COVID-19: Use of face masks now optional, says Federal Govt

The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 has said the use of face masks in open spaces is now optional, while the decision on the final relaxation of measures will be taken after Easter.

The Head of the Technical Secretariat, who also doubles as the Secretary of the PSC on COVID-19, Dr Muktar Muhammed, disclosed this in an interview with The PUNCH in Abuja.

Countries across the world have started relaxing COVID-19 measures.

Recently, Ghana, a West African country, announced that the use of face masks was no longer mandatory.

Nigeria has continued to witness a drop in the number of daily COVID-19 cases.

The PSC also announced that it would stop demanding proof of PCR tests from fully vaccinated travellers.

Muhammed stated, “We are easing up restrictions, but it’s important we do so responsibly.

“Last week, we suspended the limit placed on public gatherings, curfews and other social measures.

“The use of face masks in open spaces is now discretionary.

“We shall not hesitate to remove all mandates once the disease is no longer of public health consequence. We are aware that cases are rising in the Western Pacific and Eastern Europe. The US just mandated a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine for adults older than 50. We fear a reversal of the pandemic situation, where largely unvaccinated poor countries will be made to bear the burden, because the West has developed very high immunity through large scale vaccination.

“Our biggest fear now is the upcoming Easter holidays. If we are able to cross and the cases continue to go down with no significant increase in hospitalisation and death, then certainly, we will lower down our level of alertness and relax most of the measures.

“We are working with data and algorithms to determine our line of action. Everything depends on what happens next. We learn from other countries, but we don’t have to necessarily copy what they are doing. Every country should evaluate its risk and take responsibility.”

Meanwhile, data from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency has revealed that a total of 12,139,797 persons have been fully vaccinated in Nigeria, while 18,942,020 persons have been partially vaccinated.

The NPHCDA announced that Moderna, Astrazeneca, Pfizer and the Johnson and Johnson brands of COVID-19 vaccines were available for individuals willing to be vaccinated.

Source: PUNCH.

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ELDER INIOBONG OBOT EMERGES UYO FED. CONST. TREASURER OF ICP

 ... Promises to Mobilize Aggressively for Pastor Umo Eno's Project

A committed member of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) from Nsit Atai LGA and Elder of the Apostolic Church, Elder Iniobong Obot, has been appointed Uyo Federal Constituency Treasurer of Ibom Consolidation Project (ICP).

ICP is the project which is aimed at actualizing the succession plan of His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel.

The inauguration ceremony took place yesterday during the sensitization/ inauguration tour of the ICP at the Nsit Atai Local Government Council.

The event had attracted Elders, Women, Youths and statutory delegates of the party from all wards in Nsit Atai who came out in their numbers to welcome the steering committee to the Local Government Area and as well promise their full support to Pastor Umo Eno's gubernatorial aspiration.

Those in attendance included: the National Chairman of Ibom Consolidation Project, Rt Hon Barr Uwem Ekanem and his National Exco members, Prince (Dr.) Godwin Ntukudeh, the Deputy DG, Umo Eno Campaign organization, Rt Hon Lawrence Udosen, Deputy State Chairman PDP, Senator Aloysious Etuk, Hon Elder Ben Udobia, Hon Abasi Akan Eshiet, PDP Chapter Chairman, Lady Emem Ibanga, the Executive Chairman, Nsit Atai Local Government Council, amongst others.

Before the official inauguration, the organisation's leader described those appointed to serve as people with high moral standard and committed members of the PDP, advising them to work conscientiously for the actualization of Pastor Umo Eno's project.

The highpoint of the event was the official inauguration of the Chapter Executive and the presentation of cash by the International President of the group. 

Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the epoch-making event, the Treasurer in charge of the Uyo Federal Constituency of the group, Elder Iniobong Obot, a financial professional who has won several awards in banking and insurance industries, expressed gratitude to the leadership of ICP for finding him worthy for the position.

The Obong Unwana Afaha used the occasion to commend the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for his giant strides in infrastructural development, security, education, industrialization, women and youth inclusiveness, among others.

IniAbasi maintained that Akwa Ibom's preferred Governorship aspirant, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, in both private and public life has been tested and can be trusted with power, promising to do everything humanly possible to ensure he emerges the next Governor of the State in 2023.

The Treasurer of ICP, Uyo Federal Constituency, Elder Iniobong Obot, is also the National Director, Youth wing of Uyo Senatorial peoples Initiative (USPI), Secretary, Atai Uyo Peoples forum (AUPF), the Political leader of Eastern Nsit Ward 6, Nsit Atai LGA, among others.

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East-West Road: We Are Handing Over At Over 80 Percent Completion Level - Akpabio.

•••We Need Communal Peace, Cooperation And Sacrifice To Deliver - Fashola

Minister, Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday formally handed over the East-West Road, Sections 1-4 to the Minister of  Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, declaring to that he was happy to handover the road project at over 80 Percent completion level.

The handing over ceremony which took place at the Minister's Conference Room, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Abuja, was witnessed by key ministry officials from both ministries, which include, the Minister of State, Works and Housing, Muazu Jaji Sambo,  Permanent Secretary Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and his Works counterpart, Dr Ardo Babayo and Engineer Chukwunwike Uzor, respectively, as well as the Chief of Staff to the Niger Delta Minister, Sir Etekamba Umoren among others.

 

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Jackson Udom, quoted the Minister as saying, " it is with great pleasure to us today in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, to handover the Section 1-4 of the East West Road to the Works and Housing Ministry as demanded by the people of Ogoni. I can say that we are handing over this project at over 80 Percent completion level."

" The people of the region can now travel from Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital to Yenogoa, within minutes and that was not the case before we came into office.

" There were impediments on the road which were not in the original plan. There was therefore, the need to extend the road with a 6 lane layout, hence the issue of compensation arose and we mobilised funds to pay the owners of  lands and property on the right of way," he added.

The former Minority Leader of the Senate, stated further that though the road project has been handed over to the Ministry of Works and Housing, relevant staff of the Niger Delta Ministry would be available to render their support and share experiences with their counterparts in the Works ministry concerning the road, saying," Our field officers in the Ministry are available for any assistance and information as it concerns the road. We will continue to work together to ensure that the East West Road is completed and commissioned by President Muhamadu Buhari". 

"We are also handing-over the N10.4bn Sukuk Cheque that was given to our Ministry by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning for the East-West Road to the Ministry of Works and Housing for the commencement of work and not for payment of old debts," Akpabio stated.

In his brief remarks, the Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola, described the handing over as uncommon, saying," this an uncommon handover from an uncommon Minister. We have just received the handing over documents. I will undertake actual verification and assessment of what is on ground."

The former Lagos State helmsman, however, sounded a note of warning to the people of Niger Delta that work on the road will not progress in the absence of peace and cooperation. He also promised that work would commence, as soon as it is practicable to do so, saying, "we will start work as soon as it is practicable to do so. One condition is that, for any project to take place, there is the need for communal peace. Without peace we will not do any work there. We need collaboration and sacrifice for us to do what we are supposed to do."

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BREAKING: Kwankwaso Dumps PDP

 

Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It will be recalled that Senator Kwankwaso, recently had said he will defect from the party to a new party, the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP).

Kwankwaso resigned his membership from PDP in a letter he sent to his ward chairman on Tuesday, dated March 29, 2022.

This is coming hours after a court stopped PDP from dissolving Kano executives of the party.

More to follow...

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THE MULTI-SECTORAL TRACK RECORDS OF RT. HON. ANIEKAN BASSEY

 

By Etim Homage

Sycophancy is a common tool employed by many people to caress the ego or try to impress or seek attention of highly placed officials in our society. This tool is common, both in public and private sector, in our society. It is, oftentimes, perpetrated for personal gains or advancement in life.

Many times, the officials involved find it difficult to resist such unwarranted or exaggerated accolades, which are usually gratified by doling out huge sums of money or giving undue advantage to these officials by praise singers. Yet in Akwa Ibom state, we still have few public officials who are still true and honest to the ideals of good governance, irrespective of the overriding efforts of praise-singers.

The above scenario makes commendations difficult, even after critical analysis or assessment of public officials. It is, therefore, pertinent to say that one runs the risk of being wrongly classified as a sycophant if one tries to commend public officials, especially when they excel in the discharge of their duties, while also constructively admonishing them to do better when we find their performances inadequate or below expectation.

Right from his first term as Uruan representative in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (2015 - 2019), Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey’s tenure has been undoubtedly rewarding as he held nothing back at building a formidable Uruan nation, one that has given everyone a sense of belonging.

The construction of Mbak-Issiet Road, reclamation and gully erosion control project on the Ituk Mbang–Ibiaku Issiet Road are some of the many intervention projects attracted to Uruan Local Government Area by Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey.

He trained more than 1000 youths in JAMB CBT and computer studies, sponsored JAMB Classes and purchased forms for more than 100 indigent students.

He facilitated vocational training and starter packs for more than 300 Uruan persons in phone repairs, hair dressing, fashion design, beads and hat making, computer studies and paint manufacturing. He has sponsored several editions of free medical exercise where more than 5000 Uruan people benefitted from the exercise.

Rt. Hon. Anekan Bassey has attracted projects such as Renovation of Town Hall at Ekim Enen, Renovation of Town Hall at Use Uruan, Installation of 300KVA Electricity Transformer at Ikot Inyang Esuk, Installation of Electricity Transformer at Afaha Ikot Issiet, Renovation of 4-Classroom Blocks at Ikpa Uruan, Facilitated the upgrading of Nung Ikono Ufok Village Market, Construction of 6-Classroom Blocks at Akan Obio Uruan, provided relief materials and cash to two warring communities (Anakpa and Nna Enin) to help resettle them and many more.

As a way of giving back to society, he floated a pet project, the RHAB-YESS Foundation (Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey Youth Entrepreneurship Support Scheme Foundation) to support young businesses and youths in Akwa Ibom State, create job and wealth, reduce unemployment, get the youth engaged, fight insecurity and chart a bright future.

Since commencement, the Foundation has supported 78 businesses, trained 38 artisans; provide special support to over 383 rural women and youths across the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State in just 26 editions.

In fact, RHAB-YESS Foundation has rekindled the flame of enterprise in Akwa Ibom youths, provided succor to indigent students and rural women.

During his 2018 Constituency Briefing, he empowered more than 300 persons with cars, mini buses, motor cycles, sewing machines, vulcanizing machines, grass cutting machines, hair dryers, deep freezers, barbing saloon kits generating sets and grants.

In 2019 and 2020 empowerment programmes, more than 200 persons were empowered with cars, mini buses, tricycles, business grants, financial support for widows, hairdressing equipment, sewing machines, etc.

Installation of 200KVA Electricity Transformer at Anankpa, Installation of 200KVA Electricity Transformer to cover Ibeno Issiet, Afaha Ikot and Issiet Urua Akpa, as well as a Solar powered Borehole at Ekim Enen

Sponsored the Under-14 Uruan Team in which two Uruan sons – Godwin Okon Edet from Ekpene Ukim George Effiong Asuquo from Ikot Udoh were sponsored to Football Academy in Europe.

Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey sponsored Prince from Nna Enin who plays in a First Division side in Togo and also assisted Team Atakpo during the last Senator Bassey Albert Football competition which emerged as Second Runners Up with a Trophy and Silver Medal. He went further to sponsored Team Atakpo that came Second in the 2016 Akwa Ibom State FA Cups Competition.

He donated two giant-size standing fan and Generating Set to the Uruan Chapter of the PDP and also renovation of Use Uruan Town Hall though Seven Energy. The list of achievement is endless.

We will enjoin him to still improve on his own unequalled level of record performance and achievements as he is aspiring for Uyo Senatorial seat (Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District).

 

Etim Homage sent this piece from Ekpene Ukim village, Uruan LGA.

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Ita Enang Rallies Support For New A'Ibom APC Chairman

 

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang has called on members and stakeholders of the All Progress Congress in Akwa Ibom State to stand firm behind the newly sworn in state chairman, Chief Stephen Ntukekpo and the entire team.

Senator Enang gave the charge in Abuja while hosting Chief Ntukekpo and members of the State Working Committee and some stakeholders to a Breakfast meeting.

"This is the party for everyone. I appreciate Chief Godswill Akpabio; he sent me to the Senate. He is my friend and mentor. We'll always work together to ensure the progress of APC in Akwa Ibom." Enang said. 

He disclosed that Chief Don Etiebet, an elder statesman of the party is willing to head the Reconciliation Committee to unite the various interest groups within the party ahead of the 2023 polls.

"We must make a difference. You have been a victim of manipulation and injustice, and having been in the state executive before, you will know how to fix the party," enthused the gubernatorial Aspirant for 2023.

Chief Ntukekpo said he is armed with the message of respect and unity, in a bid to rebuild the party in Akwa Ibom.

He thanked his host - Senator Enang for receiving him and his team "wholehearted."

Speaking on behalf of the Woman, Obonganwan Geraldine Etuk, said:

"We're happy to see our party back. You know so many people have worked hard to see this dream come true. It was becoming a very shameful thing to us but we thank God for restoring peace and sanity to our party."

Hon. Dr Emaeyak Ukpong was of the view that APC in Akwa Ibom will no longer  "promote impunity. Senator Ita Enang has been neck deep and leading to where we are today."

The former House of Representatives asserted. 

He congratulated the newly sworn in Chairman, charging him "to carry everyone  who stood by us during the struggle along, and even people on the other divide."

Hon Victor Antai, a former commissioner said APC in Akwa Ibom wants to win; and prayed God to bring sincere men and women "who would not betray our cause because our eyes are on the ball."

2022 UTME: JAMB registers 1.8m candidates at end of exercise

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says 1, 837, 011 candidates were registered at the end of its 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The board, which disclosed this in its Weekly Bulletin on Monday in Abuja, said that the figure included the Direct Entry (DE) candidates.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the board’s 2022 registration commenced on Feb.19 and ended on March 26.

The board has also scheduled its examinations to hold from May 6 to May 16.

Jamb also added that N238, 105, 700 cumulative amount derived from the regulated N700 service charges from the fifth week of the exercise had been remitted to its accredited Computer Based Tests (CBT) centres.

NAN recalls that the board had earlier banned the use of cash in all its accredited CBT centres during the exercise.

It directed all candidates to pay the service charges to the e-PIN vendors along with the N3, 500 application fees, which it remits to the centres on a weekly basis proportional to the number of candidates they register.

The board, however, said that payments of the accumulated sum to all centres excluded JAMB-owned CBT centres.

The policy, it added, had reduced the sharp practices associated with tying down candidates to non-performing centres.

It explained that the policy was also introduced to curb the excesses of some fraudulent CBT centres, which extort candidates.

JAMB said that it had made significant progress in the registration of candidates for the 2022 exercise, as compared to the 2021 exercise.

It attributed the improvement to its partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), while adding that the seamless process had yielded the desired results.

JAMB also urged candidates to guard all their information jealously by providing their details to only designated officials, while ensuring that their details do not fall into wrong hands.

The board also warned that no official in the registration value chain was authorised to keep candidates’ profile codes, UTME registration number or phone numbers, which was made available to them at the point of registration.

It, however, urged all candidates who registered and showed interest in sitting for its mock exercise to note the date and be prepared.

NAN reports that the board had earlier rescheduled its 2022 UTME mock to hold on April 9, and not April 16 as earlier announced.

SOURCE:THE GUARDIAN

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