covid19

More players arrive as Eagles begin training in Abuja

More players arrive as Eagles begin training in Abuja
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In preparation of the Cameroun 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, the Super had its first training yesterday, with more players joining the camp of late.

Out of the 28 players invited by coach Austin Eguavoen, eleven were around yesterday for the training which took place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

However, it was learnt that other players have arrived the team’s camp.

The Cameroun 2022 AFCON will start on Sunday with the host nation, Indomitable Lions of Cameroun taking on Burkina Faso, while reigning champions, Algeria, will defend their trophy against Sierra Leone.

The Super Eagles and Pharaohs of Egypt will start off their campaign in Garoau on Tuesday, January 11.

An official of the team disclosed yesterday that more players came into the camp yesterday, but could not take part in the training.

The players in camp are Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France), Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus), Henry Onyekuru (Olympiacos, Greece), Peter Olayinka (Slavia Praha, Czech Republic), and Chidozie Awaziem (Alayanspor, Turkey).

Others are Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain), Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), John Noble (Enyimba FC), and Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany).

Super Eagles media Officer, Babafemi Raji, assured that COVID-19 protocols was fully observed in yesterday’s training.

The last time Super Eagles held its training at the Abuja stadium was in preparation for 2015 AFCON qualifier against Egypt.

The Cameroun 2022 AFCON will run from January 9 to February 6, 2022.

Super Eagles invite four new players for AFCON

Osimhen could return against Bologna

Osimhen could return against Bologna
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Super Eagles and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, could be brought back to the field on January 16 when Napoli face Bologna in the Serie A.

The former Lille forward was ruled out of the upcoming African Cup Nations after he was confirmed to be having the coronavirus last week. This was disclosed by Napoli.

Before testing positive for covid-19, the 23-year old had had a nasty face injury which he sustained in Napoli’s Serie A clash against Inter Milan on November 21 2021, and was still recovering.

He was ruled out, at first, for two to three months. Also, the Partenopei were against Osimhen’s invitation to the Nations Cup, stating his injury as a reason to hold him.

However, Napoli magazine, as per La Gazzetta Dello Sport, reports that it is probable that Osimhen would return in January, although his minutes will be limited.

He will also have to wear a face mask to make sure his injury does not get even worse.

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

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

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

Victor Osimhen Tests Positive For Corona Virus For a Second Time

Victor Osimhen Tests Positive For Corona Virus For a Second Time
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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

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

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

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

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

MTN to implement mandatory vaccination for its staff

Top presidential aides test positive to COVID-19

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

Prepare for likely spread of Omicron—– WHO to countries

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World Health Organisation (WHO) has on Friday advised countries to not panic but prepare for the likely spread of COVID-19 Omicron variant. This is as scientists continue to study the variant.

Speaking in Geneva, WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier emphasised that data suggesting that Omicron was highly transmissible was only preliminary.

The UN health agency also revealed that finding out more about how transmissible and dangerously the variant is would take more two weeks.

He also repeated WHO advice against blanket travel bans, with the exception of countries with health systems unable to withstand a surge in infections.

“It is much more preferred to prepare your country, your health system to possibly incoming cases because we can be pretty sure that this Omicron variant will spread around,” he said.

Lindmeier also said the Delta mutation, which has become a concern this summer, is now predominant, with over 90 percent all around the world.

“This is how this virus behaves and we will not most likely be able to keep it out of individual countries,” he said.

He also warned against unthinking reactions to reports that the variant had continued to spread.

“Let’s not get deterred right now, let us first get as much information as possible to make the correct risk assessment based on the information that we will have and then let’s move on.

“Let’s not get completely worried or confused by individual information which are all individually important, but which need to be brought together in order to assess together,” he said.

This comes as the health organization revealed that it was sending a technical surge team to South Africa’s Gauteng province to monitor Omicron and help with contact tracing, amid a spike in coronavirus reinfections.

For the seven days leading to Nov. 30, it was reported that South Africa had a 311 per cent increase in new cases when compared with the previous seven days, WHO said on Thursday.

Cases in Gauteng province, where Johannesburg is located, have also increased by 375 per cent week on week.

Hospital admissions there had risen 4.2 per cent in the past seven days from the previous week and COVID-19-related deaths in the province had risen 28.6 per cent from the previous seven days.


According to Dr Salam Gueye, WHO Regional Emergency Director for Africa, just 102 million Africans in Africa – 7.5 per cent of the continental population— are now fully vaccinated.

He lamented that more than 80 per cent of the population had not received even a single dose. This he described as a dangerously wide gap.

“The detection and timely reporting of the new variant by Botswana and South Africa has bought the world time,” said Dr Matshidiso, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

“We have a window of opportunity but must act quickly and ramp up detection and prevention measures.

“Countries must adjust their COVID-19 response and stop a surge in cases from sweeping across Africa and possibly overwhelming already-stretched health facilities,” Moeti said. (NAN)

Sunday Igboho seriously ill, kidney possibly affected —- Lawyer