By Carol V. Utulu

The Federal Government says it will appeal, rather than force anyone to take the Oxford AstraZeneca Vaccines for COVID -19, according to Dr Olorunnibe Mamora, the Minister of State for health

Mamora made the disclosure, on Friday, in Asaba, while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after he inaugurated some projects at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Asaba.

His comment followed a reporters question on why Kogiwas yet to take delivery of the vaccine. while most states in the federation hadreceived the vaccine.

However, Mamora was quick to point out that Kogi was not ready to take delivery of the vaccine, whilethe Federal Government would not compel any state to do so.

Kogi lacked storage facilities for cold chain, security, logistics and personnel to administer the vaccines.

Also, let me state clearly here that from the onset, the Federal Government made it clear that it willnot force anyone to take the vaccine, but ratherwill continue to appeal to people in their own interests.

Aside that, in Kogi, that you mentioned specifically, one of the reasons the vaccine hasnot been sent there is because during the #EndSARS crisis, some of their facilities were violently destroyed.

So, as we speak, Kogi does not even have the facilities for storage to maintain the cold chain. So, that is the reason the state has not been supplied, he said.

The minister stated that the Federal Government had given conditions to the states, toensure readiness in terms of cold chain facility, logistics, security and personnel to administer the vaccine, before they could be supplied.

On the suspension of the vaccine in some European countries, Mamora said it might be political, insisting that the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine was safe and efficient.

He said: One thing I will say as a personal opinion which I am not afraid to express is I wont be surprised if politics is involved because of Brexit and what have you.

But that is not the most important thing, the most important thing is that even the European Medicine Agency has come out to say the vaccine is safe and efficient. That is the most important thing.

If you have given close to 20 million vaccinations and you have maybe less than 20,000, what percentage of the over 20 million is the 20,000? That is infinitesimal, the minister said.

Mamora further noted that every drug was a potential poison, saying that when you give a drug or a vaccine, it is because you have weighed the therapeutic advantages against the side effects.

If the balance tilts in favour of the advantage, you willgo for it as a clinician or medical doctor, adding that its the situation with the AstraZeneca vaccine, Mamora said

The minister reiterated the governments position not to allow the private sector, get involved in the distribution and administration of the vaccine, because it wanted to take absolute responsibility.

It is genuine. We can verify the source and dont forget, the Federal Government signed an indemnity clause, that says we will take responsibility, he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the projects inaugurated by Mamora at the FMC, Asaba, included,a Molecular Biology Laboratory, 15-Room Intensive Care Unit, 40-Room House Officers Quarter/Seminar Room and 17-Room Guest House. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhyideen Jimoh

No fewer than 22 FIFA badged Nigerian referees on Friday underwent the FIFA physical fitness training test at the Moshood Abiola National stadium, Abuja.

FIFA/CAF National Fitness Instructor, Emmanuel Imiere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the quarterly exercise was in line with FIFA s international best practices.

This physical fitness test is one of the prescribed test that FIFA badged referees must undergo every year, it is a quarterly exercise and this is for the first quarter, he said.

Imiere said 29 referees were supposed to take part in the exercise but some could not make it due to engagement in national assignments with CAF.

He said four male referees, three female referees, eight assistant referees ( male and female), four FUTSAL referees and three beach soccer referees took part in the test.

He said the exercise was meant to ensure the fitness level of the referees because they could be called for international assignments at any time.

The instructor urged the referees to ensure they are also technically sound and officiate matches with professionalism, so that more Nigerian referees can be invited for matches by CAF and FIFA.

Earlier, the Secretary, Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), Sani Zubairu charged the referees to improve on their officiating.

Zubairu, who is also the Head of NFF Referee Unit, said the NFF was committed to the training and exposure of Nigerian referees. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ajogun

The Federal Government has expressed readiness to support the Edo Government in hosting the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF).

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, stated this during a courtesy visit on Gov. Godwin Obaseki, on Friday in Benin.

Dare said the Federal Government was ready and willing to provide financial support to the Edo Government.

In spite of the hiccups being experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government is ready and willing to provide financial support to the Edo Government in hosting the festivalbetween April 2 and April 14.

The process is ongoing and sometimes it takes time and it is our hope and desire to monitor, follow through and hasten the process.

We are sure of the process and we have decided to work with the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu who heads the Local Organising Committee (LOC), to convey to all the 36 state governors and all their sports bodies that by April 2 camp for the festival will open, he said.

Dare assured that the official opening of the festival would be on April 6, and commended the state governments commitment in ensuring that the festival was hosted.

President Muhammadu Buhari will officially declare the festival open on April 6, he said.

The minister disclosed that there were however going to be some changes to what were earlier planned.

Before the postponment of the festival last year, 13,000 athletes were expected to participate in the events, but that number has been reviewed and reduced to 8,000 athletes.

He expressed happiness that Edo was ready and adequately prepared with facilities in place to host the games.

There is no better place to host Nigerian athletes for the Tokyo Olympicsthan Edo State. The state already has the facilities and the national camp will be set up in Edo state, the sports minister said.

He further disclosed that details of vaccination of athletes and officials would be made available soon.

Dare added that the ministry was working with the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID 19 and other stakeholders for the necessary support in terms of vaccination.

In his remarks, Gov. Obaseki appreciated President Buharis financial commitment to the state governments quest to hosting the best festival ever.

Obaseki said the postponments of the NSF had been challenging for the state following the preparation and resources committed to hosting it.

Hosting the festival is the right thing to do in spite of the challenges from COVID-19.

Now our spirit is lifted. The world is going to the Olympics in Tokyo and its important we participate in the Olympics.

We cant be defeated by the pandemic. Data shows that we are winning the war against COVID-19.

We will work with you to ensure that the festival holds. We will open up the camp for the festival. But, however, the financial position of the state is difficult.

We will be hosting up to 10,000 athletes and officials within 10 days of the festival, and its going to be expensive.

While we strain ourselves to provide the support, we dont have all the resources to host these athletes while they are here.

Its important that the federal government comes through with its commitment before the festival begins, he said.

Obaseki thanked the authorities of University of Benin and other critical partners for their support so far ahead of the festival.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 cost Africa about 65 billion dollars a month, according to findings put before the experts meeting in Addis Ababa on Africas industrialisation.

A one-month complete lockdown across Africa would cost the continent about 2.5 per cent of its annual GDP, or about 65.7 billion dollars per month, read the document based on an estimate by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected Africa. The pandemic has had different effects on countries depending on their strengths and vulnerabilities.

In November 2020, two million people were already infected and 48,400 deaths declared around Africa.

Presently, more than 50 African countries are in the process of breaking free from the strictest containment measures in the world that they adopted, leading to a serious deterioration in their economic activities and their socioeconomic situation.

The experts meeting, which started Wednesday in Addis Ababa and online, was due to close on Friday.

It was held ahead of the 53rd Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on the theme, Africas Sustainable Industrialization and Diversification in the Digital Era in the Context of COVID-19.

(PANA/NAN)

Source: NAN News

A large group of former prominent anti-Apartheid activists and leaders from religious, civil society, business and labour organisations have launched a campaign to defend South Africas Constitution and democracy and prevent the country from becoming a failed state.

They include Reverend Frank Chikane, a top aide to former President Thabo Mbeki, former Minister Sipho Pityana, and Cheryl Carolus. They have strongly condemned former President Jacob Zumas defiance of the Constitutional Court.

Zuma publicly defied the order to appear before a graft commission chaired by deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo, citing personal relations with him.

Zondo rejected this claim, saying they barely knew each other, and called on the highest court in the land to impose a two-year jail term on the former president to send a strong message and ensure no-one copied his antics.

The activists have called for protests on 25 March when the Constitutional Court will hear an application from the Zondo Commission to have Zuma declared in contempt of the Commission.

Former ambassador Sheila Sisulu said Zumas astonishing defiance not only violates the law but assails the Constitution itself.

She said disparate parties directly implicated in the state capture project have been enlisted to amplify Zumas unlawful defiance of the Constitutional Court. (PANA/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The nations bourse closed trading on Friday in red with key market indices dropping by 1.37 per cent, amid losses by blue chips.

Specifically, the market capitalisation lost N279 billion within six trading hours to close at N20.081 trillion from N20.360 trillion recorded on Thursday.

Also, the All-Share Index dipped 532.45 points or 1.37 per cent to close at 38,382.39 from 38.914.84 achieved on Thursday.

Lasaco Insurance topped the losers chart in percentage terms, dropping by 6.92 per cent to close at N1.21 per share.

BUA Cement trailed with 6.42 per cent to close at N69.95, while Neimeth International Pharmaceutical shed 6.32 per cent to close at N1.78 per share.

Courteville dipped by 4.76 per cent to close at 20k, while Oando declined by 4.39 per cent to close at N3.05 per share.

On the other hand, Ikeja Hotel led the gainers chart in percentage terms, growing by 10 per cent to close at N1.10 per share.

Eterna followed with a gain of 9.84 per cent to close at N5.58, while United Capital garnered 7.37 per cent to close at N5.10 per share.

Union Bank Nigeria added 4.95 per cent to close at N5.30, while Africa Prudential Registrars was up by 4.90 per cent to close at N5.35 per share.

Also, the volume of shares traded closed lower with 290.62 million shares valued at N4.02 billion in 4,311 deals.

This was against a total of 1.47 billion shares worth N5.85 billion exchanged in 4,040 deals on Thursday.

The banking stocks dominated the activity chart with Zenith Bank emerging the most active stock, exchanging 66.09 million shares valued at N1.48 billion.

Unity Bank followed with an account of 51.81 million shares worth N37.31 million, while Guaranty Trust Bank traded 39.39 million valued at N1.23 billion.

AIICO Insurance sold 26.84 million shares worth N33.22 million, while Access Bank accounted for 12.69 million shares valued at N101.08 million. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says nearly seven million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Africa.

WHO Regional Office for Africa disclosed this in a statement issued from its headquarters in Brazzaville, Congo, on Thursday.

It stated that the vaccines had been administered after months of waiting on the side-lines for vaccines and many of the first wave of countries had started vaccinating high-risk groups.

The statement stated that Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, spoke at a virtual press conference on COVID-19 in the regional office headquarters.

The UN health agency said countries had accessed vaccines through the COVAX Facility, bilateral deals and donations.

Altogether, 38 African countries have received more than 25 million COVID-19 vaccines and 30 have started vaccination campaigns.

Through the COVAX initiative which is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and WHO in partnership with UNICEF more than 16 million vaccine doses have so far been shipped to 27 countries.

The statement quoted Moeti as saying, Although Africa received vaccines late and in limited quantities, a lot of ground has been covered in a short space of time.

This is due to the continents vast experience in mass vaccination campaigns and the determination of its leaders and people to effectively curb COVID-19.

Compared with countries in other regions that accessed vaccines much earlier, the initial rollout phase in some African countries has reached a far higher number of people.

According to the statement, just two weeks after receiving COVAX-funded AstraZeneca vaccines, Ghana has administered more than 420,000 doses.

It stated that the country had covered over 60 per cent of the targeted population in the first phase in the Greater Accra region the hardest hit by the pandemic.

In the first nine days, it is estimated the country delivered doses to around 90 per cent of health workers.

In Morocco, more than 5.6 million vaccinations have taken place in the past seven weeks, while in Angola, vaccines have reached over 49,000 people, including more than 28,000 health workers in the past week.

To ensure the most impact, the global health agency stated that initial vaccine doses were being limited to priority population groups including health workers.

It stated that they were being limited to population groups including older people and people with health conditions placing them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness.

While the rollout is going well, there is an urgent need for more doses as Ghana, Rwanda and other countries are on the brink of running dry.

The statement further quoted Moeti as saying Countries are clocking an impressive vaccination pace, but we must ensure this speed doesnt slow down to a crawl.

Additional supplies are urgently required to narrow the gap between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated.

Meanwhile, a few countries in Africa have halted or postponed their use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, following the suspension of the vaccine by some countries in Europe.

This precautionary measure is based on reports of rare blood coagulation disorders in people who had received the vaccine.

The suspension is regarding one specific batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has not been distributed to Africa. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Babatunde Ogunrinde

Some of the officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Oko-Afo outpost of Lagos State Sector Command, rendered an assistance to a woman in labour while in transit on Thursday.

The Sector Commander of the Corps, Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide, in a statement by the FRSC Public Education Officer in Lagos, said that the assistance became imperative to save the pregnant woman and her baby.

At about 0832hrs on Thursday night while on patrol at Area K Police Station in Morogbo, a Mazda bus transporting passengers stopped in front of the team and lodged a complaint.

The complaint was that a pregnant woman was in labour.

We quickly used the patrol vehicle to convene her to the nearest hospital, and to the glory of God she was safely delivered of a baby boy, he said.

Ogungbemide said that the command would not relent on its determination to do anything that would safeguard the lives and property of the residents of Lagos on the road.

He urged all motorists to desist from breaking traffic rules and regulations to reduce traffic congestions and feel free to seek help whenever needed from their operatives on the road.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Funmilola Gboteku

An African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) team will visit Lagos on Monday to sensitise stakeholders in Fintech and other professional associations on the initiative.

Francis Anatogu, Secretary, National Action Committee on AfCFTA, made this known in a statement on Friday.

The AfCFTA official said that the team would also visit Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and stakeholders in manufacturing, media, trade and financial services sector.

Anatogu said : We believe that for AfCFTA to be successful, Lagos State as Africas commercial hub of Nigeria and a mega city needs to key into this transformational programme.

Anatogu said the mandate of the committee was to coordinate the activities of private and public sectors, regarding AfCFTA implementation at federal and sub-national levels.

He noted that Lagos State was a critical stakeholder in advancing the mission toward taking advantage of the single market opportunity for Nigeria.

We will work with Lagos State and other states based on areas of their competitive advantages and priorities to build up our national export market, Anatogu said.

Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Chairman, National Action Committee on AfCFTA had said that AfCFTA would help deepen economic integration for Africa.

It promotes a single market for goods, services, and free movement of persons within the African continent.

With over 1.27 billion consumers and an aggregate GDP of 3.4 trillion dollars which AfCFTA is expected to help deliver, we are convinced that this will be a game changer for the African business community, which Lagos state and Nigeria currently plays a leading role.

We therefore encourage Nigerians to take advantage of this initiative, Adebayo said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Akeem Abas

The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retiredBrig.-Gen Buba Marwa,says the agency will continue to crackdown on all sources of illicit substances in Nigeria.

Marwa disclosed this on Friday during the inauguration of a Behavioural Action Care Foundation Centre in Ogbomodo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Behavioural Centre was built by the Ogbomoso First Group, under its community initiative.

We, in the NDLEA, will continue to crackdown on all sources of illicit substances in the country. We will deny their exportation, we will seize them when we find them and will destroy them, he said.

Marwa lamented the prevalence in use of illicit substances, saying the war against it must be a collective effort.

There is no community in this country that has not suffered from this debilitating disease of drug use, drug abuse and addiction.

We have 14.4 percent of Nigerians between the ages of 16 to 64 who are using drugs, this is three times the global average. Zonally, the South-West has the worst prevalence.

The prevalence in the South-West geo-political zone is 22.4 per cent. Oyo State in particular is 23 per cent. This is followed by the South-South with the prevalence of 16.6 per cent and the South-East 14.8 per cent.

This is followed by the North-East with 18.6 per cent, North-West 12 per cent and North-Central 10 per cent. Kano has a prevalence of 16 per cent. This rate is very high considering its population, he said.

The NDLEA chairman called on parents and other stakeholders to always demand drug-free certificate as a requisite for marriage as well as other important programmes.

He commended the Ogbomoso group and traditional rulers for their support.

NAN reports that Marwa in company with Ogbomoso First Group members, had earlier paid homage to the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Jimoh Oyewole and Onpetu of Ijeruland, Oba Sunday Oladapo.

Oyewole thanked Marwa and the Ogbomoso group for their contributions to the town, saying they would also do all within their capability to support them in thewar against the menace.

He called on people to ensure the fight against illicit drugs begins from their homes.

Oladapo, on his part, called on the NDLEA boss to take the war against illicit drugs to a new dimension, for the benefit of the society.

A drug-free society is a prosperous society and that is why we will do all within our ability to support your effort to fight the menace.

As we are doing that, I want to implore you to look ahead and see how we can move forward from the way weve been operating. The way weve been fighting this war.

Let us look for a new dimension to improve the system and what good can be brought out of these so called rot, he said.

Former Gov. Adebayo Alao-Akala and Sen. Ayoade Adeseun, in their separate goodwill messages, lauded Marwa for transforming the NDLEA.

They also commended the Ogbomoso First Group for the laudable initiative and its contributions to the development of the area.

Mr Olusegun Adekunle, the President, Ogbomoso First Group, bemoaned the alarming rate of drug abuse and addiction among the youth.

He said that the centre, which was part of the groups community initiative, was aimed at rehabilitating those who might be suffering from drug abuse or addiction.(NAN)

Source: NAN News