News
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.”
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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