News
US Govt Donates 4m Covid-19 Vaccine Doses To Nigeria
The United States Government has confirmed the approval and release of 4million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to the Federal Government to support Nigeria’s efforts to ramp up vaccination of it citizens against the Coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement, made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt via email email, the United States Embassy in Abuja said it was “pleased to announce the arrival in Nigeria of four million doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccines as part of the United States’ global efforts to fight the Covid-19 pandemic”.
At a hand-over ceremony, US Chargé d’Affairesin Nigeria, Kathleen FitzGibbon, delivered the shipment to Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chair of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, Boss Mustapha.
The shipment was delivered in the presence of Dr Faisal Shuaib and members of the Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19.
According to the statement, “The donated vaccines are part of the U.S. pledge to initially provide at least 25million of the 80million doses globally to Africa.
“The U.S. Government coordinated closely with the African Union, Africa CDC, and COVAX on the country allocations.
“COVAX supported delivery of these vaccine doses, which arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, yesterday (Monday).
“The donation of these safe and effective vaccines will help protect the Nigerian people from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic and begin reducing barriers to building back the country’s economy.
“’This donation, like many other health and humanitarian assistance programs offered from the American people over the years reinforce the strong cooperation between our two governments’”,Fitzgibbonsaid.
Since the onset of the pandemic, the United States has provided Nigeria more than $73million in Covid-19 assistance and will continue to support Nigeria’s prevention and response efforts, both now and in the future.
“This includes the delivery of a mobile field hospital, epidemiological Covid-19 detection surveys, personal protective equipment, provision of rapid response teams, training of over 200,000 military and civilian personnel on Covid-19 control measures, and technology transfer for virtual training.
“As President Joe Biden said, ‘From the beginning of my presidency, we have been clear-eyed that we need to attack this virus globally as well. This is about our responsibility — our humanitarian obligation to save as many lives as we can — and our responsibility to our values. We’re going to help lead the world out of this pandemic, working alongside our global partners’.
“These four million doses are part of the United States’ commitment to share U.S. vaccine supply with the world. As we continue to fight the Covid-19 pandemic at home and work to end the pandemic worldwide, President Biden has promised that the United States will be an arsenal of vaccines for the world.
“The United States is proud to partner with Nigeria to defeat Covid-19. Together, we will continue to build a world that is safer and more secure against the threat of infectious disease”, the statement added.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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