Lagos nurses to commence 3-day warning strike from Monday

January 8, 2022 | anaben

Nurses, on the platform of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, Lagos State chapter, have declared a three-day warning strike which would commence from Monday, January 10, to press home demands for better working conditions from the Lagos State government.

Making the declaration at an emergency Congress in Lagos on Friday, Chairman of the State chapter, Julius Awojide, lamented at what he described as “government’s insensitivity to the plight of nurses in the State”.

Awojide said the strike was to let the government know that nurses would no longer be overworked, undervalued and underpaid without consequence.

The NANNM chairman said the State Executive Council meeting held on December 29, 2021, took recognizance of numerous challenges of nurses and all the unresolved issues before the government.

He said the issues continue to cause suffering of their members, and inevitably the public.

“The Council decided to embark on the warning strike after careful consideration to call attention of government to the severity of the situation and to get them to address the issues promptly.

“We engaged government on several occasions on the issues without the desired pace of outcome.

“In our estimation, the Lagos government is yet to fully come to terms with how incredibly challenging the situation in the health sector has been for our members, especially in the last two years,” he noted.

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How Olubadan died – UCH

January 3, 2022 | anaben

The University College Hospital, Ibadan has given details of how the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, died at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital at 01.15 am on Sunday.

In a statement by its Deputy Director of nformation and Public Relations Officer, Toye Akinrinola, it was revealed that the monarch was referred to UCH from a private hospital in Ibadan about 9.30 pm on Saturday.

It further stated that the Chief Medical Director CMD, Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo, immediately instructed a high-powered medical team to attend to the late monarch.

The CMD also wrote the Governor of the state, Seyi Makinde, informing him of Olubadan’s death.

The statement read in part, “The Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Oguguniso 1, on January 2, 2022, passed on at the Intensive Care Unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan at 1.15 am.

“The late Monarch was referred to the UCH from a private hospital in Ibadan at about 9.30 pm yesterday.

“He was immediately admitted at the ICU where the Chief Medical Director CMD, Professor Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo directed that a high-powered medical team be constituted to provide the best medical treatment to him.

“By 1.15 am today, His Imperial Majesty breathed his last breath.

“The CMD was at the ICU in the early hours of today to pay the late Olubadan his last respect.

“Afterward, the CMD wrote a letter of notification of the demise of the revered Monarch to His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State which was received by the Permanent Secretary of the Oyo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dr. Bashiru Olanrewaju on behalf of the Oyo State Government. A similar letter was written to the Family of the departed Olubadan.

“The CMD further ensured that the remains of the late Monarch were taken care of in a manner befitting to the late Olubadan.

“Professor Otegbayo also escorted the corpse of Oba Adetunji from the ICU to a waiting ambulance and handed the corpse to the family and other dignitaries on the ground.”

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, has condoled with the immediate family, people of Ibadanland, Oyo State, and Nigeria on the death of Oba Adetunji.

He described Oba Adetunji as a pillar of support to the University, who never hesitated to offer wise counsel and words of support for the progress of the institution.

He said, “My last engagement with Oba Adetunji was on 16 November, 2021, when he received our Chancellor and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, on a courtesy call, in his Popoyemoja Palace.

“Kabiyesi demonstrated that he was UI’s father and Chief Landlord. UI was, indeed, honoured and celebrated on that memorable visit.”

“I must say, Kabiyesi Adetunji lived humbly; served humbly; came loving; lived loving; and served loving.

“Oba Adetunji knew how to serve God; how to serve humanity; how to lead humanity: how to serve others; how to lead others; how to assist others; how to develop others and how to mentor others. He had the true formula of how to lead the community and society. He was a leader of leaders.

“Our consolation lies in the great deeds of the late Olubadan which are engraved unforgettably in the hearts of women and men. Such deeds, which knew no ethnic or religious boundaries, bear clear testimony to the late Olubadan’s triumph over death.

“On behalf of the governing council, management, staff, and students of the University of Ibadan, we sincerely commiserate with the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the immediate family of the late Olubadan, Olubadan-in-Council, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), and all Ibadan indigenes and residents.”

Makinde mourns Olubadan of Ibadanland

AFCON 2021: Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis out of Super Eagles squad

December 31, 2021 | anaben

Four players, including Victor Osimhen and Emmanuel Dennis will not be at the Africa Cup of Nations next year despite their inclusion in the intial final list submitted by Super Eagles coach, Austin Eguavoen. The others include defenders, Shehu Abdullahi and Leon Balogun.

Recall that Osimhen had reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus. He had asked to be excused. Emmanuel Denis, on the other hand, did not have his invitation sent on time.

Victor Osimhen Tests Positive For Corona Virus For a Second Time

December 30, 2021 | anaben

Nigerian international Victor Osimhen has, for the second time, tested positive for COVID-19.

His Italian club Napoli made this known on Thursday, as preparations towards next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon are ongoing.

“Napoli has announced that Victor Osimhen has tested positive for COVID-19 but is asymptomatic. Dr Tartaro was due to perform a check-up on the player tomorrow.

“Consequently, the local authorities have ordered that Osimhen self-isolate and the check-up will be rescheduled after he has tested negative and his period of isolation ends,” a Tweet by the club read.

Nigeria had picked Osimhen, who had had a serious injury and is still recovering, as part of its 28-man squad for AFCON.

The 22-year-old had said in a statement on social media that he will be available for Afcon, despite being initially ruled out for three months.

Osimhen had on January 1, 2021 also tested positive for the virus.

I’m not infected with COVID-19 — Lai Mohammed clarifies

December 27, 2021 | anaben

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has denied speculations that he had tested positive to COVID-19 and was being treated of the virus.

He observed the online publication, which had been “latched on to by some mainstream media, once again highlights the uphill task the government faces in our campaign to stamp out fake news and misinformation.”

A statement issued yesterday in Abuja by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Adeyemi, stated: “The attention of the office of the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has been drawn to a report making the rounds that he has contracted the COVID-19 virus and that he is now in isolation, where he is receiving treatment. For the record, the minister does not have COVID-19, hence he is neither in isolation nor receiving treatment anywhere. A journalism mantra says ‘when in doubt, leave it out.’ Also embedded in the code of ethics for journalists are the basic principles of truthfulness and accuracy, among others. The report in question did not meet those standards.”

He noted that his principal was at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday and the extraordinary version the day, and also witnessed the swearing-in of the Minister of State for Works and Housing on Friday.

“All these events took place at the Villa, where the correspondents of many media organisations are deployed. In fact, the minister coordinated the post-FEC press briefing on Wednesday and Thursday. Could he have done this from the imaginary isolation centre where he was consigned by a mischievous reporter”?

The media aide continued: “As a member of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, the minister has the added responsibility of leading by example, hence would not have hesitated to publicly announce his COVID-19 status if indeed he has contracted the virus.

After all, he is not only fully vaccinated, he has also taken the booster shot, a situation that offers him different layers of protection even if he contracts the virus. For those who contract the virus, they deserve our empathy and prayers, not stigmatisation.

“In the best tradition of journalism, we expect the online newspaper behind this fake news not only to retract the publication but also to apologise to the minister for causing him such embarrassment, especially in a season of joy.”

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Presidential aides testing positive to COVID-19 shows they’re human – Adesina

December 27, 2021 | anaben

SPECIAL Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, Sunday said that the fact that presidential aides were testing positive to COVID-19 and are currently on self-isolation, proved that they are humans and not immune to happenings around them.

Chief Adesina stated this when he made an appearance on Sunday Politics on Channels Television.

The names of those affected are the permanent secretary in the State House, Tijani Umar; the President’s Aide-de-camp (ADC), Yusuf Dodo; his chief security officer (CSO), Aliyu Musa, and his senior special assistant media and publicity, Garba Shehu. They were confirmed positive during the week.

The report quoted Shehu as saying: “I have no confirmation of the cases you mentioned, but yes I have been afflicted by the mild variant of the COVID-19. I felt okay from the beginning, maybe because one had received all three jabs, and right now, I feel 100 per cent. I just finished my hour-long running exercise.

“But the strange thing about this ailment is that it is the scientists, not you, that will say you are okay. Right now, I’m taking my prescriptions and isolating, and would go back for a test to ascertain if the virus is still here or it has left me. Thanks for your goodwill.”

Asked to comment on the development Adesina said:
“Well, what I like to say is that presidential aides are just human. They can fall sick. If anything happens to human beings it can also happen to presidential aides. The fact that we are presidential aides does not make us to be immune to certain things.

‘If there is a virus that is ravaging society. Well, it can touch anybody. So Mallam Garba Shehu has confirmed that, yes, he tested positive but he said it’s mild. And I believe that by now, because it’s happened since Wednesday, by now, he should almost have beaten it if he had not beaten it already. There is no cause for alarm.”

When asked how he was holding up since he had contact with Shehu, the Presidential Spokesman said: “Well, I also believe God for the best. If it happens, I’ll recover. So that’s it.”

Asked how many Of the President’s aides in the State House have been infected, Adesina said: “No. That will not be within my purview to discuss maybe if you get the Presidential doctor or anybody in the medical side, they will tell you, I wouldn’t know because, it is a private thing. If it happens to anybody it is between that person and possibly the doctor. It’s not going to be general knowledge. So I may not be able to say.”

Asked if the President was isolating seeing that, he had been exposed to those infected, Adesina said: “Well, I think Mr. President is quite fine, he is doing his normal routine, following his normal schedule. But if anybody close to him test positive, that person is required to stay away till he tests again, and he test negative. So, Mr. President, is following his normal schedule and routine.”

Top presidential aides test positive to COVID-19

12 fake medical laboratories shut down in A’Ibom– Official

December 27, 2021 | anaben

About 12 medical laboratories have been shut down in Akwa Ibom, for allegedly practising unwholesome medical that could hinder excellent health care delivery services.

This was disclosed by Prof. Augustine Umoh, the Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Health, in Uyo after the Inspection Team sealed some laboratories on Sunday.

There has been a directive from the State Executive Council over sub standard services of medical Laboratories operators in the state, and this is the implementation of it

Some of the offences the sealed laboratories were found guilty of were lack of Certificate of registration with the State Ministry of Health, Non evidence of registration with Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria, lack of qualified Laboratory Scientists and other supporting staff in the Laboratories.Others include lack of Test Result Book in the Laboratories, no Laboratory Register, lack of personal operating license of Laboratory Technicians as well as unethical practices dangerous to medical diagnosis of diseases.

“I have received a number of complains with regards to medical laboratory facilities and practice and this is an attempt to correct some of this abnormalities.

“As a matter of fact, the state Executive Council has also received many of these reports and also directed that this exercise be carried out.

“So our intention is to use this exercise to give further directive to the practice of laboratory services for effective service delivery in the state,” Umoh said.

Umoh explained that monitoring of Medical Laboratories would extend to other parts of the state such as Ikot Ekpene, Abak, Eket and Oron Local Government Areas axis of the state to check quack Laboratories in the state.

“We are going out on monitoring to make sure that Laboratory facility services in the state are in conformity with what is expected to the extent that the practices are at least of the best practices.

“We have started with medical Laboratories in Uyo metropolis but we would certainly extend it to all nooks and crannies of the state,” the Health Commissioner said.

The Head of the Monitoring/Inspection Team, Dr. Augustine Udoh, said lack of precision in medical laboratory test administered to patients led to poor medical diagnosis .Udoh said such medical diagnosis emanating from defective Laboratory facilities could mislead Medical Doctors in prescribing the right drugs for treatment of various ailments.

He condemned one of the laboratories for using a student on Industrial Training to work and issue test results in place of a Certified Laboratory Scientist while others impersonate popular names of Laboratory Scientist in the state to defraud members of public.

“The clampdown on fake laboratories in the state would continue in the new year till we reposition their services, achieve health for all in completion agenda of Gov. Udom Emmanuel,” he said.

He went on to say that the sealed laboratories would only be reopened after their proprietors fulfill all conditions by the state Ministry of Health, including engagement of competent technical personnel in their Laboratory facilities. (NAN)

COVID-19: Clubs banned, indoor events restricted to 50 in FCT

December 25, 2021 | anaben

The increasing cases of Covid19 has sent a wave of panic to the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA, leading to implementation of strict regulations as residents celebrate the Yuletide.

Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretariat in the FCT, Dr Abubakar Tafida in a statement Saturday in Abuja said the Administration was dismayed at the attitude of residents towards implementing simple measures that offer protection against being infected by the COVID-19.

“The FCTA’s deployment of more resources – health workers, funds and materials to control the disease, can only be successful if the residents of the FCT play their part, especially during this festive period that has increased social interactions and travel.

Therefore all residents of the FCT are being called upon to take action to protect themselves and their loved ones against this pandemic. As such it is critical that scientifically proven actions that prevent the COVID-19 disease must become our habit.

“Consequently during the Christmas and New year celebration period, the residents of the FCT are urged to practice the following measures as advised by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, which will be enforced by FCTA;

“Any gathering in excess of 50 people must be done in open spaces. Street parties are discouraged. All night clubs and related activities are banned during this period.

“Indoor religious congregation should be limited to 50% capacity with full compliance to public health social measures such as physical distancing (2 metres apart) and use of face masks, etc.

“The use of facemask and hand sanitizer for both the vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals at all times while in public spaces should be strictly adhered to.

“The current status of the COVID-19 in the FCT is worrisome. The cases so far in December as at 24th are 2,591 which is 1,028% increase of the 252 cases confirmed in November 2021. In addition, hospital admissions for COVID-19 have increased by over 634%, from 35 in November to 222 so far in December.

Also, the number of active cases being treated in the treatment centres and at private homes rose from 130 at the end of November to today’s figure of -2,352(1,809%) increase. About 25% of all cases over the months were between 30 to 39 year olds. Unfortunately, all COVID-19 deaths in December 2021 have occurred in unvaccinated persons.

“The FCTA has continued to put in place measures to control the increase in cases and prevent deaths, in conjunction with the Federal authorities and developmental partners. Scientific data has shown that a very important tool to control this pandemic is herd immunity, which is only possible when at least 70-80% of the FCT populace is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Thus the ongoing vaccination programme that aims to vaccinate at least 1.5 million residents of the FCT by January 31, 2022, using 283 vaccination teams located in public and private Hospitals, markets, religious places, shopping malls and other locations with high human volume.

“FCTA urges residents to avoid crowded places, wear face mask, wash hands frequently, get vaccinated, go for laboratory and get tested if exposed or have symptoms and comply with all relevant advisory. Finally, being a caring government, FCTA has put in place the machinery to enforce all non-pharmacological COVID-19 prevention measures”, the administration added.

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Top presidential aides test positive to COVID-19

December 25, 2021 | anaben

There’s panic in Aso rock as some presidential aides have reportedly tested positive to coronavirus and are currently being self-isolated.

Reports have it that those affected include the permanent secretary in the State House, Tijani Umar; the President’s Aide-de-camp (ADC), Yusuf Dodo; his chief security officer (CSO), Aliyu Musa, and his senior special assistant (media and publicity), Garba Shehu.

They were confirmed positive during the week.
Also, Minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, is reportedly also down with the virus.

However, they’re not seriously affected by the virus as they are fully vaccinated.
.

The report quoted the presidential spokesman, Shehu as saying: “I have no confirmation of the cases you mentioned, but yes I have been afflicted by the mild variant of the COVID-19. I felt okay from the beginning, maybe because one had received all three jabs, and right now, I feel 100 per cent. I just finished my hour-long running exercise.

“But the strange thing about this ailment is that it is the scientists, not you, that will say you are okay. Right now, I’m taking my prescriptions and isolating and would go back for a test to ascertain if the virus is still here or it has left me. Thanks for your goodwill.”

Testing had recently been ramped up in the presidential villa in the emergence of the Omicron variant to ensure that the virus is contained.

Few days ago, the First Lady, Dr Aisha Muhammadu Buhari had a few days ago after returning from Istanbul, Turkey, ordered that her office be closed of and her staff proceed on indefinite leave.

It is believed that the order is meant to check the possible spread of coronavirus around the first family.

She had given a similar directive in the past when Covid-19 started to gain ground in the country.

When Shehu was reached over the report Saturday, he said: “Have you read the Premium Times report? What I said in it is the truth to the best of my knowledge. What is true is that I know about myself that I’m self-isolating and taking my medication, but I know of no other case.”

Only those vaccinated against COVID-19 will serve from next year – NYSC