Connect with us

Foreign News

Spain Donates 4.4m Doses of J&J COVID-19 Vaccines to Nigeria

Published

on

Share

The Government of Spain has donated 4,400,000 doses of Johnson and Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccines to Nigeria.

The Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Juan Sell, said during the handover of the vaccines to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on Tuesday in Abuja that “this is the largest COVID-19 donation to any African nation.

Sell said that the donation was in fulfilment of Spain’s commitment to supporting developing countries in ramping up vaccination against COVID-19.

He added that “in 2020, the world was faced with the challenge to develop an effective vaccine. In 2021, the challenge evolved to the production and distribution of the vaccines.

Today in 2022, we need to put these vaccines within peoples’ reach.

“As we want to leave the acute phase of the pandemic behind, we cannot linger, and there are lessons to be learnt.

“One of the lessons is the need to improve global mechanisms for technology transfer to decentralise the production of health products in all regions, Africa in particular. And that is why Spain has joined the WHO Technology Access Group.

“And that is also why the EU launched Team Europe Initiative on manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies in Africa, with one billion euros, and that will benefit Nigeria.

“We need to protect, safeguard and invest in health and health workers, and this is the effort line that Spain is co-leading in the framework of the Global Action Plan, and we have committed 300 million euros for further donations and projects to strengthen public health systems.”

Dr Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NPHCDA, who received the donation on behalf of Federal Government, thanked the Spanish Government, saying the gesture came at a time when the country needed it most.

Shuaib used the opportunity to call on eligible Nigerians who were yet to be vaccinated to do so.

According to him, continued vaccination will create a scenario that will ensure that even when the virus continues to evolve, the severity of the disease will reduce over time as human immunity increases due to vaccination.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, WHO and UNICEF country representatives all commended Nigeria in its efforts to vaccinate eligible Nigerians. (NAN)

Foreign News

CAF Sanctions Kenya Again over Crowd Trouble

Published

on

Share

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sanctioned African Nations Championship (CHAN) co-host, Kenya, for the second time in as many weeks over security breaches.

In a statement made available on Monday evening, the continental governing body said that it has limited entry to the 48,000-seat Moi International Sports Centre.

It also said that, known as Kasarani Stadium, can accommodate 27,000 fans for Sunday’s Group A match between Kenya and Zambia.

CAF said only electronic ticket holders would be allowed into the stadium, with thermal tickets prohibited.

The governing body warned that Kenya’s matches could be relocated from Kasarani Stadium if organisers fail to prevent further breaches.

“We trust these measures will be applied swiftly to protect competition’s integrity, ensure fan safety, and uphold confidence in Kenya’s commitment to the tournament,” CAF said.

The sanctions follow incidents on Aug. 10 when Kenya defeated two-time winner Morocco 1-0 in spite of playing the entire second half with 10 men.

The win put Kenya top of Group A with seven points.

The debutants would reach the quarterfinals with at least a draw against winless Zambia.

Last week, Kenya’s football federation was fined nearly 20,000 U.S. dollars for security lapses during the team’s 1-0 win over DR Congo in the tournament opener on Aug. 3.

In the latest case, CAF cited major lapses, including stadium gates and restricted service areas being overrun by ticketless spectators and holders of government-distributed physical tickets.

It also accused security personnel of losing control at exit points and allowing breaches of the perimeter fence that enabled thousands of ticketless fans to enter.

CAF had expressed alarm over the use of tear gas and flash grenades, reports of live ammunition fired near spectators and staff, and violent incidents such as stone-throwing at security personnel.

It also cited unsafe vehicle movement in spectator areas, inadequate police response, and the lack of medical incident reports in spite of injuries being reported.

Organisers were further criticised for insufficient communication tools and the absence of CCTV coverage at critical entry points.

Continue Reading

Foreign News

Madonna Urges Pope Leo to Visit Gaza

Published

on

Share

Pop icon Madonna has made an appeal to Pope Leo XIV, urging him to visit the blockaded Gaza Strip amid a starvation crisis that has sparked international outrage.

“You are the only one of us that cannot be denied entry,” the U.S. singer wrote on social media platform X late on Monday.

“We need the humanitarian gates to be fully opened to save these innocent children.

“There is no more time,” she added.

Marking the 25th birthday of her son Rocco Ritchie on Monday, Madonna also announced plans to donate to humanitarian organisations working in Gaza.

“I feel the best gift I can give to him as a Mother is to ask everyone to do what they can to help save the innocent children caught in the crossfire in Gaza,” she wrote.

A United Nations (UN) agency said late last week that “acute malnutrition among children in Gaza has reached the highest levels.”

In July alone, nearly 12,000 children lower than five in age were identified as acutely malnourished, with another 2,500 found to suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), this is the most life-threatening form.

Israel controls access roads to Gaza and has sealed off the coastal area.

Very little aid got into Gaza from March through May, when Israel began allowing in deliveries using a controversial private system that bypasses traditional UN agencies.

Under pressure from allies, Israel recently began permitting larger convoys into the territory, as aid airdrops take place overhead.

On Sunday, Irish rock band U2 issued a stinging critique of the Israeli government’s actions.

“We know Hamas are using starvation as a weapon in the war, but now so too is Israel and I feel revulsion for the moral failure,” frontman Bono wrote.

Continue Reading

Foreign News

Putin Bans Foreign-made Clothing for Russian Army From 2026

Published

on

Share

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday banning the procurement of foreign-made clothing and related gear for the country’s armed forces starting in 2026.

According to the decree, from Jan. 1, 2026, all uniforms and other clothing items for the Russian Armed Forces must be produced by Russian companies whose manufacturing facilities are located within the country.

By 2027, the requirement would extend to fabrics and knitted materials used in production, which must be domestically manufactured.

The measure aims to entirely exclude the purchase of foreign-made clothing and materials for the needs of the military, the decree said.

Military clothing and gear include uniforms, insignia, underwear, bedding, special clothing, footwear, equipment, and sanitary items.

Such supplies are procured through the Russian state defence order system.

Continue Reading

Advertisement

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS2 hours ago

‎FG Imposes 7-year Ban on New Federal Tertiary Institutions 

ShareThe Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new federal tertiary institutions. ‎Dr Tunji...

Foreign News5 hours ago

CAF Sanctions Kenya Again over Crowd Trouble

ShareThe Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sanctioned African Nations Championship (CHAN) co-host, Kenya, for the second time in as...

Education6 hours ago

Varsity Don Advocates Establishment of National Bureau for Ethnic Relations, Inter-Group Unity

ShareBy David Torough, Abuja A university scholar, Prof. Uji Wilfred of the Department of History and International Studies, Federal University...

Foreign News6 hours ago

Madonna Urges Pope Leo to Visit Gaza

SharePop icon Madonna has made an appeal to Pope Leo XIV, urging him to visit the blockaded Gaza Strip amid...

Foreign News6 hours ago

Putin Bans Foreign-made Clothing for Russian Army From 2026

ShareRussian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday banning the procurement of foreign-made clothing and related gear for the...

NEWS6 hours ago

Tinubu Initiates First National Industrial Manpower Devt Policy

SharePresident Bola Tinubu on Tuesday announced plans for Nigeria’s first-ever National Industrial Manpower Development Policy. Tinubu, represented by the Vice-President...

Foreign News6 hours ago

Australia PM Says Israel’s Netanyahu ‘In denial’ about Gaza War

ShareAustralia’s prime minister has accused his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu of being “in denial” over the consequences of the war...

SPORTS6 hours ago

Tottenham Interested in Crystal Palace’s Eze

ShareTottenham FC are exploring a deal for Crystal Palace and England forward Eberechi Eze. Thomas Frank is looking to bolster...

SPORTS7 hours ago

Liverpool Stepping up bid to Sign Palace’s Guehi

ShareLiverpool are stepping up their attempts to sign Crystal Palace and England center-back Marc Guehi. Palace captain Guehi has a...

BUSINESS7 hours ago

Power Outage Killing Our Businesses, Enugu Residents Cry Out

ShareResidents of Ologo, Coal Camp and Uwani areas of Enugu metropolis have decried persistent power outage in the area spanning...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc