COVER
COVID-19: Second Wave Grips Nigeria
By Chika Otuchikere, Orkula Shaagee and Laide Ogunboade, Abuja
Not long after the world finally discovered vaccines to eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria has begun to witness a rise in the incidence. The infection figures at the states are fast escalating thereby increasing the national figures as released by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
In the last couple weeks, not only has the figures of infected persons risen, more Nigerians have died from ailments complicated by the coronavirus.
This has given the handlers of the pandemic at the federal and state levels serious cause for concern. Already, states have begun to adopt measures to nip the COVID-19 second wave in the bud. The Presidential Taskforce on COVID -19 has mooted imposing another nationwide lockdown and restrictions to curtail the rate of infections. Many Nigerians have, however, kicked against the idea saying it would not be to the country’s interest given the current economic recession and the hardship being experienced by Nigerians. As a result some State Governments have begun to take the bull by the horns to tackle the second wave.Kaduna Directs Workers to Work from Home
Kaduna State Government has directed all civil servants below Grade Level 14 to work from home as from Monday, 21st December 2020, subject to directives or summons by their supervisors who may require their presence in the office.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye yesterday, the government said that the Head of Service will issue service-wide updates as required.
Adekeye explained that Governor Nasir El-Rufai signed and authorised new regulations to contain the spread of Covid-19 in Kaduna state with effect from Monday.
According to him, ‘’it is mandatory to wear facemasks outside the house. Organisations and individuals that allow people into their premises have the responsibility to enforce the ‘no mask, no entry mandate.’ Facemasks should be worn to cover both the nose and mouth.
The statement which prohibits large gatherings, also mandated that ‘’businesses must provide thermometers for temperature checks, and sanitisers or hand-washing equipment and physical distancing measures within all facilities.
‘’Places of worship must enforce facemasks, provide sanitisers and ensure physical distancing. The number of worshippers will be capped. Congregational worship should not exceed one hour,’’ Adekeye added.
The Special Adviser further warned that ‘’transport operators must reduce capacity to not more than two passengers per row and not more than 50% of capacity.
‘’Supermarkets and providers of personal services such as hair dressing and barbing salons can remain open, but service providers and customers must use facemasks and limit the number of persons they admit and serve at any time,’’ he added.
The statement reiterated that ‘’hotels can remain open, but their restaurants and bars can offer only room service. Event centres, Night clubs, gyms and bars and lounges are to close until further notice.’’
‘’Restaurants are restricted to takeaway services only. All schools will remain closed until it is deemed safe to reopen,’’ Adekeye further said.
187 Health Workers, 15 Corps Members Infected in Enugu
Enugu State has recorded no fewer than 187 health workers and 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members currently at the orientation camp at Awgu, Enugu State testing positive for the Coronavirus.
The State’s Commissioner for Health Dr. Ikechukwu Obi made this known during a news briefing, adding that the state has so far, recorded 9,591 cases since the outbreak this year.
According to Obi, 7,489 cases have been treated and discharged, saying there are presently 30 active cases, including the 15 Corps members.
He warned residents that the pandemic was yet to be over and advised them to take advantage of the sample collection centres in the state’s 17 local government areas.
Niger State Speaker, Clerk test positive for covid-19
Niger State has been thrown into panic as the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Barrister Bawa Wuse, the Clerk, Alhaji Mohammed Kagara and some members of the House have tested positive for Coronavirus.
A female member of the House, two weeks ago, tested positive to the virus which necessitated other members, including the Speaker to embark on routine check.
The medical check saw most of the members testing negative except the Speaker and Clerk of the House. Both of them have since gone into isolation.
About two weeks ago, the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello personally announced that he was positive for COVID-19. That was his second time of testing positive to the virus since the outbreak of the pandemic few months ago.
Just last week, the state government directed all Civil Servants to remain at home indefinitely to stem the spread except those on essential duties. Government also announced the immediate closure of all private, public Schools and Tertiary Institutions in the state from last Friday for one month to further curb the spread.
FCT in Crisis of COVID-19 Second Wave
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is presently in crisis of Coronavirus (COVID-19) second wave as cases are becoming alarming, it was learnt at the weekend.
Director Public Health and Human Services Secretariat, FCT Administration, Dr. Josephine Okechukwu made this known through a video which she sheared on social media.
Okechukwu said came down with COVID-19 on December 3, 2020 and was discharged from a treatment centre within Abuja on the 19 December, 2020.
The medical personnel who is in charge of those treating COVID-19 carriers expressed worries that the cases in the FCT is getting alarming and may result to disaster if the spread is not checked in the nation’s capital.
Giving the breakdown of the cases, Dr. Okechukwu said: “In Nigeria especially in FCT, we were part of the states that had overwhelming number of cases. When we had our first wave, we noticed that the peak was in July, 2020.
“In that July we identified a total of 1, 940 cases of confirmed COVID-19. That was our peak. Suddenly, the cases went down.
“Now we are in the second wave. In November, we identified 717 cases of COVID-19. But now in December as at 18th of this month, we have identified a total of 2, 462 cases of COVID-19. Within 18 days we recorded or we confirmed a total of 2, 462 cases of COVID-19″.
From the FCT data Okechukwu said 73 percent of the cases are those who are spreading the COVID-19 pandemic without knowing.
Her words: “I am a COVID survivor. I came down with COVID on the December 3, 2020 and I was just discharged from the treatment centre today.
“My experience at the centre was not too palatable, that is why I am making this video to share, so that everyone will be curious and know that COVID-19 is real and it’s all over the nation.
“I thank everyone, that got concerned about my illness while I was in the hospital. From the FCT Minister, Malam Musa Bello, Minister of State, Dr, Ramatu Aliyu, every other concerned citizen that took their time to check on me. I thank the management and staff of the treatment centre where I was. God bless you all.
“We all know that this is festive period and as it is now COVID-19 is ravaging our country and the world. It is a pandemic and in Nigeria we are not left out. That shows us that we are in crisis. We are heading for disaster if we do not take precaution, if we do not take preventive measures seriously so as to cut down the transmission of this disease.
“The spread is overwhelming; a lot of people are coming down with COVID-19. When we look at the data we have, there was an increase of 127 percent in this December as compared to the peak we had in July during the first wave.
“We are having so many crises in this festive season. We have what we call super spreaders. They are the dangerous people that are moving around us. If they cannot identify themselves, that means it is going to be a problem for us this festive period.
“Now we have so many cases that we are identifying. We are going to have a lot of travel, internationally and nationally. Many of these people infected are bringing into Nigeria from other countries their own COVID-19 cases”.
For states that are rejoicing that they do not have cases of COVID-19, she said: “They are going to have imported cases. Everybody should get involved in the fight against COVID-19. The use of Face mask remains the key to prevent the virus. Do not huge people and avoid overcrowded places.”
Activist Donates Food Items to 200 Families in Edo Community
An activist, Mr Peter Esele, has donated food items to no fewer than 200 families in Ohordua community in the Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo.
The food items were handed over to the families yesterday by the veteran unionist.
The beneficiaries cut across widows, vulnerable people, low-income earners and some residents of the community.
Esele, a former President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, while presenting the items said that he was not unaware of the effects of COVID-19 since February this year.
According to him, the pandemic has rendered many bread winners and families jobless.
He said that the multiplier effect of COVID-19 on society and the economy was such that some homes might not have anything to celebrate the upcoming Christmas and New Year.
“It is in view of this that in spite of the current recession and astronomical increase in prices of goods in the market, I decided to sustain that which we have been doing for more than six years running.
“At least, with this little gesture, I know the beneficiaries will be able to enjoy Christmas and New Year like other privileged people.
“Again, this is a season of love and sharing. So, there is no better time to reach out in love than now,” the former TUC chief said.
A physically challenged man, Mr Lawrence Inojie, who benefitted from the gesture thanked Esele for identifying with the poor.
Inojie said that he had given up hope of celebrating the yuletide, until God intervened using Esele to help out.
He said that until he was handed over a bag of rice and some condiments, he was doubtful how he and his family would celebrate the yuletide in a few days’ time.
Similarly, Mrs Grace Okotor, a widow, said that Esele had become like a messiah to many indigent people in the community.
“For six years now, he has consistently ensured that many families in the community celebrate Christmas without any cause to feel the pain of the absence of breadwinners.
Avoid ‘Nationalistic Footrace’ – WHO Official Warns
As countries move to secure COVID-19 vaccines for their citizens, choosing these treatments should not be viewed as “some kind of nationalistic footrace”, with some countries winning and others losing, so says a senior official with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Director of Emergencies, Dr. Mike Ryan, was responding to a question about public concern over governments deciding to acquire certain vaccines over others.
A UN statement said he warned against comparing national approaches in a competitive fashion, while calling for patience, tolerance and solidarity.
“I don’t think we should be seeing this as a game of winners and losers right now. We’re at the beginning”, said Dr. Ryan in Geneva.
“I think it could be very destructive for us all to turn this into some kind of nationalistic footrace to who does what. We all have to get there together. We simply have to finish this race in a line together. And someone getting there first doesn’t necessarily help everybody else.”
Dr. Ryan explained that vaccines can have properties that make them more suitable for particular settings, which can influence government decision-making.
WHO announced on Friday that nearly two billion doses of current and candidate COVID-19 vaccines have been secured through the COVAX Facility, a global partnership working to ensure equitable access for all countries.
While existing COVID-19 vaccines are limited and costly, many more are under development, including ground-breaking jabs that combine treatment for influenza or measles.
WHO Chief Scientist, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said the UN agency wants to support as many candidates as possible to go through clinical trials.
“Ideally, one would like to see a vaccine that’s a single dose, that can be stored at room temperature, that gives long lasting protection, that’s safe, effective, and is also manufactured easily and can be scaled and is affordable,” she said.
Director of Immunizations, Vaccines and Biologicals, Dr. Katherine O’Brien, added that having a variety of vaccines is important, stating “because of the supply situation, most countries are likely going to have to use more than one product”.
WHO has established criteria for vaccines to come to market, including benchmarks for efficacy, safety and quality, which also align with the standards of regulatory agencies across the world.
Senior Advisor, Dr. Bruce Aylward underscored that a candidate will only be endorsed once criteria are met.
“The general public should have great confidence in products that have been looked at by stringent regulatory authorities and the WHO process because it goes through all of those measures systematically: the efficacy, the safety, the quality of the product, but also the programmatic suitability to make sure these are something that is going to suit the circumstances in which these are going to be used,” he said.
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello will spend the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year days in Kuje prison, Abuja, following refusal of his bail application by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Justice Maryann Anenih yesterday adjourned the case until Jan.
29, Feb. 25, and Feb. 27, 2025 for the continuation of the hearing.The former governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an N110 billion money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Anenih had refused to grant a bail application filed by Bello, saying it was filed prematurely.
The judge admitted Umar Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, to bail in the sum of N 300 million each with two sureties.
Justice Anenih, while delivering a ruling said, having been filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, the instant application was incompetent.
“Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she said.
Recalling the arguments before the court on the bail application, the judge had said, “before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on Nov. 22.
“The 1st Defendant seeks an order of this honourable court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge.
“That he became aware of the instant charge through the public summons. That he is a two-term governor of Kogi State. That if released on bail, he would not interfere with the witnesses and not jump bail.”
She said the Defendant’s Counsel, JB Daudu, SAN, had told the court that he had submitted sufficient facts to grant the bail.
He urged the court to exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously to grant the bail.
Opposing the bail application, the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that the instant application was grossly incompetent, having been filed before arraignment.
He said it ought to be filed after arraignment but the 1st Defendant’s Counsel disagreed, saying there was no authority
“That says that an application can only be filed when it is ripe for hearing.”
Justice Anenih held that the instant application for bail showed that it was filed several days after the 1st defendant was taken into custody.”
Citing the ACJA, the judge said the provision provided that an application for bail could be made when a defendant had been arrested, detained, arraigned or brought before the court.
Bello had filed an application for his bail on November 22 but was taken into custody on November 26 and arraigned on Nov. 27.
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Community Development Association (CONAECDA) has called on the federal government to intensify efforts in the resettlement of displaced persons in their ancestral homes.
The organization made this call at the end of its conference held in Jos, the Plateau State Capital weekend.
Thirty resolutions were passed covering security, economy, politics, governance, culture, languages, human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights among others.
The Conference President, Samuel Achie and Secretary Suleman Sukukum in a communique noted that the conference received and discussed reports from communities based on which resolutions were reached on securing, reconstruction, rehabilitation and returning communities displaced by violence across the Middle Belt.
“After considering the reports from communities displaced by violent conflicts, conference resolved, and called on government to focus on providing security to deter further displacements.
“Call on government to provide security to enable communities to return. Government and donor partners should assist in reconstructing and returning displaced communities,” the communique stated.
The GOC 3 Armoured Division Nigeria Army represented by Lt Col Abdullahi Mohammed said the Nigerian Army is committed to working closely with communities to achieve a crime-free society, urging communities to support them with credible information.
“Security is a collective effort, and we cannot do it alone, the community plays a crucial role in ensuring safety.
“We urge everyone here not to shield or protect individuals involved in criminal activities. Transparency and collaboration, together, with maximum cooperation, we can achieve peace, security, and prosperity for our society,” the GOC stated.
The National Coordinator of CONECDA, Dr. Zuwaghu Bonat in his address at the gathering noted that the theme of this year’s program, Returning, Resettling, and Rehabilitating Displaced Communities, was chosen as a wakeup call on the federal government.
He maintained that the organization is aware that President Bola Tinubu has expressed a commitment to ensuring that displaced communities return to their ancestral lands.
He said similarly, some state governments, including Plateau State, have set up committees to address the lingering matter.
The coordinator however cautioned, “It is critical that we avoid generalizations or profiling. For instance, Not all Muslims are involved in terrorism. The overwhelming majority of Muslims in Nigeria are peaceful and reject extremist ideologies.
“We also know that some terrorists exploit religion to mobilize support or rationalize their actions. However, their atrocities – slaughtering women, cutting open pregnant mothers, and killing children show a profound disregard for humanity and God. Normal human beings would not commit such acts.
“We must also be cautious about lumping banditry with terrorism. While statistics indicate that many bandits and kidnappers may share similar ethnic backgrounds, kidnapping has now evolved into a profit-driven enterprise. This distinction is vital to address the root causes effectively,” he stated.
The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Middle Belt Nationalities, Hon Daniel Kwada noted that the conference was apt to addressed the various underlying issues bedeviling the region and its people.
“We in the Middle Belt have long been standing at the crossroads of Nigeria’s complex history. Despite our tireless efforts to stabilize this nation, we have faced immense challenges, including underdevelopment, security issues, and marginalization.
“Often, we are unfairly maligned, but gatherings like this offer a chance to change the narrative.
“Such conferences set the tone for better discussions. They allow us to drive processes that bring development, ensure security, and elevate our people to greater heights,” Mutfwang noted.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has called on banks to reinforce their corporate governance principles and risk management frameworks to boost investor confidence during the ongoing recapitalisation exercise.
Dr Emomotimi Agama, Director-General, SEC, said this at the yearly workshop of the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) held in Lagos.
The theme of the workshop is: “Recapitalisation: Bridging the Gap between Investors and Issuers in the Nigerian Capital Market”.
Agama, represented by the Divisional Head of Legal and Enforcement at the SEC, Mr John Achile, stated that the 2024–2026 banking sector recapitalisation framework offers clear guidance for issuers while prioritising the protection of investors’ interests
He restated the commission’s commitment towards ensuring transparency and efficiency in the recapitalisation process.
The director-general stated that the key to bridging the gap between issuers and investors remained the harnessing of innovation for inclusive growth.
In view of this, Agama said, “SEC, through the aid of digital platform, is exploring the integration of blockchain technology for secure and transparent transaction processing to redefine trust in the market.”
He added that the oversubscription of most recapitalisation offers in 2024 reflects strong investor confidence.
To sustain this momentum, the director-general said that SEC had intensified efforts to enhance disclosure standards and corporate governance practices.
According to him, expanding financial literacy campaigns and collaborating with fintech companies to provide low-entry investment options will democratise access to the capital market.
He assured stakeholders of the commission’s steadfastness in achieving its mission of creating an enabling environment for seamless and transparent capital formation.
“Our efforts are anchored on providing issuers with clear guidelines and maintaining open lines of communication with all market stakeholders, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks through digitalisation.
“We also ensure timely review and approval of applications, and enhancing regulatory oversight to protect investors while promoting market integrity,” he added.
Agama listed constraints to the exercise to include: addressing market volatility, systemic risks, limited retail participation as well as combating skepticism among investors who demand greater transparency and accountability.
He said: “We are equally presented with opportunities which include leveraging technology to deepen financial inclusion and enhance market liquidity.
“It also involves developing innovative financial products, such as green bonds and sukuk, to attract diverse investor segments.
“The success of recapitalisation efforts depends on collaboration among regulators, issuers, and investors.”
Speaking on market infrastructure at the panel session, Achile said SEC provides oversight to every operations in the market, ranging from technology innovations to market.
He stated that the commission is committed to transparency and being mindful of the benefits and risks associated with technology adoption.
Achile noted that SEC does due diligence to all the innovative ideas that comes into the market to ensure adequate compliance with the requirements.
On the rising unclaimed dividend figure, Achile blamed the inability of investors to comply with regulatory requirements and information gap.
He noted that SEC had done everything within its powers to ensure that investors receive their dividend at the appropriate time.
He, however, assured that the commission would continue to strengthen its dual role of market regulation and investor protection to boost confidence in the market.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of CAMCAN, Mrs Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma, said banks’ recapitalisation is not just a regulatory requirement, but an opportunity to rebuild trust, strengthen the capital market, and drive sustainable growth.
Joel-Nwokeoma stated that the recent recapitalisation in the banking sector had brought to the fore the need for a more robust and inclusive capital market.
She added that as banks seek to strengthen their balance sheets and improve their capital adequacy ratios, it is imperative to create an environment that fosters trust, transparency, and cooperation between investors and issuers.
The chairman called for collaboration to bridge the gap between investors and issuers to create a more inclusive and vibrant Nigerian capital market.She said: “we must work together to strengthen corporate governance and risk management practices in banks, enhance disclosure and transparency requirements for issuers.” NAN
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