Member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday adopted a new pandemic treaty aimed at avoiding the panic and disarray seen during the COVID-19 crisis.

The agreement was accepted without a formal vote on the second day of the members’ annual World Health Assembly in Geneva.

As the conference chair asked whether there were any objections, silence followed, prompting him to declare the treaty adopted by consensus.

The treaty outlines measures for coordinated procurement of protective equipment during future pandemics, enhanced monitoring of diseases in both animals and humans.

There should also be the transfer of medical technology to ensure that medicines and vaccines can be produced in low-income countries.

However, several contentious details remain unresolved and are set to be negotiated separately over the next year as part of an annex to the treaty.

These include a new mechanism to accelerate vaccine production and ensure equitable distribution to poorer nations. (dpa/NAN)

From Francis Sadhere, Delta

It was a celebration of infrastructure and loyalty recently as residents of Okpe Community in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State marched through the streets of Kokori in a colorful procession to express appreciation to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the successful completion of the long-abandoned Okpe Street construction project.

The jubilant crowd—comprising elders, women and youths from the six polling units of the community—converged at the private residence of the Director General of the Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, who was instrumental in initiating and overseeing the project.Addressing the crowd, Dr. Oghenesivbe expressed gratitude for the show of appreciation, describing the visit as a heartwarming birthday gift, as it coincided with his birth anniversary.“I am very happy today, being my birth anniversary, that you deemed it necessary to appreciate our working governor, my leader and boss, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for a job well done,” Oghenesivbe said. “I will convey your appreciation to His Excellency and also present your gift to him.”He revealed that the project, along with that of Agbonmiyeri Street, was initiated during the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in 2022, after his personal appeal.Governor Oborevwori, he said, ensured prompt release of funds and tasked the Ministry of Works (Rural), led by Commissioner Charles Aniagwu, to ensure quality execution.Oghenesivbe lauded both Governor Oborevwori and his predecessor for prioritizing infrastructural development in the state, urging eligible voters across Delta to rally behind the duo of Oborevwori and President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.The joyous celebration also featured singing, dancing, and the presentation of a giant 4×6 glassed photo of Governor Oborevwori to Dr. Oghenesivbe, who received it on the governor’s behalf.Councillor representing Ward 12, Hon. Oghoghorie Vwede described the road’s completion as a long-awaited breakthrough.He praised Oghenesivbe for his relentless efforts in ensuring the project’s realization and reaffirmed the community’s commitment to political support in upcoming elections.“Okpe Street had been neglected for centuries, but today we are celebrating its transformation. We are proud of Dr. Oghenesivbe, a true son of the soil, and we are ready to reciprocate this gesture by voting en masse for Tinubu and Oborevwori in 2027,” Vwede said.With over 4,000 registered voters, Okpe Community has now publicly pledged its allegiance to the ongoing leadership in the state and the nation, turning a completed road project into a political statement of loyalty and gratitude.

From Francis Sadhere, Delta

A mild confrontation broke out yesterday morning between protesting Itsekiri youths and some Ijaw youths at the NPA Miller Waterside area of Warri, Delta State, amid ongoing controversy surrounding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) ward and unit delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency.

The incident, which occurred at approximately 10:45AM, saw tensions flare when the Itsekiri youths, who were peacefully protesting across designated streets in Warri, were reportedly attacked with stones by a group of Ijaw youths around the NPA Miller axis. Security operatives, including personnel of the Nigerian Army, swiftly intervened to prevent further escalation. Military patrols have since been intensified around NPA Miller and the Ekurede Itsekiri/Ugbori end to maintain peace and order in the area.The protest by the Itsekiri youths is linked to allegations of bias and perceived irregularities in INEC’s recent ward delineation exercise, which they claim may disenfranchise their ethnic group within the Warri Federal Constituency.Meanwhile, in a bid to de-escalate tensions and foster dialogue, a high-level stakeholders’ meeting involving representatives of the Itsekiri, Ijaw, and Urhobo ethnic groups has been convened in Abuja. The meeting, spearheaded by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, is expected to commence at 12 noon Monday.The gathering aims to address the deepening ethnic concerns and maintain peace in the oil-rich and ethnically diverse Warri Federal Constituency.As the situation unfolds, security agencies remain on high alert, while local leaders and community stakeholders continue to call for restraint, tolerance, and a peaceful resolution to the dispute.