In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AfriCom) conducted two airstrikes in Somalia on Jan. 1, 2021.
According to a statement by AfriCom, both strikes targeted al-Shabaab compounds in the vicinity of Qunyo Barrow, Somalia. Current assessments indicate the strikes killed three and wounded one al-Shabaab members and destroyed six and damaged one al-Shabaab compound buildings.
The command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this operation. We take significant measures to comply with the principles of the Law of Armed Conflict during the course of our operations while we continue to disrupt and apply pressure to the al-Shabaab terrorist network.
“This action clearly demonstrates our continuing commitment to Somalia and our regional partners,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joel Tyler, director of operations for U.S. Africa Command. “We retain the means and the will to strike the al-Shabaab terrorist network when necessary to protect the region and ultimately, our own nation.”
U.S. Africa Command and its international partners recognize the importance of stability in Somalia. Violent extremist organizations like al-Shabaab present long-term threats to U.S. and regional security interests.
“Al-Shabaab remains a threat to Somalia’s future and U.S. interests, and we will continue to disrupt their efforts to terrorize innocents,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Joint Task Force-Quartz commander. “Our strikes help keep these terrorists off balance to help our partners then address deeper problems such as governance and development.”
U.S. Africa Command remains committed to working with East African countries to help provide political, economic, and physical stability in the region and to work with international and African partners to achieve long-term security goals in Somalia for the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States.
See video of the mission strike posted at: https://go.usa.gov/xA9ZV
Nigeria Defence Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has taken out more Boko Haram Terrorists’ (BHTs’) hideouts and eliminated several of their fighters at 2 locations – Kote Kura and Bulama Isamari – both in Borno State.
In a statement on Sunday, Coordinator of Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, the air strikes were executed Saturday, January 2 2021.
The Air Task Force was said to have employed appropriate force packages of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships based on credible intelligence reports indicating that the BHTs had recently established camps at the 2 settlements, where they store their logistics items as well as plan and launch attacks.
“Overhead Kote Kura, a settlement in Bama area, the NAF attack aircraft engaged scores of terrorists observed in the target area, leading to the neutralization of several of them as well as the destruction of structures and logistics stores, some of which were seen engulfed in flames”, Maj. Gen. Enenche said.
In another operation, at Bulama Isamari, within the Timbuktu Traingle, the NAF aircraft took turns in engaging the target, scoring accurate hits which equally resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, flanked by the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu (left)
At a Southeast stakeholders meeting of ruling All Progressives Congress Party (APC) in Owerri on Wednesday, party leaders in the zone resolved to do all in their powers to win the forthcoming Anambra State governorship poll and harped on the need for conscientious membership registration and reconciliation of party structures from ward to state levels.
Prominent APC leaders who attended the regional meeting include Governor Hope Uzodinma, members of House of Representatives, Nkiruka Onyejeocha and Chinedu Ogah; Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnia Onu; Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba; member of the APC Interim Committee, Senator Ken Nnamani; Managing Director of Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Muoghalu; former Imo deputy governor, Eze Madumere, Senators Osita Izunaso, Nkechi Nwaogu and Andy Ubah; Tony Nwoye Chinwe Obaji, among others, were present.
The new member of the APC Southeast caucus, Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, was represented by Senator Anthony Agbo while longtime members members like immediate past Imo State governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, were conspicuously absent from the grand meeting.
The host of the meeting, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma said APC in Southeast had all it would take to dominate the zone, stressing the need for unity, brotherly love and genuine reconciliation.
He noted that the Anambra governorship poll was the ground to demonstrate the resolve of the party to capture the zone. He therefore appealed to members to shelve petty animosities and antagonism to work towards winning the election for the party.
“I believe that winning Anambra governorship will make the party stronger in the zone. And we can only succeed in doing this through genuine reconciliation and unity among members of the party,” the governor stated.
The governor regretted recriminations among party members in the zone, stressing that such grievances constitute the major problems confronting APC, just as he noted that the process of reconciliation should begin immediately to strengthen and fortify the party for future elections in the country.
According to Uzodinma: “The problem confronting APC in southeast is grievances, and we must begin today to address it, this will help our party, we need to reconcile all aggrieved members, our party would be stronger and we also urge all of you to help secure victory in Anambra.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Science and Technology, Onu, affirmed that Southeast people are yearning for APC, assuring that it was for “this reason that APC would win the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election.
According to Onu, “People of the southeast want APC, this is why we must be united and be at peace with each other, we must be united to achieve our aims, we will make sure southeast controls Anambra.”
Former President of Senate, Nnamani, informed the stakeholders that registration will commence from the unit levels, where members will cast their votes, stressing that the process will enable the party to actually know its strength at every unit.
Nnamani therefore pleaded with members to take the registration seriously just as he urged party faithful to immediately take part in the process.
Speaking through his representative, Senator Agbo, Umahi said he was happy to be in “the midst of progressive members of the party in the zone.” He disabused the minds of members, especially those who said he was not in good terms with his Imo state counterpart, assuring that he would work with Uzodimma to make sure other governors join APC from the zone.
President Buhari receives Virtual Presentation from Members of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) in State House on 29th Dec 2020
Following spike in food prices that has caused many Nigerians to groan in the outgoing year, the Nigerian Government has vowed to keep a keen eye on food inflation in the New Year while giving a strong directive to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, not to give any money for food importation.
Speaking at the fifth regular meeting with the Presidential Economic Advisory Council held on Tuesday at the State House in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari directed that the CBN “must not give money to import food. Already about seven states are producing all the rice we need. We must eat what we produce.”
In taking note of the strides made in agricultural production following the program of diversification from over reliance on oil instituted by his administration, President Buhari wondered where the country would have found itself by now in view of the devastating economic crisis brought about by COVID-19 if the country had not embraced agriculture.
President Buhari receives Virtual Presentation from Members of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) in State House on 29th Dec 2020
“Going back to the land is the way out. We depend on petrol at the expense of agriculture. Now the oil industry is in turmoil. We are being squeezed to produce at 1.5 million barrels a day as against a capacity to produce 2.3 million. At the same time, the technical cost of our production per barrel is high, compared to the Middle East production,” he said.
The President emphasized the place of agriculture in the efforts to restore the economy but agreed that measures must be put in place to curtail inflation in the country:
“We will continue to encourage our people to go back to the land. Our elite is indoctrinated in the idea that we are rich in oil, leaving the land for the city for oil riches. We are back to the land now. We must not lose the opportunity to make life easier for our people. Imagine what would have happened if we didn’t encourage agriculture and closed the borders. We would have been in trouble.”
The meeting, which was for a review of, and reflections on the global and domestic economy in the outgoing year, was attended by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, as well as Ministers of Finance and Humanitarian Affairs and agreed on a number of measures.
In specific terms, it noted the sharp deterioration in international economic environment and its impact on Nigeria’s continuing but fragile economic recovery; that Nigeria’s economic growth continues to be constrained by obvious challenges including infrastructural deficiencies and limited resources for government financing. It emphasized the need to make the private sector of the economy the primary source of investment, rather than government.
The meeting reviewed progress towards structural reforms in response to the economic crises, including the institution of the Economic Sustainability Plan, the changes in electricity tariff and fuel pricing regime, the partial re-opening of the Land Borders, the movement towards unification of exchange rates and budgetary reforms through Finance Bill 2020 and 2021.
It agreed that, to prepare the country for the challenges ahead, it is imperative to ensure Macro-economic stability, create certainty and re-build investor confidence in the economy. It emphasized the need to deepen structural reforms initiated by the administration as a basis for stimulating investments from domestic and international sources with a view to raising productivity in key sectors of the economy.
The completion of the Opobo axis of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity road has been declared top priority by the Rivers State Government in order to attract development to Opobo kingdom.
The declaration was made by Governor of the State, Nyesom Wike at a ceremony to mark the 150 years anniversary of the establishment of Opobo Kingdom in Opobo Town on Monday.
The governor, who expressed delight that Opobo people and friends could drive by the road to participate in the 150 years anniversary of the kingdom, assured that the road will be completed and commissioned in January 2021.
“As you’re coming from the Ogoni area, you’ll see that we have finished the first phase of Sakpenwa -Bori road; full dualisation. Now, we believe that the second phase will take it to Kono with street lights installed.
“That will ease movement and reduce the level of crime in that place. We are happy that you can drive from Bori and within five minutes, you’re heading to Opobo.
“When that road is completed, it will bring development. I’m glad that I made a promise to the people of Opobo. We believe that by ending of January 2021, that we will come back to commission the road.
The governor also noted the efforts of federal lawmaker who represents Andoni-Opobo -Nkoro federal constituency, Awaji-Inombek Abiante in connecting Opobo kingdom to the national grid in a bid to solve the age long problem of lack of electricity in the area.
Governor Wike said his administration will continue to support developmental plans of the kingdom that will make life easy for them.
“I’m happy with the move to connect you to the national grid. That project, is a constituency project of one of your own who represents Andoni/ Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency, that is Awaji-Inombek Abiante.
“It is important for us to elect those who have commitment, who believe in the development of the people and that young man has shown that connecting Opobo to National Grid is very important”.
The governor also donated 50miliion Naira to support the building of a befitting palace for king Jaja of Opobo.
Amayanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja said the sitting of Opobo on the banks of the Imo River was well calculated plan in 1870, because the kingdom strategically became an important commercial settlement to compete with Lagos in volume of Nigerian International Trade.
King Jaja, Chairman of Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council.
King Jaja, who is also the Chairman of Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, said in the wake of World War 11, the British closed the Opobo sea port, which destroyed the commercial strength of Opobo kingdom. According to him, the Nigeria Government has since failed to acknowledge the subsisting commercial potentials of Opobo.
“The road, today, we are glad to acknowledge, opens up a new page in the development process of Opobo, a page that will see our youths, instead of migrating to Port Harcourt and other cities, will be attracted to remain here because they can be gainfully employed as well as enjoy the befits of modern living”.
Rivers State Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja said Opobo people had lived together in peace without violent attacks on each other during and after the 20 years of legal war in the kingdom.
Dr. Gogo-Jaja said the people of Opobo particularly thanked Governor Wike for demonstrating love towards them by his commitment to complete the Opobo axis of the Ogoni Unity Road to enable them drive him by road.
L-R: Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and Chairman, Lagos Inter-Agency Monitoring and Enforcement Coordination Committee, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, during an inspection at the Tin Can Transit Park, Apapa, on Monday, December 28, 2020.
•Operators In War Of Words Over Port Congestion
•Governor To Meet Amaechi, IGP Over Officials’ Misconduct At Seaports
An unplanned fact-finding visit to Apapa, on Monday, by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ascertain the causes of incessant gridlock on roads leading to the seaports has revealed several factors, which are responsible for the congestion.
It was the fourth time Governor Sanwo-Olu and members of the State cabinet would be visiting Apapa over traffic congestion, which has impacted negatively on businesses and lives in the environ.
As the Governor physically assessed the complexity of the situation that allowed heavy-duty trucks to clog up the access roads, a blame game ensued between stakeholders operating within and around the Apapa seaports.
While the Committee of Freight Forwarders and Maritime Truckers (COFFAMAT) blamed the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) officials, Presidential Taskforce on Port Decongestion and the police for the corruption that allowed truck drivers to park indiscriminately on the road, the Council of Maritime Transport Union and Association (COMTUA) absolved the police and the Taskforce, accusing COFFAMAT, truck drivers and other stakeholders of not playing by the rules.
L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, during an inspection at the Tin Can Transit Park, Apapa, on Monday, December 28, 2020.
A customs licensed clearing and forwarding agent, Mr. Boniface Okoye, heaped the blame on the customs for giving undue access to the shippers’ council to leave empty containers to the port areas, while pointing accusing finger to the police for looking away after allegedly collecting kickbacks.
Following the accusation and counter-accusation, Sanwo-Olu intimated the stakeholders of the State Government’s move to checkmate activities of all operators that had led to the problems being experienced in the area.
The Governor wondered why container-laden trucks not yet called upon for loading in the ports were indiscriminately parked on newly rehabilitated Tincan Road, instead of moving into the approved terminal provided by the Government.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that part of the steps being taken by the State Government to restore sanity back to the area was to take over the enforcement of the Presidential Taskforce on Port Decongestion and create a new operational template for the task force, which will be enforced by a combined team of officers of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the police.
He said: “This is about the fourth time which my Government has been trying to address Apapa gridlock and bring sanity back to the area. On each occasion we had come here, we knew that there were road constructions. This time around, there has been a lot of improvement and we have seen that a lot of the roads within Apapa have been completed. But, there has been no respite for commuters in terms of free traffic flow.
“Our plan is to bring about cohesive system where all stakeholders would understand their roles and resolve challenges being encountered. Since last year, the Presidential Taskforce has been working on this issue. Now, there is a process that is starting in which the State Government is taking over the task force. This is one of the reasons for this trip to Apapa today; to ascertain what needs to be done. We will have a team of policemen and LASTMA dedicated to Apapa Ports for enforcement of task force’s mandates.”
The Governor said the visit to the ports would be followed up with stakeholders’ engagement with NPA, shipping companies’ owners and freight forwarders, stressing that a situation where truck drivers needed to wait for about 10 hours for handing over of operation from one NPA team to another was not acceptable.
L-R: Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Special Adviser on Works & Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye; Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and Chairman, Lagos Inter-Agency Monitoring and Enforcement Coordination Committee, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, during an inspection at the Tin Can Transit Park, Apapa, on Monday, December 28, 2020.
Sanwo-Olu said the sharp practices and inadequacies observed in the handling of the container operations at the ports would be escalated to the Minister of Transport, adding that the misconducts of the policemen stationed closed to the ports would be reported to the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The Governor said it was time the arm of the law caught up with those who had created the situation that led to the chaotic movements of container-laden trucks in and out of the ports.
He said: “Lagos State Government is not the owner of the ports whose operations is causing pain to residents, but we owe a duty to our citizens whose lives and businesses have been badly impacted because of the gridlocks created in this part of the State. I believe this trip would give us another opportunity where all of us, as stakeholders, will be able to identify impediments and resolve the issues once and for all.”
Sanwo-Olu also part of the issues to be resolved with the Federal Government over Apapa congestion was the uniformity in the operational licence being issued to barge owners. This, he said, is to stop creation of illegal terminals for barge operators and make adequate plan for licencees operating in traffic-prone areas.
He said: “We have arrested people we felt were operating illegal barge terminals before, but we were surprised some of these people had licences issued by the Federal Government. This is part of the issues we want to resolve. We are working collaboratively with the Federal Government on this. If someone gets an approval for barge operation, let Lagos Government be aware, so that roads are probably planned to those terminals.”
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AfriCom) conducted one (1) airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab compound in the vicinity of Saakow, Somalia, Dec. 24.
In a statement, AfriCom confirmed the initial assessment concluded the strike damaged the compound and several al-Shabaab fighters fled, thwarting nefarious activity.
The command currently assesses no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this operation. Efforts to disrupt enemy operations, as well as monitor and apply pressure to the al-Shabaab network continue.
“U.S. Africa Command continues to maintain a sharp focus on East African threats,” said U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Heidi Berg, U.S. Africa Command director of intelligence. “Al-Shabaab seeks to not only destroy governance and security in Somalia, but target innocent civilians in Kenya and elsewhere. We will continue to monitor and maintain pressure to the network.”
U.S. Africa Command and its international partners recognize the importance of stability in Somalia. Security is one critical stabilizing pillar alongside governance and economic opportunity.
U.S. Africa Command remains committed to working with East African countries to help provide political, economic, and physical stability in the region.
U.S. Africa Command will continue to work with international and African partners to ensure long-term security in Somalia to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has called for restraint in celebrations during the Christmas and New Year festivities as he announced the suspension of street carnivals, crowded cross-over night service, parties and similar gatherings in the State, amidst an increase in COVID-19 infections across the nation.
The governor on Wednesday also directed all civil servants and other government workers in the State to proceed on Christmas and New Year holiday from Thursday, December 24.
According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Kunle Somorin, the directives were issued on Wednesday after a meeting between the state government and religious leaders from the League of Imams and the Christian Association of Nigeria as well as community leaders as part of the measures and guidelines for public health as the state prepares for a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Governor directed that all Schools in the State are to remain closed until January 18, 2021, while all bars, nightclubs, pubs and event centres, recreational centres in the state have also been closed down indefinitely.
The Governor further directed that markets are to open strictly between 8am and 4pm while maintaining social distancing and observing all COVID-19 protocols, including the use of face mask, provision of hand sanitizer and/or hand-washing equipment at every strategic point within their malls, shops and business premises.
Gov Abiodun further directed that religious and worship centres should not exceed 50 per cent of their capacity. All services must also be in compliance with all COVID-19 protocols.
In order to stem the spread of the second wave of the disease, Gov. Abiodun advised that “there should be no gatherings of more than 50 people at any event or ceremonies, such as conferences, congresses, office events, concerts, seminars, sporting activities, cross-over nights, end of year parties, weddings, naming, birthdays, anniversaries, street carnivals, etc until further notice”.
He also called on motorcycle (okada), tricycle, bus, car, taxi and other transport operators to not to carry passengers above 50 percent of their capacity, in compliance with social distancing rules.
While urging citizens to celebrate in moderation, Gov. Abiodun wished the people a Merry Christmas and prosperous 2021, saying they should take personal responsibilities and stay within their residences and not embark on travels within and outside the State to ensure they neither transmit nor contract the virus.
For religious centres, the League of Imams and the Christian leaders adopted the earlier positions taken in the wake of COVID-19 earlier in the year such as:
1. All worship activities must be observed by not more than 50percent of capacity
2. All congregants must wear their face masks appropriately (that is, No facemask, No entry)
3. There should be reliable sources of running water
4. Worship centres should be adequately cleaned and disinfected before and after services
5. Household bleach solution should be adequately prepared for disinfections
6. There should be adequate provision and supervision of multiple Veronica Buckets for handwashing (fully automated handwashing machines are preferable)
7. There should be provision of alcohol-based sanitiser which must be used before and at intervals of every 20 minutes as well as after service
8. Worship centres should provide adequate toilet facilities with water
9. It is paramount for Muslims to perform ablution at home and go to Mosque with their personal praying mats
10. Qualified Medical Practitioners or trained personnels should check the temperature of worshippers with infrared thermometer before allowing them to enter worship centres
11..There should be adequate medical support for sick persons
12. All services on Friday/Sunday and other week days must adhere strictly to COVID-19 Guidelines
13. There should be pre-designated standing position/sitting points to ensure not less than 2 meter distancing
14. The duration of religious services should not be more than one hour. In addition, same duration must be observed at intervals, where there are multiple services
15. The use of Air-conditioners should be discouraged while worship centres should be well ventilated with the use of fans
16. There should not be any handshake/hugs by worshippers
17. Proper awareness of the susceptibility of the aged and people with signs of ill-health should be adequately created among worshippers at all times
18. Constant sensitisation of COVID-19 and its dangers should be included in sermon and goodwill messages
19. Provision of isolation rooms is mandatory in all worship centres or facilities
20. Religious services and events should be recorded with digital camera for record purposes
21. Government will not hesitate to impose severe sanctions (including, but not limited to lockdown) on any Worship Centre that fails to comply with the laid down guidelines
22. No social gathering should exceed 50 people while 2 meters social distancing must be observed in such gatherings
23. Disposable elements should be used during Holy Communion instead of sharing cups
File photo: Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, National President, Association of Academic Staff Union of Universities (AsUU)
After a 9month stand off with the Nigerian government, the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) on Wednesday “conditionally” suspended its strike that has kept students in their homes and universities under lock.
ASUU National President, Biodun Ogunyemi made the announcement during a briefing of the union in Abuja, explaining that the development followed the agreement reached with the Federal Government and a meeting with its National Executive Council (NEC).
Ogunyemi said the suspension of the strike, which ended a protracted industrial action that started since March 2020 takes effect from Thursday, December 24th, 2020.
While warning that the union would return to strike without notice if the government fails in meeting its part of the agreement reached with the university lecturers, Ogunyemi noted that the reopening of the schools, considering the COVID-19 pandemic, lies with the Federal Government and senate of the universities.
Professor Ogunyemi thanked students and their parents for their understanding throughout the nine-month period and said: “no amount of sacrifice would be too much to get the matter resolved as long as the government is consistent with its commitments.”
The ASUU boss noted that both parties have agreed on the University Transparency Account System (UTAS), noting, however, that the university lecturers’ salary arrears will be paid by the government on a different platform.
On Tuesday, the Federal Government had expressed optimism that ASUU will soon return to the classroom after a meeting with the lecturers.
Tuesday’s meeting came a month after the Federal Government offered a cumulative N65 billion to the lecturers to address earned academic allowances and revitalisation of universities.
President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari presides over Review Meeting of Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and receives End of Year Report submitted by the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) and Chairman Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 Boss Mustapha in State House on 22nd Dec 2020.
To Sanctiom inbound travellers who fail to show up for post arrival covid-19 test
President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the mandate of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 “for a further period till the end of March, 2021 bearing in mind the new surge in the number of cases and the bid for vaccines.”
The President disclosed this Tuesday in Abuja while receiving the End-of-Year Report of the task force.
According to President Buhari, “recent reports reaching me indicate that Nigeria is now facing a rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide which is similar to the second wave of infections occurring in other countries across the world.
President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja.
“New epicentres have been identified and the nation cannot afford to lose the gains of the last nine months. I have critically evaluated the situation and remain convinced that urgent measures have to be taken to halt the spread and the attendant fatalities.
“Closely associated with the foregoing is the need to speedily and strategically access and administer the COVID vaccine in a safe, effective and timely manner. This is an important obligation that we owe Nigerians as we go into year 2021 and it must be carried out through an efficient machinery.”
The President added that “the nation is clearly in a perilous situation given the virulent nature of this second wave and we must act decisively to protect our people. I therefore urge all sub-national entities, traditional rulers, religious and leaders of thought to collaborate with the PTF by taking up the responsibility for risk communication and community engagement at all levels. Now is the time for collective efforts to be intensified.
“As the festive season approaches, I urge all Nigerians to remain vigilant and stay safe. Non-essential trips and large social gatherings should be avoided or shelved completely.”
The full-text of President Buhari’s address containing other measures and issues is reproduced below.
SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY MUHAMMADU BUHARI PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERA AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE END-OF-YEAR REPORT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON COVID 19 AT THE STATE HOUSE, PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ABUJA ON TUESDAY, 22ND DECEMBER, 2020
PROTOCOLS:
The year 2020 has been most challenging for the whole of humanity as a result of the havoc wreaked by the COVID-19 on lives, livelihoods, global and national economies, governance structures, health, social welfare and other systems.
2. It has consumed an inordinate amount of resources deployed to address it by countries of the world, without abating.
3. Sadly, the COVID 19 pandemic has also taken and keeps taking, precious lives of our loved ones, leaving several homes, families and associates to mourn. May the Almighty God grant all those that have lost their lives to this deadly virus eternal rest.
4. Over the last nine months, I received a total of eight Interim Reports along with one Mid-Term Report, apprising me progressively of developments on the COVID-19 pandemic, from the Presidential Task Force.
5, I similarly approved several far-reaching measures recommended to support the achievement of the objectives of our National Response. I have been in constant touch about the pandemic in all corners of our country.
6. Let me also add that I have religiously followed the daily national briefings by the PTF which has become the platform for communicating with Nigerians and the most authentic source of information which substantially reduced the space for fake news.
7. The successes recorded by the PTF in managing the control of the pandemic since March 2020 are largely attributable to the multi-sectoral approach adopted by the government, the proactive steps taken and the commitment of its members.
8. I wish to acknowledge the immeasurable support received from the National Assembly, state governments, the private sector coalition, the international community, development partners, well-meaning Nigerians who donated in cash and kind and also made sacrifices, the media organisations, security agencies and the frontline workers who toiled day and night as our last line of defence. The list is endless. Our gratitude is endless
9. On behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, I thank you one and all for your support and contributions to this National Response to a global emergency.
10. The impact of the COVID-19 on global and national economies cannot even now be fully assessed. No nation of the world has been spared the experience of different degrees of economic downturn as several countries including Nigeria went into negative growth territories.
11. To mitigate this impact, we developed an Economic Sustainability Plan aimed at cushioning the impact at all levels and stabilizing our economy.
12. Family businesses, small, and medium scale enterprises and the manufacturing sector were all supported through various windows.
13. Appropriate support has also been provided through the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program, as well as the Trader and Market Moni loans. For the very vulnerable, significant steps taken include:
a. Expansion of the National Social Register to 3.6 million beneficiaries across thirty six States,;
b. Support provided to 8, 827,129 households through the 70,000MT food grains released from the Strategic Reserve; and
c. Support to 1,289,405 vulnerable households that benefitted from the Conditional Cash Transfers across 34 States.
14. The pandemic also revealed the vulnerabilities in our health system which compelled our determination to ensure that its support is given top priority in terms of infrastructure, human and institutional capacities, legislative support, etc.
15. It must be emphasized that this administration recognizes that an effective and efficient health sector represents a significant component of our security and economic growth strategy.
16. It is in this regard that I am pleased to note the legacy improvements made in the health sector in the areas of laboratory infrastructure, treatment centres, training of health care personnel, improvement in surveillance and Port Health capacities, etc.
17. I must again single out and thank those private entrepreneurs who sourced and installed impressive healthcare facilities in some strategic places as their contribution to this National Emergency.
18. There is still more work to be done in the health sector to help us cater for our citizens and minimize the drain on our foreign exchange and trained manpower through medical tourism. For Nigeria to enjoy a lasting legacy from the huge investment in the health sector, a comprehensive Health Sector Reform that will achieve the following amongst others, must be instituted. The objectives include to:
a. Build the human and institutional capacity to provide a world class 21st century health care system, capable of responding effectively to future pandemics;
b. Develop a viable strategy for our primary and tertiary healthcare system;
c. Re-align institutional mandates and functions within the health sector for effectiveness and efficiency;
d. Distinguish policy and coordination from implementation responsibilities; and
e. Strengthen the statutory and regulatory capacities within the health sector
19. Recent reports reaching me indicate that Nigeria is now facing a rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide which is similar to the second wave of infections occurring in other countries across the world.
20. New epicentres have been identified and the nation cannot afford to lose the gains of the last nine months. I have critically evaluated the situation and remain convinced that urgent measures have to be taken to halt the spread and the attendant fatalities.
21. Closely associated with the foregoing is the need to speedily and strategically access and administer the COVID vaccine in a safe, effective and timely manner. This is an important obligation that we owe Nigerians as we go into year 2021 and it must be carried out through an efficient machinery.
22. Accordingly, I have authorised the following measures for implementation:
a. The extension of the mandate of the PTF for a further period till the end of March, 2021 bearing in mind the new surge in the number of cases and the bid for vaccines;
b. That the PTF should coordinate the process for planning and the strategy for accessing, delivery and administration of the vaccines using the existing health structures that have worked in the past in vaccine administration;
c. Authorised the PTF to engage with the States for them to assume full ownership of this stage of the response by deploying legal structures and resources, including enforcement to manage the pandemic within their jurisdictions. Details of the advisory measures have already been announced; and
d. Authorised the PTF and the Nigeria Immigration Service to ensure that all in-bound passengers who failed to show up for post -arrival COVID-19 test are sanctioned within the ambit of the law, for breaching the public health protocols.
23. The nation is clearly in a perilous situation given the virulent nature of this second wave and we must act decisively to protect our people. I therefore urge all sub-national entities, traditional rulers, religious and leaders of thought to collaborate with the PTF by taking up the responsibility for risk communication and community engagement at all levels. Now is the time for collective efforts to be intensified.
24. As the festive season approaches, I urge all Nigerians to remain vigilant and stay safe. Non-essential trips and large social gatherings should be avoided or shelved completely.
25. I thank you all for your commitment and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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