The Nigeria Labour Congress has called for a new verve of zeal and commitment in the war against insurgency that is currently bedeviling the nation. The President Comrade Ayuba Wabba made the call in Abuja at the NLC’s National Executive Council meeting. He said that with the new set of Service Chiefs in the country, there is need for the security lapses of the past to be identified and corrected. Ayuba further said that, the NLC will revisit the resolutions made at the last delegate conference which called for strong proactive steps by congress to promote the security of lives and property, particularly those of workers and their families. He however cautioned that the country should never get to the point of surrendering the initiative and paraphernalia of sovereignty to autonomous state actors and to forces of state capture.
He said “to this end, we will revive our efforts last year to convene a national peace and security summit that which preparations were scuttled by the outbreak of COVID19 and the associated lockdown.”
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has approved Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for use the in Nigeria.
Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye made this known at a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
While noting that the vaccine can be stored at 2 to 8-degree centigrade.
She further stated that, the vaccine was recently approved by the WHO for emergency use, saying, it got the dossier of the vaccine a week ago, and the NAFDAC safety committee went to work immediately to evaluate its safety and efficacy for Nigerians.
While adding that the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, also known as ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, or AZD1222, is a viral vector vaccine. Scientists used an adenovirus, originally derived from chimpanzees, and modified it with the aim of training the immune system to mount a strong response against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).
The NAFDAC Boss, however, stressed that the South African variant has not been reported in Nigeria, while the agency has over 30 herbal medicines undergoing review for listing.
According to her , the evaluation on Astrazeneca shows that the vaccine is effective against the United Kingdom variant of the virus which has been reported in Nigeria. Finally, NAFDAC received the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine dossier from Serum Institute of India on February 10, 2021. The NAFDAC Vaccine Committee commenced the expedited review immediately and the members of the committee have worked assiduously to ensure that review was done as planned. The recommendation for Emergency Use Authorization was based on rigorous scientific considerations as summarized below.
Speaking on the quality of the vaccine, she said the active substance is manufactured and controlled by Serum Institute of India Private Limited (SIIPL). A GMP certificate and manufacturing license issued by the India National Regulatory Authority (NRA) has been presented and found to be authentic and valid.
On the vaccine safety and efficacy,the NAFDAC boss hinted that from the Phases 2/3 conducted, COVISHIELD was found safe and well-tolerated in adults above 18 years of age. The incidence of solicited, unsolicited AEs and SAEs was comparable in the study control. groups. No causally related SAE was caused by the study vaccine
Adeyeye noted that, “the agency will be using its recently launched Med Safety App for Active Pharmacovigilance of the vaccines in collaboration with the sister agencies. The App is free, and millions of healthcare workers can download it free for Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting. In-country training on the use of the App has begun for the healthcare givers.
“NAFDAC plans to also use the Traceability with GS1 technology to monitor the vaccine distribution using Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). This is to prevent fake vaccines from infiltrating the supply chain and to ensure there is no diversion. This effort will create a reliable and predictable supply chain.
“At the continental level, NAFDAC is on the Regulators Steering Committee of African Union -3S (Smart, Safety Surveillance) with Ghana, South Africa and Ethiopia. The committee was formed as a preparatory caucus for safety monitoring of medicines but using COVID-19 vaccine as a pilot”.
Director, Human Resource Management (HRM) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Malam Mohammad Bashir Mni has described as down to earth the immediate past Permanent Secretary of the administration, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa.
He made this revelation while speaking on the person of Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa to celebrate his exit from the civil service on Tuesday in Abuja.
Bashir hinted that , ” Talking about Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa is an understatement , I have never meant someone like him, I have a good working relationship with him when he was the head of bureaucracy in the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
” The first time I set my eyes on him was when I came to FCTA in 2017, I was sent to attend the Senior Executive Course at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Study, Kuru. It was when I was there that Sir Ohaa reported as the Permanent Secretary . When I return from school on the 27th of November, 2017. When I resumed, I reported to the Minister and he said i should take my file to the Permanent Secretary , as I was coming down from the Minister’s office I meant him on the way and he said gentleman where are you going, I said to see the permanent secretary, he turned back and said follow me, I thought, he was the Personal Assistant to the Permanent , we entered the office and he said sit down here and wait for me , I am the permanent Secretary , u was amazed with his kind of humility.
“He made me comfortable in his office and said I will be right back , that was how the relationship started . I was then at the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Board as a Director . We held the 2019 Hajj when he was in charge while acting as the FCT Minister, the he was the one that pilot the affairs of the nation’s capital, there was nothing we requested logistically that was not granted.
“Another instance was when I was about to be moved from the Pilgrims Board , he insisted that I must be given an office , saying, I cannot just be removed without an office , I was taking to Archive and History Bureau Department , by God’s grace and his hand work today I am the director in charge of Human Resources.
He continued; “He created an enabling environment for me to excel as Director Human resource , he gave me all it takes to make the job easier for me. He place me above all other directors, if he is not available I deputize for him , he has never for a day find me wanting during my acting capacity , even when I do mistake, he takes responsibility for my action and later caution me , he will defend you beyond the relationship of boss and subordinate . He is a leader to the core.
“Very recently, when he buried his late mother, I was so amazed to see all the retired secretaries, for secretaries and directors, everybody sponsors themselves to grace the occasion , the occasion was full of FCTA staff the same thing happened last week when the power ministry organized a sent foth party in his honour to celebrate his exit from the service”, he buttressed.
He, however, hinted that the only thing we can do for him is to pray for God’s guidance and protection over him and pray God see him through his future ambition.
As parts of his administration’s transformation agenda in the transport sector, to link the entire country by rail, President Muhammadu Buhari has flagged off the $1.96billion Kano-katsina-Jibiya- Maradi rail line project. The rail line is said to traverse the major commercial and administrative centre of Kano, and passes through other economic hubs of the country including Kazaure, Daura, Katsina and up to the border town of Jibiya and the Niger Republic city of Maradi. Speaking virtually during the Groundbreaking ceremony of the rail line project in Katsina, President Muhammadu Buhari said the Kano-Maradi rail line connecting Niger Republic would foster Trans-Sahara trade and contribute immensely in the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.
The president further said that the vital infrastructure line would establish an end-to-end logistic supply chain in railway transport services between Northern and Southern regions of the country, reaching Nigerian southern ports of Lagos and Warri. He noted that the entire route encompasses territory inhabited by close to 80 million people across 10 states of the country. The project has a branch line to Dutse the capital of Jigawa state to open up this corridor which is endowed with vast resources. According to the President, the project when completed, would serve import and export of goods for Niger Republic and other countries in the sub-region through Nigerian ports. The country would earn revenue through expansion of trade and commerce, while the people of Niger Republic will benefit from ease of transportation logistics at affordable cost in their import and export business. He noted that construction company handling this project, Messrs Mota-Engil Nigeria Limited was supporting knowledge and technology transfer by investing in the establishment of a learning Institution for Transportation and Railway Science, while commending the gesture.
“We have in the rail sector embarked on the completion of the 1,424 Kilometer Lagos – Kano rail line to join the one being flagged-off today for the country’s Western axis. “On the Eastern corridor of the country, the Port Harcourt – Enugu – Makurdi – Maiduguri rail line with branches to Owerri, Imo state and Damaturu, Yobe state have been awarded for reconstruction to include a deep sea port in Bonny Island and a Railway Industrial Park in Port Harcourt with the objectives of achieving a vibrant and functional railway infrastructure in the Eastern part of the country”.
He added that “the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Finance have been directed to vigorously act on engagement and concluding financial arrangement with appropriate co-financiers to partner with the Federal Government for the development of the West – East Coastal rail line from Lagos to Calabar and linking Onitsha, Benin, Warri, Yenegao, Port Harcourt, Aba and Uyo”.
Also, in his welcome address, the Minister of Transportation Honourable Rotimi Amaechi said the approximately 284Km traversing Kano – Dambatta – Kazaure – Shargelle – Mashi – Daura – Katsina – Jibiya – Maradi will move passengers in cities of Kano and Katsina and stations of standard category in Kazaure, Daura, Jibiya and Dutse and minor stations in Dambatta, Shargelle and Mashi as well as halt stations in Kunya, Kano airport, Muduru, Dadara and in Niger Republic at Annol Mata and Maradi. The Minister gave an assurance that the project will reach a substantial completion in year 2023 when it will be ready to handle passenger and freight daily traffic forecast of 9,364 passengers and approximately 3,000 metric tons of freight on return trips between Kano and Maradi.
Amaechi said “There is no doubt that this route when linked with the ongoing Lagos – Kano railway project on completion, will generate higher traffic volumes and revenue.”
He further disclosed that President Buhari has approved the development of other railway infrastructure and related projects that are of significance to the nation’s socio-economic development and bring the Nigerian economy to become a key player in the region and globally.
“The objective here is to establish railway network that is sustainable and strong to serve as a transportation backbone and open a new path to positive economic transformation,” he stated.
Chief Executive Officer, Mota-Engil, Manuel Mota, described the project as competitive opportunity for the firm considering its vast experience in railway projects. Speaking on the economic benefits, he said the fact that the connecting country, Niger would be connected to the Sea in eight hours or less, it has a huge impact on competitive business of the capacity to import and export. Similarly, the state Governors of Katsina, Kano and Jigawa, Aminu Masari, Abdullahi Ganduje and Mohammed Abubakar respectively commended federal government’s foresight in sighting a major railway project that would link their states and Maradi region, in Niger Republic.
The governors said the project, when completed, would enhance the socio-economic development of the three areas.
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has demanded an unreserved apology from the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe over the bad treatment of its members during the Public Hearing on Five Health Bills held on 1st February, 2021.
JOHESU condemns in its entirety the harassment and intimidation of health workers and professionals during the said public hearing by Senator Oloriegbe. Briefing journalists in Abuja, the President of the Union, Comrade Biobelemoye Josiah who expressed displeasure over the bad treatment of health workers at the said occasion, went further to state that the action is not only unfortunate but undemocratic, discriminatory, and unparlimentary.
He went further to describe the action as a violation of their members’ rights to freedom of speech and expression as enshrined in Chapter IV of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
Biomelemoye further stated that apart from apology on the unfortunate incidence, the union is also demanding that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria repeal and re-enactment bill, 2020 under consideration be stepped down until all litigations on the existing Act are decided and resolved.
He warned that if the burning issues and other demands of health workers are not resolved as soon as possible, the union would not guarantee industrial peace in the health sector nationwide.
” That the purpose of the public hearing was defeated because other critical stakeholders who submitted memoranda ahead of time were not allowed to make presentations even though sufficient time was given to medical practitioners and their affiliated bodies. Furthermore, he totally disregarded the arranged list of presenters during the public hearing and hand-picked presenters instead, while barring his perceived antagonists.
“That Senator Dr Oloriegbe as a sponsor of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria MDCAN bill displayed high level of bias against other health professionals during the public hearing.
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to resuscitate and ensure functional airstrips all over the country, in a bid to combat insecurity and boost commercial activities.
He stated this when a delegation sent by Emir of Hadejia and led by a former Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Senator Ibrahim Hassan visited his office.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Sani Datti on behalf of the Director, Public Affairs, Ministry Of Aviation, Mr James Odaudu and made available to journalists.
The statement stated that speaking specifically on Hadejia airstrip, the Minister said many reasons have pushed for the resuscitation of airstrips among which was historical purposes and to combat insecurity in the country.
Hadi Sirika said “As we are faced by security challenges, siting functional airstrip in Hadejia will help in combating insecurity as the airstrip can be used by the Nigerian Airforce, Police and of course civil aviation”.
He further added that Hadejia once doubled as a centre of learning, trade and commerce in Northern Nigeria. The Minister further said “we are starting now by engaging aviation experts and consultants to come up with an assessment. In our plans, the airstrip is going to be managed in such a way that there is a plan for future expansion in terms of landmass and commercial activities”.
He assured the delegation that everything would be done as soon as possible by the Ministry to actualize it and the Ministry will also find an appropriate way of funding the project.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Senator Ibrahim Hassan told the Minister that they were in his office to appreciate the Ministry’s effort towards resuscitating Hadejia airstrip.
According to him, the Ministry had shown seriousness towards the rehabilitation of the airstrip by sending experts and consultants to conduct an assessment.
He assured the Minister of the Hadejia Emirate’s support towards actualizing the project and commended him for the giant strides he has made in the aviation sector since his assumption of office as Minister of Aviation.
As FCTA Alerts Residents of Fake COVID-19 Inspectors
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has launched a manhunt for criminal syndicate who allegedly parade themselves as COVID-19 Inspectors to defraud event planners in the nation’s capital.
This syndicates move around the city to extort money from event planners and other residents in guise of COVID-19 enforcement officers.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministerial Task Force on COVID-19 Enforcement, the Head of Media and Enlightenment Comrade Ikharo Attah hinted that, the FCT Administration deemed it necessary to quickly alert residents of the nation’s capital of the activities of fraudsters.
He, however, admitted being inundated with such negative reports , while warning the public to be wary of such criminal elements who parade themselves as agents of government, but are not.
He also debunked the rumours that members of his Taskforce were involved in the criminal act.
Attah further stated that neither the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 nor the FCTA have authorised anyone to penalize violators of the health guidelines.
He stated that , it is only the Mobile Courts constituted by the FCT Administration that has the right to penalize violators.
According to him , any group of persons found extorting money from members of the public under any guise should be reported to the appropriate authorities, as such activities remain illegal.
” We actually work on the platform of integrity having been set up together by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello under the chairmanship of the FCT Police Commissioner, Bala Ciroma, we don’t go out asking people for money on issues relating to COVID-19 guidelines.
” We actually avoid going to meet people to ask them to give us money for whatever. But it’s quite disheartening and disturbing that we have heard such rumours before now, that people go round in the name of COVID-19 enforcement.
He continued; ” We don’t have any office or any person like COVID-19 inspection officer, who we have assigned to go round. The commissioner of police who is our chairman have not approved such kind of officers to round. All those in this act should desist from it. The PTF at the national level had given the COVID-19 guidelines and protocols for us to observe.
” There are events that they have allowed to operate here, and many events including schools are opened, but it’s just that they have some restrictions on the number or whatever that people should do.”
As parts of its efforts to curb ticket racketeering in rail line services in the country, the Federal Government has launched the e- ticketing solution at the Abuja-Kaduna Rail Line Service.
Launching the e- ticketing online solution held virtually in Abuja, the Minister Of Transportation Hon. Rotimi Amaechi said that the online ticketing which marks the beginning of automation of ticket sales in all major stations in Abuja- Kaduna train service is in line with global world best practices and will enhance efficiency, save time and promote accountability while also reducing leakage and promoting economic growth.
He further stated that it is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) valued at N900 million of which the concessionaire ( SecureID) will provide, then run it for 10 years to recoup its investment before reverting ownership to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Governing Board, NRC, Ibrahim Alhassan Musa , said that the e- ticketing solution finally brings to an end the persistent allegation of ticket racketeering at the train Station.
According to the Chief Executive Officer, Secure ID Solutions, Kofo Akinkugbe, in her remarks observed that the launch heralds the nation’s entry into the new age of multi- model ticketing in public transportation while allowing for passengers convenience, efficiency and accountability for operators and provide data for government for better decision making.
Kofo further stated that the e- ticketing solution after a successful pilot program as of today has issued 25,000 tickets online and informed intending commuters on the Abuja – Kaduna rail corridor to assess the e – ticketing solution via web by visiting www.nrc.tps.ng, other avenues are: downloading the application from Google Play store or Apple Store, POS and Cash payments at the counter.
According to her, the innovation will increase good customer experience such as convenient ticket purchase 24 hours a day, seat selection, secure online payments, no physical interaction amongst others.
The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has joined other well meaning Nigerians to felicitate with the Commandant General of Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Abdullahi Gana on his birthday.
Aliyu hinted that NSCDC has witnessed alot of growth and progress especially at a time when the nation needs it most.
saying, your invaluable contributions to the peace and safety of our country Nigeria cannot be underestimated.
Aliyu wished that the coming year bring him personal fulfilment and professional gratification.
The Federal Capital Territory Area 10, Garki Muslim Community has sympathised with the Turkish Community in Nigeria over the demise of Sheikh Hussain Baidar, the General Manager, Nusrat Educational Foundation.
The Chief Imam Area 10 Jumma’ah Mosque, Sheikh Yahya Al-Yolawi, on Friday in Abuja, sympathised with the community, while delivering a sermon titled, “the Enviable Legacies of Sheikh Hussain Baidar,.
Al-Yolawi said that the deceased lived a life worthy of emulation by all Muslims who wished to earn reward in the hereafter.
The cleric said that Baidar distributed millions of copies of the Qur’an in Nigeria and other West African countries during his lifetime in order to encourage Muslims recite the holy book.
He also said that the deceased build many mosques and schools to support educational pursuit.
“I will seize this opportunity on behalf of the FCT, Area 10 Mosque Committee and Muslim Community, to condole with the Turkish Community in Nigeria on the loss of Baidar, General Manager, Nusrat Educational Foundation.
“May the Almighty Allah forgive him and grant him Jannatul firdau.’’
Al-Yolawi disclosed that late Baidar made concerted efforts to strengthen unity among Muslim community through seminars and conferences in major universities in Nigeria.
“Similarly, late Baidar distributes educational materials free to many Islamic schools across West Africa sub region.
“Baidar also shoulder the responsibilities of taken care of hundred of orphans and dedicated his life and time for Islam and Muslim ummah,’’ Al-Yolawi said.
The cleric used the occasion to admonish Muslims to develop interest in charity to revive act of selfless services and religious institutions which promote Islamic socio-economic sustainability.
