Connect with us

POLITICS

COVID-19: Lagos Unveils Mass Vaccination Programme, Targets 4m Vaccinated Residents

Published

on

Share

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday unveiled a mass vaccination campaign, as part of the strategies to stave off re-emergence of the COVID-19 viral infection.

Speaking during the unveiling, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that the objective is aimed at vaccinating four million residents in Lagos before the end of 2021.

The accelerated vaccine rollout is tagged: ”Operation Count Me in 4 Million Lagosians Vaccinated Against COVID-19”, and it is undertaken by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

Sanwo-Olu said that there was the possibility of the fourth wave of COVID-19, as the Yuletide approaches.

He, therefore, said that residents of Lagos, who are 18 years and above, are eligible to be fully immunised with the COVID-19 vaccine.

The governor said that the mass vaccination campaign would help bolster the state’s response to the emerging threat posed by the pandemic.

Sanwo-Olu said that the joint committee set up by the Lagos State Government and NPHCDA to oversee the implementation of the campaign would be opening vaccination sites in high traffic locations as part of the strategies to expand vaccine access in underserved communities.

He said that mobile vans would be deployed to move round boundary settlements, in order to reach individuals in areas with limited access to health facilities.

”There is potential for a fourth wave of COVID-19, as our borders would be opened to all people coming into Lagos in December.

”To prevent the catastrophic events we witnessed in the previous waves, the state has developed a robust vaccination drive, leveraging on both the strengths we have in the public and private sectors of our healthcare system.

”In development of our strategy and counter-measures, we prioritise the protection of human lives and keeping our economy open for business.

“To mitigate against this potential damage that will further spread existing variants of COVID-19 in the state, and accelerate efforts towards herd immunity, the need for a different strategy becomes a front burner issue.

”This is what has culminated in the campaign, tagged ‘Count Me In! 4 million Lagosians Vaccinated Against COVID-19’, to target the full vaccination of 4 million Lagos residents before the end of December 2021.

”Once achieved, this will bring the State closer to reaching our promise to vaccinate 30 per cent of our population within one year,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor said that since March when Lagos started its vaccination programme, the state has successfully vaccinated 800,000 residents with the first dose of Moderna vaccine and 310,000 persons fully vaccinated with AstraZeneca vaccine.

He said that the total number of residents vaccinated with the first dose of either AstraZeneca or Moderna is 1.2 million.

Sanwo-Olu said this raised the number of fully vaccinated individuals to 550,000, which accounted for about 4 per cent of the state’s population.

He re-emphasised that the vaccines being administered are safe and remains free of charge in public health facilities.

Sanwo-Olu, however, said that an administrative charge of N6,000 would be paid by individuals who wish to get the vaccines at approved private facilities.

The governor charged stakeholders, including the local council chairmen, to mobilise for participation in the programme and ensure the success of the campaign.

”We have set up COVID-19 vaccination in all our 205 public primary health centres, 14 of the state’s secondary and tertiary hospitals, and we are hoping that this partnership can be implemented in over 400 private health centres across seven underserved Local Government Areas in the state.

”Let me re-emphasise that we are not compelling anyone to get vaccinated. But, we want everyone to take it as personal responsibility, which is highly important.

”What we seek to achieve by this campaign is to ensure there is access to the vaccines and availability. Then, give people an opportunity to get vaccinated at centres close to them. This will give nobody a reason not to get the vaccines,” he said.

The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said that the vaccination campaign is ambitious, adding that the state government has put in place two-pronged approaches to prevent the fourth wave of the pandemic.

”The first step is to control the in-bound flight passengers and maintain adherence to all preventive measures that have been put in place, while the second step is to closely monitor the isolation of those coming from the red zone area,” Abayomi said.

The NPHCDA Executive Director, Dr. Shuaib Faisal, said that only 2,950,232 Nigerians had been fully vaccinated, which was a far cry from reaching the target number for herd immunity.

”We have enough vaccines in storage to give many people the opportunity to get vaccinated. We now have the jabs, but we now need the arms,” Faisal said. (NAN)

POLITICS

Osun 2026 Guber: APC Aspirants Should Not Waste Money Contesting Against Adeleke – Ex Party Chieftain, Jackson Ojo

Published

on

Share

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

A former Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Jackson Lekan Ojo has advised those in the race for the APC ticket not to waste their resources as the victory of Governor Isiaka Adeleke is practically a done deal.

In a video post on his Facebook page, Jackson Ojo said Governor Adeleke has won the heart of the people of his state with his transformation of all the 30 local governments in the State and prompt payment of workers and pensioners.

According to him, the achievements of Governor Adeleke has already done 80 percent of his campaign ahead of the election.

Jackson Ojo, who is a Security Expert and global affairs analyst, from Osun State, stressed that he has always advised political office holders to perform while in office as this is the greatest strategy and tactics to win future elections.

He stressed that the abysmal performance of the APC at the Federal level and the poor performance of previous APC governors in Osun state will count heavily against any candidate that is presented by the party to contest against governor Adeleke.

The former APC chieftain added that he is not patronizing the governor for any personal gain as there is nothing that the governor can give him that God has not already given him.

He stressed that his intervention in the Osun governorship race is to stop opponents of the governor from wasting their resources for an election they can never win.

His words: “Two weeks ago I resigned from partisan politics, so I am no longer member of any political party in Nigeria. When I speak now I am not speaking in favour or against any political party. So, I am very free to air my views

“This is my views on the forthcoming governorship election in Osun state. I still see some people struggling for governor in Osun state come 2026.

“That is highly impossible for an APC aspirant. What is the APC government doing at the national level, what are the doing in the Senate, what are they doing in the House of Representatives to encourage Nigerians?

“If we are in a place like America or United Kingdom (UK) APC will not be able to win ordinary councillorship again in this country. Is it in the management of economy, education, health, security and others?

“In all these areas put together they have not scored up to 10 percent. I can boldly mark them today they they have woefully failed in area of agricultural development, educational development, health development, security, economy and infrastructural development. In all ramifications this party has failed.

“Look at the antecedents of the APC in Osun state. Aregbesola tried a bit, yes, but then Aregbesola left the State aground.

“When Baba Jeje, Mr. Go Slow, the unfortunate Minister of Blue Economy or whatever they call it, came there was nothing to write home about during his tenure as governor of Osun State. He came, he bartered the state, he rubbished the State, he insulted the state, he disgraced the State on the platform of APC.

“Now another APC is coming out now thinking of winning? Winning where, defeat who?

“Governor Adeleke does not know me, there is no benefit Adeleke can give me that God has not given to me. I can’t be a Commissioner in Osun state. No. I can’t be Special Adviser or whatever. I can’t even take their contract. I don’t think they can award the kind of contract that I need to an individual.

“But then, Adeleke has tried. If you go to my community you will see the way he has positively turned the community. Even if I am the governor of Osun State I don’t think I can do what Adeleke has done in my town and that transformation cuts across all the 30 local government areas of Osun State. All the communities, all the local governments, all.

“This man is no longer paying half salary of quarter salary. This man is not owning workers, he is not owning pensioners. This alone has spoken, this alone has done 80 percent of his campaign.

“If you perform well in office that is the highest strategy and tactics that you can use to win the heart of the people.

“Come 2026 whoever is putting money on ground in Osun state to go and contest governorship in Osun state, honestly that person has money to waste. It is sadaka, the money they have stolen they want to come and do sadaka. It is Adeleke till 2030.”

Continue Reading

POLITICS

Former DG of PDP Governors Forum Defects to ADC

Published

on

Share

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Former Director General of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Hon C.I.D Maduabum has resigned from the party and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement made available to Daily Asset in Abuja on Sunday, Hon Maduabum said he is dumping the PDP because the party has been “hijacked by self-serving, unscrupulous elements who are more interested in personal power grabs than in party discipline, internal democracy, or national interest.

Part of his statement read: “After deep reflection, extensive consultations, and careful evaluation of the current political realities within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect.

“As a committed democrat, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, and former Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, I have dedicated significant portions of my political life to building the PDP as a platform for democratic consolidation and national development.

“However, the soul of the party I once served with pride has been hijacked by self-serving, unscrupulous elements who are more interested in personal power grabs than in party discipline, internal democracy, or national interest.

“The PDP today is a shadow of its former self. It has descended into chaos, internal betrayal, and systematic destruction by diverse forces who have no regard for the principles upon which the party was founded. Sadly, voices of reason are no longer welcome, and genuine reformers are vilified or silenced.

“I can no longer in good conscience remain in a house that has been stripped of its moral compass and overrun by opportunists.

“In light of this, I am proud to announce that I am joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — a party that now stands as the only credible democratic alternative for Nigeria.

“The ADC is emerging as a beacon of hope for good governance, integrity, accountability, and inclusive politics. It offers the opportunity for principled politics, genuine people-oriented leadership, and a platform for rebuilding our nation from the grassroots up.

“The ADC Coalition includes progressive minded people like Mr. Peter Obi and others.

“I join the ADC not merely as a defector but as a reformer committed to helping build a new political culture — one based on merit, ideology, discipline, youth inclusion, and national unity.

“The time has come for all well-meaning Nigerians to take a stand against the decay in our political system. I call on all patriots, especially those disillusioned by the dysfunction in the traditional parties, to rally around this movement for a new Nigeria through the ADC.

“I remain committed to the democratic ideals of justice, equity, and service to the people. The struggle to rescue Nigeria and restore its promise continues — and it begins now on a new, firmer footing.”

Continue Reading

POLITICS

Anambra: INEC Registers 96,085 New Voters, Extends CVR by Three Days

Published

on

Share

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has registered 96,085 new voters in nine days and extended the exercise by three days in Anambra.

The commission disclosed this in a statement by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, on Thursday in Abuja, after its weekly meeting.

He said that on the preliminary stage of the CVR, 56,017 representing 58 per cent of new registrants were female while 50,429 52 representing 48 per cent were young people between the ages of 18 and 34.

“The commission is pleased with the turnout of registrants in Anambra and the peaceful conduct of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in all the 326 registration centres in the state.

“As of yesterday, Wednesday, 96,085 new voters have successfully registered in nine days. On average, the Commission registered over 10,600 voters per day.

“In addition, 12,595 voters applied for transfer of their registration both within and outside the state while 7,061 persons applied for the update of their records or the replacement of their damaged or lost Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

“The CVR in Anambra ends today. However, in response to appeal from citizens, the Commission hereby extends the exercise for three more days. It will now end on Sunday, July 20,” he said.

Olumekun said that the commission would thereafter display the register for claims and objections by citizens as provided by law.

This, according to him, will be followed by a further clean-up of the data using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).

“Subsequently, the detailed breakdown of the new registrants by age, gender, occupation and disability will be published for public information,” he said.

Olumekun also disclosed that INEC had received five more letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

According to him, the new application brings the number received so far by the commission to 134.

Olumekun stated that the details of the new associations, indicating their proposed names, acronyms, logos, addresses and interim leaderships were already published on INEC website and other platforms for public information.

He said that INEC would continue to keep the citizens up to date on all its activities.

Continue Reading

Advertisement

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS8 hours ago

Mbah Reshuffles Cabinet, Swears-in Head of Service, Six Commissioners

ShareFrom Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah has recently rejigged his cabinet, swearing in a new Head...

NEWS9 hours ago

NCS Strengths Tie with China Customs

ShareBy Tony Obiechina Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has deepened its strategic engagement with the General Administration of Customs...

BUSINESS9 hours ago

FCTA Setup Vetting Committees to Scrutinise Sale of Govt Properties

ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), at the weekend set up vetting committees to scrutinise the...

NEWS10 hours ago

Ex-NALDA Executive Secretary, Prince Ikonne Congratulates Super Falcons on Remarkable Victory

Share…Urges Revitalization of Enyimba FC, Sports Development in Abia State By Mike Odiakose, Abuja’s The immediate past Executive Secretary of...

Metro11 hours ago

Tinubu, Idris Mourn Leon Usigbe, Veteran Statehouse Correspondent

ShareBy Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja President Bola Tinubu expresses sadness over the passing of Dr. Leon Usigbe, a journalist with The...

NEWS11 hours ago

Barau Commends Super Falcons on Historic 10th WAFCON Triumph

ShareBy Eze Okechukwu, Abuja The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin, has congratulated Nigeria’s National female football team,...

NEWS12 hours ago

Senate Denies Rift between Akpabio, Opeyemi

ShareBy Eze Okechukwu, Abuja The senate has denied reports of any rift between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Senate...

NEWS14 hours ago

2027: Gang-up against Tinubu ‘ll Amount to Nothing – APC Chieftain

ShareA Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, Dotun Babayemi, said any gang-up against the re-election of President...

NEWS17 hours ago

Former Pro-Chancellor Fed University Minna, Prof Alkali Mourns Profs Mohammed, Oculi

ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja Former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger...

NEWS18 hours ago

100 Days after NSGF’s Approval, 204 NNN Beneficiaries Abandoned, Statutory Deduction Blocked by NNDC

ShareStrong indications have emerged suggesting that the New Nigerian Development Company (NNDC) may have abandoned atleast 204 beneficiaries and hijacked...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc