World News

Rwanda vaccinates over 60% of population for COVID-19

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Rwanda is one of the few countries in Africa to vaccinate over 60 percent of its population for CCOVID-19, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The global health agency said in its report on Saturday that the East African nation had already administered vaccine doses to more than 40 percent of its 12 million population as at the end of 2021.

However, Rwanda trails the island nations of Seychelles and Mauritius where the rate of infections are very minimal due to strict compliance with restrictions and regulations.

“Rwanda has joined Seychelles and Mauritius as the first African countries to vaccinate 60 percent of its population in line with WHO‘s target,” the organisation said on Twitter.

So far, Rwanda remains an exception as about only 15 percent of the African continent’s population is fully vaccinated.”

The country achieved the feat by aggressively pursuing the vaccination of its citizens including setting up vaccination site in busy public places like bus stations and taxi ranks in the capital, Kigali.

Medical staff said between 200 and 400 residents received jabs each day and many of them had already registered for booster shots which is expected to kick off soon across the country.

Lifestyle

Lagos govt insists on COVID-19 protocols, warns on complacency

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The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, on Thursday warned Nigerians that the COVID-19 pandemic was not yet over.

Abayomi, who gave the warning at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce trade conference and exhibition in Lagos, noted that the pandemic was still something to be worried about.

He charged the citizens to always comply with the COVID-19 protocols put in place by the government.

The commissioner said: “COVID is not over, but the crisis is over. We should be in a position to understand the dynamics of this virus, how to manage it, and as a government, our role is to balance the public health response with maintaining the economy of the state and the nation.”

In his remark, the Managing-Director of First Cardiology Consultants, Adeyemi Johnson, recalled the effects of the COVID-19 on the global economy.

He said: “COVID-19 has destroyed our economy, especially the supply chain. Technology is the future. We are not moving anywhere without technology. The healthcare in Nigeria needs funding to be able to leverage technology strongly.”

Politics

Governors to meet over distribution of Covid-19 vaccines

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The governors of the 36 states in Nigeria, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), will on Thursday, March 4, meet over the COVID-19 vaccines and distribution in the country.

The governors, in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Mr Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the Head, Media and Public Affairs of NGF Secretariat, said the emergency meeting would be held virtually.

“The meeting is of a single-item agenda, which will discuss the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccines and their distribution in the country,” he said.

Bello-Barkindo said the meeting, according to the invitations sent to the governors, would commence at 5 p.m.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the Federal Government had on Tuesday in Abuja received 3.92 million doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccine was shipped into Nigeria via the COVAX Facility, a partnership between CEPI, Gavi, UNICEF, and WHO.

COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), working in partnership with UNICEF, the World Bank, Civil Society Organisations, manufacturers, and others.

The federal government had also launched a website to register Nigerians for the vaccination.

Politics

Nigerian govt reveals COVID-19 vaccines to arrive country Tuesday

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The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, has confirmed that Nigeria will on Tuesday, March 2, receive the first tranche of COVID-19 vaccines.

Mustapha, who is also the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, made the disclosure on Saturday, February 27, in Abuja while evaluating the country’s fight against the disease.

“They (vaccines) should depart India on March 1, 2021, in the night and arrive in Abuja on the 2nd of March, 2021, ” he said.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that Nigeria is set to receive its first four million shipment of COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX, a global scheme set up to procure and distribute vaccines for free, as the world races to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

COVAX, which was set up in April 2020 to help ensure a fairer distribution of coronavirus vaccines between the rich and poor nations, said it would deliver two billion doses to member-states by the end of 2021.

Nigeria’s four million vaccines would be its first COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX facility.

The facility promised access to vaccines for up to 20 per cent of participating countries’ population with an initial supply beginning in the first quarter of 2021 to inoculate three per cent of their populations.

The Nigerian government had earlier announced that the first four million doses of the vaccines would arrive in the country by the end of February.

The SGF disclosed that the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) would be organising the shipment from Mumbai, India, with the World Health Organisation (WHO), both backers of COVAX.

Meanwhile, the PTF chairman praised Nigeria’s health workers and the various frontline workers for working hard to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Mustapha, while evaluating the county’s response to COVID-19 in the past year, said the PTF had performed “very well’’ with a very robust national response.

We have succeeded in discharging our mandate of managing the pandemic with a well-defined process and a robust national response,” he noted.

The SGF said that the strategies evolved by his committee to manage the pandemic had been replicated in some other countries, especially the compulsory Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing for travellers.

He explained that the pandemic had helped the country to scale up its health infrastructure, citing the increase in the number of infectious diseases testing laboratories from four to 132 across the country.

Nigeria’s health minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, on Wednesday admitted that the country may have to wait till March to receive its first doses of the vaccines.

Ghana received 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines on Wednesday, making it the first country on the continent to benefit from the COVAX programme.

Cote d`Ivoire, a country with more than 32,000 COVID-19 cases and 188 deaths, also received over 500,000 doses of the Oxford-Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine on Friday.

It is exactly one year ago, Feb. 27, 2020, that Nigeria detected its first case of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), believed to be the first reported case in Sub-Saharan Africa.

With more than 150,000 cases reported since then, the NCDC said Nigeria’s response had been led by science and driven by the power of coordination, collaboration, and solidarity among federal and state governments, partners, the private sector, and the citizens.

Politics

El Zakzaky’s wife never had COVID-19 —Correctional Service boss

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The wife of Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has tested negative for the COVID-19 virus after tests were run on her by a personal physician.

The negative COVID-19 test result of El-Zakzaky’s wife, Zeenat, who allegedly contracted the virus while in custody in Kaduna was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Controller-General, Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), John Mrabure.

In the statement, Mrabure further disclosed that a test was conducted in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government, Zeenat’s personal physician and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

“The test result has been released and the inmates, including her contacts have no trace of COVID-19 virus.

“It is important to state with emphasis that Zeenat El-Zakzaky never contracted COVID-19 infection as it was alleged,” Mrabure’s statement read in part.

Politics

Edo govt records 29 fresh cases of COVID-19, confirms 16 recoveries

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The Edo State government has recorded no fewer than 29 fresh cases of COVID-19 and has also confirmed the recovery of 16 patients who have tested negative for the virus.

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Benin by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Osamwonyi Irowa, while briefing newsmen on the impact of the second wave of the pandemic in the state.

According to Dr Irowa who revealed that the 29 fresh cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, Edo State has thus far recorded a total of 32 deaths since the outbreak of the virus.

He also added that the State COVID-19 enforcement team are doing their best to ensure that the people comply with government directives and protocols to curtail the spread of the disease.

Dr Irowa said; “We are supporting and collaborating with Federal Institutions. We are putting up structures for Irrua Specialist Hospital to help manage cases.

“The state also has 645 active cases, who are currently receiving treatments from various isolation centres within the state.

“Since Dec. 1, 2020, when the state started tracking the second wave of the pandemic, we have collected 10,893 samples and recorded 1,195 confirmed cases, 523 recoveries and 32 deaths.

“The enforcement teams are doing their best to ensure that the people comply with government directives and protocols to curtail the spread of the disease. Irowa said that 10 persons have been convicted for breaching various COVID-19 protocols.

“I encourage everyone to comply with Government’s protocols as we intensify measures to curtail the spread of the pandemic,” he concluded.

Entertainment

Kano shuts hospital for handling severe COVID-19 cases resulting to deaths

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Kano State Government has shut down a private facility, UMC Hospital for attending to “severe cases” of COVID-19.

The state government stated that the hospital’s management ought to have referred the patients to isolation centres provided by the State Government.

Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, said in a statement on Wednesday that “The action by UMC hospital is in parallel with the standard set by the Kano State Task Force on COVID-19, which requires such facility to attend only to mild cases of the disease,”

He said the action of the hospital led to the death of two patients whose cases were severe.

Garba, who accompanied the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, to the UMC hospital, said the facility would remain closed pending the resolution of the matter between the management and the state government.

Politics

State House gets COVID-19 isolation centre

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The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Tuesday commissioned a State House Clinic Special Care Centre (COVID-19 Isolation Centre).

At the commissioning of the centre, the Chairman of the PTF, Boss Mustapha, hinted that a COVID-19 testing laboratory would soon be established at the clinic.

Mustapha, according to a statement issued by the Deputy Director of Information in the State House, Attah Esa, said the current administration was using the challenges posed by the pandemic to change Nigeria’s health infrastructure.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving resources for new health infrastructure, saying the 2021 budget made provision for the establishment of at least one oxygen production plant in all the 36 states in the country.

Mustapha said: ‘‘From just two molecular laboratories for the testing of COVID-19 in Nigeria, we now have over 100 molecular laboratories, public and private, across the 36 States of the Federation

‘‘I want to commend the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Tijjani Umar and the State House management under whose leadership this beautiful edifice is being commissioned.

‘‘I am confident that when the Minister of Health visits, whatever he decides, I can give you my word that we will put a laboratory for testing or a PCR facility in State House Clinic. This is supposed to be our priority.

‘‘I will also speak to the Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, who has the primary responsibility of resourcing, setting up and accrediting laboratories because we need it here.”

Speaking on the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines to be procured for Nigeria, the PTF chairman said the Federal Government would continue to encourage Nigerians to get vaccinated when the time comes because ‘‘the vaccines are safe, effective and for our benefit.’’

‘‘We will appeal and explain to our people that if you do not take the vaccine, the danger of falling terribly sick and eventually dying is there.

‘‘We will be blunt to them that if you don’t take the COVID-19 vaccine, you may not be able to go anywhere in the world, very soon. Even if you want to go and perform your spiritual obligation, that will be subjected to your COVID-19 status,” Mustapha added.

Politics

NLC moves to pursue insurance cover for health workers lost to COVID-19

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The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has revealed that efforts are underway to follow up on the insurance cover for frontline health workers that died of the deadly COVID-19 virus across the country.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President of NLC, Mr Ayuba Wabba, who said that the NLC was working with the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) to follow up on the insurance cover for the lost health workers.

Wabba who made the disclosure at a Five-day 7th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of NANNM, in Abuja, noted that health workers globally are entitled to hazard and inducement allowances to encourage them to work, with some countries fixing such at 50 per cent.

According to Wabba, the NLC is aware that the federal government has not paid allowances to many health workers especially with the outbreak of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said; “We will work with you to know the number of those that have died to follow up on what they promised as insurance cover for COVID-19.

“We were told 800 health workers were infected with COVID-19.

“Health workers globally are entitled to hazard and inducement allowances to encourage them to work, some countries make such 50 per cent.

“I am aware that in the second wave, there are so many allowances that have not been paid; I urge the government to respect the understanding that we have actually reached,’’ Wabba added.

The NLC boss however frowned at the privatisation of healthcare services, saying; “policies are meant to service the entire people. “We have seen deficiency in privatisation of health care systems around the world, health is not supposed to be for profit.

“Health is a fundamental right of a citizen. Some private hospitals in the country are taking advantage of COVID-19 to exploit people. “We need to defend the larger population against exploitation,’’ he said.

Politics

NASS REPUBLIC: As Reps mull keeping students at home. Two other stories, and a quote to remember

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Members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives literarily found themselves swimming against the tide last week.

This was evident in the grumbles of some NASS members in the period leading up to government announcement of school resumptions amid resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The lawmakers had expressed deep reservations over inadequate consultations by the Muhammadu Buhari administration, and its hasty reopening of educational institutions, especially the universities which had been shut for nearly a year.

This incident, among others, characterized events at NASS last week.

On January 16, the House of Representatives faulted the Federal Government for giving schools the go-ahead to reopen despite the increasing cases of COVID-19.

The lawmakers bared their minds in a statement issued by the Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, in Abuja.

“They did not consult us; at least in my committee, nobody from the ministry spoke to me. I have been in Abuja. And I am not sure that they spoke to any of my members. They just don’t see us as part of the critical stakeholders,” Ihonvbere said.

He added: “We are particularly concerned that when the infection rates hovered around 500 and under, schools were closed; but now that it hovers well above 1,000 infections daily, schools are being reopened. Why are we rushing to reopen schools without adequate verifiable and sustainable arrangements to protect and secure our children?”

Ihonvbere’s outburst adds to the long list of claims of poor synergy observed in the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.

Unfortunately, it also deepens the longstanding perception that the executive holds little regard for the other arms, and would rather emasculate them where it deemed necessary.

Instructively, many years after leaning on democratic principles for guidance, the institutions of state appear not to be maturing very quickly but rather what has been witnessed is the rise of strong individuals who show little respect for rules of engagement in a democracy.

But in crying out loud, the lawmakers must appreciate that they have, over the years, made themselves weeping boys by failing to assert their authority, thereby laying the foundations for a disdainful treatment by the executive.

Politics

‘Students are not required to undergo COVID-19 test,’ FG tells heads of schools

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The Federal Government said on Monday students returning to schools across the country are not required to undergo COVID-19 test before they would be allowed into the premises.

Some schools particularly in Lagos had directed their students to undergo the COVID-19 test before resumption.

But the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, who reacted to the development in a statement, asked school authorities to refrain from asking students or parents to undergo the COVID-19 test before they are allowed to enter the schools.

He said: “The Federal Ministry of Education says no COVID-19 test is required for returning students to be admitted into their schools.

“Only temperature checks should be carried out on students and any other person crossing any school gate.

“School authorities should therefore refrain from asking students or parents to undergo COVID-19 test before they are accepted in their schools.”

Politics

1,617 new COVID-19 cases take Nigeria’s total to 112,004. Deaths, recoveries updated

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Nigeria on Monday recorded 1,617 fresh COVID-19 cases.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), which disclosed this on its Twitter handle, said the new COVID-19 cases were recorded in 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It added that the number of COVID-19 fatalities in Nigeria stood at 1,449 as of Monday night.

Also, the total number of confirmed cases increased to 112,004.

Meanwhile, 89,939 COVID-19 patients have been discharged from various isolation facilities in the country.

The breakdown of the figure on a state-by-state basis revealed the following: Lagos (776), Kaduna (147), Kwara (131), FCT (102), Plateau (78), Edo (59), Ogun (53), Osun (45), Rivers (37), and Taraba (36).

Others are – Nasarawa (34), Adamawa (33), Kano (26), Delta (20), Ebonyi (16), Bayelsa (11), Gombe (11), and Borno (2).

“Total confirmed COVID-19 cases: 112,004.

“Discharged: 89,939 AND Deaths: 1,449.”

Politics

COVID-19: Shehu Sani reacts to reopening of schools, says Nigerian govt confused

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As public and private schools resume their academic sessions today, former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani has reacted to the reopening of schools despite the surge of Covid-19 across the country.

Sani made his reaction known via a tweet on his official Twitter handle on Monday.

Sani said state governments should pay more attention in ensuring adherence to COVID-19 measures and not the Federal Government.

He further said the government was confused on how the second wave of COVID-19 should be tackled.

The tweeted read: “Reopening schools and other #COVID19 regulatory measures should be a matter for the states and not the FG; the 36 states, including FCT have different infection rates. There is evident confusion on how to tackle the second wave.”

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the Federal Government had fixed January 18, 2021 as the scheduled day for schools across the country to reopen.

The resumption has caused fear among some Nigerians.

Lifestyle, World News

Lagos May slip into a Second wave of Coronavirus pandemic- Babajide Sanwo-olu.

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday said Lagos may slip into a second wave of Coronavirus pandemic, if residents failed to comply with the precautionary measures against the spread of virus.

The governor disclosed that of every 100 tests that the state has performed, an average of 10 turn out to be positive, stating it is an increase from the five per hundred recorded in September, though lower than the peak in August, which was between 20 and 30 per hundred.

“This suggests the existence of active community transmission, and represents the very likely possibility of the emergence of a second wave in Lagos State.

“This second wave calls for a full re-awakening of caution and precaution. The complacency that crept in over the last few months as a result of our early interventions when cases started to decline from our peak in August, must now give way to an abundance of vigilance.”

As a measure against a possible second wave of COVID-19, Sanwo-Olu asked all public servants from GL 14 and below, except emergency workers and first responders, to work from home as from Monday, December 21st for the next 14 days – in the first instance.

He also said all schools must shut down with immediate effect, and until further notice, while concerts, carnivals and street parties are banned in Lagos State until further notice, just as night clubs have not been allowed to open yet, so all night clubs in Lagos must immediately shut down, until further notice.

Sanwo-Olu added that the midnight to 4am curfew imposed by the Federal Government remains while the protocol of ‘No Mask No Entry’ must be enforced by all public places: Offices, Businesses, Markets, Shops, and so on must be adhered to.

The governor further said all places of must ensure that no gathering exceeds two hours, and also that no gathering exceeds 50 per cent of the maximum capacity of the venue, with all event planners must obtain prior clearance from the Lagos State Safety Commission for all events, and ensure that any planned gatherings do not exceed 300 people.

He said where the capacity of a venue exceeds 300 and permission has been granted, the occupancy shall not be more than 50 per cent of such a venue.

“The Safety Commission has been directed to visit Event Centres and gauge compliance with the established guidelines, to stop the virus from spreading. If there is evidence of lack of compliance at any Event Centre, it will be shut down immediately.

“Security agents have been mandated to ensure full enforcement, without exception. No one will be deemed to be above the law.

Any and all breaches of these regulations and public health protocols will lead to immediate closure as well as attract heavy fines, and any other sanctions and penalties deemed fit, in line with the Lagos State Infectious Diseases Control Regulation 2020.

“Event Centre Owners/Planners/Vendors will be responsible for any breach of protocols by their Staff.

“We will continue to closely watch the profile of the unfolding situation, while also awaiting updates and pronouncements from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. We will also keep working with the Presidential Task Force to ensure that the gains of the recent past are not frittered away on the altar of festivities and sheer carelessness. The lives of all Lagosians, including our elders and other vulnerable citizens, matter.”

Sanwo-Olu implored residents to take responsibility for the welfare and safety of all while they enjoy the festive season with friends and families. “It is important that as a community we strictly abide by the above regulations in the context of a global pandemic, without prejudicing our efforts to keep the economy running and maintain our means of livelihood to a sufficient extent.

“Let us use this festive season to spend quality time in small but controlled gatherings with family and friends in the spirit of the season. This virus does not discriminate. We must take responsibility, and not treat this pandemic with levity.

Politics

COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu is responding to treatment – Akin Abayomi.

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The Lagos state Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi has given an update on the current state of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who tested positive for Coronavirus few days ago. 

Abayomi in tweets shared on his official Twitter account, said the Lagos state Governor is responding well to home-based care and treatment for COVID-19.

He added that Sanwo-Olu is in high spirit and very appreciative of the prayers and well wishes he has received from the people of the state and the country in general.
His tweet read; 

“The #COVID19Lagos incident Commander and Governor of Lagos @jidesanwoolu is responding well to #COVID19 home based care and treatment.

“He is in high spirit and very appreciative of all your prayers and well wishes.”

“Thank you all”

Lifestyle

Hope Rises, as Another COVID-19 Vaccine Proves to be 94.5% Effective

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One week after Pfizer’s made a major breakthrough in the race for development of COVID-19 vaccine, another Coronavirus vaccine candidate has been shown to be more than 90 per cent effective in preventing disease among infected persons.

The vaccine, which has been tested on 30,000 people in the United States and so far proven to be safe, was developed by American biotech firm Moderna.

According to reports, early trial data shows that 95 Coronavirus infections had been recorded from Moderna’s ongoing phase three study, with the virus observed in 90 volunteers from the placebo group and five participants who had received the vaccine, returning an efficacy rate of 94.5 per cent.

The company, which hinted that its intends to submit for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) with US regulators in the coming weeks, however said it would continue its large-scale trial until 151 cases had been reached,

“This positive interim analysis from our phase-3 study has given us the first clinical validation that our vaccine can prevent Covid-19 disease, including severe disease,” CEO of Moderna, Stéphane Bancel, said.

Describing the development as “pivotal’, Bancel said, “This milestone is only possible because of the hard work and sacrifices of so many.”

Lifestyle

NYSC to corps members: Trivialize COVID-19 protocols at your peril

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The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Anambra State has charged prospective corps members in the state to take the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines seriously.

State Coordinator, Kehinde Aremu, gave the charge at the permanent orientation camp, Umuawulu Mbaukwu in Awka South Local Government Area of the state while flagging off lecture series and sensitization of monitoring and prevention of COVID-19.

He urged them to take responsibility for their actions throughout their service year or have themselves to blame.

He maintained that COVID-19 protocols must be sustained in camp.

“All course operators and prospective corps members were tested and confirmed negative before they were admitted,” he said.

Meanwhile, State Commissioner for Youths and Creative Economy, Prof. Theresa Obiekezie has expressed satisfaction over the level of compliance with the COVID-19 protocols among the prospective corps members.

She made the remarks during an unscheduled visit to the camp, describing the ongoing camp activities as smooth and impressive.

Obiekezie, who doubles as Chairman, NYSC State Governing Board, also commended the State Coordinator and other officials for the team spirit existing among them, urging them to sustain the tempo.

The corps members have been exposed to a series of lectures on various topics, including disease surveillance and notification, symptoms of suspected cases, data monitoring.

Other topics were outbreak of disease and planning, probable and confirmed cases, investigation and reporting of cases to the Ministry of Health.

Lifestyle

Oyo shuts down tertiary institution with new COVID-19 case

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The Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force has shut down a tertiary institution in the state following the discovery of a COVID-19 case in the institution.

The Task Force also directed the management of schools, workplaces and religious centres to ensure strict compliance with established protocols aimed at curtailing the Coronavirus disease.

The Task Force, in a statement on Saturday, declared its readiness to shut down any institution, religious centre or workplace that violates the rules on the use of closed space settings, whether at schools, religious or social settings, adding that the general public is equally advised to remain vigilant.

A statement on behalf of the Task Force signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the advice became necessary following the discovery of a COVID-19 case in a tertiary institution in the state.

It added that the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) of the Task Force had immediately ordered a lock-in of the affected tertiary institution to keep staff, students and the general public safe.

The EOC has also kick-started contact tracing while subjecting every possible contact to necessary surveillance, the statement added.

“The government of Oyo State wishes to draw the attention of the general public to the recent resurgence of cases of coronavirus in the state.

“Many of these cases were discovered in closed space settings such as offices and other workplaces.

“A reported case within a tertiary educational institution had also resulted in more cases being discovered through contact tracing.

“The state government has taken appropriate steps to lock in the institution to prevent further spread and put in place other preventive measures.

“Contact tracing has been intensified and the Emergency Operations Centre is working with the institution concerned to ensure that all students and staff of the institution are safe and well,” the statement read.

It added that there is no need to panic, as according to the statement, all necessary protocols needed for effective management and psychosocial support have been instituted.

The statement added that “the Oyo State, as a responsive and responsible Government, wishes to admonish all residents to ensure due compliance with the directives and all COVID-19 prevention protocols as earlier stipulated, to enable a successful limitation of virus transmission.

“The Task Force essentially wishes to implore considerable restraint at closed gatherings and environments especially in closed educational, religious and social environments.

“It is important to note that these measures are not in any way punitive but are essentially aimed at protecting the lives of all and sundry from the menace of the virus as well as prevent the spread of the virus within our communities,” the Task Force said.

The statement further read: “All hygienic practices associated with the preventive protocols are to be properly adhered to, while the utilization of safety devices, as well as social distancing, should also be upheld.

“In Oyo State, the slogan has been ‘own your action’ #OYA. It is expected that each and every one of us take responsibility for our actions in this pandemic, as such actions will have a collective impact on our lives.”

Lifestyle

FG urges States not to close isolation centres yet

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The Federal Government has urged states and other stakeholders not to completely close isolation centres because of the drop in the number of cases on admission and apparent decline in the number of active COVID-19 cases.

Rather, it advised them to maintain some of the isolation centres in readiness for a possible surge in cases and a second wave of the pandemic as evident in other countries.

Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, disclosed this during the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja.

He said: “With the decline in the number of active cases and the number of cases on admission drops, some isolation centres in the country are already making arrangements to rationalize the number of frontline health personnel into the reserve pool or redeployed. This would be done in a manner that will allow easy re-mobilization where necessary.

“We however advise states and relevant stakeholders not to completely close all isolation centres due to consistent lack of patients but some centres should rather be maintained.

“This is to ensure promptness and readiness against any surge as part of l preparation against possible second wave.

“We are taking advantage of this low active cases to carry out appraisal and reappraisal of activities at the isolation centres.

“This is necessary to assess and understand areas of strengths, weaknesses, available opportunities as well as dangers.

“Such activities will consolidate gains while taking measures to prevent re-occurrence of errors as well as deployment of appropriate resources.”

Ehanire, while urging protesting youths not to attack medical stores and the NCDC warehouse because the medicines and other medical consumables are stored under controlled environmental conditions, also noted the destruction of these items will impact negatively on our response to the pandemic.

Lifestyle

Culture Stakeholders Commend Buhari on COVID-19 Palliatives

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Culture industry technocrats and players have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for responding to the challenges facing the sector through the committee on creative industry.

The stakeholders who made the commendation during a meeting in Jos, Plateau State, noted that the creative committee on the palliatives for the sector came at right time, adding that it restored hope and brought a huge relief to an industry brought to its knees by COVID-19 pandemic.

The Creative Committee on COVID-19 Palliatives headed by the Director-General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, also commended the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, for being a listening leader and carrying stakeholders along in all policy decisions.

Ekiti State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Professor Ojo Bakare, who spoke on behalf of delegates at the technical meeting on NAFEST 2020 slated for November 21 to 28 in Jos, Plateau State capital, noted that Otunba Runsewe-led committee on palliatives would bring a rapid turnaround to sectoral players whose businesses were battered by the pandemic, praying federal government to institute an Arts and Culture Endowment Fund.

“We want to appeal to the President Buhari and the minister through Otunba Segun Runsewe to approve this initiative. It will help the industry find financial solution and succour which will help us each time we run into problems such as we experienced under COVID-19.

Kwara, Taraba, Anambra states have indicated interest to host NAFEST in 2022 while Ekiti State is confirmed to host 2021.

Similarly, impressed with the doggedness, organisation, perseverance and innovations brought to bear on Nigeria’s cultural economy despite the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic, Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong, has described Runsewe as the authentic cultural ambassador of Nigeria.

Governor Lalong disclosed that Runsewe’s innovative spirit and determination places culture in the front burner of national discourse, ensuring that NAFEST, Nigeria’s cultural festival holds despite the pandemic.

“ I can’t but salute the courage and perseverance of the DG of NCAC and President, World Craft Council Africa region and every one of you for trying to help us to activate the new normal as the pandemic will be with us for a while,” the governor stated.

He noted that Plateau State had put in place necessary machinery to ensure NAFEST 2020 in Jos will be more than successful.

“We shall leave no stone unturned to guarantee the safety of the delegates and visitors, most importantly, at the end, share our dream of friendship, partnership and national unity with participants willing ambassadors of plateau tourism and hospitality,” Governor Lalong explained.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, Mrs. Martha Joseph Azi, Governor Lalong explained that Plateau hosted NAFEST 24 years ago, adding that the 2020 edition will help birth and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people and the giant stride of his administration to ensure the peaceful coexistence in the Plateau nation including the enthronement of enabling environment for cultural tourism businesses to thrive.

“We are aware that hosting events such as NAFEST can bring about improvement in the socioeconomic engagement of our people, boost cultural tourism which is the main component of our God given endowment,” he further explained.

While urging participants to adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols, Governor Lalong reiterated that Plateau State Government would ensure that NAFEST 2020 celebrations in Jos will comply with all directives and advice from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and that of NCDC to guide the spread of the COVID-19.

“We shall deploy all relevant health services providers, provide adequate health information to guide participants and visitors and the emplacement of necessary measures to ensure total compliance.”

The theme for the 33rd edition of NAFEST, Jos 2020 is ‘Post COVID-19 and Cultural Dynamism’.

NAFEST hosting under the watch of Otunba Runsewe, is bided for and rotated among the 36 states of the federation.

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