Health

FG To Impose Covid Vaccines On Nigerians

By Web News 908

Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on Covid-19, Mr Boss Mustapha says the federal government will soon commence imposing the COVID vaccine mandate on Nigerians.

Mr Boss Mustapha who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation said this at the opening ceremony of the “Nigeria @ 60” photo exhibition at the National Press Centre, Radio House Garki, Abuja.

Barely a week ago, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib said the federal government had extended the vaccination exercise to worship centres across the country.

As of Monday, September 20, 2021, a total of 202,191 confirmed cases of the coronavirus was recorded across Nigeria with 2,661 deaths and 2,997,060 samples tested.

FRCN, Abuja

Health

FCT, 6 States On Red Alert Over COVID-19 Delta Variant

By Web News 664

The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, PSC, has put six States and the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the FCT, on red alert as part of preventive measures against a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic following the confirmation of the Delta Variant and the rising number of infections and hospitalization in the country.

Chairman of the PSC and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, in a statement urges States to heighten preparedness and continue to enforce safety protocols, “given the renowned greater ease of spread of the Delta variant”.

The PSC also notes its plan to continue to minimize the risk of importation of Variants of Concern into the country by strengthening Surveillance at all Points of Entry, enforcing extant quarantine protocols and sustaining the current restrictive measures against travelers arriving from India, Brazil, Turkey and South Africa.

While felicitating with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the statement stresses the need for Religious Leaders to be mindful of the potential for the wider spread of the virus during large gatherings.

The statement recommends decentralization of Eid prayer to neighborhood Friday prayer mosques, suspension of durbar activities and limitations on indoor gatherings, as preventive measures for a safe Eid-el-Kabir celebration

Emmanuel Kutara

News Analysis

Enhancing Adherence To COVID-19 Guidelines By Primary And Secondary Schools

By Web News 1114

The reopening of schools amidst the second wave of COVID-19 has been generating hiccups as the House of Representatives and some stakeholders faulted the decision, citing a surge in the cases.

The House said the reopening would pose a threat to the fight against the second wave of COVID-19.

It therefore advised the federal government to close all schools in the country for three months, a proposal the federal government did not adopt.

Earlier, the Presidential Task Force On COVID-19’s chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federatio, Mr Boss Mustapha said following the outbreak of COVID-19 second wave all schools in the country would remain shut till January 18, a day the federal government kept faith with.

No doubt, the outbreak of COVID-19 altered the school calendar and staggered resumption of students nationwide.

As another school calendar year begins, the World Health Organisation, W.H.O had issued new guidelines on the safe reopening of schools amidst second wave of COVID-19 in respect to the protection of nearly 1.3 billion students worldwide.

These include reduction of pupils in classes and fumigation of learning environment.

Similarly, the Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control, NCDC, said some guidelines had been issued to schools to ensure the safety of the children and curtail the spread of the virus.

To complement these measures, schools management should ensure that conditions which reduce disease transmission and promote healthy behavior among the pupils are established.

Soap and water for hand-washing should also be made available while social distancing is maintained.

Regular inspection of schools is necessary to ensure that all COVID-19 instructions and guidelines are complied with.

Schools authorities must be made to inculcate COVID-19 safety protocols such as hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, physical distancing, use of masks in the school environmental, cleaning, ventilation and respecting procedures.

Olubunmi Agboola

Security

President Buhari Presides over Security Council Meeting

By Web News 678

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently presiding over Security Council meeting at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja. 

In attendance at the meeting are the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, and the National Security Adviser, NSA, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd). 

Others are the Service Chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar. 

Also present are the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, the Director General of National, Department of State Services, DSS, Yusuf Bichi, the Director General, National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ahmed Rufa’i, and the Directorate of Military Intelligence. 

Some of the Ministers are the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, the Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammad Dingyadi and the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada. 

We will bring you the outcome of the meeting later.

Bello Wakili

News Analysis

Imperative of Schools’ Compliance with Covid-19 Protocols on Resumption

By Web News 867

As schools resume for another academic session, it is important for them to put in place necessary safety measures as stipulated by the Federal Ministry of Education.

The federal government last week approved what it called “Safe reopening of schools nationwide” as part of the next phase of the gradual easing of lockdown ordered to curtail further spread of Covid-19.

Though, only graduating students in primary 6, junior secondary school 3 and senior secondary school 3 will resume, higher institutions, daycare centres and other classes in primary and secondary schools, apart from final classes, will remain closed until further evaluation.

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, disclosed these at the daily briefing of the task force in Abuja.

Mr Mustapha said the reopening of schools was meant to allow pupils in graduating classes resume preparation for examinations.

However, the Federal Ministry of Education had issued guidelines for reopening which include use of distant learning centres and temporary shelters, disinfection and fumigation of facilities including hostel accommodation, with particular attention on those used as temporary isolation and treatment centres as well as use of infrared thermometers for temperature check.

It also wants schools to sensitise, train and build the capacity of teachers, administrators, and other education personnel to effectively use and comply with the school Covid-19 referral system and protocols for safe distancing and hygiene in schools.

The government has also lifted the ban placed on interstate travels with effect from July 1, provided such journeys are made outside curfew hours.

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force, P.T.F, on Covid-19 said President Muhammadu Buhari approved the extension of the Phase II of the lockdown by another four weeks with effect from Tuesday, June 30, 2020 through midnight of Monday, 27 July, 2020.

Similarly, Presidential Task Force Coordinator, Dr Sani Aliyu pointed out that the government had approved the safe resumption of domestic flights in the country and domestic aviation services while restrictions on mass gatherings and sporting activities remains.

While stressing that transporters must adhere to guidelines that will be released by the Federal Ministry of Transportation, passengers must maintain physical distancing, as well as temperature checks.

Dr. Aliyu added that state governments would inspect facilities and confirm compliance as a pre-condition for resumption of interstate operations by transporters.

As some students resume, it is of utmost importance that schools adhere strictly to the Covid-19 protocols of providing running water with soap, hand sanitizers, physical distancing and regular nose covering.

Parents should ensure they pay attention to the health of their children while at home by providing them with nose masks, hand sanitizers and regular hand-washing under running water.

Titilayo Kupoliyi