COVID-19: Nigeria Close In On First Human Vaccine Trial

A group of microbiologists from various institutions across the federation have developed a COVID-19 vaccine which has passed animal trials and human trials an inch closer after being listed by the world health organization (WHO) as number 61 out of 185 vaccine candidates globally. The scientists consist of researchers from the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State; Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State; Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, Oyo State; University of Ilorin, Kwara State; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

COVID-19: FG Issues Revised Protocol For In-Bound Travelers

The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 has announced an updated international travel protocol for passengers travelling to Nigeria. The revised travel advisory states that all travellers to Nigeria must present a negative COVID-19 test done not more than 72 hours prior to boarding, whether the traveller has taken COVID-19 vaccination or not. This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the Chairman, PSC on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha.

President Buhari Appoints Adetifa As New DG NCDC

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Dr. Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa as the new Director General (DG) of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Minister Reveals Reason For Water Scarcity In Nigeria

The Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Adamu, said the ministry has uncovered over 400 abandoned water projects, which he blamed for the acute water scarcity across the country. Adamu revealed this while appearing before the Senate Committee on Water Resources, for the budget defence, adding that some of the dams were cited where dams should not have been constructed. He said “We have over 400 dams but many of them have no utilisation downstream. Anybody can come and invest in the dams.” Speaking to the house on the budget for 2022, the Adamu presented N81 billion for his ministry while the N70.4 billion budget was for the agencies under the ministry of water resources. The capital projects for the entire ministry is put at N78 billion, personnel cost, N2 billion while the overheads was put at N278 million. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources, Senator Bello Mandiya who briefed journalists about the outcome of the sitting revealed what the Ministry has achieved so far. According to him the ministry has prioritized dams and that so far, twenty dams have been identified which will be completed in due course.

WHO Approves Malaria Vaccine For Children In Sub-saharan Africa

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved the first malaria vaccine, Mosquirix in history, The health body said the vaccine could save thousands of lives every year, saying "the real-world test of the jab showed it prevented 30% of severe cases of malaria even in areas with high uptake of other measures, such as bed nets impregnated with insecticide."

COVID-19: President Buhari, Others Isolate After UK Trip

President Muhammadu Buhari and members of his entourage to the United Kingdom went into self-isolation in compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines, after spending two weeks in London. Mr President and others arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport about 18:15 pm on Friday. The senior Special Assistant to Mr President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu confirmed the development on Sunday. They include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno (rtd) and Director General of National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Abubakar. There are unconfirmed reports that President Buhari was seen in close contact with some officials of the Nigeria High Commission in London who have tested positive for coronavirus. The Nigerian High Commission in London has since been shut down on Thursday, to observe the mandatory ten days isolation of those who were in contact with the affected officials.