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FG Cautions Against Travels To India, Brazil, Turkey
Nigerians have again been warned against travelling to India, Brazil and Turkey, at least, for now.
Issuing the travel advisory in Yola during a Town Hall Meeting on Covid-19 vaccination for the North-East in Adamawa State, the Federal Government cited the risks from the pandemic.
The warning was given by the Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on Covid-19, Boss Mustapha, who was represented by Environment Minister, Abubakar Mohammed.
The meeting was organised by the PSC in collaboration with National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
Mustapha, who doubles as Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), said Nigeria has the responsibility to safeguard the health of its people and block any chance to spread the Covid-19 in the country.
He said, “Nigerians are strongly advised to avoid non-essential international travelling at this time, especially to countries that are showing increase in number of Covid-19 deaths.”
“Consequently, any person who had visited Brazil, India and Turkey within 14 days preceding travel to Nigeria shall be denied entry into Nigeria.
“Among other travelling guidelines, individuals, transporters and airlines who abuse the guidelines shall be sanction.”
He explained that the PSC has been monitoring with keen interest the rise in cases of Covid-19 abroad.
The SGF said, “The Federal Government deeply sympathises with the government and citizens of those countries and assured them of unflinching support and solidarity.
“All governors are also advised to ensure that all returned international passengers in their respective states adhere strictly to the mandatory seven days isolation period.”
The PSC chairman said the cardinal objective of the meeting was to provide means for the government, communities and other relevant stakeholders to discuss Covid-19 vaccination.
Mustapha noted that records available showed that the daily incident of Covid-19 in the country has reduced.
The Health Minister, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said the pandemic has proven to be the greatest health threat to the present generation.
Ehanire added that the impact of Covid-19 on country’s health, economic and social services have been so overarching, that it calls for all hands to be on the deck to focus on solutions to the disease.
“This meeting today is the second in the series of town hall interactions across the country to afford the opportunity to rub minds with elders and arrive at a messaging strategy for citizen engagement in ongoing vaccination to protect Nigerians against Covid-19 pandemic.
“Since Nigeria recorded its first Covid-19 case in February, 2020, the Federal Government has put measures in place to protect lives and mitigate the devastating effect of community transmission.”
He noted that Nigeria has lost over 2,000 lives and its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has fallen by 23 per cent due to slowdown of global economic activity as a result of Covid-19.
Also speaking, Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaibu, said that the town hall was organised to share mutual concerns, reach a consensus and take responsibilities in ongoing efforts to protect the citizens against the pandemic.
He said, “This Town Hall meeting is in line with the principles of pro-active community engagement, transparency and accountability of the PSC, under the leadership of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha.
“Our gathering here today is anchored on our core principles and conviction that it is not enough to offer vaccines to Nigerians.
“But that we must also empower the people with the correct information required for them to make informed decisions about getting vaccinated against Covid-19.”
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
