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COVID-19: Lagos to inaugurate 10 oxygen centres
The Lagos State Government will inaugurate 10 Oxygen and Sampling centres to improve management of severe-to-critical COVID-19 cases. The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosed this during a media briefing on the update of the second wave of COVID-19 in Lagos on Monday. Abayomi said that the state would deploy oxygen therapy centres in high burden local government areas to manage severe-to-critical COVID-19 patients.
According to him, the centres were sited at the Mother and Child Centre, Eti-Osa; General Hospital Alimosho; General Hospital Isolo; Aguda Primary Healthcare Centre, Surulere; and General Hospital Gbagada.He listed others as, Mother and Child Centre, Ifako Ijaiye; Ibeju-Lekki Primary Healthcare Centre; General Hospital Apapa; Odi Olowu Primary Healthcare Centre, Mushin; and Amuwo-Odofin Mother and Child Centre.Abayomi said that the oxygen centres at Mother and Child Centre, Eti-Osa; General Hospital Alimosho and General Hospital Isolo were already completed, while the remaining seven centres would be completed in the next two weeks.
He noted that medical oxygen is the primary treatment for the majority of patients who were suffering severe COVID-19 symptoms.”Many of these patients present late to the isolation centres, thus leading to fatalities.“This life-saving gas helps patients breathe when they cannot do so on their own, and timely access to oxygen is critical to ensure the patient’s survival.“If anyone is breathless, go to any of these centres, and the doctors and nurses there will assist to stabilise you with oxygen before moving you with the ambulance to the isolation centre,” he said.The commissioner stressed that the state was committed to ensuring improved healthcare system toward enhancing quality healthcare and saving the lives of its citizens.He, however, warned that the rate of COVID-19 infection positivity was increasing in the state due to the festivities and disregard for safety measures.”On Dec. 26, the state confirmed 253 new COVID-19 infections, increasing the total confirmed cases of infections in the state to 28,774,” Abayomi said.He added that 75 confirmed cases were currently being managed at the isolation centres while 3,716 active cases under home-based care were under the state’s EKO TELEMED.
Abayomi said that one fatality was recorded on the reported day.He said that as the COVID-19 pandemic continued, residents would need to make lifestyle adjustments to live with the pandemic.“Living with the pandemic means that you should wear your face mask everywhere, follow physical distancing rules, avoid social gatherings, ensure regular hand washing or hand sanitising.“If you feel unwell, get tested; if positive, self-isolate or present to any isolation centre or follow up clinics,” the commissioner said.He also said that the state would deploy effective messaging and education through its various platforms, while enforcing all guidelines through the respective state agencies.Abayomi noted that the state was discovering more positive cases among international travellers into the state.“Positivity for inbound travellers is on the rise, eight per cent this week, four per cent cumulative as Nigerians in the Diaspora return to spend Christmas in Lagos“
It has come to our attention that a number of the people are patronising individuals that sell fake COVID-19 results. “We are currently putting in processes to identify both buyers and sellers and we will not hesitate to prosecute either to the full extent of the law,” he said. Abayomi said that the state’s goal from inception was to flatten the curve, and would intensify its strategies of identifying, testing, isolating and management of cases to reduce the rate of transmission. He said that the state had increased its daily testing capacity from August to December, and that the state was now testing between 2,000 and 3,000 samples daily.
December 28, 2020
Gen. Bali was an Epitome of Integrity – Lalong
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has described the late Minister of Defence and Chief of Defence Staff General Domkat Yah Bali as an epitome of humility, courage and integrity.
Governor Lalong said this at the funeral service for the late General held at the Headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) Jos.
Lalong said throughout his lifetime, Gen. Bali demonstrated discipline, commitment, diligence and valour in his duties where he rose to the peak of his career retiring as a four-star General.
He emphasized that Gen. Bali’s most cherished virtue which he always displayed even at the last moments was integrity.
“He was a man who had a lot of opportunities in life but was never arrogant or haughty. He remained principled, steadfast and truthful in his dealings. Indeed he brought pride to Plateau State as a worthy son who accomplished a lot in his service to the nation. The State will miss him” the Governor said.
Chief of General Staff Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin said the nation and its Armed Forces are grateful for the service of Gen. Bali who gave his best to protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
Widow of Gen. Bali, Esther and her children paid tribute to the late General whom they described as a friend, mentor, father and husband who sacrificed so much for the family and the nation as a whole.
In a sermon, COCIN Vice President Rev. Dr. Obed Dashan said the life of the late General should motivate those still living to submit their lives to Jesus Christ in order to gain eternity just as late Bali did when he accepted salvation.
He also reminded the congregation to always prepare for death which is inevitable and can come at the time least expected.
December 28, 2020
Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre retires 162 personnel
The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) has disengaged 162 soldiers from the military.
This comes after three months training to prepare them for reintegration into civilian life
The retirees, including seven women, comprised 81 from the Army, 69 from the Navy and 12 from Air Force.
Two officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) also underwent the post-service training with the Trainees Course 02/2020 Stream II.
This brings to total, over 48,000 personnel equipped with vocational and entrepreneurship skills since the inception of NAFRC.
At the graduation, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin said the pre-retirement course was to avail retiring personnel the requisite rudiments for a successful reintegration into civil life, after a meritorious service to the country.
He said their successful completion of the intensive training was a testament of their determination, commitment and discipline, which were attributes acquired in the course of their active service to their fatherland.
Admonishing the retirees on the need to invest their retirement benefits wisely and avoid wasteful spending, the CDS also cautioned them to properly manage their freedom.
Olonisakin said to the retirees: “You will from now on take full charge as planners and executors of your personal daily activities. This may sound exciting and promising but beware; you need to properly manage your freedom in order to be successful.
“The society will expect a high moral standard and discipline from you. You will also be required to always prove your worth after passing through a highly disciplined system like the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“As our ambassadors, I believe you are all capable of excelling in your future endeavours and positively influence your environment for the economic, social and political benefits of our dear country.
“It is equally necessary for me to inform our discharging colleagues that Post-Service life has its peculiar challenges. Some of these challenges you may encounter would include but not limited to management of resources especially, retirement benefits, influences from friends and family members, management of both mental and physical health as well as integrating with the civil society.
“Therefore, I urge you to be proactive in your conduct in order to avoid or overcome these challenges. It is also risky for you to embark on a new life style that is above your means, or engage in non-lucrative ventures. Neither should you abstain from physical exercises.
“I am sure that your training here has exposed you to several vocational opportunities, entrepreneurship procedures and general management skills to alleviate the above mentioned pit falls in order to have a stress-free and meaningful life in retirement.
“In this light, I urge you to employ the various instructions and skills you have acquired while undergoing NAFRC training for peaceful and productive economic life as you reintegrate into the Nigerian civil society.”
December 28, 2020
Pastor allegedly berates his church members for gifting him N800,000
Twitter user @pipeloluwa_ took to his handle on Sunday, December 27 to share the story of how a pastor expressed sadness over the N800, 000 his church members gave to him as a gift.
The church members came together and contributed the money for him as he is about to leave their church as their resident pastor. According to the Twitter user, the pastor felt sad that the church members could only raise N800, 000 for him and not N1 million or more.
Read the story as shared on his Twitter handle below
”Something really Annoying happened in Church today and ngl I’m very furious. Some pastors have really nasty attitudes.
I attend a Redeem Church and today was the send forth program for the former Pastor and the Church was able to raise the sum of N800,000 to gift the Outgoing pastor. Y’all won’t believe that this man, came on the pulpit and said he’s highly disappointed in the Current Pastor and members of the church cause he expected more from them, this man was expecting the church to give him a million naira or more. Jsyk, the Church in question is just a small, developing church situated in a rural area of Lagos.
What annoys me the most is that this particular pastor who was saying all sorts, used up the entire funds in the church account before he handed over to the current pastor and he still had the effrontery to say such on the altar.
Tbvh, I’m very livid and furious because this is the same church that so many members of the congregation are struggling to make ends meet, but these members were kind enough to raise the sum of N800,000 and the best this man could do was to lambast the entire congregation?
Like fgs, if you were so disappointed why did you collect the money?”
See tweet;
December 28, 2020
BREAKING: NDA Commandant’s Kaduna residence on fire.
By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna

The official resident of the Commandant, Nigeria Defense Academy (NDA), strategically located at Ungwan Sariki area of Kaduna state is on fire.

The cause of the inferno has not been assertained at the time of filling this report, sources however stated that Gen Sarham’s resident at Unguwan Sarki went up in flames early morning of Monday.
Contacted, the Army public relations officer of NDA, Major Abdullahi, confirmed the story, adding that “It was a minor incident that affected part of staff accomodation which was contained. No injury or fatality recorded”.

A statement through Nigerian Union of journalists (NUJ) Kaduna state councill chat forum, however confirmed that the resident was was engulfed in flames Monday morning.
It stated, “The official residence of the Commandant of the Nigeria Defense Academy, NDA, Gen Sarham, at Unguwan Sarki, Kaduna is currently in flames”
December 28, 2020
COVID-19: Doctors demand clinical trial before giving vaccines to Nigerians
The Nigerian Medical Association on Monday said COVID-19 vaccines being imported into the country must undergo a quick clinical trial before it is administered to citizens.
According to the NMA President, Professor Innocent Ujah, reactions to vaccines differ among different races.
“If the vaccines come to Nigeria, we need to quickly do our own evaluation of that vaccine,” he said, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
“I cannot say with 100 percent certainty that in the process of developing this vaccine, in the clinical trials, whether any African countries were involved. I’m not too sure, but it’s possible.
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“Then because of the biology, because of the environment, because of our genetic composition, we need to do our own clinical trials very quickly before it can be used on Nigerians. While we do not question the efficacy and safety, the responses vary from place to place.
“Recall that when we were using chloroquine, the southern part was not responding to chloroquine, some parts of the north were. But in totality it was thought that chloroquine were no longer effective and we changed.”
The NMA is also seeking additional funding from the federal government as doctors continue to suffer from the deadly pandemic.
At least 20 doctors died in the past week after contracting COVID-19, according to the chairman of the NMA in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Enema Amodu.
The doctors died in the course of treating infected patients who failed to disclose their true health status, Amodu said.
“We don’t want anybody to die in the service of their country,” Ujah said. “That’s why we talk about infection prevention and control. And we believe that working with the federal government, the PTF, and the Ministry of Health, we need to continually train our health workers – doctors, nurses – and anyone who has anything to do with patients on infection prevention and control.
December 28, 2020
Rights Group Donate Food Items, Offers Medical Outreach to Orphanage Homes in Honor Of Nigerian Army
…Urges support for military
A human rights group, Save Nigeria Movement on Sunday donated 100 bags of rice and 50 packs of medical supplies as well as slippers to three orphanage homes across the senatorial districts of Benue State.
The gesture according to the group is a mark of honor to the Nigerian military particularly the Nigeria Army for it’s sacrifices in the country which has brought seeming stability in the north central.
Speaking during the presentation of the items, the executive director of the group Rev Solomon Semaka revealed appealed to stakeholders to see the struggle for peace as a collective obligation noting that society can only thrive when there is peace.
“Security of lives and property remains a collective objective, we can not leave everything to the security agencies alone, they need our moral support to compliment their efforts for everyone of us to experience peace”.
The group further explained that the gesture was it’s modest effort to encourage the Nigeria Army under the leadership of Gen Turkur Buratai to continue to play their constitutional roles in high spirits.
The group emphasized the role of stakeholders to keep the morale of the military high at all times, noting that distractions were not going to facilitate the desired peace that the nation seeks at the moment.
“Our troops are also Nigerians, their distinction is just the oath they took to defend our country, which is why they deserve every moral support”.
Responding on behalf of the orphanage homes, Dr Tessy Oduma thanked the group for the donations and appreciated the Nigeria Army for the sacrifices they are putting forward to secure the country.
“We will rally our orphaned children to continue to cry and pray to God for the military leadership to succeed and God will hear us I believe.
“The military watches us after God so they need our prayers to deliver at all times, I urge every Nigerian to take up the challenge. Every Nigerian is a soldier and that should be the guiding spirit”, Oduma added.
December 28, 2020
We Recognised Tijjani Jobe As Our Best Hope-Nasiru Mukaddas
By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.
A front line supporter of the member representing Dawakin Tofa, Tofa and Rimin Gado federal constituency at the National assembly, Engineer Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe, Alhaji Nasiru Mukaddas Tofa said that the lawmaker remained their hope in bringing dividends of democracy to his constituents.
He stated this in an interaction with our correspondent at Tofa where he disclosed the lawmaker is the best elected representative who really cares about his constituents, and assured that Engineer Tijjani Jobe would continue to executes more projects that are also important to the people of all categories.
“We are certain that our representative has shown that he is ready to bring more developments to his people without bias, therefore he is our hope and we are ready to reelects him in 2023 because we have no other choice than Engineer Tijjani Jobe who is tested and trusted since 2007”. He lamented.
Alhaji Nasiru Mukaddas Tofa thanked the people of Dawakin Tofa, Rimin Gado and Tofa local government areas for supporting Engineer Jobe since his first election into the Nigerian parliament, where he emphasized that more projects would be executed in order to ensure that every section benefits from a dividend of democracy.
In conclusion, Nasiru Mukaddas said that ” we have commenced showcasing the lawmaker’s achievements in order to enlighten the people about his efforts towards the provision of social amenities to his people despite the present economic challenges, and thanked the people of the federal constituency for the love they always shows to Engineer Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe “.
December 28, 2020
COVID-19: LASG shuts down Landmark Event Centre and 11 others
The Lagos State government has shutdown Landmark Event Centre and 11 other facilities for violating COVID-19 protocols.
The facilities were shut down during an enforcement operation led by the Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola. The team was out in the state on routine enforcement and monitoring activities to enforce compliance with the government’s directive on COVID-19 pandemic, especially as it concerns social and recreational centers.
Some other facilities sealed are DNA Night Club, Buzz Bar, Silverfox, Cocoon, Westend Nightclub, Rumours, Lekki Waterside, Landmark Event Centre and The Wave Beach club.
According to Mojola, event centers that broke the government’s seal and continued partying would be charged to court once documentation had been properly processed. He said the government was committed to curbing the spread of the virus and would leave nothing to chance to achieve this mandate.
Nigeria is currently experiencing the second wave of COVID19.
December 27, 2020
I’m happy my prediction about Africa has not happened – Bill gates
Bill Gates has said that he is happy over low cases of COVID-19 Africa after his prediction.
Recall that Gates and his wife, Melinda, had in more than one occasion, warned that there will be dead bodies all over the streets of Africa if the world does not act fast enough.
Melinda said her heart was in Africa, adding that she is worried that the continent might not be able to handle the devastating effect of the virus.
But in his end of the year note, Bill said he was happy his prediction about Africa has not happened, “One thing I’m happy to have been wrong about—at least, I hope I was wrong—is my fear that Covid-19 would run rampant in low-income countries. So far, this hasn’t been true,” he wrote.
In most of sub-Saharan Africa, for example, case rates and death rates remain much lower than in the U.S. or Europe and on par with New Zealand, which has received so much attention for its handling of the virus.
“The hardest-hit country on the continent is South Africa—but even there, the case rate is 40 percent lower than in the US, and the death rate is nearly 50 percent lower.
“We don’t have enough data yet to understand why the numbers aren’t as high as I worried they would get — but gave probable reasons Africa was not as affected as expected.”
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Meanwhile, Nigeria is currently fighting the second wave of the coronavirus.
The Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 had last week announced a second wave of the dreaded virus.
The Federal Government on Tuesday directed civil servants from grade level 12 and below to stay at home.
They are to remain at home for five weeks following the second wave of the Covid-19 disease in Nigeria.
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, on Friday stated that Covid-19 related deaths now stand at 1,246.
Nigeria currently has a total of 82,747 confirmed cases in the country.
December 27, 2020