PTF on COVID-19

By Abujah Racheal

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has warned that a second wave of the pandemic was very much likely, and has advised Nigerians to suspend their Christmas travels.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the PTF, Mr Boss Mustapha, gave the warning on Monday at the National briefing on COVID-19, in Abuja.

Mustapha said that the risk of contracting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) during the Yuletide was high.

Ahead of the upsurge in travels for the Christmas and New Year festivities, we urge strongly that for this year, such trips should be put on hold firmly because of the risks involved. The transmission rate has simply become astronomical, he said.

Mustapha said that similarly the PTF found it necessary to mention that during the Christmas and New Year festivities, large social gatherings should also be avoided because there was a bigger risk of COVID-19 transmission.

New clusters of cases can emerge in places that have so far been unaffected as people travel and gather for festivities. But we can lower the risks by adhering to the NPIs (Non-Pharmaceutical measures) and celebrate, safely.

There will always be many more festive seasons to celebrate, he noted.

The SGF stressed that the development in the country and around the world particularly in the U.S. and in Europe remained a major source of concern to the PTF.

According to him, this is particularly so because our risk perception is low in-country; our compliance with Non-Pharmaceutical measures is extremely low to the extent that Nigerians now think COVID-19 is no more; the response of citizens to testing and detection is very low.

The risk of importation will be higher with the opening of our airspace; and the numbers in Nigeria, though appearing low over the last two weeks, has been rising gradually.

He, however, said the task force had been evaluating the compliance level of Nigerians with the protocols for testing by in-bound and out-bound travellers.

Mustapha regretted the discovery that some of the travellers had indulged in presenting fake documents.

Some, that have paid for post arrival testing have failed to show up for the tests.

Statistics show the following as at 9/11/2020: Total No of bookings: 91,522; Total No of passengers exempted: 5,470 (6per cent); Children: 1,248 (1.36 per cent); Diplomats: 3,392 (3.7 per cent); Evacuees: 830 (0.9 per cent); Total Passengers expected to Pay: 86,052(94 per cent); Paid: 46,982 (54.6 per cent) ; Not Paid: 39,070(45.45 per cent).

Travellers that have arrived in-country but have not paid (approximately 39,000); Amount paid to private labs by passengers who have refused to take the post-arrival 7-day test: N220 270 million.

The PTF is concluding steps to work with relevant institutions and legal authorities to impose appropriate sanctions on those that default on the protocols. The Port Health Services will elaborate more on this, he stressed. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NYSC members

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Monday said that 138 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) had so far tested positive to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General, NCDC, said this at the National Briefing on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja.

Ihekweazu said that none of those who tested positive was allowed into the camps.

According to him, 34,785 corps members and members of the camp communities have been tested with 138 turning positive and representing 0.4 per cent prevalence.

It means one out of 200 people, he explained.

The NCDC boss said that those who tested positive were either managed at home or in a treatment centre, depending on if they had symptoms and what state they were in.

With talks between striking university teachers and the Federal Government progressed getting more positive, he said that the next challenge would be how to work with education stakeholders to ensure safe reopening of universities.

Universities are slightly riskier and present unique challenges, but we are confident that we can address this as we have done in other sectors like aviation, Ihekweazu said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mr Joe Ajaero

By Joan Nwagwu

Organised Labour says it has not yet adopted nationwide strike as the next line of action in spite of the breakdown of dialogue between government and organised labour on the hike in the petroleum pump price and electricity tariff.

Mr Joe Ajaero, Deputy President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said this at a news conference jointly organised by NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Organised Labour on Sunday at a reconvened meeting with Federal Government aimed at addressing the increase in price of fuel and electricity tariff staged a walkout.

The meeting was necessitated by the recent increase of pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol, from N160 per litre to N170 and the increase of electricity tariff.

Ajaero said that Federal Government has violated the agreements reached with the Organised Labour, adding that the Congress will not at the slightest provocation start talking about strike.

Our strike was suspended on Sept. 28 based on certain understanding and those understanding were being violated and that was why we raised that alarm yesterday, which led to the walk out.

We cannot call you out here to announce a strike and the next strategy as if the unions are one man organisation. Part of what we are doing in terms of engagement is to reach out and if every other means fails, strike is usually the last option by any union.

We do not just at the slightest provocation start talking about strike. I think that is not what is on the table now. There are certain disagreements which we are trying to address.

We say that we cant accept deregulation that is import-driven and that the refineries must work before you think of it and then you go into price fixing.

Price fixing is not the same thing as deregulation, you cannot regulate in a deregulated market. If they have deregulated, the price of product in Sokoto will not be the same thing with that of Abuja, there will be variations, he said.

Speaking, Mr Muhammed Idris, NLC Deputy President, also explained why labour walked out of the meeting with government on Sunday.

Idris said that what they had prioritised as urgent was the increment of fuel price and electricity tariff before delving into the issue of palliatives.

He said that all efforts to make the government see reason failed and given the tense situation, labour had no option than a walk out.

This is in spite of the patriotic understanding of labour which has drawn the flak of the public which think we are not doing enough to protect their interests on the issues of petroleum products and electricity tariffs.

The terms and conditions for putting the protest on hold were clearly spelt out in the Memorandum of Understanding.

The conditions include fixing the existing refineries, entrusting them to efficient managements, creating an enabling environment for new refineries, and doing all positive things that would ensure enhanced and sustainable local refining capacity.

Furthermore, Government and Labour Committee was setup to review the increase in electricity tariff, he said.

He however, noted that the letter and spirit of the terms and conditions of the agreement presuppose that contemplation of an increase or an increase would constitute a breach of the dialogue process. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COlVID-19 vaccine

By Abujah Racheal

The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) says it will inaugurate an 18-man National COVID-19 Vaccine Task Team (VTT), as part of measures to ensure vaccine security against the virus in Nigeria.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said this on Monday in Abuja at the joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

Now that vaccines are known to be close at hand, the Federal Ministry of Health is taking measures toward vaccine security, for which an 18-man National COVID-19 Vaccine Task Team with seven Terms of Reference (ToR) will be inaugurated.

The ToR will include generating strategies for acquisition, deployment and options for licensed production by Biovaccine Nigeria Ltd.

Our options with WHO/GAVI led Covax facility remains our first line of engagement, Ehanire said.

He said that as at Monday, November 23, 2020, Nigeria recorded 66,383 COVID-19 cases from 743,298 samples tested so far, with 62,076 persons successfully treated and discharged.

He said that the nation sadly recorded 1167 deaths with a case fatality rate of 1.76%.

The minister said that eight states accounted for 72 per cent of confirmed cases, because they were testing and reporting steadily.

According to him, of the 1,235 confirmed cases reported in 22 states in the past week, Kaduna, Lagos, FCT, Oyo, Plateau and Ogun account for over 84 per cent.

We are thus not yet where we want to be with our testing rate. We shall continue to engage states to strengthen active case finding and testing, since we are committed to lowering case fatality rate to less than one per cent, to save more lives from COVID-19.

We are by no means out of the woods and must not become complacent.

Citizens with symptoms suggestive of COVID -19, or those who had contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients should present themselves for testing and if positive, comply with instructions for treatment, he said.

The minister said that the government was keeping vigilance, with regard to the exploding numbers of COVID-19 cases in Europe and America by strengthening the capacity for treatment, ensuring health workers were kept updated and ensuring the health facilities had adequate supplies of needed materials.

He said that the government was also reviewing the entry protocols at the nations borders, to reduce risks of COVID-19 importation by sealing gaps in present protocol and responding to emerging threats.

He said: Strategies for capacity building continues, with nationwide training of intensivists, of which three trainers will emerge per state and FCT, who will scale training down to nurses and other cadres of health workers.

The strategy to keep our health system ready includes ensuring oxygen availability at Points of Treatment and scaling up oxygen availability to state hospitals and PHCs, he said.

Ehanire said that the government would analyse reports of isolation and treatment centres to identify gaps and challenges, the result of which would be used to address thematic areas like monitoring of isolation and treatment centres, logistics, data management, training and development and review of protocols and SOPs.

He also advised against non-essential travels to high burden countries, due to increased risk of exposure to infection, especially of persons with known co-morbidities.

The minister also said that the reported strange deaths in Delta, Enugu, Ebonyi, Benue, Bauchi and Kogi states, turned out to be yellow fever outbreak, as confirmed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), who were responding professionally with Rapid Response Teams to the outbreak.

Of 586 suspected cases, 40 were confirmed in laboratory tests, with 10 deaths as at last week, he said.

Ehanire said that in spite of increased COVID-19 alert, Nigeria still virtually hosted the global Stop Tuberculosis Partnership Board meeting last week, at which President Muhammadu Buhari delivered a virtual welcome message and the First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari delivered a statement, as the TB champion.

He said, Nigerias response in the fight against TB suffered decline due to COVID-19 and a new strategy was needed to step up performance.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

By Lydia Ngwakwe

The Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, is to present the 2020 banking industrys scorecard at the 55th Annual Bankers Dinner organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), on Nov. 27.

Mr Nelson Olagundoye,Head, Marketing/ Corporate Communication and External Relations, CIBN disclosed this in a statement on Monday, in Lagos

Emefiele is also expected to provide economic insight into 2021 monetary policy and regulatory direction at the event in Lagos.

The annual bankers dinner is a thought-led socio-economic event of the industry.

It is the biggest high-profile social forum organised annually by the institute for the banking and finance industry.

The event attracts captains of industry, top executives of banks and non-bank institutions including CEOs and chairmen, Diplomatic Missions and top government functionaries, among others.

Mr Emefiele will be delivering a keynote address where he is expected to present the Banking Industrys score card for the current year, as well as provide economic insight into the monetary policy and regulatory direction for the coming year, Olagundoye said.

He said that the dinner would hold at the Eko Hotel and Suites, under strict adherence to the protocol against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

It will also be transmitted simultaneously through Zoom teleconferencing, to accommodate participation across the globe.

Olagundoye said that no fewer than 1,500 participants across the world were expected to participate, both physically and virtually.

He said that the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state governors were expected to grace the occasion as special guests of honour.

Mr Bayo Olugbemi, President/Chairman of Council, CIBN, would deliver the address of welcome.

Dignitaries expected at the occasion include Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President/Chairman, Dangote Group; Mr Fola Adeola, Chairman, Fate Foundation, Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo, President, Nigerian Stock Exchange; and Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, Chairman, Elizade Nigeria Limited.

Dr Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings; Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, Managing Director/Chief Executive, NDIC; all Deputy Governors and Directors of Central Bank of Nigeria are also expected.

Chairmen and Managing Directors/CEOs of banks; Mr Wale Tinubu, Chairman, Oando Plc; Mr Segun Ogunsanya, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Airtel Nigeria Ltd are also listed among those expected.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

NCDC Coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) update

COVID-19 is caused by a virus not bacteria.

void touching high-contact surfaces like door handles and stair rails. Clean all surfaces with soap and water or disinfectants, it advised. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Troops eliminate 8 terrorists, rescue victims, recover arms in North East

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Accord have arrested 11 illegal miners and eliminated scores of bandits on Nov. 21 in parts of Zamfara and Katsina States.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Monday, said the troops continued to record successes in the fight against banditry and other criminal acts in the zone.

Enenche said the troops apprehended the illegal miners following credible intelligence on their activities at Kadauri in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara.

He disclosed that the suspects had been handed over to the appropriate prosecuting authority for further action.

The Coordinator said the troops also eliminated two bandits and recovered two AK 47 rifles while on covert Operation at Galadi village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of the state on Nov. 21.

According to him, troops also neutralised several bandits and rescued three kidnapped victims during clearance operation at Sabon Tunga and Tamuske villages.

The gallant troops supported by Nigerian Air Force helicopter gunships bombarded bandits enclaves at Dutsen Emai in Zamfara.

On same the date, troops while on routine patrol at Gobirawa village killed six bandits while four AK47 rifles, three Dane guns and two motorcycles were recovered, he said.

Enenche further disclosed that troops arrested a wanted bandits informant known as Shafiu Suleman, who masterminded the recent kidnapping of some people within Kwatarkwashi district of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara.

He said that the troops also neutralised one bandit and arrested two in an encounter at Gidan Ruwa along Rukudawa axis of Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara on Sunday following distress call from locals.

He said that one AK 47 rifle and one magazine loaded with 29 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered.

According to him, troops also on Sunday, arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin in Kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina State following credible intelligence.

The suspect who has been on the wanted list is presently in custody for further action.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies will not relent until all enemies of the Nation are neutralised and normalcy is restored to all troubled zones, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NAFEST 2020: Contingents undergoing COVID-19 tests before participation Official

By Martha Agas

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has assured participants of the 2020 National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST) of safety and compliance to COVID-19 protocols.

Lalong gave the assurance during the grand performance of the 33rd edition of the festival, tagged: Cultural Dynamism and Post COVID-19 in Jos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NAFEST 2020 being hosted by Plateau would feature traditional board game; archery, indigenous fabrics and traditional cuisine competition as well as childrens essay competition.

He urged the visitors to feel comfortable, enjoy the hospitality and conducive weather of the state, saying they would be protected, with no infection of COVID-19 as the festival would be memorable.

You are free to enjoy the hospitality and accommodating nature of the people.The thing you will temper with the Plateau people is when you dabble into their culture and tradition, he said.

The governor expressed confidence that the festival would be fun, entertaining, build lasting friendships and would set standard for subsequent editions.

He applauded various presentations by the cultural groups, especially the children, saying the festival was a platform to showcase their potentials.

According to him, Plateau groomed many musical artists such as Tuface and PSquare, and is also a breeding ground of Nollywood.

In sports we had the best from Plateau, in music we have artistes such as Tuface, PSquare, Also, Nollywood started with programmes such as Cock Crow at Dawn, a series that gave way to many productions, he said.

Lalong said he was committed to restoring the glory of film production in the state through his peace efforts.

Earlier in his remarks, Segun Runsewe, Director-General, National Council of Arts and Culture, (NCAC), thanked the governor for hosting the event in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the economy.

Runsewe said that the state could be transformed to a tourist hub with the needed support from Lalong, while assuring participants of visits to tourist sites.

Also, the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, said the event was historic as it signified hope for progress after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Tallen also commended the governor for promoting culture and bringing hope to the state.

She urged traditional leaders and youths to cooperate with Lalong on peace efforts, noting that the festival was a chance to foster unity for progress in the state and the country.

NAN reports that highlights of the event was the symbolic release of Doves for the restoration of peace in the state and other parts of the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Taiye Olayemi

The 33rd National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST 2020) got underway in Jos with a command performance by host Plateau State on Sunday night.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that weeklong festival, which will end on Saturday, was themed, COVID-19: Cultural Dynamism.

NAN reports that the command performance by Plateau cultural troupe showcased the need for Nigerians to embrace peaceful co-existence through dance, music, poems, melodrama and other cultural renditions.

The troupe also sensitized the audience on the need to adhere with COVID-19 pandemic protocols.

Earlier, Otunba Segun Runsewe, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), organiser of the annual festival, said Plateau had the best weather with numerous cultural potential capable of attracting tourists.

The Director-General said that the essence of the festival was to enable the participating states to showcase their culture to the world.

He commended Gov. Simon Lalong for the courage exhibited to host the festival amid COVID-19 pandemic and security challenges confronting the state.

This is the first state to host a big event as this festival amid COVID-19 pandemic, it is quite commendable.

Jos is the new abroad for us now, considering the cool weather and natural environment, let us all take out time to explore the state, he said.

Also, Tamwakat Weli, Plateau Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, urged states to also take out time to showcase and market their culture.

Weli commended the state governor for hosting the festival in spite the challenges currently facing the state.

She also appreciated Runsewes zeal and innovative spirit in ensuring that the promotion of culture takes the front burner in spite the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic

Welcome to the cool city of Plateau, the state hosted NAFEST 24 years ago and we thank God it is happening again, she said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ologunagba

At least 9,150 patients received surgical care from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Maiduguri in the last 18 months, its Head of Delegation, Mr Eloi Fillion, said on Monday.

Fillion told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that no fewer than 7,700 patients received surgical care from the ICRC surgical team in 2019.

He said that the ICRCs surgical team received more than 350 surgical admissions and carried out more than 1,450 surgical interventions in the first half of 2020

He said out of those received in the period, 11 patients in critical conditions were referred to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for further treatment.

He added that the surgical programme of the ICRC would stretch for a long time in Maiduguri because of its training component.

It is not only meant to support emergency for people who needed to be treated, it is also a teaching programme for medical staff including surgeons here in Nigeria and abroad.

We train on orthopaedic surgery and everything that goes around it; we train staff that will be sent abroad to work in similar circumstances.

We dont have many places to train on orthopaedic surgery, so Maiduguri has become one of the places to train ICRC medical staff on orthopaedic surgery, Fillion said.

He said the ICRC also opened the Maiduguri Physical Rehabilitation Centre (PRC) recently in collaboration with the UMTH to provide physical rehabilitation services.

According to him, the PRC will offer services in physiotherapy, prostheses (artificial limbs), orthoses (supportive braces) for upper and lower limbs, customised wheelchair fitting and walking aids.

It will also offer services in mental health psycho-social support as well as offer accommodation for patients from outside Maiduguri in its 18-bed dormitory, he said.

He told NAN that ICRC would still maintain its PRC domiciled at the Dala Orthopaedic Hospital in Kano.

We will maintain our Kano centre for those from other parts of the northwest, but we dont have so many war wounded patients there like we have in Maiduguri.

Here in Maiduguri, we have more patients treated in our surgical ward and some of them that will need prostheses (artificial limbs) or orthoses (supportive braces) will be accommodated at the PRC, Fillion added.

He said 314 patients were fitted with artificial limbs through the ICRC physical rehabilitation programme in 2019.

More than 140 persons with disabilities benefitted from the ICRC-supported rehabilitation programme at the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Kano from January to June, 2020.

No fewer than 67 assistive devices were produced, fitted and delivered to persons with disabilities in the same period, he said.

Also in an interview with NAN, Dr Bhavna Chawia, a surgeon at the ICRC Surgical Ward at the specialist hospital, said the primary goal of the surgical programme was to treat victims of armed conflicts and other situations of violence.

The programme is aimed at treating the war-wounded, offer life and limb saving surgeries; we also do emergencies for patients from the Internally Displaced Persons camps around the region.

We have a lot of patients in the male ward that came in with orthopaedic trauma. This is where the role of psychotherapy comes early to assist in the procedures for rehabilitation, She said.

She told NAN that some of the surgeries would involve amputation of limbs and that there was the need to rehabilitate such amputees.

We have a PRC in Kano to where we used to refer the amputees to have access to mobility aids.

With the inauguration of the new PRC in UMTH, it is going to be easier to refer our patients there. They dont need to travel almost seven hours to get to Kano, the surgeon said.

According to her, 70 per cent to 80 per cent of surgical interventions done by the ICRC Mobile Surgical Team are orthopaedic cases and limb injuries, while the remaining relate to abdominal and other areas of body.

The surgeon said the greatest challenge of the surgical programme was access to patients for timely intervention, adding that it could take two days to get some patients to the ward because of distance.

NAN reports the ICRC Surgical Ward domiciled at the Maiduguri State Specialist Hospital has a minimum capacity of admitting 36 patients, operation theatre, recovery room, accident and emergency unit, physiotherapy facility as well as psycho-social support facility for children. (NAN)

Source: NAN News