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By Cecilia Ologunagba

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, says there are currently over 663,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Africa.

The UN health agency gave the update on its regional official Twitter account @WHOAFRO on Friday.

There are over 663,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases on the African continent with more than 343,000 recoveries and 14,000 deaths, it stated on its dashboard.

The regional office stated that South Africa had 324,221 cases and 4,669 deaths, followed by Nigeria with 34,854 confirmed cases and 769 deaths, while Ghana had 26,125 confirmed cases and 139 deaths.

It added that Gambia, Seychelles and Eritrea were countries currently with the lowest confirmed cases in the region.

Gambia, the office said, had 78 confirmed cases with three deaths, Seychelles had 108 reported cases and zero death, while Eritrea had 251 reported cases with no death.

Meanwhile, the data posted on the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) dashboard was 1,051 cases higher than of WHO.

According to Africa CDC, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the African continent reached 664,051 as at Friday.

The Africa CDC said that the death toll from the pandemic surged from 14,044 on Thursday to 14,399 as of Friday.

It further said that 345,320 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have so far recovered from the infectious virus.

It said the highly affected African countries in terms of positive cases included South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Ghana.

The Africa CDC also said that the Southern Africa region is the most affected area across the continent in terms of positive COVID-19 cases, followed by the North Africa region.

Source: NAN News

Medical equipment

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), has unveiled a coordinating framework for governance of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).

Mr Dasuki Arabi, BPSR Director-General, made the disclosure in a statement by Mr Aliyu Umar, Principal Information Officer of the service on Friday in Abuja.

According to Arabi, the objective of the BHCPF is to extend Primary Health Care (PHC) to all Nigerians by increasing the level of financial resources to all services.

It provides for improved funding of healthcare at the grassroots so that people do not have to travel far to access medical services.

Other objectives are to enable the states participate in improving health centres through counterpart fund that will enable them benefit from the consolidated funds, he said.

Arabi said that the stakeholders currently involved in the BHCPF implementation project include; Central Bank of Nigeria and the Ministry of Health.

Others are the National Health Insurance Scheme, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, state Ministries of Health, International Donor Partners, and Civil Society Organisations.

The director general noted that the lack of commitment on the part of state governments in contributing the 25 per cent counterpart funding made it difficult for them to access the fund.

Out of 15 states that have fulfilled the criteria for accessing the N6.5 billion earmarked for disbursement via the NHIS gateway, only two have had access as at January, while 58.3 per cent are yet to meet the criteria.

Record also has it that of Nigerias 36 states and FCT, only 11 have State Social Health Insurance Scheme (SSHIS) established for providing access to healthcare, which is a critical criterion for the implementation of the Fund.

By implication, more than 75 per cent of the states are already disenfranchised to benefit from the Fund, the BPSR boss said.

He gave assurance that BPSR will work with relevant authorities to broker dialogue and reconciliation across the federal, state and local government actors.

He further said that the bureau would also set up working and learning mechanism among the actors, using standardisation tool such as Community of Practice.

We will work with relevant agencies to facilitate digitalisation of the process involved in the implementation of the fund.

We will also create communication mechanism and strategy for reporting fund implementation performance, he added.

Source: NAN News

Gov. of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal

Sokoto State Executive Council has approved the sum of N1.65 billion for the construction of a new sports arena and indoor sports hall in the state capital city.

A statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto by Muhammad Bello, the Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal on Media and Public Affairs, indicated that the approvals were given on Wednesday.

Bello said the breakdown of the money approved during Wednesdays State Executive Council (SEC) meeting also indicated that the sum of N1.2 billion would be spent on constructing the sports arena.

He added that about N447 million would be expended on the construction of the indoor sports hall.

The two projects will be at the proposed Sokoto New City and they were awarded to Qualitrend Global Solution.

While the sports arena is expected to be completed within 44 weeks, the sports hall is to be completed within 20 weeks.

Bello added in the statement that other Sokoto SEC resolutions included the approval of a proposed bill for the establishment of Drugs and Medical Consumables Management Agency.

He said the bill was intended to select and quantify the procurement of medicines to healthcare institutions in the state.

The purpose of the bill is to curtail the indiscriminate sale of drugs, in order to ensure the genuineness of drugs in circulation in the state, Bello stated.

He added that the council approved the amendment of two bills, namely the Public Procurement Agency Bill and the Fiscal Responsibility Law (2019).

Both bills will soon be sent to the state House of Assembly for consideration, the official said.

The governors spokesman further stated that the council approved the formation of a Development Cooperative Management Policy Framework between the government and development partners operating in the state.

The policy framework is aimed at creating more synergy on government efforts with development partners, while taking into consideration the prevalent norms, values and religion of the people in the state when executing projects.

The framework is also to ensure accountability and transparency in the execution of projects in the state, Bello added.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 updates by NCDC

Countries in the world, including the most liberal in Europe, are now making masks mandatory for people who use public transport and even outdoors and they are imposing a fine for non-compliance.

Source: NAN News

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has called for stronger collaboration with the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) to promote national growth.

Acting Managing Director of NAN, Alhaji Biola Lawal, made the call during his courtesy visit to the newly appointed Executive Secretary of NCPC, Rev. Yakubu Pam, in Abuja

Lawal, who led team of NAN management staff congratulated Pam on his appointment as the Commissions boss, saying more would be done to strengthen the mutual relationship between the two organisations.

I look forward to NAN having robust relationship with the Commission, he said.

Lawal said that although the relationship between NAN and NCPC had existed for long, there is a need for both parastatals to partner and move the nation forward.

According to him, there is so much to do under this COVID-19 issue because people talk, but the public will listen more you, because they have respect for you.

Despite government circular on COVID-19, people are not taking the issue serious, even the safety guideline.

If people like you are talking about it in Nigeria, whether Christian or Muslim, it is bound to have effect.

Whatever you want to do, NAN is there, it is part of our efforts to sensitise parastatals to talk.

And, whatever our achievements are, collectively, it means Nigeria is making progress.

When you are making progress and you are not talking about it, people will not know you are working, he said.

Lawsl saidthat the agency had established platforms such as SMS, NAN PR-wire and NAN multimedia services among others to promote national unity through factual and balanced news dissemination.

Responding, Pam expresses appreciation to Lawal and his team for the interest to strengthen ties between both organisations.

He expressed confidence on NAN operations as organisation that is capable of restoring the glory of the commission.

The only institution that can raise the image of this place is nobody but you, NAN.

I have no doubt in my heart that your visit is going to correct many wrong perceptions about NCPC.

We are going to work together not just because of NCPC, but for the image of this country, Pam said.

The executive secretary expressed appreciation to NAN, saying it was the second official visit by government officials since his assumption of office on July 7.

Source: NAN News

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose one cent to .76 a barrel at 0204 GMT, while Brent crude futures were steady at .37 a barrel.

Both were still on track to end the week up slightly.

On Thursday, the U.S. reported at least 75,000 new COVID-19 cases, a new daily record.

Spain and Australia reported their steepest daily jumps in more than two months, cases continued to soar in India and Brazil stepped up lockdown measures.

The two benchmark contracts fell one per cent on Thursday after the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies, together known as OPEC , agreed to trim record supply cuts of 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) imposed earlier this year by some two million bpd from August.

But actual output additions will be closer to 1.1 million bpd, as countries like Iraq which overproduced compared with their commitments to cut supply in May through July agreed to bigger reductions in August and September.

Vivek Dhar, commodities analyst at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, said the market took some heart with the agreement for some to compensate for previous non-compliance with commitments at a time when there is uncertainty over demand growth.

Theyre taking those precautions.

That gives the market confidence that OPEC is looking quite closely at those conditions to make sure they dont push the market in the wrong direction, he said.

Analysts expect the market to remain in the -45 a barrel range, with the looming return of some U.S. supply and uncertainty over fuel demand as new lockdowns may be needed to curb the resurgence of COVID-19 cases.

The problem with the market right now is prices have got to a level where were concerned U.S. supply is going to come back, Dhar said. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Solar Orbiter Probe reveals closest images of sun

The European Space Agency (ESA) wants to present the first images on Thursday at 2.00 p.m. (1200 GMT) during an online conference.

According to the ESAs scientists, the pictures taken halfway between the Earth and the sun, 77 million kilometres away, are already exceeding expectations.

Never before have shots of the sun been taken from this short a distance.

The orbiter controlled by the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in the German city of Darmstadt developed by the ESA and the U.S. space agency NASA is expected to reach just 42 million kilometres from the sun.

The mission, which is estimated to cost almost 1.5 billion euros (.7 million), is intended to provide new insights into our home star.

The instruments are also intended to take a look at previously less known regions of the sun, such as the poles. (dpa/NAN)

AIB

Source: NAN News

India Flag

This is as infections spread further out into the countryside and smaller towns.

For Indias population of around 1.3 billion, experts say a million cases are still low and the number will rise significantly in the coming months as testing is expanded.

India recorded 34,956 new infections on Friday, taking the total so far to 1.004 million, with 25,602 deaths from COVID-19, Federal Health Ministry data showed.

That compares to some 3.6 million cases in the U.S. and two million in Brazil both countries with populations under 400 million.

Epidemiologists say India is still likely months away from hitting its peak of cases, suggesting the countrys already overburdened healthcare system will come under further strain.

In the coming months, we are bound to see more and more cases, and that is the natural progression of any pandemic, said Giridhar Babu, epidemiologist at the non-profit Public Health Foundation of India.

As we move forward, the goal has to be lower mortality a critical challenge states will face is how to rationally allocate hospital beds, he said.

The last four months of the pandemic sweeping India have exposed severe gaps in the countrys healthcare system, which is one of the most poorly funded and has for years lacked enough doctors or hospital beds.

The Indian government has defended a strict lockdown it imposed in March to contain the virus spread, saying it helped keep death rates low and allowed time to beef up the healthcare infrastructure.

But public health experts say shortages remain, and could hit hard in the coming months.

As a public health measure, I dont think the lockdown had much impact.

It just delayed the virus spread, said Dr Kapil Yadav, Assistant Professor of Community Medicine at New Delhis Premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

The million cases so far recorded likely left out many asymptomatic ones, he said.

Its a gross underestimate.

Millions of migrant workers, left stranded in the cities by the lockdown in March, took long journeys home on foot, some dying on the way while others left without work or wages.

Several states, including Bihar in the east, to which many of the migrants returned, have witnessed a surge in cases in recent weeks as the lockdown has been eased to salvage a sagging economy.

Babu estimates India wont see a single nationwide peak.

The surges are shifting from one place to another, so we cannot say there will be one peak for the whole country.

In India, its going to be a sustained plateau for some time and then it will go down. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has expressed National Assemblys commitment to engaging Nigerians toward embracing Federal Governments Back to Farm initiative.

According to a statement by Mr Tope Ojeme, Head of Communication, National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Lawan made this known when the organisation paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He said that the National Assembly would do everything within its powers to encourage constituents to take part in the laudable project, which would be driven by NALDA.

The statement also explained that the NALDA Boss, Mr Paul Ikonne, said that time had come for Nigerians to regard farming as a sustainable business.

Ikonne said that the project was part of President Muhammadu Buharis commitment to ensure diversification of the economy and job creation for the unemployed.

He appealed for the buy-in of the national assembly and their constituents by ensuring provision of land in all local government areas of the Federation.

He gave the assurance that NALDA would engage all stakeholders in the pilot programme scheduled to commence soon.

According to him, farm lands across the nation will be prepared in clusters, cultivated using recent farm technologies and monitored by NALDA for the benefit of Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Back-to-Farm initiative, known as Buhari Young Farmers Network, intends to start the pilot programme with 100 young Nigerians from each local government.

This is with a target of engaging 2,000 youths per local government in farming value chains before the end of 2021.

The Act establishing NALDA outlines the objectives to include providing strategic public support for land development.

It was also established to promote and support optimum utilisation of Nigerias rural land resources for accelerated production of food and fibre among others.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State

By Fortune Abang

Dr Kayode Fayemi, Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), has promised to collaborate with Rev. Yakubu Pam, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christians Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), to achieve his mandate.

Fayemi, Who is the governor of Ekiti, made the promise on Thursday in Abuja, while on official visit to Pam, to congratulate him on his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He described Pams ability to unite people of all faith together in a quest for justice and peace across the country as exemplary.

Fayemi said: What is demonstrated by this visit is the confidence governors have in him.

Governors will use all the facilities and opportunities at their disposal to ensure NCPC gets its deal, both from Federal Government and States as well.

We will have the opportunity to invite him to come and brief the Governors on the activities of the Commission.

Fayemi said that the advocacy carried out by Pam encouraged the States to consider pilgrimage as a necessary activity included in their budget, to support citizens.

Responding, Pam expressed appreciation to the Chairman for the visit, saying that it was the first visit by a government official to the Commission, since his assumption of duty.

He said that based on past records, many states had not cooperated with the Commission in terms of support for pilgrimage.

According to him, the Commission has no other means to enhance its operation than to rely on states.

The only way we can lift up this place is for us to help and sponsor people to Israel and to Hajj,Nigerians, particularly poor Nigerians, who may have not known anywhere outside.

One of the ways to develop our people so that they can come home and be better citizens is when they go outside of the country.

That on its own, is a big school. It is knowledge that you cannot give in the four walls of the classroom, Pam said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News