Nation
‘Covid-19, Most Serious Global Challenge Since World War Two’
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Charles Igwe, says Covid-19 pandemic is indisputably the highest global challenge since World War 2.
Igwe spoke in Nsukka during UNN’s 1st Annual International Conference titled: “A Whole New World; Research, Development and Innovation in the Pandemic Era.”
He said that Covid-19 has killed many people, infected many others, affected economies and changed ways of life in every part of the world.
“covid-19 pandemic is the most serious global challenge the world has witnessed since the World War 2,”he said.
The VC commended Federal Government’s efforts in handling the pandemic and implementation of post Covid-19 economic sustainability plans.
“The aim of this conference is to disseminate some researches, innovations and developments taking place in UNN to national, regional and global audiences.
”The conference will be used to identify areas where there is gap in knowledge and the priorities for further research on ways and means of fighting the present and future pandemic in Nigeria.
”It will also bring together researchers, policy makers, development partners, NGOs and research funders both in Nigeria and outside,” he said.
Igwe who was represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Johnson Urama, urged participants to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the conference to advance research, development and innovations for the wellbeing of the global community.
“Is my wish that this conference will generate quantum of ideas, methodologies and actionable recommendations for policy makers in different fields of human endeavours to advance the fight against Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
In a virtual remark, Prof. Oyewale
Tomori, the Chairman of Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19 (MEACOC), urged Nigerians to take the Covid-19 vaccine
Tomori who was also the keynote speaker said that the vaccine is not harmful.
”Nigerians should disregard the social media and speculations in some quarters that the vaccine is harmful or has dangerous after effect.
“The vaccine was approved after series of research and examination by world health experts as well as World Health Organisation,” he said.
Oyewale, however, said that the advent of Covid-19 in Nigeria and Africa exposed the inadequate facilities in health, education and other sectors of the economy.
“It’s unfortunate that among the countries in the world that produced Covid-19 vaccine none is from Nigeria or Africa.
“Government should pay more attention in funding and equipping universities than establishing new ones as if universities are pure water industry.
“It gives me concern that none of the universities in the country is among the best ranked universities in the world,” Oyewale said.
The Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the conference, Prof. Chidi Nzeadibe, said that Covid-19 pandemic has reset the ways of work and life across the globe.
He said that the pandemic boosted innovations in research and development around the world.
“At UNN, many researchers have leveraged on the opportunities inherent in the adversity of the pandemic to come up with research outputs with huge potential to improve lives and livelihood.
“These researches will help us to overcome or adapt to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
Nation
Gombe Opens Bid For Construction Of Three-Arm Zone Project
Gombe State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transportation has opened bids for the construction of three arms zone complexes within the Gombe Capital Special Development Zone which held at the Ministry’s conference hall.
Speaking while presiding over the bid opening proceedings, the Commissioner, Engr. . Usman Maijama’a Kallamu assured the bidders that the bid opening would be carried out using procurement process which is based on specific regulations that are credible, fair, and transparent.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alh. Idris Yambiu Buba said that the Ministry will continue to align itself for optimal results in the implementation of government policies and projects in line with Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to bringing development to the State.
While assuring the bidders of a transparent process, the SSA to the Governor on Special Project, Arch. Yakubu Mamman thanked Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his foresight in infrastructural development of the State, adding that government is committed to ensuring that all bidders had an equal chance to participate and compete based on merit to maintain standards and specifications.
Nation
Gov Mbah Signs Bill To Establish Teaching Hospital In Enugu
Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, yesterday, signed the Enugu State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS) Teaching Hospital Bill 2024 into Law, promising to expedite action to actualise the teaching hospital immediately to provide quality training and healthcare services in the Enugu North part of the State and the State in general.
Mbah, while commending the Enugu State House of Assembly for accelerating action on the processing and passage of the Executive Bill, said that establishing SUMAS Teaching Hospital was in line with his manifesto.
He said, “What we have done by signing into law the Enugu State University of Medical and Applied Sciences Teaching Hospital Bill is that we now have in place a legal framework to immediately begin to put in place all that is required to upgrade SUMAS to a teaching hospital. This is part of our campaign promises and we are committed to delivering on that expeditiously.
“We believe that the importance and significance of siting a teaching hospital in our Enugu North zone can never be lost on us. So, we are not going to spend any time in making sure that everything that is necessary and required to upgrade and get the teaching hospital operational is put in place. With this Law, we are going to redouble our commitment and our efforts to achieve that.”
He assured the Governing Council and the Management of SUMAS of his continued support, adding that his administration would equally be counting on their pedigree and contacts to bring the teaching hospital to fruition in record time.
“We are going to continue to support you and we are also going to continue to count on your experience, network, and profile in raising resources to actualize the project.
“This year alone, we are going to spend 33 per cent of our budget on education. This underscores the importance of education to this administration. So, be sure to come to us whenever there is a need. We are going to support you because we are interested in education and we are investing heavily in it,” he said.
On his part, the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, who also spoke at the Bill signing witnessed by the Chairman of SUMAS Governing Council, Msgr. Obiora Ike, and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. James Ogbonna, and top hierarchies of the institution, commended Governor Mbah’s speed and faithfulness in delivering on his campaign promises. He assured that the House of Assembly was ever ready to fast-track every executive bill that would impact positively on the state and its people.
“We promised we are going to support this administration by doing our job expeditiously to ensure that there is no delay in your delivery of democracy dividends to our people. Therefore, the SUMAS Teaching Hospital Bill received expedited hearing and today you have the signing of the bill into law,” he stated.
Nation
Ododo Applauds Security Agencies Over Rescue Of 43 Bus Passengers
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has applauded security agencies in the State for their efforts in the rescue of 43 bus passengers.
The Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah disclosed this in a statement yesterday.
The statement noted that the governor welcomed the news of the release of the abducted bus passengers in Okehi Local Government Area of the State and called for sustained collaboration between security agencies and local communities to improve intelligence gathering and prevent crime and criminality in all parts of the state.
Ododo commended the caretaker chairman of Okehi LGA, Mr Amoka Eneji, the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Professional Hunters, Ebira Local Hunters Group and other security agencies for their intervention, which led to the rescue of the passengers who were abducted outside the state.
“Governor Ododo also commends the response of security agencies to the robbery incidence in Felele area of Lokoja and called for more urgency in addressing cases of insecurity in any part of the state.
“The Governor reassured the people of the state that his administration will not relent in its efforts in deploying maximum resources to ensure that all communities in the state remain unsafe for criminal elements.”
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