LAGOS COLLAPSED 21 STORY BUILDING: GOVERNMENT DECLEARS THREE DAYS OF MOURNING

04/11/21

DANIELS G. O

Lagos state government has declared three days of mourning for Victims of the Ikoyi building collapse, which occurred on Monday where no fewer than 32 persons are believed to have died in the incident.

In a statement signed by the state commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, all flags are expected to be flown at half-mast in public and private buildings while government official engagements have been cancelled during the mourning period.

According to the statement, the State government also commiserated with all those who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate incident.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has visited the site three times to encourage the rescuers and console with relations of those who are believed to have been trapped in the 21-storey building.

As At the time of this report, Over 32 Bodies have been recovered from the rubbles of the building that collapsed on Friday First of November, 2021

CONVENER ARISE WOMEN CONFERENCE DR SIJU ILUYOMADE ADVOCATES FOR  REVIVAL OF LOCAL INDIGENOUS MANUFACTURING

03/11/21

PUBLISHER :DANIELS G. O

THE CONVENER ARISE WOMEN CONFERENCE DR SIJU ILUYOMADE IS ADVOCATING FOR REVIVAL OF LOCAL INDIGENOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES THROUGH THE EMPOWERMENT OF MORE WOMEN THROUGH SKILLS ACQUISITION
AND ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE INDUSTRIES .

DR SIJU ILUYOMADE WHO GAVE THIS MESSAGE DURING THE 2021 ARISE WOMEN CONFERENCE IN LAGOS NIGERIA WITH THE THEME “REVIVE”ALSO ADVOCATED THAT OUR WOMEN BE ENCOURAGED TO DRIVE CONSUMPTION AND USE OF LOCALLY MADE PRODUCTS

DR SIJU ILUYOMADE NOTPED THAT IF WE ALLOW OUR HUGE POPULATION OF ABOUT 160 MILLION TO WORK FOR US,WE CAN RECREATE THE NATIONAL ECONOMY BY TEACHING SKILLS AT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS THERE BY DRIVING PRODUCTION WHICH WILL FEED OUR REGIONAL CONTINENTAL MARKETS AND ULTIMATELY THE GLOBAL MARKET.

GIVING AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE CAN PUT THIS HUMAN CAPITAL TO WORK FOR OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH, SHE SAID IF 160 MILLION NIGERIANS USE THE ARISE LIQUID SOAP,THERE WILL BE AN ECONOMIC REVOLUTION AND WE CAN BEGIN TO EXPORT OUR PRODUCTS OUT OF OUR SHORES.

DR SIJU ILUYOMADE,A PASTOR AND LEGAL PRACTITIONER OF REPUTE HAS FOR THIRTEEN CHAMPIONED THE CAUSE OF BETTER FOR WOMEN, THE GIRL CHILD, IMPROVED HEALTH CARE DELIVERY, IMPROVED STANDARD OF EDUCATION, POVERTY ERADICATION, ZERO HUNGER THROUGH THE ARISE PINK BUCKETS ACROSS NIGERIA.

BEING A STRONG ADVOCATE OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE, SHE PARTNERED WITH THE LAGOS STATE MINISTRY OF HEALTH TO VACCINATE PEOPLE AGAINST THE RAVAGING CORONA VIRUS AT THE 2021 ARISE HYBRID CONFERENCE.

AT THE REVIVE CONFERENCE, SHE ALSO LAUNCHED THE ARISE COMMUNITY INSURANCE SCHEME TO ASSIST THE MOST THE MOST VULNERABLE WOMEN IN ALL OF ARISE COMMUNITIES UNDER THE “ADOPT A VILLAGE PROGRAMME TO BE INSURED IN CASES OF ACCIDENTS OR FATALITY.

TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHEME, EACH WOMAN IS TO PAY A PREMIUM OF #15,000.00 ANNUALLY

Pa Adebanjo Commends YGC, Insists On Constitution Review Before 2023 Election

03/11/21

DANIELS G.O

PRESS STATEMENT

Nov. 3rd, 2021

Pa Adebanjo Commends YGC, Insists On Constitution Review Before 2023 Election*

Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has maintained that Nigeria may remain a all motion- no movement nation, if her constitution is not reviewed before the 2023 general election, declaring that ”if my son emerges as a Presidential candidate of any political Party, I will not support him if Nigeria is not restructured.’

The socio-cultural group’s chieftain said this during a biweekly meeting of Yoruba Global Council, a body of progressive Yoruba sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora tagged “The Platform”.

The body which seeks respect and good placement for Yoruba nation in Nigeria project, also drew accolades from chief Adebanjo who commended the body for bringing themselves globally to promote unity as well as protect the interests of Yoruba sons and daughters home and abroad.

Professor Lere Amusan, the Spokesperson of Yoruba Global Council had highlighted the missions and vision of the group to Chief Ayo Adebanjo to include the restructuring of Nigeria which can only be a palliative measure to solve many pressing challenges Nigeria is facing today.

”Right now, people are in need of material gains, basic necessities of life, education, health, good roads and hospitals and when these things are fixed due to more wealth redistribution then we will have lesser fights about security, corruption, tribalism and nepotism”. Amusan further mentioned.

Responding, Chief Ayo Adebanjo applauded the missions and the visions of the group, insisting that if Nigeria is not restructured before 2023 election, Nigeria will continue to dwell in the same problem.

According to him, if my son emerges as a Presidential candidate of any political Party, I will not support him if Nigeria is not restructured. The Nigeria constitution is fraudulent and imposed on Nigerians by the military Government.

While speaking with the members of the Yoruba Global Council (YGC), the Yoruba leader maintained that the Buhari Regime had deliberately ignored the restructuring of the country which was part of his central campaign mantra.

Adebanjo, while making reference to the Presidential ambition of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said he advised Bola Tinubu that before becoming the Presidential flag bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), he should, in the first place, negotiate the restructuring of the country. He stated further that their visit to Bola Tinubu when he returned from abroad was not about politics but to pay a solidarity visit to him as a bonafide Yoruba son.

He pointed out further that the national conference recommendation is still there for any government that is sincere with the issue of referendum to work on; saying the excuse of rancour among ethnic nationalities should not be riveted on to dismiss the importance of a national discourse on true federalism.

While accusing the Buhari led government of insincerity, he emphasised that for the country not to be disintegrated further, necessary constitutional actions must apply to appease those that have been sidelined in the scheme of things.

The Afenifere leader also lamented that some All Progressives Congress leaders including Bola Tinubu, Bisi Akande, Olusegun Osoba, amongst others, promised restructuring during the 2015 electioneering but reneged on their promises after the election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Even those who came into office advocating federalism like Tinubu, Osoba, Akande. You remember how they came into office under restructuring, they now say restructuring is not their priority.

”I implore you to invite Bola Tinubu, Segun Osoba, Bisi Akande and others to this platform as well. Ask them why they derailed, advise them to persuade Mohammadu Buhari to restructure Nigeria before 2023 elections”

The Afenifere leader said that the 1960 Constitution embrace fiscal federalism and encouraged regional autonomy, noting that restructuring is the way forward.

He insisted that the 1999 Constitution foisted on the country by the military is a fraud and there is the need to revisit the law guiding how Nigerians agree to live together.

“How can you say a product of the fraud would amend the fraud?

“They cannot rule us under the rule of the thumb and those of us who fought for democracy will keep quiet? No, it can’t work.

“In 2021, Buhari telling me Nigeria’s constitution is not negotiable? What a balderdash! What an insult! That is not the agreement we made with the founding fathers” Chief Adebanjo fumes.

He thus, advised the members of Yoruba Global Council to be more steadfast, focused and be open minded to one another.

”I have been hearing a lot of good work you are doing, we’re ready to work with you, we’re ready to support you. Keep the flag flying” he admonished.

162 LIBYA RETURNEES ARRIVE MMIA LAGOS

03/11/21

DANIELS G. O

PRESS RELEASE

162 Nigerian Returnees from Libya arrive Lagos airport

Over 162 stranded Nigerians in Libya arrived the Murtala Muhammed international airport lagos Wednesday Morning.

The returnees who were brought back with the assistance of the international organisation for migration IOM, through the voluntary repatriation programme for the distressed arrived on board a chartered aircraft 2am.

The returnees were recieved at the airport by officials of Port health, National commission for Resilience Migration and IDPs, as well as NEMA and the Nigeria Immigration service

The returnees comprise of 98 adult females 28 adult males, 19 female children, 5 male children, 9 female infants and 3 male infants

Five of the Returnees have various types of health related issues

IKOYI BUILDING COLLAPSE UPDATE: LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT TO PAY MEDICAL BILLS FOR RESCUED VICTIMS

02/11/21

DANIELS G. O

PRESS RELEASE

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

PRESS RELEASE

IKOYI COLLAPSED BUILDING: LAGOS TO FOOT BILL OF RESCUED VICTIMS

Lagos State Government has promised to take full responsibility for the treatment and medical bills of rescued victims of the Ikoyi building collapse.

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat disclosed this today during his visit to some of the rescued victims of the Ill-fated incident who are on admission at the General Hospital, Lagos.

Hamzat who spoke to press men after the visit explained that nine people, all male, have so far been rescued from the debris of the building adding that three of the rescued victims were treated and discharge on the spot while the remaining six are presently on admission receiving treatment at the Medical Emergency (LASEMS) unit of the General Hospital, Lagos.

While noting that the admitted victims are responding well to treatment and doing well, the deputy Governor noted that the injuries sustained by those presently on admission are minor injuries which are not life threatening.

He however mentioned that some casualties of the collapsed building who were brought in to the hospital dead have been deposited at the morgue.

He said: “So we have six people in here, all male, and thankfully they are doing well. The doctors have told us their state; they have minor injuries and nothing life threatening thankfully. They are being treated and of course as you know, the Lagos State Government is taking full responsibility for their treatment.

“We have their names and we will be getting in touch with their families. Nine people were rescued, six are here now, three people have gone home and as you know we have 10 dead bodies taken out of the place”.

Hamzat expressed deep sympathy with victims, assuring them of adequate care during the course of their treatment.

Speaking in the same vein, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye who accompanied the Deputy Governor on the visit assured the rescued victims of quality and optimal health care service at the facility stressing that trained medical personnel are on ground to aid their recovery process.

The Deputy Governor was joined on his visit by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mrs. Abiola Kosegbe. The team was received by the Deputy Medical Director of the General Hospital Lagos, Dr. Abiola Mafe.

Signed

Tunbosun Ogunbanwo

Director, Public Affairs

2nd November, 2021

BREAKING NEWS ! Facts Behind the 21 Storey Building That Collapsed.

01/11/21

DANIELS G.O

A 21 Storey Building has Collapsed on Gerrald Road Ikoyi Lagos with Scores of people are trapped.

The twenty One uncompleted Storey building collapsed monday afternoon.

The building located at high brow Gerrald road Ikoyi, lagos according to eye witness crumbled under the heavy weight at about 2 pm .

Some emergency responders rushed to the scene of the incident where they battled frantically to rescue the trapped victims.

General Manager, LASEMA, Femi Osanyintolu has however not given the number of casualties involved as rescue operation is still ongoing as of the time of sending this report.

It’s However Worthy of note that the ikoyi collapsed building was sealed after ignoring engineering warnings
there are indications that the collapsed twenty-one story gerrard terraces belonging to fourscore heights limited had no structural integrity, a reason the engineers pulled out of the project .

A letter of withdrawal dated february 20, 2020 was written by murtala olawale, managing director of prowess engineering limited to femi osibona of fourscore heights, the owners of the building .
in the letter, prowess engineering notified that there was non compliance with the specifications provided by it for the structural integrity of the building .
the withdrawal letter said “we can guarantee the integrity of the first two buildings and also works done up to the fourth floor of the third building supervised by us provided specifications have been met in terms of required concrete strength.

“this we do not have control over as we do not have the concrete cube test result for each stage of the building till date”.
in withdrawing their involvement in the project, the engineers went further to state that they are not taking responsibilities for any other construction error that may have occurred over time on the project.
it ended the letter by requesting that its company name and logo be removed from the project board and also notified all necessary approving authorities of their withdrawal from the project.

Perhaps acting on the concerns raised, governor of lagos state babajide sanwo-olu in july of the same year ordered the sealing of the building
it is not clear how work resumed on the project site after that action

D.G CBAAC Amao Speaks On Resurgent Racism and The Challenges of Development in the 21st century

01/11/21

DANIELS G O

PRESS RELEASE

How we can fight racism- Amao

The Director-General, Centre for Black African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Mrs Olubunmi Amao has explained that respect and tolerance must be taught by sharing the common history of all humanity.

She stated this during the Agency’s Symposium entitled: Resurgent Racism and The Challenges of Development in the 21st century: Globalization and The Upsurge in Identity Consciousness, held at the Testimony Ground on Tuesday in Lagos.

Amao noted that Human rights extends to everyone, and must work constantly to orientate others on their obligation to work towards eliminating racism and racial inequality.

Hon. Olubunmi stated that Black progress over the past half-century has been impressive with many of them rising above any form of prejudices to become great achievers despite the racial discrimination against Blacks in America and the Western World.

“We must continue to fight against racism and discrimination by teaching respect and tolerance, by sharing the common history of all humanity.

“Human rights extends to everyone, and we must work constantly to let everybody know that they have an obligation to work towards eliminating racism and racial inequality.

“It must be mentioned that despite the racial discrimination against Blacks in America and the Western World, Black progress over the past half-century has been impressive with many of them rising above any form of prejudices to become great achievers.

“As a people, what is needed of us is to continue to be committed towards making the world a better place for all.” She stated.

She, therefore, called on everyone to rise up against racism and racial inequality of the blacks and African people.

The Former Special Adviser in Oyo State noted the recent upsurge in the cases of racism and racial inequality across the globe against blacks and people of African descent.

Hon. Amao explained that the issues of racism and racial inequality still remain a monster that must be fought.

“We must all rise up and speak against the twin evil of Racism and racial inequality.

“The recent upsurge in the cases of racism and racial inequality across the globe, especially against Blacks and people of African descent.

“The issues of racism and racial inequality still remain a monster that must be fought.

“Racism is a denial of human dignity because it directly impacts on the full enjoyment of an individual’s human rights, and in particular the right to equality.

“Racism and racial inequality are pervasive actions that manifest in the form of hate, abuse and violence.

“The recent Black Lives Matter campaign across the world sprang up and gained momentum as result of the ill treatment being meted against black people, which often times result in the unfortunate loss of lives.” She said.

7th African Conference: Experts Advocate Strengthening of Health Systems As Measures Against Biosecurity Threats And Emerging Infectious Diseases

30/10/21

DANIELS G.O

PRESS RELEASE

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

PRESS RELEASE

Experts Advocate Strengthening of Health Systems as measures against Biosecurity Threats and EID

… Harps on Research, Capacity Building, Precision Medicine and Knowledge Sharing

…As Lagos hosted 7th African Conference Ends

Experts at the just concluded 7th African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity hosted by the Lagos State Government in partnership with a non-governmental organization, Emerging Pathogens Treatment Consortium (GET), have identified health systems strengthening, research and capacity building as the panacea for tackling biosecurity threats and emerging infectious diseases in Africa.

Speaking on recommendations and resolutions reached at the three days hybrid conference held between Tuesday, 27thand Friday 29th October, 2021 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island Lagos, the Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi noted that professionals and stakeholders across health, agriculture, environment, security and allied sectors as well as the development sector and civil society in Africa have recommended that African countries should strengthen their health systems by establishing biobanks and biosecurity councils for effective deployment of responses against emerging infectious diseases.

He added the conference also recommended that consistent efforts towards building capacities to respond to biosecurity emergencies and flattening the waves of infections should be at the core of the proactive strategies against adverse effects of emerging diseases.

While noting that Africa should be the leaders in biosecurity development, Abayomi said the conference affirmed that policy makers and governance in the continent should support scientists and the health profession to strengthen biosecurity stressing that medical and epidemiological services must be strengthened to guarantee biosecurity.

He said: “At the end of the conference, it was recommended that African countries should strengthen their health system with establishment of biobanks and biosecurity councils for effective deployment of responses against emerging infectious diseases.

“We also recommended that local vaccine manufacture should be at the center of making vaccines available to Africans, thus, African governments individually and collectively should invest in research and provide enabling environment for experts and investors to commit resources into research and production of vaccines in response to the attendant challenges of emerging infectious diseases while assistance from international partners should be centered more on capacity building, research and development as well as experience sharing”.

The Lagos Health Commissioner also disclosed that the conference suggested that Antimicrobial Resistance Control Guidance should be integrated into healthcare delivery systems at the governmental level, while non-governmental stakeholders including youth, faith-based organizations, civil society organizations need to ramp up their involvement within sociocultural peculiarities of communities to conscientize towards behavioral changes.

He noted a deliberate, consistent and policy-driven intervention of the armed forces and other security agencies and immigration departments should be put in place to avert and contain access of unauthorized persons and non-state actors to biological agents.

According to him, other recommendations of the conference include, the need for the development of a framework for the establishment of Africa Center for Genomics, Data Management and Bioinformatics as custodian of repository for accessibility to molecular bio resource data in Africa.

“African leaders should take practical steps towards reversing long-lasting dependency on foreign donors in addressing health challenges by focusing on education, research and development, giving due recognition to indigenous innovation and harnessing the capacity of citizen within the region and in the Diaspora, as a major step towards One Health initiative and wholesome prosperity while African countries should work closely with international partners to ensure adherence to common standards and compliance with binding Conventions, Protocols and international agreements”, Abayomi said.

Speaking in the same vein, the Chief Operating Officer of GET Consortium, Dr. Ayodotun Bobadoye disclosed that delegates, stakeholders and participants at the conference had agreed to deploy conscious engagement in demanding improved funding for research and development in the health sector in Africa with the view to prioritize capacity building and exchange of ideas on best practices amongst professionals, researchers and stakeholders towards addressing the emerging realities around biosecurity and one-health initiative.

He noted that the conference reaffirmed commitment to genomics and precision medicine to address challenges of emerging diseases as well as in pursuit of a clear roadmap with a strategic framework for vaccine accessibility, production and distribution adding that the conference also reiterated the importance of addressing antimicrobial resistance in healthcare pipeline in the African Continent.

“Realizing the need to sustain awareness of the international non-proliferation norms and biosecurity-related obligations, the conference resolved to demand improved commitment from governments of countries across Africa, to existing obligations under the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and Resolution 1540 of the United Nations.

“The conference resolved to work with relevant state and non-state stakeholders to address legal, ethical and social issues to leverage on the opportunities of genomic intelligence and biosecurity”, Bobadoye said.

The just concluded 7th African conference on One Health and Biosecurity attended by professionals and stakeholders across the Africa continent provided a unique forum for robust interactions on biosecurity threats and the imperative for genomic intelligence and efficient healthcare responses in Africa. The conference received presentations from resource persons cutting across the healthcare sector, agriculture, the environment as well as from the development sector and civil society to arrive at the declaration and recommendations.

Signed

‘Tunbosun Ogunbanwo

Director, Public Affairs

31st October, 2021

Lagos StatePartners Private Sector to Vaccinate 4 Million Lagosians before Christmas … Establishes Mass Vaccination Sites  

DANIELS G.O

277/10/21

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

PRESS RELEASE

LAGOS LAUNCHES MASS VACCINATION CAMPAIGN AGAINST COVID

.. Partners Private Sector to Vaccinate 4 Million Lagosians before Christmas

… Establishes Mass Vaccination Sites

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has launched a State-wide Mass Vaccination Campaign against the COVID-19 Virus Infection in the State as part of efforts aimed at mitigating the potential damage that the further spread of the COVID-19 virus may cause.

The campaign targeted at ensuring that four million residents of the State are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the end of the year was spurred by the need for Lagos to achieve herd immunity against the global pandemic and in furtherance of the quest to eliminate opportunities for COVID-19 virus to spread in Lagos communities.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony of the vaccination campaign tagged: “Count me in! 4 million Lagosians Vaccinated Against COVID-19 Campaign’ held on the sidelines of the 7th African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Sanwo-Olu noted that the Mass Vaccination Campaign which commenced today Wednesday 27th October, 2021 will run till Saturday, December 25th, 2021.

He stated that the mass vaccination campaign is in tandem with his promise and mandate to vaccinate 30% of the Lagos population within the next one year adding that if the target vaccination of four million residents is achieved, the State will be closer to reaching his promise to vaccinate 30% of the population within one year.

Sanwo-Olu averred that his administration realized quickly the role of vaccination in mitigating the third wave. He noted that based on the availability of COVID vaccines and in alignment with the Federal mandate, Lagos commenced the COVID-19 vaccination campaign on the 15th of March 2021 with the first phase targeting health workers and frontline workers.

“This first phase saw the vaccination of 400,000 persons with at least the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine received from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and 250,000 persons were also fully vaccinated with the first and second dose of the vaccine”, he said.

According to the Governor, Lagos State is currently in the second phase of the vaccination campaign and presently, the State has successfully vaccinated a total of 800,000 people with the first dose of the Moderna and a total of 310,000 persons fully vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“This has brought the State to a total number of individuals vaccinated with the first dose of either AstraZeneca or Moderna to 1.2 million and fully vaccinated individuals to 550,000 accounting for just about four percent of our target population.

“With a full understanding that a substantial proportion of the population will need to be vaccinated to reduce the impact of the ongoing spread of the COVID-19 virus and prevent the re-emergence of the catastrophes witnessed during the previous waves by a potential fourth wave, the State has developed a robust vaccination strategy leveraging on both the strengths we have in the public and private sectors of our healthcare system”, he said.

While noting that one of the major driving forces in the development of State COVID-19 strategy is the protection of the economy, Sanwo-Olu said that the State government will continue to implement countermeasures to ensure that the economy of the State is open for business.

The Governor disclosed that Lagos State and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), will be partnering with private sector in this mass vaccination campaign against COVID19 stressing that this strategic decision of partnering with the private sector stemmed from the huge successes recorded by State government in various strategies that have been deployed in the management of the COVID pandemic in partnership with the private sector.

Sanwo-Olu noted that whilst administration of the COVID vaccines remain free in public health facilities, an administrative cost will apply to residents who choose to receive the vaccine at approved private facilities of their choice.

He said: “Leveraging on private health facilities and corporate institutions as additional sites for the COVID-19 vaccination, it is our hope that we increase the reach and access to the available vaccines provided through the generous contributions and donations by the Federal Government and our donors. By doing this, we are once again recognizing the impact of the collaboration between the public and private sector for healthcare and strengthening the link for far-reaching initiatives in the State.

“At this point, it is imperative to emphasize that the vaccines administered in our public facilities would remain free to the public. However, whilst the vaccines remain free as they were contributed to us by the Federal Government through the NPHCDA and our donors, a charge of N6,000 has been approved for relevant stakeholders in the administration of the vaccines in the private sector.

“This is to allow the private sector to recoup the resources they have deployed in the process of administering this vaccine. We encourage all Lagos residents to visit our listed public facilities to receive this vaccine at no cost to them; however, those that wish to receive them in the comforts of a private facility can do so at this administrative cost”.

The Governor also disclosed that plans have been made to set up mass vaccination sites in high traffic locations across the State and have mobile vans that move around settlements to reach individuals in hard-to-reach areas with limited access to health facilities stressing that this is part of the efforts to improve access to the vaccine and ensure vaccine equity in the State.

“We will set up COVID-19 vaccination fixed posts across 205 public health primary centres, 14 secondary and tertiary hospitals, and 400 private health centres across the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.

“At the core of this campaign, we aim to strengthen vaccine equity to ensure that every resident of Lagos State has a fair and equal chance to fully access the vaccine regardless of who they are or where they are from which is key to seeing the unbearable impact of the COVID-19 pandemic”, Sanwo-Olu said.

He enjoined residents particularly political, traditional, religious and community leaders to mobilize support for the campaign in order to ensure a successful outcome in the State across the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.

“I also wish to seek the support of our community leaders in facilitating community participation and mobilization of eligible individuals above the age of 18 years old to be available to be fully immunised with the COVID-19 vaccine. I salute the health workers that have been diligently and steadfastly administering the COVID-19 vaccines and I wish to assure them that their hard work will be rewarded”, he said.

Earlier in his address, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib expressed confidence that meeting and surpassing the target of fully vaccinating four million Lagosians against the global pandemic before Christmas is achievable.

He said: “We are confident that with the hands-on leadership of the Governor and the “can-do” spirit of Lagosians, this is achievable. My confidence is hinged on the fact that Lagos State has been leading other states in the utilization of Vaccines available in-country. This is not unexpected as this is the only State where the Governor is the Incident Manager of the COVID-19 response.

“The critical position of Lagos as the major gateway into the country has made it very vulnerable. What we have therefore set out to do is to proactively ensure that as our citizens who live abroad return home for Christmas, Lagosians are not infected with new strains of the Delta virus. As you are aware, there is already a fourth wave in the UK. We do not want a fourth wave of COVID-19 in Lagos or anywhere in Nigeria for that matter”.

Faisal disclosed that, a total of 5,588,477 eligible persons have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria as of the 26th of October 2021 adding that 2,950,236 have received their second dose and are fully vaccinated.

“These represent 5% and 2.6% respectively, of the targeted eligible population of 111,776,503. From this data, it is obvious that we are very far from reaching our target of vaccinating almost 112 million eligible persons, which is necessary for Nigeria to attain herd immunity against COVID-19. This is why the flag-off today is very significant.

“While we are glad that Nigeria is ranked among the high performing countries in terms of COVID-19 vaccine roll out, we still have a lot of work to do, in order to reach levels of immunization that will ensure our nation’s safety. This campaign is an important step in that direction.

“The Mass Vaccination Campaign is a carefully designed and quality-controlled strategy that creates greater access to COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria through prudent expansion of vaccination sites and involvement of private and even more public health facilities in vaccine administration. We now have enough vaccines, so this is the opportunity to get vaccinated”, he said.

Speaking in the same vein, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi averred that COVID response strategy should continue to be hinged on focusing ahead to prevent and totally eradicate the COVID-19 virus from Nigeria whilst using the available resources to plan for the future of the great state.

He maintained that Lagos will continue to prosecute the war against the COVID pandemic by employing two pronged approaches; implementation of international travel protocol and COVID vaccination campaign.

“Recognizing that Lagos State is always the epicenter of COVID19, also recognizing that we have studied the manner in which we acquire our first, second and third waves, we have put a strategic plan in place to bend and flatten the possibility of a fourth wave. This includes a two pronged approach to ensure we can control the inbound flights regulations and guidelines to Lagos and maintain people in isolation if they are detected to be positive and secondly through the mass vaccination campaign”, Abayomi said.

Signed

‘Tunbosun Ogunbanwo

Director, Public Affairs

27th December, 2021

ANAMBRA APC IN VAIN PURSUIT OF POWER*

22/10/21

Joe C. Anatune*
Writes from Awa

Another tragedy has come upon the Anambra All Progressives Congress. Ndi Anambra are running away from their campaign rallies. All the same, it is cheering that the party has finally woken up from its slumber and decided to make the campaign rounds. This may be a decoy or whatever, but by this action, APC has burst the nauseating spin that it has already written the result of the election in favour of its candidate. The takeaway here for those who are milling around the party for lucre is caution. We can bet that APC will spew more spins before the election. One thing is clear, Ndi Anambra are ready and willing to come out and vote for their preferred and most qualified candidate on November 6.

From the look of things, it seems that the once booming APC transfer window for unprincipled politicians has closed. It is either that the signing fee has dried up or that politicians are dining with the party with long spoons because of its reputation for raw deals. Our investigation reveals that the problem is the good people of Anambra are distancing themselves from anybody who dines with APC. As earlier stated, APC is facing another uphill challenge following its decision to come out from its cocoon and campaign. How?

There is a deep-rooted stigma in Anambra for anybody that has any association with APC. Such person is seen as working against the people’s collective interest – a SABOTEUR who has been bought. The joke around the State today is “have you been bought?” which is a reference to APC’s futile spending spree to buy the love, support and votes of Ndi Anambra. It is therefore, tragic that despite the huge amount spent on signing on politicians by the party, it is having difficulty gathering people for its rallies. Poor APC, it has resorted to procuring people from all local governments and adjoining states for each of its outings, and we wonder, if they shouldn’t read the handwriting on the wall and throw in the towel. What they are currently doing is akin to taking the horse to the stream and forcing it to drink. This can’t work because Anambra is not Imo. The alternative is for them to ask their spin doctors to come up with another propaganda from their deception box to attempt once more to intimidate the people into submission.

Unfortunately, they do not know or in any case, may not want to admit that the people have resolved to keep their cherished winning team that has made them proud and has continued to bring them happiness. Up APGA! Up Soludo!

Be of good cheer!!

*Joe C. Anatune*
Writes from Awa