Director-General
Aisha Buhari, NDE support production, distribution of face masks to northern states
The First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, is collaborating with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to produce 180,000 face masks for distribution to six Northern states of Nigeria as part of efforts aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Speaking on Wednesday at the training of about 15 women who will produce the face masks in Bauchi, the Director-General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Nasiru Ladan Argungu, said the production and distribution of the face masks will be done in collaboration with the pet project of the First Lady, Future Assured. Argungu, who was represented at the event by the Bauchi State Coordinator of the NDE, Ali Lawal Yaya, informed that the benefitting states are Bauchi, Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi and Zamfara. According ...
NASC: Farmers to access 81,000MT seeds during lockdown
The Director-General of National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), Dr Philip Ojo has said that Nigeria has about 81,000 metric tons of seeds during this COVID-19 lockdown period. Dr Ojo who said this during a Webinar press conference with journalists noted that the seeds would ensure that agricultural activities were not disrupted as a result of the lockdown imposed across the country as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19. He said efforts were being made by the Council and relevant agencies to ensure that seeds reach the farmers in the grassroots amid the COVID-19 lockdown. “The National Agricultural Seeds Council is doing all within reach to ensure that seed sector-related activities are sustained and promoted even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic for Nigeria to be able to have a c...
NAFDAC explains position on claims for coronavirus remedies
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said that the rush to mitigate the mortality and morbidly resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in acceleration of product development, repurposing of formulations, off label use of therapeutics and the search for a vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The agency however noted that it has only received application from one company for a product the company is presenting (for approval) to the Agency for the treatment of the symptoms of Covid-19, and not for the cure of Covid-19 as a disease. In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye stated that in a bid to discover a cure for Covid-19 disease, the public has witnessed quite a number of claims from differen...
Nigeria governors meet Wednesday on quick way out of coronavirus effects
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum says it will meet on Wednesday to review the situation of COVID-19 pandemic in various states, and as well find paths for a quick way out of the effects of the pandemic. The forum made this known in a statement by Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, NGF Head, Media and Public Affairs, in Abuja on Tuesday. Bello-Barkindo said issues to be discussed at the 8th teleconference meeting, according to the invitation sent from the NGF Director-General, Mr Asishana Bayo Okauru, include update from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. He also listed a new initiative codenamed CACOVID-Volunteer Health Workers Support Scheme to States, including a consideration for a CACOVID–Healthcare Training Proposal, among others. Bello-Barkindo said: “The state governors will also take a...
Lagos issues occupational health, safety guidelines
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of lives of its citizens following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. This assertion was made by the Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola when issuing additional Occupational Health & Safety Sectoral (OSH) Guidelines on easing of the lockdown of businesses in Lagos State. Mojola noted that the OSH guidelines covered several sectors such as manufacturing, construction, retail outlets and shopping malls, eateries and restaurants, food packaging businesses, financial institutions as well as the informal sector such as artisans. According to him, Lagos State Safety Commission was established to develop and formulate policies and strategies that would build a sustainable safety culture within...
President Buhari appoints new RMAFC scribe, CMD chief
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Mohammad Bello Shehu as Secretary, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for initial first term of five(5) years with effect from 19th March 2020. He also has approved the appointment of Mr Bitrus Danharbi Chinoko as the Substantive Director General of the Centre for Management Development (CMD) Lagos, with effect from 27th April 2020. Until this appointment, Mr Chinoko was in an acting capacity at the CMD. According to a statement by Director, Information Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, the President congratulated the new appointees and urge them to bring their wealth of experience to bear on their appointments. Get more stories like this on Twitter
NITDA chief advocates for a ‘digital first’ strategy in coronavirus recovery plan
Commonwealth of Nations On April 30, 2020, the Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, delivered a presentation on the role of digital technology in limiting the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in a webinar organized by Nile University of Nigeria. The webinar themed “Dealing with Coronavirus: Digital First Perspective,” was another in a series of virtual seminars held by the Nile University of Nigeria in its quest to ensure that its non-classroom educational activities (similar to its regular lectures) are not disrupted by COVID-19. This sentiment was echoed in the program’s opening address by the Vice-Chancellor of Nile University of Nigeria, Prof. Osman Nuri Aras, who stated the University’s commitment to continuing its educational activities (both classroom and non...
Ekiti governor considers establishment of coronavirus test laboratory
Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has hinted of a plan to establish COVID-19 Laboratory to facilitate massive testing of residents. The governor also disclosed that blood samples of illegal immigrants to the state are been taking for test . Speaking through the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, the governor said this facility is to be provided by Governor Kayode Fayemi , in partnership with well-meaning Ekiti indigenes and other private sponsors . Yaya-Kolade spoke in Ado Ekiti, on Friday, during a Covid 19 update press conference held by the task force in charge of the pandemic. She said: “The Federal government promised to provide a facility but it has not been forthcoming. The Governor, Dr Fayemi now used his own initiative to reach out to well meaning Ekiti Indigenes ...
LASEMA raises alarm over distressed three-storey building
Lagos State Emergency Management Agency LASEMA, Friday, raised the alarm, over a distressed building in the state. LASEMA Director-General Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu said the building situated at No 7, Sule Close, Apapa/Iganmu Local Council Development Area of the state, was physically unfit when the attention of the agency was drawn to it. He said the agency’s response team alongside Lagos State Building Control Agency LASBCA, and Lagos State Material Testing Agency will be carrying out a full inspection and additional testing on the building. LASEMA said the results will determine whether the building will be allowed to remain standing or be leveled to ground zero. The Agency advised residents to exercise caution, and where possible, seek alternate lodging until the integrity of the build...
NCDC: Nigeria’s coronavirus response powered by electronic data tool
The Federal Government has said that it is using an electronic data collecting tool developed during the Ebola outbreak to drive Nigeria’s response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, stated this at the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19. According to him, the centre is making use of data to drive responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country for proper management. “The agency developed an electronic data collecting tool after the Ebola outbreak. The tool was the reason why Nigerians see the data of cases every day. The NCDC also has a tool for logistics management. We can tell with this tool where every single mask, medical gown or sanitiser has gone,” Dr Ih...
