called on the Kaduna State Government to strengthen implementation of nutrition interventions to ensure child growth, development and survival.

Mrs Chinwe Ezeife, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, made that call in Zaria, at a two-day Review Meeting on allocation, releases and utilisation of nutrition budget.

The meeting was organised by Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), in partnership with the Planning and Budget Commission (PBC) and Save the Children International (SCI).

Ezeife described good nutrition as the bedrock of a childs growth, survival, good health and development, which would equally unlocks childrens potential in the future.

According to her, well-nourished children are better positioned to grow and learn, participate in and contribute to the development of their communities.

Good nutrition also makes children resilient in the face of disease, disasters and other global crises.

She commended the state government for providing the enabling environment and partnerships with development partners and relevant stakeholders to implement high-impact, low-cost interventions to address the scourge of malnutrition.

Ezeife, however, noted that in spite of the developed nutrition policies and strategic plans, investment in the sector had remained very low.

The nutrition specialist pointed out that the low investment in the sector was among major factors responsible for the high burden of malnutrition in the state.

The state government should, therefore, increase funding of the sector and ensure cash backing of allocated funds for relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to effectively implement nutrition programmes.

This will significantly reduce the prevalence of malnutrition among children under five years and increase the childrens chances of survival to adulthood.

UNICEF will continue to provide technical and financial support to strengthen nutrition programming and implementation of result-oriented interventions that will improve the quality of life of children, she said.

Mr Kunle Ishola, Project Assistant, CS-SUNN, Abuja, said that the objective of the meeting was for stakeholders to ascertain the level of nutrition investment and performance in the state.

We also want to understand the current malnutrition situation in the state and the need for prompt action.

The meeting will also help stakeholders to secure state commitments toward improving domestic investment in high-impact, low-cost interventions as captured in the state multi-sectoral strategic plans of action for nutrition he said.

Source: NAN News

U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Mrs Mary Beth Leonard, presenting the ventilators from U.S. government to the Minister of Health Dr Osagie Ehanire

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Federal Government has urged the United States (U.S.) government to lend its full support to global efforts to eradicate Coronavirus (COVID-19) which has ravaged most economies of the world.

Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire made the appeal in Abuja on Tuesday while receiving 200 ventilators from the U.S. government, on behalf of the Nigerian government.

The ventilators were presented by the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Mary Beth Leonard as part of effort to help the country sustain the fight against Coronavirus.

Ehanire said that the fight against Coronavirus needed the collaboration of all the nations of the world for it to yield effective result.

I request the U.S. government to lend its full weight to global efforts to find efficacious therapeutic and vaccines to neutralise the threats of COVID-19 to the global community and to guarantee fair allocation to all countries and people.

The speed and ease at which COVID-19 has spread globally clearly shows that it is a threat to all mankind.

Without the full collaboration of all nations, the threat of COVID-19 to any one part of the world is a threat to all, Ehanire said.

According to him, the provision of the ventilators will help to take care of respiratory distress that patients experience as part of the terminal symptoms that follow coronavirus infection.

He said it can also reduce mortality.

The minister said the ventilators would be distributed and allocated to states including the FCT based on needs.

The ventilators are particularly useful and these ones are very modern and it is electronically controlled.

Breathlessness is one of the major symptoms of COVID-19 and these machines will help us cure breathlessness but it is also useful in other infections that will affect children like pneumonia.

It is a big addition to what we have. It is going to be distributed after they have been presented to the Presidential Task Force (PTF).

It will be allocated based on needs and also on the size of states, especially to hospitals that are able to use them because they are specialised.

They are not machines you put anywhere, and you must have doctors and nurses that can be able to use them, Ehanire added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

John Odigie-Oyegun

By Deji Abdulwahab

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has extolled the virtues of its former National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who will celebrate his 81st birthday on Aug. 12.

APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Yekini Nabena, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to Nabena, APC rejoices with Chief Odigie-Oyegun, his family, friends and associates for the good health, exemplary life and good tidings the Almighty God has granted him.

He said that Odigie-Oyegun was undoubtedly a man of many achievements because he was the countrys youngest permanent secretary and first elected governor of Edo State.

He was the first National Chairman of the APC, who led us as then opposition party to presidential victory in 2015 after defeating the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Indeed, there is much to celebrate as Odigie-Oyegun clocks another year in an illustrious life journey.

He said that the APC Caretaker Committee, led by Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, would continue to count on the support of Odigie-Oyegun and other party leaders to achieve its goal of repositioning the party and ensure peace and unity across the party ranks.

He prayed for Odigie-Oyeguns long, healthy and fulfilled years in service to the party and country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ventilator

By Lizzy Okoji

The U.S. government on Tuesday donated 200 life-saving ventilators to Nigeria in fulfilment of its promise to help Nigeria in the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said the 200 ventilators being transferredare compact, portable and can easily be mobilsed to reach patients with the most severe symptoms of COVID-19

The U.S. Ambassador said earlier this year, following a discussion with President Buhari, U.S. President, Donald Trump has promised to assist Nigeria in fighting the pandemic,

This donation consists of 200 ventilators, which, as we all know by now, are a critical component of the response strategy to save the lives of persons who have been severely impacted by this viral infection.

They will certainly be of great benefit to the people of Nigeria and I wish to convey the appreciation of His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

And of the government of Nigeria, to President Donald Trump and the United States Government for the generous consideration and friendly gesture.

Our support includes training on the use and maintenance of this equipment, ensuring that the ventilators can address other respiratory illnesses in the years beyond the virus.

USAID will work very closely and energetically over the next couple of weeks with the Ministry of Health and the Presidential Task Force to bring these ventilators across each of Nigerias states and the FCT.

In fighting the COVID pandemic, it is critically important that doctors have adequate access to medical oxygen, as these ventilators depend on a reliable supply to be effective in treating patients with severe symptoms.

The United States has been pivotal in supporting Nigerias membership in the Every Breath Counts Coalition.Nigeria is now one of just two countries in Africa to have an oxygen roadmap that seeks to fight against pneumonia, hypoxemia, and now COVID-19, Leonard said.

Leonard lauded Nigerias effort in combating the virus and efforts of the country in taking early action to combat and mitigate its spread.

I hope to see Nigeria continue this trajectory as an example for other nations to follow, Leonard added.

She said the American people remain committed to working with Nigeria to implement effective disease surveillance efforts and to improve its capacity to safely isolate and treat confirmed cases as we look ahead to a virus-free Nigeria.

Receiving the ventilators on behalf of the Federal Government, Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said the ventilators were valuable equipment to support Nigeria in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ehanire said the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), acting on behalf of the United States Government, invited him to receive the ventilators on behalf of the Government of Nigeria.

The Minister noted that the delivery of the medical ventilators, courtesy of the President and people of the United States of America, will help boost Nigerias intensive care response capability.

We have worked hard to cope and, where necessary, adjust to the changes.

The Federal Ministry of Health, and its public health Agency, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), have focused on providing guidance to tackle the challenges.

Our health workers have been trained and equipped and are doing the needful to attend to COVID-19 patients and give emergency care, while not losing sight of routine and essential health services.

I believe they, and the people of Nigeria, are encouraged and reassured by the arrival of these ventilators to facilitate critical care aspects of treatment.

I wish to also commend the United States Agency for International Development, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Her Excellency Mary Beth Leonard, for their interest and engagement in Nigeria, even beyond the advent of COVID-19.

Her Excellency has demonstrated personal concern by paying a solidarity visit to the Federal Ministry of Health, Ehanire said.

Ehanire, however, called on the United States Government to lend weight to global efforts at finding efficacious therapeutics and vaccines to neutralise the threat of COVID-19 to the global community and to guarantee fair allocation to all countries and people.

The speed and ease with which COVID-19 has spread across the globe clearly shows that it is a threat to mankind.

Without thefull collaboration of all nations, the threat of COVID to any one part of the world is a threat to all, Ehanire also said.

We appreciate that this gift comes against the backdrop that the United States is also fighting its own fierce battle against the COVID-19 plague. We wish them the very best in this challenge, Ehanire said.

Ehanire further said the country witnessed the severity of the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on health systems, economy and social structure of all nations, especially on low and lower middle-income countries of the world.

Also speaking, the Director-General of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu said the more the ventilators, the more chances for people to survive COVID-19.

Ihekweazu, who was represented by the agencys Director of Lab Services, Mrs Nwando Mba said the additional ventilators would support Nigerias response to not just COVID-19, but intensive care as well.

The NCDC D-G, who said most of the COVID-19-related deaths were a result of respiratory complications, underscored the benefits of the additional ventilators.

Ihekwazu expressed appreciation to the U.S. government for its support and the donation of the ventilators. (NAN)

Source: NAN News