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Northern Govs Forum Says Rotational Presidency Unconstitutional

Nnenna Nwankwo
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0
Northern Govs Forum Says Rotational Presidency Unconstitutional

Governors of the 19 northern states have described as unconstitutional, the position of their Southern counterparts that the country’s next President must come from their region.

This was made known at an emergency meeting with northern traditional rulers at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, on Monday, the Northern Governors Forum said though some Northern States Governors had earlier expressed views for a power-shift to three Geo-Political Zone in the South, with a view to promoting unity and peace in the nation, the statement by the Southern Governors Forum that the Presidency must go to the South is unacceptable.

Reading from the resolutions of the meeting, Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Forum, Simon Bako Lalong, said: “The statement is quite contradictory with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended that the elected President shall secure at least 25 percent of the votes cast in 2/3 states of the federation. In the case of run-up simple majority win the election.”See full statement below :

The Northern States Governors’ Forum, in its continuous efforts to address the challenges bedeviling the Northern States convened an Emergency Meeting today Monday 27th September, 2021 at the Council Chamber Sir, Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna. The meeting was also attended by Chairmen of Northern States Traditional Council led by His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto.

The Forum discussed issues of Peace, Progress, Development and well-being of the Northern States. The Forum took stock of progress made in handling challenges of Banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and insurgency.

After extensive deliberations, the following resolutions were arrived at: The Forum reviewed security updates from the Region and observed the need for a sustained synergy and coordinated efforts between the Federal and Northern States Governments while noting success of recent measures. The meeting also noted with concern the constraint of the security services and urged the Armed Forces to embark on simultaneous operations and resolved to share the plans of the Frontline States come up with common with other Region; and assured of its readiness to work in synergy with the Federal Government of Nigeria in finding lasting solution to the current security challenges; The Forum appreciated the ongoing onslaught against banditry, kidnapping and Boko Haram especially in the North East and parts of North West and North Central States and encouraged the Armed forces and other security agencies to sustain the tempo to enable the security challenges be permanently addressed in the shortest time; The Forum received updates on the Renewable / Solar Energy Project and NOTED that request for land for the project had been submitted and are being processed by the Northern States. The Committee had commenced negotiations in a public private arrangement and sovereign guarantees to ensure bankability of the project by multilateral financial organizations. The Forum called on States yet to process the request for allocation of land for the project to expedite action.

In addition, The meeting received updates on activities of some Committees constituted by the Northern States Governors’ Forum and NOTED that recommendations contained therein are being considered with a view to coming up with implementation strategies; The Forum observed that some Northern States Governors had earlier expressed views for a power-shift to three Geo-Political Zone in the South with a view to promoting unity and peace in the Nation. Notwithstanding their comments, the Forum unanimously condemn the statement by the Southern Governors Forum that the Presidency must go to the South. The statement is quite contradictory with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended that the elected President shall:

score the majority votes;

score at least 25% of the votes cast in 2/3 States of the Federation.

In the case of run-up simple majority win the election.

The Northern State Governors Forum considered the on-going National debate on the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT). As responsible leaders while we are constraint by the fact that the matter is sub judice we however for the purposes of educating the public make the following observations:
(a) the judgement of the Federal high Court calls to question the constitutionality of VAT, withholding tax, education tax, Niger Delta Development Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, 13% derivation, National Economic Development Council and many other currently levied and collected by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Federal Inlands Revenue Service.

(b) Rivers and Lagos State Government had enacted their own VAT laws and the Southern Governors Forum have expressed support for this course of action;

(c) VAT is being confused by these State Government as a sales tax. If every State enacted its own VAT Law, multiple taxation will result in increases of prices of goods and services and collapsed in interstate trade. VAT is not a production tax like excise, but terminal tax which is paid by the ultimate consumer;

(d) Another confusion is ignoring observation above and its “overall effect”. The reason Lagos account for our 50% Vat collection is because most of the telecommunication companies, Banks, manufacturing and other trading activities have their headquarters in Lagos with the resultant and wrongful attribution of VAT

(e) Until and unless the Supreme Court pronounces judgement on the substantive matter between Rivers State and Federal Government, the matter is sub judice and Northern States Governors Forum would respect this.

The Traditional Rulers Councils appreciated the efforts made so far by the NSGF in addressing the key areas of challenges facing the Northern States, they expressed their willingness, solidarity and collaboration with the Governors’ in addressing these challenges particularly the issue of security. It was equally resolved that perpetrators of crimes should be dealt with irrespective of their status in the society.

The Forum decried the high level of conspiracies being perpetrated by some Judicial Officers in releasing / granting bail to arrested criminals. This attitude sabotages the fight against criminality, therefore, there the need to develop good and robust intelligence mechanism amongst States was identified as a panacea.

The Forum calls on Agencies to leave up to their responsibility, Traditional rulers are to equally mobilize their various communities in checkmating the ugly trend of criminality in their domains.

The Forum NOTED the ugly trend in the spread of drugs and consumption amongst the teeming youth and therefore, calls on all levels of Governments and communities to raise to the occasion by stemming the tide.

The Forum also call the Federal Government to expedite action on the well establish National Livestock Transformation Programme as a spring board in transiting from the open grazing system as widely practice in the North

His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong KSGG,
Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum.

Northern Govs Forum Carpet Southern Govs, Say They’re Confusing VAT With Sales Tax

Nnenna Nwankwo
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0
Northern Govs Forum Carpet Southern Govs, Say They’re Confusing VAT With Sales Tax

Northern Governors said the position of their Southern counterpart on Value Added Tax (VAT) shows they are confusing it with sales tax.

Recalled that the Southern governors started pushing for state collection of VAT after a high court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, held that the state government could collect VAT.

Arising from an emergency meeting with traditional rulers on Monday, northern governors gave their stand on the VAT controversy.

According to them; “If every State enacted its own VAT Law, multiple taxation will result in increases of prices of goods and services and collapse in interstate trade. VAT is not a production tax like excise, but terminal tax which is paid by the ultimate consumer.”

“Another confusion is ignoring observation above and its ‘overall effect.’ The reason Lagos accounts for our 50% VAT collection is because most of the telecommunication companies, banks, manufacturing and other trading activities have their headquarters in Lagos, with the resultant and wrongful attribution of VAT.”

He, however, said as responsible leaders, while the Forum is constrained by the fact that the matter is sub judice, it must, for the sake of educating the public, state that the judgement of the Port Harcourt Court calls to question the constitutionality of “VAT, withholding tax, education tax, Niger Delta Development Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, 13% derivation, National Economic Development Council and many other currently levied and collected by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Federal Inlands Revenue Service.”

He said though Rivers and Lagos State Government had enacted their own VAT laws, unless the Supreme Court pronounces judgement on the substantive matter between Rivers State and Federal Government, the matter is sub judice and Northern States Governors Forum would respect this.See full statement below :The Northern States Governors’ Forum, in its continuous efforts to address the challenges bedeviling the Northern States convened an Emergency Meeting today Monday 27th September, 2021 at the Council Chamber Sir, Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna. The meeting was also attended by Chairmen of Northern States Traditional Council led by His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto; and the Forum discussed issues of Peace, Progress, Development and well-being of the Northern States. The Forum took stock of progress made in handling challenges of Banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and insurgency.

After extensive deliberations, the following resolutions were arrived at:The Forum reviewed security updates from the Region and observed the need for a sustained synergy and coordinated efforts between the Federal and Northern States Governments while noting success of recent measures. The meeting also noted with concern the constraint of the security services and urged the Armed Forces to embark on simultaneous operations and resolved to share the plans of the Frontline States come up with common with other Region; and assured of its readiness to work in synergy with the Federal Government of Nigeria in finding lasting solution to the current security challenges; The Forum appreciated the ongoing onslaught against banditry, kidnapping and Boko Haram especially in the North East and parts of North West and North Central States and encouraged the Armed forces and other security agencies to sustain the tempo to enable the security challenges be permanently addressed in the shortest time; The Forum received updates on the Renewable / Solar Energy Project and NOTED that request for land for the project had been submitted and are being processed by the Northern States. The Committee had commenced negotiations in a public private arrangement and sovereign guarantees to ensure bankability of the project by multilateral financial organizations. The Forum called on States yet to process the request for allocation of land for the project to expedite action.

In addition, the meeting received updates on activities of some Committees constituted by the Northern States Governors’ Forum and NOTED that recommendations contained therein are being considered with a view to coming up with implementation strategies; The Forum observed that some Northern States Governors had earlier expressed views for a power-shift to three Geo-Political Zone in the South with a view to promoting unity and peace in the Nation. Notwithstanding their comments, the Forum unanimously condemn the statement by the Southern Governors Forum that the Presidency must go to the South. The statement is quite contradictory with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended that the elected President shall: Score the majority votes;
score at least 25% of the votes cast in 2/3 States of the Federation.

In the case of run-up simple majority win the election; The Northern State Governors Forum considered the on-going National debate on the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT). As responsible leaders while we are constraint by the fact that the matter is sub judice we however for the purposes of educating the public make the following observations:
(a) the judgement of the Federal high Court calls to question the constitutionality of VAT, withholding tax, education tax, Niger Delta Development Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, 13% derivation, National Economic Development Council and many other currently levied and collected by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Federal Inlands Revenue Service.

(b) Rivers and Lagos State Government had enacted their own VAT laws and the Southern Governors Forum have expressed support for this course of action;

(c) VAT is being confused by these State Government as a sales tax. If every State enacted its own VAT Law, multiple taxation will result in increases of prices of goods and services and collapsed in interstate trade. VAT is not a production tax like excise, but terminal tax which is paid by the ultimate consumer;
(d) Another confusion is ignoring observation above and its “overall effect”. The reason Lagos account for our 50% Vat collection is because most of the telecommunication companies, Banks, manufacturing and other trading activities have their headquarters in Lagos with the resultant and wrongful attribution of VAT

(e) Until and unless the Supreme Court pronounces judgement on the substantive matter between Rivers State and Federal Government, the matter is sub judice and Northern States Governors Forum would respect this.

The Traditional Rulers Councils appreciated the efforts made so far by the NSGF in addressing the key areas of challenges facing the Northern States, they expressed their willingness, solidarity and collaboration with the Governors’ in addressing these challenges particularly the issue of security. It was equally resolved that perpetrators of crimes should be dealt with irrespective of their status in the society.

  1. The Forum decried the high level of conspiracies being perpetrated by some Judicial Officers in releasing / granting bail to arrested criminals. This attitude sabotages the fight against criminality, therefore, there the need to develop good and robust intelligence mechanism amongst States was identified as a panacea.

– 5 –

  1. The Forum calls on Agencies to leave up to their responsibility, Traditional rulers are to equally mobilize their various communities in checkmating the ugly trend of criminality in their domains.
  2. The Forum NOTED the ugly trend in the spread of drugs and consumption amongst the teeming youth and therefore, calls on all levels of Governments and communities to raise to the occasion by stemming the tide.
  3. The Forum also call the Federal Government to expedite action on the well establish National Livestock Transformation Programme as a spring board in transiting from the open grazing system as widely practice in the North

His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong KSGG,
Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum.

FCTA Taskforce Bust Bureau De Change Operators, Squatters In Wuse

Toyin Adebayo
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FCTA Taskforce Bust Bureau De Change Operators, Squatters In Wuse

… Removes Worship Centers, Vehicles

In a renewed effort to clear the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of environmental nuisances, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Ministerial Taskteam on City Sanitation raided and removed unauthorised attachments and Bureau De Change (BDC) Operators in Abuja’s Wuse Zone 4 on Monday.

The Taskteam concentrated on cleaning shanties made largely of roofing sheets, sacks, and wood that were positioned within a reserved green area near the Sheraton Hotel, where BDC operators and small dealers were observed conducting business in the crowded area.

Two mosques within the green vegetation were removed, as was an illegal cluster of furniture-making companies beneath the foot of a bridge near Ya’Adua Centre.

While adding that , numerous vehicles were towed from the area, which appears to be heavily packed with unapproved structures utilized as criminal hideouts.

Comrade Ikharo Attah, Chairman of the FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, rationalized the practice by noting that it was carried out in accordance with a stringent Ministerial instruction.

Attah stated that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, paid a visit there around a month ago and noticed the high degree of violation in the city’s central business district, where currency traders act recklessly.

According to him; “Today, we can out on an operation to clear those persons who are roadside traders, owners of batchers, shanties and furniture market under the Wuse Zone 4 bridge.

“We saw much bleeding points in the city, and the FCT Minister insisted that we must clear all, and he even insisted that BDC operators who are operating on the roadside should not be, as they should go back to their shops, and do their businesses.

“We saw batchers in the valley, which removed; we saw and removed illegal attachments in the area, and while we are removing street traders and hawkers, we can’t allow those who deal in currencies to remain on the road. So, the Minister had given directive to the AEPB and other teams to pin down and ensure that.

“One thing that is so key is that we discovered a stolen manhole cover, which the AEPB team will handover to relevant agency of the FCTA”, he stated.

Also , the Assistant Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB),Kaka Bello, revealed that a lot of environmental nuisance are being constituted by traders and those hawking currencies there. We have also food vendors, people indulged in sales of illicit drugs and number of shanties.

Bello noted the place was an eyesore, which is not acceptable and it contributes badly to the quality of the city’s environment.

He emphasized that the AEPB will ensure that the exercise is continuous, as its presence will be there on a daily basis.

According to him, most of the offices in Zone 4 are owned by BDCs but unfortunately some of them resolved to be trading outside, which is illegal.

“We want to appeal to all these people, who have turned the place into their aboard illegally to please vacate, as places like that are not meant for such illegalities. They should take advantage of the markets within the city, where they can go and sell their wares.

“For the Bureau De Change Operators, they should please ensure that they carry out their businesses within their office premises , not by the road corridors. We also appeal to the general public especially those who patronise BDCs to please patronise them in their offices.

“And anybody caught outside operating will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly, and the Mobile Courts are already on standby, waiting for people, who are indulged in these activities to be arrested and brought before it.”

Meanwhile, the Secretary FCT Command and Control Centre, Mr. Peter Olumuji noted that the place hitherto to the raid constituted a serious security threats to lives and property in the Territory, due to multifaceted nefarious activities there.

Responding on behalf of the BDC Operators, the Secretary, Elders’ Forum of the BDC Operators in Wuse Zone 4, Yahaya Kida, described the exercise as a welcome development, as it will help sanitise the area.

Kida disclosed that the FCT Minister, through the Commissioner of Police, Director of Security Department and AEPB Director had on the 15 fifteenth of September, 2021, invited us , and informed them about the exercise.
We informed all our members about the clean up exercise, which they cooperated with the government, so as to clean Zone 4.

His words; “We are going to organise those BDC operators dislodged during the exercise, by profiling and giving them means of identification. We are not going to be on the road like before.

“We are tired of this drugs peddlers operating in the area, and we are warning them not to return back here”, he stressed.

Fans Give CharlyBoy Clamorous Welcome, Laud His Role In Nollywood Blockbuster “King of Boys 2”

Toyin Adebayo
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Fans Give CharlyBoy Clamorous Welcome, Laud His Role In Nollywood Blockbuster “King of Boys 2”

Fans, especially young Nigerians, trooped out in their numbers on Saturday in Lagos to welcome maverick singer, songwriter and activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as ‘Charlyboy’, on his return from vacation to the United Kingdom.

It was a sort of carnival as the elated fans gathered at the arrival gate of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport to celebrate the return of the 70 -year-old showbiz maestro and activist.

The fans, which include bikers , gathered on receiving the news that CharlBoy was returning from his 3-month holidays, bearing placards with different inscriptions such as “ welcome back Areada”, “ We Love you Odudubariba”, hailing his role in the acclaimed Netflix original series, ‘King of Boys: the Return of the king’, where he played the character Odudubariba.

While addressing the crowd, Charlyboy expressed delight over the show of solidarity by his fans, especially Nigerian youths and enjoined them to get themselves actively involved in the country’s leadership in order to secure the future of the country.

He added that, Nigerian youths cannot afford to give up or loose hope when the situation in the country has not changed.

“Don’t shy away from politics but rather get into it, because it is your future.The youths must not allow anyone shave their hairs when they are not there.

“If the youths are worried about their future, they must start to organise themselves by being involved in politics and stop agonising about their future,” he said.

He said that it was only when the youths pull their strengths together, would they be able to change the current set of leaders.

Charlyboy said that he accepted to feature in the Nollywood blockbuster “King of Boys, The Return of The King” because the script passed a sensitive message.

“I will not get myself involved in any script that is not passing any good message, and I acted as Odudubariba in the movie because I am the Odudubariba I of Africa, so I just played myself in the role,” he said.

According to the Areafada, who recently released a hit musical film, ‘Odudubariba’ means a spiritual warrior.

The self-acclaimed ‘President of all frustrated Nigerians’ is championing a social awakening and campaign for a better society and decided to go back to music, his age-long passion, to call citizens, especially the youths to hold leaders accountable.

FCT Taskforce Raided Criminals Den In Abuja, Arrests 6 Suspects

Toyin Adebayo
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FCT Taskforce Raided Criminals Den In Abuja, Arrests 6 Suspects

In spite of the heavy rain, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Ministerial Task Force on City Sanitation fought the weather and dismantled places suspected of serving as safe havens for criminals in Kugbo furniture and Nyanya on the Abuja-Keffi expressway, arresting six individuals.

The operation , which was led by Comrade Ikharo Attah, the team’s head said it was intended at tackling suspected criminal activity in the area.

He claimed that the thorough cleaning would aid in the regulation of furniture merchants, particularly those who had converted parking lots and road shoulders into businesses.

Due to strong rains that prevented the machine from entering the region, a sector of the Kugbo drug market known as ‘Bakasi’ was not totally demolished, according to Attah.

He expressed sorrow that drug dealers had taken over part of the primary school grounds, posing a security hazard to residents.

His words , “Considering the significance of reclaiming the area from suspected criminals and drug dealers we were not deterred by the heavy down pour, we removed the shanties, drink joints and part of the market to ensure sanity.

“We work under the heavy rain but we were able to achieve much, so we can’t be deterred in our quest to cleaning up the Federal Capital Territory.

“The exercise today help the residents reclaim the school land from criminals. There was a serious encroachment on Kugb school land, by turning it into illegal shops and other things”.

The chairman explained that the Nyanya pantaker market which was one of the major security threats especially between Nyanya and Karu valley.

Meanwhile, the FCTA Secretary, Command and Control, Mr. Peter Olumuji said the removal of the shanties would help to curb criminal activities on Kugbo-Nyanya axis.

Also speaking on human abuses, the field Commander FCTA Joint Security Taskforce, CSP Idowu Azeez called on the personnel to always respect human rights during the operation.

Agric Dev:FCTA Starts Update Of Database Of Farmers

Toyin Adebayo
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0
Agric Dev:FCTA Starts Update Of Database Of Farmers

  

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has began revising the territory’s database of farmers and agriculture-related institutions.

This is part of a strategy to address specific gaps in the delivery of effective and reliable agricultural support services, particularly in the areas of input and extension.

Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, announced this at the International Conference Centre Abuja during the opening ceremony of the Agribusiness Innovation Conference and Expo.

She also stated that the administration has initiated the renovation of old facilities while striving to construct new ones as part of its efforts to modernize agricultural infrastructure.

Despite farmers’ crucial role in the fight against hunger, Aliyu acknowledged that the agricultural sector faces a number of challenges, including a lack of information on best agricultural practices, insufficient financial support, access to inputs, storage and processing facilities, pest infestation, market access, and improved technology.

She claimed that the administration had taken steps to address these concerns and restore agriculture’s significance.

According to her, she has implemented various federal government agricultural projects such as the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS), the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), and the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP), among others.

According to her; “On the implementation of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) funded AADS, all the six Area Councils of the FCT, as well as participating farmers and off-takers have been fully mobilised and are ready for the take-off of the programme at the start of the 2021 dry season farming”.  

Earlier, the Ag. Secretary FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Malam Ishaq Abubakar Sadeeq, described the theme ‘#End Hunger: “Building A National Resilience For Sustainable Food Security” as apt considering the fact that the country more than ever before was in dire need of the participation of key stakeholders in enhancing agribusiness for increased food security and employment.  

He noted that the FCT was not just about infrastructural development, as the Administration has been giving due attention to the agricultural sector in order to meet the needs of the growing population of FCT with food and nutrition.    

Sadeeq said the administration has been implementing programmes aimed at making agriculture attractive to the populace and investors particularly in the areas of agricultural value chains development.  

WHO Urges World Leaders At UNGA To Focus On Vaccine Equity, Pandemic Preparedness, Resetting SDGs

Toyin Adebayo
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0
WHO Urges World Leaders At UNGA To Focus On Vaccine Equity, Pandemic Preparedness, Resetting SDGs

The WHO on Tuesday urged world leaders attending the UNGA’s 76th session to promote equal access to COVID-19 vaccines and other life-saving technology.

This would strengthen global pandemic preparedness and restart efforts to meet the SDGs (SDGs).

The UN agency added that, nearly 5 million people have died as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, which is still spreading across the globe.

Vaccines are the most important instrument for ending the pandemic and saving lives and property.

Globally, more than 5.7 billion vaccination doses have been provided, although only ten nations account for 73% of all doses.

In comparison to low-income countries, high-income countries have given out 61 times more dosages per person.

The longer vaccination inequities exists, the more the virus will circulate and evolve, and the greater the social and economic upheaval.

By the end of this year, WHO hopes to have vaccinated at least 40% of each country’s population, and 70% by the middle of next year.

If countries and producers show a genuine commitment to vaccine fairness, these goals can be achieved.

WHO is urging countries to fulfill their dose-sharing commitments as soon as possible, and to swap their near-term vaccine deliveries with COVAX and AVAT (African COVID-19 Vaccine Acquisition Task Team). WHO is also urging manufacturers to prioritize supplies to COVAX and partners, as well as for countries and manufacturers to facilitate the sharing of technology, know-how, and intellectual property to support a rapid response.

While governments work to end this pandemic, the rest of the globe must prepare for future pandemics and other health emergencies.

COVID-19 caught the globe – especially wealthy countries – off guard with such a rapid and large-scale outbreak.

It disproportionately impacted vulnerable people, exacerbating inequities.

WHO advises all countries to break the cycle of “panic and neglect” that has occurred in the aftermath of prior health crises by allocating enough financial resources and political commitment to improving global health disaster preparedness.

UHC is a cornerstone of global health security.

Despite recent advances in UHC, 90 percent of countries have experienced disruptions in key health services as a result of the pandemic, with ramifications far beyond the health sector.

Not only is serious investment in universal health coverage and pandemic preparedness required to strengthen global health security, but it is also necessary to re-establish the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

The pandemic has halted progress toward the SDGs, including improvements in poverty eradication, gender equality, communicable disease vaccination, and girls’ and boys’ education.

But technology is also giving the world new possibilities to do things differently and actually work on making the world a better place — toward a healthier, fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable world.

WHO is urging world leaders to grasp the moment and commit to concerted action, enough resources, and solidarity in order to build a brighter future for people and the planet at the UNGA this week.

FG Warns Against Buying COVID-19 Vaccination Cards Without Jab

Akeem Adebayo
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FG Warns Against Buying COVID-19 Vaccination Cards Without Jab


The Federal Government stated that dishonest people are trying to get COVID-19 immunization cards without receiving COVID-19 vaccines.

Possession of vaccination cards without obtaining immunizations is illegal and punishable by law.

Mr Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), raised the alarm on COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout on Tuesday in Abuja.


The NPHCDA and the Presidential Steering Committee strongly condemn these fraudulent attempts and encourage those involved to cease and desist.


According to him, “With the increase in COVID-19 vaccination mandates globally, it has come to the notice of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Federal Ministry of Health, that attempts are being made by unscrupulous persons to procure the COVID-19 vaccination cards, without receiving the COVID-19 vaccines. 

“The ongoing COVID-19 vaccination and the vaccination cards are totally free of charge at all designated COVID-19 vaccination sites across the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT.

“The NPHCDA is collaborating with the State Security Services (SSS), ICPC and other law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute any persons and their accomplices attempting to fraudulently acquire COVID-19 vaccination cards without getting vaccinated. Our colleague from the FCT team, the Executive Secretary of the Primary Healthcare Development Board is here to provide detailed update on the case of criminal attempt to illegally procure vaccination card that is being investigated. The individual in this case is not a staff of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency but a staff of the FCT State Primary Healthcare Development Board. The NPHCDA enjoins the general public to immediately report any suspected cases of buying and selling of COVID-19 vaccination cards without receiving the vaccines to the nearest law enforcement agency or to NPHCDA through the following channels:
COVID-19 hotline: 07002201122
NPHCDA website: www.nphcda.gov.ng/complaints“, he explained.

Meanwhile, the Country Representative World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo said, it is important to remember that the variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus present in Nigeria are dangerous, and the tools we have to protect ourselves continue to be effective against them. 

He urged all countries to recall and respect the principles of the International Health Regulations (IHR) that vaccines must be approved by WHO and be of suitable quality and universally available before they can be considered as a prerequisite for travel.

Saying, If someone is fully vaccinated with any of the vaccines with WHO Emergency Use Listing, they should be treated in the same way, regardless of which vaccine they received. WHO recommends that the same rules should apply for all individuals who have had an EUL vaccine, with no difference in restrictions depending on the product.

 
According to him; “The Emergency Committee of WHO under the International Health Regulations has been clear that WHO should not be recommending a requirement for vaccination as a condition of travel and particularly related to the scarcity of vaccines and the fact there’s such an inequity in distribution and uncertainties regarding the extent to which vaccination prevents infection or transmission of the disease”.

The issue of international travel is both a certification and a policy issue. WHO is working with countries who have requested that the international yellow fever, or international yellow card be potentially used as a way to register vaccination and we are supporting countries in that.”

The difficulty in this regard is that right now any imposition of such a requirement for vaccination around the world does in effect deliver a double inequality, as individuals from country who have no access to vaccine will then have no access to travel and therefore it is very important that if we’re going to impose restrictions on the travel of individuals, we must at least attempt to do that from a level playing field of having access to vaccine.”









FCTA Education Secretariat Assure Parents Of Safety Of Students, Schools

Toyin Adebayo
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0
FCTA Education Secretariat Assure Parents Of Safety Of Students, Schools

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) intimated on Monday that it has taken enough precautions to safeguard the safety of all students in the nation’s capital as the 2021/2022 academic year began.

While stating that the FCT is safe, he also stated that the authorities are not resting on their laurels in assuring the safety of all schools and kids.

The promise was given by Alhaji Musa Yahaya, Chairman of the FCT Secondary Education Board (SEB), who was leading a team of officials from the Education Secretariat and the UBEB to oversee school reopening in the territory.

The Gwagwalada Area Council’s schools visited were Government Secondary School Gwagwalada, Kingdom Heritage Model School, Gado Nasko Science Primary School, and Junior Secondary School, Phase 3.

In response to a question about how to improve school security, he stated, “For us in the FCT, any measures that we have put in place are dear to our hearts.”

According to him; ” It is something that has to do with the security of the lives of our future leaders, we don’t come out boldly to tell people this is what we are doing.

” A lot of measures have been put in place, and we have to assure parents that the authorities have done very well in keeping the students safe in our respective schools,” he said.

Yahaya said the objective of monitoring the school resumption was to access the level of students turnout and ensure compliance with the COVID-19 preventives measures.

The chairman said that adequate orientation had been given to the students and teachers on the nitty gritty of the COVID-19 protocol.

” It is a normal tradition that when schools resume, we make it out to assess the level of resumption particularly this period when we have the Third Wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

” So it will enable us see the rate of compliance with the COVID-19 protocol, and look at the percentage of resumption as well as how ready the schools are, with regards to neatness, facilities and staff level of compliance to resumption.

” We have gone through this; the first, second and now the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic, so I the protocol still remain the way they are, and the compliance rate is what actually needs to hightened-up, to ensure that we are not found wanting for running foul of the protocols.”

Meanwhile , the Principal of the Junior Secondary School Phase III Gwagwalada, Hadiza Egigogo, said security personnel have been deployed at the school gate to screen people coming in and out of the school.

” The insecurity issue is on ground, but with God, everything is taking shape. The security personnel at the school gate ensure that the established protocol are followed by those trying to gain access to the school.

” We have about 70 per cent of our students in school today, and the first activity we often conduct is resumption test, to make them participate, in order to encourage them to come to school,” she said.

Okorocha Warns APC Against Zoning Presidency to the North

Ekaette Ibuot
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Okorocha Warns APC Against Zoning Presidency to the North

A serving Senator representing Imo West, and former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha has predicted doom, if the ruling All Progressives Party APC zones Presidency to the North in the 2023 general election.

He made the prediction at an interactive session organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, tagged: “Conversation with Owelle Rochas Okorocha at 59 and Award of Icon of Service and Philanthropy on in Abuja.

He urged the South-East region to present a good reason the nation should have an Igbo man as the next President in 2023.

“There is no justifiable reason for APC to zone the presidency away from the South if not the South-east.” He said.“It started with South-west and President Olusegun Obasanjo was elected then it went to the North and we had Yar’Adua,It went back to the South with Goodluck Jonathan, and now the North is having it with the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, He Noted.

“So, it is fair that this understanding should not be broken, that will be dangerous and it will polarise the party,it will sound like a Northern People’s Party, Okorocha Stated.

“I know what I suffered when I joined the APC because I believed that the Igbo should be in mainstream politics and it will be unfortunate for the party to treat the region like that.”, He Stressed.

About presidency in 2023: “I have run for presidency three times, I even ran against late Yau’Adua and I came second, He said.

“I don’t have ambition to be president, I have a vision to be president and that is what drives me,that is why i am different from other aspirants.”He Revealed.

“Let’s try an Igbo man and see what it will be like and even argue that with the enterprising nature of the Igbo they can do better” He noted.

“When IPOB started, they came to Imo state when I was the governor, I told the Police and other security agents not to shoot at them but to go with them during the protests, after a while they were tired and ready for dialogue and I listened to them and understood their grievances” Rochas informed.

”They asked me to join them, and I told them if they can convince me why I should have another passport, Biafra passport, I will join. I could have asked my men to shoot them as they were killed in Okigwe and other states, but no,
i had to listen to know what they were going through and this is what the federal government should do, he said.

“It is an evil wind that won’t blow anyone good. Nigerian government needs to sympathise with the youth and address their grievances,if we can dialogue, we will find out that it is not worth the trouble,Let’s bring all the agitators for dialogue, He said.

“That is how the Nigerian government should treat the youths, sympathise with them. Treat them well,” Okorocha said.

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