News
COVID-19: Nigeria to receive 41m additional vaccine doses soon – Official
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, has said that Nigeria will take delivery of 3,924,000 doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca/Moderna by end of July or early August 2021 from the COVAX facility.
The NPHCDA Executive Director, Dr Faisal Shuaib, made this disclosure, Tuesday, in Abuja, during a press conference.
Mr Shuaib also disclosed that another 3,930,910 doses of Pfizer-Bio-N Tech/Moderna COVID-19 vaccine would be received in August from the United States Government, just as he added that 29,850,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson (Jassen) COVID-19 vaccine would be delivered into the country by the end of September.
According to him, the Agency is putting in place all necessary logistics for storage, distribution, security, and accountability for the range of vaccines we are expecting.
Mr Shuaib said Nigeria has successfully vaccinated 3,938,945 eligible persons across 36 states and FCT, representing 98% utilization of the 4,024,000 doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine it received from COVAX facility in March 2021.
“This comprises of 2,534,205 people who have been vaccinated for first dose, and 1,404,205 who have received their second dose of the vaccine”. He said.
He, however, appealed to the public to remain on alert over the increasing cases of the pandemic.
“We need to remain on alert and continue to provide Nigerians with factual information to enable them see the need to get vaccinated against COVID-19,” he cautioned.
While emphasizing the need for maintaining non-pharmaceutical or public health measures as fresh cases of the pandemic surface, Mr Shuaib said: “With the detection of the Delta Variant of COVID-19 in Nigeria, it is important that Nigerians continue to observe non-pharmaceutical or public health measures.
“The measures include wearing of facemask, social distancing and hand hygiene in order to curb the transmission of the disease, while we await additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccines.”
Speaking further on vaccination eligibility, Mr Shuaib said that anyone who is 18 years and above, including pregnant and lactating women is eligible to take COVID-19 vaccine.
On local vaccine production, he said the process of supporting our local partner, Biovaccines Nigeria limited is continuing.
Headlines
Trump Victory Sparks Celebration in Florida, Disappointment for Harris Supporters
Jubilant supporters celebrated Donald Trump’s apparent victory in Florida early Wednesday as he claimed a return to the White House, despite most major news networks holding off on officially calling the race.
At an event in Palm Beach, Trump supporters reveled in the win projected by Fox News, cheering as the former president declared a “political victory that our country has never seen before.”
“I feel extraordinary,” said 68-year-old supporter Ted Sarvanis, dancing with arms in the air. “This is the greatest American political story in the history of the country.”
Joined by running mate J.D. Vance, Trump took the stage, celebrating his projected win. The atmosphere at the convention center was electric, with supporters sporting “Make America Great Again” caps and mingling in formal attire and Trump-themed clothing.
“I feel relieved. I was a little bit scared because you never know how things are going to turn out,” said Stacy Kurtz, 45.
In contrast, a far different scene unfolded for Vice President Kamala Harris’s supporters at Howard University in Washington, where they were hoping for a Democratic win.
As the night wore on and Trump gained electoral votes in key battleground states, disappointment swept through the crowd.
“I am scared, I am anxious now,” said Charlyn Anderson earlier in the evening.
Democratic watch parties in places like Atlanta and Pennsylvania grew somber as results rolled in, with Lynn Johnson, 65, expressing concern, “It’s going to be dangerous if he wins. I don’t feel safe.”
While Trump’s supporters celebrated a comeback, the mood among Democrats was marked by worry and disbelief.
“He’s a terrible candidate, so it just doesn’t make sense,” said Harris supporter Ken Brown.
The contrasting scenes highlighted the nation’s deep political divide on election night.
Headlines
Tinubu Congratulates Trump on Historic Re-Election, Eyes Stronger U.S.-Nigeria Ties
President Bola Tinubu has extended warm congratulations to President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States, expressing optimism for stronger ties between Nigeria and the U.S. in an era of global challenges.
The congratulatory message, issued by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasises the Nigerian leader’s hopes for a renewed partnership between the two nations.
Following his victory on Wednesday, Trump pledged to “heal” the country, marking a stunning political comeback as he edged past Kamala Harris in a closely contested election.
Tinubu, in his message, affirmed, “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”
Tinubu highlighted that Trump’s return to the White House reflects the trust and confidence of the American people in his leadership, praising their commitment to democracy.
Given Trump’s experience from 2017 to 2021 as the 45th President, Tinubu foresees a new era of “earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.”
The Nigerian President also expressed confidence that Trump’s leadership will contribute to peace and prosperity worldwide, acknowledging America’s significant influence on global affairs.
Headlines
Peter Obi Calls for Lasting Solution to Nigeria’s Power Crisis
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has urged the federal government to find lasting solutions to Nigeria’s ongoing power crisis following yet another national grid collapse, leaving Nigerians in darkness.
Posting on his X handle, Obi highlighted the frequency of grid failures, noting that since January 2024, the grid has collapsed ten times, with three incidents occurring in October alone.
Contrasting Nigeria’s power struggles with South Africa’s recent achievements, Obi stated, “Just a few days ago, on the 25th of October, South Africa, which was Africa’s second-largest economy until recently, celebrated seven months of uninterrupted power supply. South Africa generates about 40,000 MW of electricity, while Nigeria struggles to generate and distribute just 10% of that.”
Obi criticised the tendency to frame Nigeria’s electricity issues through tribal or religious lenses, stressing, “Is there any tribe in Nigeria that enjoys uninterrupted power supply like South Africa? I am labelled a tribal bigot. When I ask if any religion enjoys special privileges in this crisis, I am called a religious bigot. But I will continue to speak the truth about our situation today.”
He urged Nigerians to set aside “primordial sentiments” and focus on electing leaders capable of advancing development goals. “The solution lies not in tribal or religious affiliations but in visionary leadership and a shared commitment to progress,” Obi stated.
He emphasised the need to prioritize investments in critical areas such as health, education, and electricity to uplift Nigerians and shift from a consumer-driven economy to a productive one.
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