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COVID-19: NAFDAC Must Approve Vaccines Before Use, DG

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The Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has warned Nigerians not to take any vaccine except the ones approved by the agency.

She gave this warning at a virtual briefing on Friday, saying. the World Health Organization’s (WHO) approval was not enough for the use of the vaccine, except the regulatory agency certifies the vaccine safe for use.

Adeyeye further hinted that , “The WHO will say that unless the regulatory agency of a country approves a vaccine, it should not be used. WHO is not a regulatory agency that will approve and say use, they are there to guide and give regulatory agencies more confidence.

“If a product is already on WHO emergency use listing, the regulatory agency will still look at the application. That doesn’t mean we just pass it like that, we will have to read it within the context of our environment. No vaccine or commodity can be used unless it passes through NAFDAC in Nigeria.

“Vaccines should not be ordered by any company or corporation. The companies that manufacture the vaccines if they are genuine companies know they have to submit their application to NAFDAC.

“No government establishment or agencies should order COVID-19 vaccines without confirming from NAFDAC if the vaccine has been approved”, she stressed.

NAFDAC DG said the agency was discussing with manufactures of candidate COVID-19 vaccines concerning potential Emergency Use Authorisation, registration or licensing of their product as the case may be.

“The agency, however, assured applicants that if phase three clinical data are very convincing and robust with regards to safety and efficacy and the vaccine has been submitted for WHO for Emergency Use Listing, NAFDAC will welcome the application for Emergency Use Authorisation in Nigeria,” Adeyeye said.

Women Affairs Minister Charges New PS on Repositioning

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The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, has expressed optimism that the redeployment of Dr. Mrs. Anthonia Ekpa, as the new Permanent Secretary (PS) to the Ministry , will facilitate harmonisation of efforts to further uplift the Establishment .

Tallen who spoke in Abuja, while receiving the PS, stated that the Permanent Secretary’s coming to the Ministry with so much experience and capacity was very encouraging and that together, they would certainly work for the betterment of the Ministry and its numerous Stakeholders.

She added that she and the PS will collaborate to ensure that the aspirations of the Present government in supporting families and in particular, Women and Children are realized .

She also appreciated the PS for emphasizing on synergy among the various Offices including those of the Minister , PS and Departments , and assured her of the cooperation of her staff and management while in the Ministry.

In order to ensure the Permanent Secretary enjoys full support of the Ministry until she resumes work later in January, the Hon. Minister issued the PS with a letter of authorization for her to act on her behalf.

Ekpa, who is an experienced Civil Servant with years of Lectureship and academic publication in gender studies , expressed gratitude to the Hon Minister for the warm reception she enjoyed in the Ministry .

While assuring the Minister of her loyalty and commitment to ensure realization of the aspirations of the Government and Minister for the sector , told the Minister “I will work with your Team and management of the Ministry to develop a Corporate Strategy that would support your Vision and Mission for Women and Children” .

The new Perm Sec has commenced work in the Ministry beginning with Management Meetings, receiving of briefs etc from Directors / Heads of Departments.

It would be recalled that following the redeployment of Permanent Secretaries to various Ministries by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, on 24th December 2020, Dr . Anthonia Ekpa, was assigned to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA).

WHO Advocated For Collective Commitment To COVID-19 Vaccine For Health Workers, ‘Others

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advocated for collective commitment to get vaccinations for health workers and others who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19 within the next 100 days.

WHO’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, gave this hint in his speech posted on the UN health agency website on Tuesday, saying, Ghebreyesus said a year ago, the first death from COVID-19 was reported, and WHO issued its first tranche of technical guidance.

According to him; “The comprehensive package includes guidance on surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, a readiness checklist, and risk communication and community engagement.

“A year on, there have been almost two million deaths from the COVID-19 virus.

“We are hopeful about the safe and effective vaccines that are being rolled out, we want to see this sped up and vaccines allocated equitably in the coming weeks.

“Next week at the WHO Executive Board, I will be encouraging all countries to fulfill their pledges to COVAX.

“I call for a collective commitment so that within the next 100 days, vaccination for health workers and those at high-risk in all countries are underway,” he said.

The director-general, also urged governments, manufacturers, civil society, religious and community leaders to come together to create the greatest mass mobilisation in history for equitable vaccination.

“WHO continues to ask vaccine manufacturers from around the world to move swiftly to provide the necessary data that will allow us to consider them for emergency use listings,” he said.

In addition, he was pleased that a WHO team was currently in China.

He said the team was currently working with producers of the Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines to assess compliance with international quality manufacturing practices ahead of potential emergency use listing by WHO.

“To clarify this is separate from the WHO origins mission.

“We also look forward to Serum Institute of India submitting full data sets for rapid assessment so WHO can determine whether we can recommend their AstraZeneca vaccine for international use.

“These are just a couple examples of work underway by WHO, GAVI, CEPI, and other partners aimed at the safe, rapid, equitable, and wise allocation of vaccines.

“As I have said before and will say again, saving lives, livelihoods and economies depend on a global agreement to avoid vaccine nationalism,” he said.

Ghebreyesus said yet another new variant or mutation of the virus, had emerged in Japan over the weekend, while transmissibility “appears to be increasing.”

Although the increased infectiousness could drive more cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, “at present, the variants do not seem to show increased severity of the disease,” he added, offering some reassurance.

According to him, with new treatments coming down the pipeline, we are hopeful that more lives of those with serious cases of COVID-19 can be saved. But we need to follow the public health basics, now more than ever.

The Director-General said most critical was to effectively sequence the DNA and composition of the virus, “so we know how it’s changing and how to respond.

“There may be a need to ‘tweak’ both diagnostics and vaccines in order to keep pace with the mutations.

“We call on all countries to increase the sequencing of the virus, to supplement on-going surveillance, monitoring and test efforts,” he said.

Over 3,000 Nigerian Women Die Every Year From Unsafe Abortion, Maries Stops

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Maries Stops Nigeria has revealed that contraception including unsafe abortion contributed to an un acceptably high Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 451 deaths/100,000 lives births.  

Speaking on why MSION’s interventions are important in Nigeria, the Head Marketing and Communications , Marie Stopes Nigeria, Mrs Ogechi Onuoha said it becomes imperative to avert this deaths through proper planned birth.

She added,  more than 3,000 Nigeria women die completely every year  from  unsafe abortion, this is outside the countless number of persons that survived with life threatening complications especially infertility (loss of womb).

Onuoha gave this revelation at the 4th Annual Health Conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ), held in Goshen Nasarawa State.

She hinted that,  Nigeria Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) is very low at just only 20% with high level of unsafe abortion happening in the country even with the  restrictive laws. High fertility (5 on average and 6 in rural areas) and 20% unmet needs of family planning.

Recall that MSION is one of the only provider in Nigeria who offers access to high quality long acting and permanent method of counseling and services. 

Inferno: FCT State Minister Calls For Reorganization Of Kugbo Market

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has called for the reorganization and remodeling of Kugbo furniture market in Abuja Municipal Area Council, (AMAC), following the persistence fire outbreaks.

Aliyu made the call when she visited victims of the Kugbo inferno, while also commending critical stakeholders for the prompt response.

She hinted that the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited shows that much would be achieved by doing things together.  

Aliyu pledged that, the FCT Administration would see how best to assist the victims, she however, tasked traders to take precautionary measures as most of the goods sold in the market are highly inflammable, revealing that the personnel of FCT Fire Service is poised to train traders on how to curtail fire outbreak.  

Aliyu also commended the traders for assisting the victims to salvage some of the damaged goods, noting that in most cases of inferno unscrupulous elements seized the opportunity to cart away other people’s belongings.  

According to her, “Well, this is sad especially in this very difficult period that we are all grappling with the economic situation and how to survive with our little businesses. Nevertheles, I most also quickly sympathize with victims of this inferno that led to lost of property.  

“We must also thank God that there was no lost of life, but at the same time we must say a big thank you in appreciation to our first respondents that came to curtain this ugly incident such as FCT Fire Service, FEMA, NEMA, and other stakeholders especially those who quickly come to our aid, like the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force.  

“These critical stakeholders and hands of fellowship extended to FCT Administration shows that togetherness we can conquer. We must say a very big thank you to all of you because the disaster could have been worst than this if not for your prompt intervention.  

She continued; “And for all those who lost their property is not because they have offended God in one way or the other. We should take it in good fate and God’s willing, FCT will do everything at its best to ensure that we put to an end to these ugly occurrences.  

“We will look forward towards the reorganization of the market. Thank God there is a skeletal space for the fire trucks to move in, and we need to improve on it in terms of creating more spaces to make it more motorable. FCT Emergency Management Agency will come and take stock of the extent of damaged goods, even though we have some figures here”.  

Conducting the minister round the scene, the Acting Director FCT Fire Service, Malam Sani Sa’idu, told the minister that the fire outbreak could be linked to electrical upsurge, adding that over 80 timber shades and 300 furniture shops were affected by the inferno.  

Sa’idu also maintained that as soon as the service received the information from Kugbo residents, the service deployed personnel from Nyanya and Karu and then activated the Federal Fire Service, before the intervention of fire fighters from the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Army, Air Force and the Navy.  

Nigeria Have Crossed 100,000 Mark For Confirmed Cases Of COVID-19, Mamora

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Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnibe Mamora
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnibe Mamora

The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnibe Mamora has hinted that Nigeria have crossed the 100,000 mark for confirmed cases of COVID-19, an evidence of increasing infection.

He also said that, about 100,087 cases have been confirmed while 80,030 cases have been discharged since this Pandemic began.

Mamora gave this hint at the Presidential Task force on COVID-19 yesterday in Abuja, while adding that they have also sadly recorded 1,358 deaths in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Saying, in the last 24 hours, 1,024 new confirmed cases were recorded in 17 states with 8 deaths. ​The case fatality rate stands at 1.36%.

Mamora stated that, “So far, we have tested a total of 1,025,560 people with a positivity rate of 9.8%. Our testing rate in the last few weeks has increased as we continue to engage states to scale up their case finding and testing. We are working to meet our target of testing 2 million Nigerians within the shortest period.

“The result from the tests conducted on prospective NYSC members has incontrovertibly confirmed that no part of the country is free of COVID-19 disease. We safely and comfortably draw this conclusion because corps members are mobilized from all the states of the country for each of the orientation camps.

“With the increased number of confirmed cases, the number of active cases has increased. As of today, we have 18,699 active cases on treatment both in facility and in the community using the treatment protocols. Many of the active cases may require care in one of the treatment or isolation centres thus imposing enormous burden on our facilities.

He continued; “The report that many of those who died, reported late for treatment at the approved centres because they were referred late from private facilities is alarming. We therefore once again seize this opportunity to urge health care practitioners to promptly send all suspected cases for testing and when positive, refer them to isolation centres for treatment. Attempting to treat suspected or confirmed cases not only exposes the health workers in such a facility to risk of infection but also denies the patient early access to effective treatment in an approved treatment centre”.

The Minister further hinted that, the plan of the Federal Government regarding activation of oxygen availability in the States is on course with a view to effecting immediate repairs of non-functional oxygen plants.

He added that, the weekly Case Management Partners Coordination forum for 2021 is set to recommence on Wednesday 13th January, 2021. This is an avenue for continuous interface with different actors in case management towards engendering experience sharing.

He, however, reminded Nigerians , that COVID-19 is real but preventable. While we await the vaccines, we are enjoined to observe all non-pharmaceutical measures. Wear your face masks appropriately especially when out of your house, wash your hands with soap and water regularly or use hand sanitizer where necessary and avoid unnecessary travels.

He added that there is the need to avoid crowding as we see in people under the guise of National Identity Number Enrollment. There is absolutely no cause for this, if only people would voluntarily comply with advisories and guidelines as issued by the Ministry of Communications and its relevant Agency.

The statement credited to me on the social media as to the suspension of the exercise is out of context, hence misleading. For the
avoidance of doubt, Mr President’s order on the matter remains as being carried out by the relevant Ministry.

AMML Receives COVID-19 Preventive Items, Vows To Fight Pandemic

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Abuja Market Management Limited (AMML) has reiterated its commitment to fight COVID-19 pandemic in it’s Market in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to stop the further spread of the pandemic.

The will be made possible by ensuring that all pharmaceutical protocols put in place by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 is observed strictly in all markets controlled by them.

Managing Director AMML, Ibrahim Uzaibat gave this hint during a presentation of Waist Management and COVID-19 Appliances to Wuse Market Donated by Laurmann Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

He, however, noted that since the advent of the second wave of COVID-19, the Organisation has carried out adequate sensitization and monitoring to ensure every traders and customers in the market observer the protocol.

While commending the donor for the donation of the items, Uzaibat noted that before now, AMML and Market Managers have since stepped up all activities aimed at battling the Covid 19 pandemic especially adherence to non pharmaceutical protocols.

He further noted that , AMML have a closer working relationship with Traders Association and the Ministerial task team on Covid 19 such that a trader, a shopper, or any other user of the market who flouts any of the protocols shall be made to face the full weight of the law.

Uzaibat , also encourage other stakeholders to take a queue from donating more items to the market noted that the appliances donated will be deployed to add up to all other efforts by AMML, Traders Association and other partners in the fight of this disease.

Earlier, the Director General of the Environmental company, Laurie Manaygin and the donor of the items, who described Wuse Market as the cleanest and better organized market in West Africa noted the his organization will continue to support the market to ensure clean environment and COVID-19 free.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Wuse Market trader Association Okorie Samuel in his remark noted that the Authority of the Market under his watch has taken issue of COVID-19 serious as no face mask now entry of the market both traders and buyers.

A total of ten sets of resecled waste bin and ten numbers of wash hand bucket for COVID-19 was donated and handover to Wuse Market Traders Association.

However Reports from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) official tweeter handle for January 11 shows that Nigeria has tested 1,025,560 samples for Covid 19, out of which 99,063 cases were confirmed while deaths cases recorded stood at 1,350 and recovery at 79,417 while 18,296 active cases are being monitored closely with FCT having 13,406 confirmed cases coming second as the state with the most infected.

Bello Says FG Special Public Works Programme Have Direct Impact On Communities

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has hinted that the Federal Government Special Public works Programme will see to the engagement of 774,000 Nigerians across all the Local Government Areas in the federation.

While adding that, it will have a direct positive impact on the development of communities across the country.

The Minister made this known during the flag off ceremony of the programme for Adamawa State at Ribadu Square, Yola, on Tuesday.

Bello in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Anthony Ogunleye stated that, the programme in which 21,000 young men and women from the 21 local government areas of the State will be constructively engaged for 3 months, is intended to mitigate the negative socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He, however , revealed that the beneficiaries of the programme will be engaged in the provision of services critical to the rehabilitation and maintenance of public and social infrastructure in communities across state, while adding that the initiative demonstrated quite clearly the efforts and determination of the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to identify with, and protect the most vulnerable members of the society.

Speaking further Bello Said, “The successful implementation of this programme and other social investment programmes such as the N.Power and Conditional Cash Transfer shows clearly that Mr President cares very much about the ordinary Nigerian and is willing to go to great lengths to ensure their welfare and wellbeing”

He, however, called on the beneficiaries to therefore justify their inclusion by being diligent and dedicated in the discharge of their duties while commending the National Directorate of employment and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment for initiating the programme.

The FCT Minister also commended the Adamawa State Governor for his support of Federal Government Projects in the State.

His words , “I wish to publicly and sincerely thank his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Adamawa State for being receptive to all Federal Government projects in the State. He has been a supporter of all the programmes of Mr President that are meant to provide the needed support to our teeming population”.

At the event were the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Chief Crowther Seth, who represented the Executive the Governor, Secretary to the State Government, Mallam, Ahmed Bashir, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. Maxwell Gidado and the Galadima Adamawa Alh Mustapha Aminu, Who represented the Lamido of Adamawa.

Also present were the Adamawa State Coordinator of the NDE, Mallam Ibrahim Faisal and representative of the Ag Director General of the NDE, Mrs Joyce Nanre, Deputy Director, Women employment Branch.

COVID-19: FCTA Demolishes 5 Wrestling, Drama Theatres, Arrests 25

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Vexed by the continued violations of its COVID-19 pharmaceutical guidelines , the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has pulled down five local wrestling and drama theatres popularly called “Gidan Drama” and “Gidan Dembe”.

The demolition exercise which took place at Dakibiyu, Gwarimpa 1 and Sector Centre districts, had armed personnel of the Nigerian Police, State Security Services SSS and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC.

However, the Head, Media, Public Enlightenment and Advocacy of the FCT Ministerial Enforcement Taskforce, Comrade Ikharo Attah said “the removal of the structures became inevitable following repeated warnings to the owners and operators of the Gidan Drama and Gidan Dembe to stop operations because they are prohibited to so do under the COVID-19 Protocols and Guidelines”

According to him; “Thousands of persons gather in these local entertainment centres to watch artistes and wrestlers perform. In one of the centres, we observed during surveillance that thousands gather to watch nude dancers. Facemasks, physical distancing and sanitizing of the hands do not exist here at all”.

He, however, appealed to Kannywood actors and actresses who sometimes make appearances in these centres to desist from coming here. If we get them here we will arrest and charge them to court regardless of their fame and status.

He urged those patronising the centres to desist from doing so if they hope not to contract the dreaded virus.

Meanwhile, the Taskforce also arraigned 25 persons including motorists and commuters for violating the health protocols.

Attah hinted that , “most of the commercial drivers arrested carried too many passengers and overloaded their vehicles in contravention of the COVID-19 Transportation Guidelines and Protocols”.

He disclosed that one of the drivers who identified himself as Garba was sentenced to one week imprisonment for assaulting a police personnel attached to the taskforce and ramming his car into a police van while trying to evade arrest.

FG SIGNS USS1.959 BILLION KANO-MARADI RAILWAY LINE

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As parts of its promise to link the whole country by rail, the Federal Government has signed the Memorandum of Understanding with Mota- Engil Group on the construction of US$1.959 billion Kano-Maradi Standard Gauge Railway lines.

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi in a statement signed by the Director Press and Public Relations Eric Ojiekwe and made available to journalists in Abuja stated that the Minister signed on behalf of the Federal Government, while the Managing Director, Mota- Engil, Antonio Gvoea signed on behalf of the contracting firm.


The new railway corridor which is to be located in northern Nigeria will run through three states: Kano, Jigawa and Katsina and through Niger territory as far as Maradi. Other cities that will be affected by the rail line in Nigeria are: Danbatta, Kazaure, Daura, Mashi, Katsina and Jibiya.


The 283.750 kilometre rail line besides developing freight and passenger transport as it will be integrated with road transport, will make a great contribution to the local economy as well as an important development in the social sector.


The statement further stated that, the project duration is for 36 months and the contract type is Engineering, Procurement and Construction.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani and the Director, Legal Services, Pius Oteh, the Managing Director, Mota-Engil Group, Antonio Gvoea, Head of Legal, Mota- Engil Group, Cameron Beverley, Magajin Garin Kano, Muhammad Wada, Director, Mota-Engil Group, Kola Abdulkarim, Vice President, Mota-Engil Group. Mohammed Abdul-Razaq, Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Yusfu Tuggar, the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala-Usman among other diginitaries.