Uncategorized
Fake COVID-19 Vaccines not in circulation-FG
Niger State Saves N300m from Medical Tourism
… Yobe Gov Takes Vaccine
…7,300 Enugu Residents Receive First Jab
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja and Dan Amasingha, Minna
The Federal Government has said yesterday that there was no possibility of any fake COVID-19 vaccines circulated, being administered or sold by unauthorised institution in the country.
This is contained in a circular signed by Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi, the Director, Department of Hospital Service, Federal Ministry of Health, on behalf of the
Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire said in a circular through his Director, Department of Hospital Service, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi, that such insinuation was not correvt.
The circular followed a letter from the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 regarding the arrest of about 3,000 doses of fake COVID-19 vaccines destined for Africa from China.
The minister, who acknowledged receipt of the PTF letter, however, stated that “I am, therefore, to bring this to your notice and dispel any possibility of COVID-19 vaccines being available for sale or being administered by any unauthorised institution.
“To prevent the importation of fake vaccines, kindly note that the Nigeria Customs Service has designated the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as the only Point of Entry (PoE) for imported COVID-19 vaccines.”
He called in the attention of chief medical directors and medical directors of federal tertiary health institutions to the fake COVID-19 vaccines destined for Africa, noting that it had been arrested in China.
One of the sources said: “the ministry issued a circular to inform the medical directors of federal hospitals about the fake vaccines.
“It is just to let them (medical directors) know that fake COVID-19 vaccines are on the way to Africa but is not in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is not even taking vaccines from China, so there is no way fake vaccines can get into the country because it is only the Federal Government that is authorised to import COVID-19 vaccines for now”.
Niger State Saves N300m from Medical Tourism
Meanwhile, Niger State Commissioner for Health and Hospital Services, Dr Muhammad Makunsidi has disclosed that the outbreak of COVID-19 was a blessing in disguise for the health sector in the state as it saved the government from spending over N300 million on medical tourism.
According to the Commissioner, the state had spent over N300 million on medical tourism in 2019, adding that in 2020, nobody in the state travelled outside Nigeria on medical tourism.
“In Niger state, COVID-19, for us in the health sector is 90 per cent a blessing because last year, none of us travelled outside Nigeria for medical treatment. This made us save a lot of resources which we, in turn, infused into reviving our medical system.”
Makunsidi stated this at the annual general meeting and election of the Kutigi Old Students’ Association (KUOSA) at the College of Education in Minna, Niger state.
Responding to the keynote address titled, ‘Medical Tourism; Matters Arising’, the Commissioner described the increasing rate of medical tourism abroad as worrisome stating that a peg needs to be put on it.
“In the Niger State Ministry of Health, we are trying to kill medical tourism abroad because if we do not kill it, it will kill the Ministry of Health. This is because the money taken for medical assistance abroad is taken from our overhead and other votes to the ministry.
“It is horrible and has put the health sector in an emergency state. While domestic medical tourism is also very costly, we are very concerned about international medical tourism because 90 per cent of people benefiting from International medical tourism are not using their resources but that of government and individuals,” he said.
In his paper presentation on ‘Medical Tourism; Matters Arising’, the Managing Director of the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Bida, Dr Aminu Usman noted that COVID-19 reduced international medical tourism which gave the government room to reflect on how to revive the health system.
He stated that healthcare concepts, policies and operations and commercialization of health care further fuel international medical tourism urging on the need for government to see the need for health centres to commence reverse medical tourism
Usman advocated that there should be a revival of the healthcare concept adding that individuals and groups can join hands with the government to ensure that international medical tourism ends in Nigeria.
Yobe Gov Takes Vaccine
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala-Buni, yesterday in Damaturu received his first jab of Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
The vaccine was administered to the governor by his personal physician, Dr. Mohammed Umar, assisted by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Mohammed Gana.
The governor was vaccinated along with his deputy, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana, Secretary to the State Government, Baba Mallam-Wali, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Garba Iliya, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Abdullahi Yusuf, among others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor received the vaccine over two weeks after it was delivered to state.
He charged frontline healthcare workers to ensure they received the vaccine to remain safe.
Mala-Buni called on the general public to shun misconception about the vaccine, saying it was safe and provides protection against the disease.
No fewer than 7,300 residents of Enugu State have so far received their first jabs of Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine on the eight-day of the ongoing vaccination in the state.
7,300 Enugu Residents Receive First Jab Vaccine
Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), Dr George Ugwu, made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Sunday.
Ugwu said that the number represented those vaccinated as at 12 noon on Sunday.
“In Enugu State, we have given the vaccine to up to 7,300 residents without any adverse health reaction from those vaccinated already,” Ugwu said.
The executive secretary expressed satisfaction at the compliance by residents of the state and urged those who were still skeptical to take the vaccine as it was safe.
NAN recalls that the state government on March 8 received 65,400 doses of the vaccine from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Abuja, and vaccination began across the state on March 19.
A total of 102 well-trained vaccination teams were deployed to five Primary Health Care centres and two fixed post centres in each of the 17 local government areas of the state.
Ugwu said that those already vaccinated included health workers, critical/strategic leaders at both state and local government levels and some elderly persons.
He said: “We are in the eighth day of the statewide vaccination and we are doing tremendously well.
“However, not all the people vaccinated and recorded have been reflected in the NPHCDA national data bank; since we have challenges of internet and electronic devices.
“The NPHCDA and ENS-PHCDA offices, are currently fixing these challenges.
“Initially, a lot of people did not understand the reason for taking the preventive COVID-19 vaccines.
“But, with leaders-lead awareness creation, massive public and interpersonal sensitization, our people are taking their jabs in their numbers.
“We expect that within few days the number of those vaccinated will increase exponentially as more people can see and testify that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective and free-of-charge’’.
Ugwu said the state government was currently partnering with strategic leaders at the grassroots including traditional, religious and opinion leaders to get the message to their subjects, congregation and followers.
“For the medical workers, we are meeting with the heads of various medical associations so that they impress it on their members to present themselves for the vaccination,’’ he said.
The executive secretary applauded Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for supporting the COVID-19 vaccination campaign to get to all residents of the state, notwithstanding their remote locations.
“Apart from financial and moral assistance to the agency, Gov. Ugwuanyi volunteered himself, to be publicly vaccinated,’’ he added.
NCDC Records 101 New COVID-19 Infections
Recent development showed that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recorded 101 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 162,489.
The health agency disclosed this on its official Twitter handle yesterday.
It said that two COVID-19-related deaths were recorded within the period, bringing the number of lives lost to the disease to 2,041.
The NCDC disclosed that the new cases were reported across 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with Lagos recording 32 cases while Abia had 16.
Ebonyi had 14, FCT 10, Bayelsa and Rivers, six each, while Bauchi had five.
Further details revealed that Jigawa had four, Oyo and Akwa Ibom, three each, while Osun had two.
The agency stated that 219 cases were successfully treated and discharged from various isolation centres on the reviewed date, while a total of 150,205 people had recovered from the pandemic.
It added that the nation currently has10,363 active cases of the ailment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the country has continued to witness a decline in the disease from the all-time high of 2,314 recorded on Jan. 22, 2021.
On March 21, 2021 the populous African nation recorded only 86 cases, its lowest daily figure since the first case of the pandemic was recorded in Lagos on February 27, 2020.
The statement said that a total of 1,727,467 people have been tested for the disease that had killed millions worldwide.
Nigerian content creator, Brain Jotter, has cried out on social media after being harassed by Lagos touts, popularly known as ‘agberos’.
Brain Jotter lamented the incident in a post shared on his Instagram page.
Expressing frustration, the content creator shared a video showing the moment he was harassed in his car by a group of thugs on a Lagos road.
He was refused free passage by the touts who were demanding settlement from him.
In the video shared by Brain Jotter, one of the touts was heard boasting, “I be lion”.
Lamenting the incident, the content creator wrote, “Lion no dey use eyes see goat. Nigerian zoo keepers are the worst. We lack good wild-life and they let a lion escape from their zoo. This is sad.”
Uncategorized
Dangote Cement Ibese, FRSC Strengthen Strategic Partnership to Advance Road Safety in Ogun
Efforts aimed at further enhancing road safety in Ogun State has received a boost following fresh collaborative engagement between the Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant and the State Sector Command for safer road use and general safety advocacy.
Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant reaffirmed its commitment to promoting safer roads and strengthening stakeholder collaboration as it received the newly deployed Ogun State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, and members of his management team on a courtesy visit to the plant.
The visit provided an opportunity for both organizations to discuss strategies for enhancing road safety awareness, driver competence, and regulatory compliance across Ogun State.
Speaking during the engagement, Corps Commander Ogunjobi commended Dangote Cement for its consistent support to the FRSC and its contribution to road safety initiatives over the years pointing out that the company has established itself as one of the Corps’ most reliable corporate partners through its commitment to safety and responsible transportation practices.
Said he; “Dangote Cement has remained a dependable partner of the Federal Road Safety Corps over the years, and we deeply appreciate the support we have continued to receive from the company,” Ogunjobi said.
“As an organization with extensive logistics and transportation operations, Dangote Cement understands the importance of safety on our roads. This shared commitment provides a strong foundation for even greater collaboration between our two institutions.”
The Sector Commander emphasized that promoting a culture of safety requires continuous engagement with stakeholders, particularly organizations that operate large fleets of vehicles and professional drivers.
“Road safety is not the responsibility of FRSC alone. It requires collective action from government agencies, private sector organizations, transport operators, and road users. We believe there is significant potential for us to work more closely with Dangote Cement in driving safety awareness and improving compliance with road traffic regulations,” he stated.
As part of the proposed areas of cooperation, Ogunjobi advocated the establishment of an FRSC Special Marshal Unit within the Ibese Plant, noting that the initiative would strengthen safety consciousness among employees and drivers.
“We would like to see the establishment of an in-plant FRSC Special Marshal Unit that will serve as a platform for promoting road safety advocacy and best practices among staff and transport operators. Such a unit will support specialized driver training programmes, regular sensitization sessions, and proactive safety campaigns aimed at reducing road crashes, he said.
He further assured the company of the Corps’ readiness to provide technical support saying “our doors remain open. We are committed to supporting Dangote Cement through continuous engagement, capacity building and safety enlightenment initiatives that will ultimately benefit not just the company but all road users across Ogun State,” he added.
Responding, the Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant, Mr. Ayyagri Subbaraidu, described the FRSC as a critical stakeholder in the company’s operations and commended the Corps for its dedication to preserving lives on Nigerian roads.
While noting that safety remains a central pillar of Dangote Cement’s operational philosophy and long-term growth strategy.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps plays a strategic role in our operations because transportation is a vital component of our business. We therefore recognize and appreciate the tremendous work being done by the Corps in ensuring safer roads and protecting lives,” Subbaraidu said.
The Plant Director explained that the company’s Vision 2030 places strong emphasis on responsible operations, sustainability, and stakeholder collaboration, making road safety an important priority.
“Dangote Vision 2030 clearly highlights the need for stronger partnerships with key stakeholders such as the FRSC. Safety is not merely a regulatory requirement for us; it is a core value that guides how we operate every day,” he stated.
“Our commitment goes beyond the movement of products. We are committed to ensuring that our drivers, contractors, employees and every road user interacting with our operations do so in the safest possible environment.”
Subbaraidu welcomed the proposals presented by the new Sector Commander and assured the visiting delegation that Management would continue to explore initiatives capable of strengthening the existing relationship.
“We appreciate the suggestions put forward by the Sector Commander, particularly in the area of driver education and safety awareness. These initiatives align with our commitment to continuous improvement in health, safety and operational excellence,” he said.
“Dangote Cement remains ready to work hand in hand with the FRSC in advancing road safety campaigns, improving driver competence, enhancing compliance, and creating safer roads for all. We look forward to expanding our collaboration for the mutual benefit of our organizations and the communities we serve.”
The visit ended with both parties expressing confidence that a stronger partnership between Dangote Cement and the FRSC would significantly contribute to safer road transportation, improved driver behaviour, and enhanced compliance with safety regulations across Ogun State.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration (FCTA), on Thursday, said it has concluded arrangements to clamp down on commercial transport operators loading along roadsides and in illegal motor parks, announcing an imminent enforcement drive to transition all intercity and intra-city transport operations into newly constructed ultra-modern bus terminals.
Mandate Secretary for the FCT Transportation Secretariat, Chinedum Elechi, disclosed this during a press conference in Abuja.
He said the administration is ready to enforce compliance to restore civil order, modernize public transportation, and curb rising security concerns particularly “one chance” armed robberies, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling linked to unprofiled operators.
“At the root of all social insecurity is transportation.
“The problem of ‘one chance’ and general insecurity will be half-solved if we have a proper transportation system where operators are profiled and operating out of designated hubs.
“Under the new operational framework, long-distance intercity routes such as trips to Kaduna, Aba, Lokoja, Owerri, and Sokoto will operate strictly out of designated terminals like Mabushi and Kugbo. Meanwhile, the Central Business District (CBD) terminal will manage intra-city routes, serving as a hub for local taxis, e-hailing services, and feeder buses,” Elechi said.
Elechi noted that for the first time in the 50-year history of the FCT, the administration has built state-of-the-art terminals equipped to handle over 2,000 passengers.
According to him, facilities include structured car parks, shops, food courts, escalators, and cinemas, managed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with Planet Projects.
“Discussions are also ongoing with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to allocate dedicated spaces within the CBD terminal for civil service staff buses,” he noted.
Addressing public concerns regarding the storm damage at the Kugbo terminal, Elechi explained that the facility absorbed high-speed winds from a localized severe weather event, preventing major structural damage to nearby residential areas across the road.
He confirmed that structural redesigns and roof repairs are near completion, and the facility will soon be fully integrated alongside Mabushi and the CBD terminals.
The Secretariat warned that previous leniency where over 100 impounded vehicles were released after operators signed undertakings will no longer be the norm.
FCT transport regulations prohibit operating commercial parks in open spaces or private premises without authorization.
“We are not taking food from anyone’s mouth; we are asking operators to move from unsafe, unhealthy roadside locations into modern facilities built with billions of Naira.
“If you rent private premises and turn them into an illegal motor park, we will enforce the law, seal off the premises, and impound the vehicles.
“FCT must look like every modern capital city,” Elechi emphasized.
The Transportation Secretariat also highlighted ongoing maintenance efforts to fix intermittent traffic light failures caused by solar battery depletion and sensor faults, while urging the public to support anti-vandalism efforts against the theft of signaling cables and power components across the city’s transport network.
NDC Eti-Osa Primary: Youths Reject Alleged Imposition, Demand Justice for Akano
Share By Tambaya Julius, Abuja Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat for Eti-Osa...
Cheap Surgery, Costly Injustice
ShareBy Fransiscus Nanga Roka The flourishing market in overseas cosmetic surgery offers you a dream — the promise of a...
NUJ Felicitates Babangida at 85
ShareBy Dan Amasingha, Minna The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger State Council, has congratulated former Military President, General Ibrahim...
Why I Married My Husband In Our Living Room – Ronaldo’s Wife
ShareGeorgina Rodríguez has disclosed that she chose their everyday family space to get married to Cristiano Ronaldo so that their...
ASUU Approves Strike in 20 Varsities over Breached 2025 Agreement
ShareAcademic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has authorised 20 federal and state universities across Nigeria to commence varying degrees of...
Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Drops to 15.43 Per Cent in July – NBA
ShareBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja Nigeria’s headline inflation rate fell to 15.43 per cent in July 2026, down from 15.91 per...
Igbinedion Varsity, EduTech Global Partner On Digital Education, Access
ShareBy Julius Tambaya, Abuja Igbinedion University, Okada, one of Nigeria’s leading private universities, has entered into a strategic partnership with...
Xenophobia: FG Evacuates 83 More Nigerians from South Africa
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The Federal Government has announced the arrival of another batch of 83 Nigerians evacuated from South...
Kaduna Varsity Lecturers’ Exodus Worsens as ASUU Issues Strike Ultimatum
ShareFrom Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna More than 200 lecturers, including professors and other experienced academic staff, have left Kaduna State University...
NES 32 to Drive National Dialogue on Jobs, Productivity, Shared Prosperity
ShareBy Ayanyinka Ayanlowo Nigerian Economic Summit to Chart the Next Phase of Nigeria’s Economic TransformationThe Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG)...