How HIV Can Be Stopped In Nigeria – NACA DG

Dr Gambo Aliyu, The Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has stated ways HIV can be stopped in Nigeria.

Aliyu, while speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, said the first step is to eliminate the mother-to-child transmission, noting that a generation free of HIV can be achieved once this is done.

In his words he said: “If you want to stop HIV, two things are very critical. Stop mother-to-child transmission. If you eliminate it, you will have a generation free of HIV.”

As part of measures in tackling the further spread of the virus, Aliyu said his agency is creating awareness by ensuring that unborn children are protected from the virus.

EndSARS: Lagos Govt Nullifies Massacre Claim At Lekki Toll Gate

The Lagos State Government has nullified the findings of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry that nine persons were killed at the Lekki toll gate on October 20, 2020.

According to the 41- page White Paper released by the state government, the report of the panel which said nine deaths were recorded at Lekki Tollgate on 20th October 2020 is baffling because the panel offered no explanation regarding the circumstances of their death.

The state Government said that out of the 32 recommendations made by the panel, it has accepted 11 and rejected one, and agreed on six with modifications.

The document also said that 14 of the recommendations fall outside the powers of the State and will be forwarded to to the Federal Government for consideration.

Five feared dead, six rescued as Boat Capsized in Kano

On Tuesday evening, a boat that capsized in Bagwai Local Government Area of Kano State has left no fewer than five passengers dead while six others were rescued.

The incidence was confirmed by The Information Officer, Tasiu Jibo Dawanau to newsmen. He also said a team of local swimmers, firemen, NSCDC, police and the Local government Chairman were currently on a search and rescue mission at the dam.

It was gathered that the incident happened at the Bagwai dam around 5 pm when the persons boarded the boat with an engine from Badau village to Bagwai town and in the process capsized.

FG Begins Enforcement Of Mandatory Vaccination For Civil Servants

The Federal Government has began the enforcement of mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 at the Federal Secretariat.

On Wednesday, Security Officials were stationed at the Secretariat entrance requesting for vaccination card before allowing civil servants in to the secretariat.

Some of the unvaccinated civil servants however questioned the Federal Government’s decision saying COVID-19 vaccination should not be made compulsory but a matter of choice, while others showed willingness.

A vaccination stand has been set up close to the secretariat for those interested to take their vaccine.

South African President Ramaphosa Visits Nigeria Despite Omicron Variant Concerns

President Mohammadu Buhari has recieved President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa at the State House in Abuja.

The South African President who is accompanied by a delegation of ministers and business leaders is on a state visit expected to reinforce South Africa’s bilateral relations with Nigeria as well as strengthen partnerships directed at African development and cooperation in multilateral forums.

Ramaphosa’s visit to President Buhari is coming hours after the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed the first three cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Nigeria, saying they are linked to passengers from South Africa.

Ramaphosa is on a four-nation visit to the West Africa region, which looks to advance trade and investment between the two countries, coincides with the 10th Session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission.

EndSARS: Lagos Releases White Paper on Panel Report

The Lagos State Government has released the White Paper on the State Judicial Panel of Inquiry report of Lekki Toll Gate Incident Investigation.

This was disclosed on Tuesday night by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.

A White Paper is an administrative medium for conveying the decision or position of the government on the report of an administrative or judicial enquiry.

Gbemga has said that the full document would be made available shortly.

ICPC Detects 257 Replicated Projects In 2021 Budget

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has detected 257 replicated projects worth N20.138 billion in the 2021 budget.

This was made known by the ICPC chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, on Tuesday. He also accused the Federal Ministry of Labour, the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and other parastatals of engaging in illegal recruitment of workers.

According to him, the commission also uncovered a syndicate of corrupt individuals within the service, corruptly employing unsuspecting Nigerians, issu8ng them fake letters of employment, fraudulently enrolling them on the IPPIS and posting them to equally unsuspecting MDAs to commence work.

He said the ICPC is already prosecuting one of the leaders of the syndicate from whose custody led to the retrieval of several fake letters of recommendation purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, ministers, Federal Civil Service Commission and other high-ranking Nigerians.

EFCC Releases Fani-Kayode from Custody

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has been released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Recall that that Fani-Kayode was taken into EFCC custody earlier on Tuesday, shortly after his trial on alleged money laundering at the federal high court in Lagos.

Fani-Kayode was arraigned alongside Nenadi Usman, a former minister of state for finance, on a 17-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and diversion of N4.9 billion, before Muslim Hassan, the presiding judge, on June 28, 2016.

BREAKING: NCDC Detects Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced the detection of the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement released by the NCDC, which was signed by its Director General, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was detected in the country through genomic surveillance.

NCDC urges Nigerians to adhere strictly to the travel protocols and other public safety measures to protect themselves, families, friends, the community at large and to prevent a fourth wave of COVID-19 in the country.

The NCDC recommends that States ensure sample collection and testing remain widely accessible, so that people who have symptoms or have been exposed to a positive case get tested quickly in healthcare and other settings.

Reps calls for extension of Lagos-Kano Rail Line to Sanusi Railway station in Ibadan

The House of Representatives on Tuesday asked the Federal Government to extend the Lagos-Kano standard gauge railway line to the Sanusi Railway Station near Igboora in the Ibarapa axis of Oyo state and make it functional.

This development was sequel to the adoption of a motion promoted by Hon. Ajibola S. Muraina calling attention to the economic importance of such an extension to the people of the area.

Ajibola expressed worries that the Federal Government failed or refused to rehabilitate the old railway lines or extend the new standard gauge railway lines to some key existing railway stations.

The House adopted the motion and mandated its Committee on Land Transport to ensure compliance, and report back accordingly.