By Racheal Abujah

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported  24 deaths in 24 hours and 1,005 new cases of the coronavirus.

The total number of COVID-19 infections in Africa’s most populous nation has subsequently, risen to 144,521, according to the official website of the NCDC on Friday.

The agency also reported that the total number of deaths from the disease has risen to 1,710.

It said that 1,005 new infections were registered from 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The latest recorded infections include 204 cases from Lagos, Kwara 155, Oyo State 124 and Plateau 80.

The FCT recorded 75 cases, Edo-56, Osun-48, Ondo-41, Kaduna-40, Rivers-40, Taraba-35, Borno-32, Ekiti-21, Ogun-20, Kano State -14, Bayelsa-eight, Delta-seven, Bauchi-three and Jigawa-two.

The NCDC also disclosed that over 854 people had been successfully treated and discharged on Friday, raising the total number of recoveries to 118,866 in the past 24 hours.

According to the agency, the discharged cases include 408 community recoveries in Lagos State and 99 community recoveries in Plateau State.

The public health agency said that a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre, activated at level 3, had been coordinating response activities nationwide.

The NCDC also announced that there were 23, 921, active coronavirus cases across the country in the past 24 hours.

Nigeria has so far tested 1,398,630 people since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was recorded on Feb. 27, 2020. (NAN)

By Ikenna Osuoha

President, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF),Mr Michael Weinstein, on Friday reaffirmed the commitment of the foundation to making condom affordable and placing its access on high priority list.

Weinstein said this in a statement in Abuja by Mr Steve Aborisade, Advocacy and Marketing Manager, AHF.

The president, who spoke in commemoration of the International Condom Day (ICD), noted that the day had been a platform for them to call on governments and health institutions to ensure that people had tools to protect themselves and loved ones.

“This is especially important when we are still seeing 1.7 million new HIV infections every year.

“It is simply not acceptable when we have the means to distribute condoms to people worldwide to keep them safe from preventable disease,” he said.

The Country Director, AHF-Nigeria, Dr Echey Ijezie, said that the foundation should be providing free HIV testing and promote healthy lifestyle in accordance with 2021 theme of “Always in Fashion.”.

The Chief of Global Advocacy and Policy, AHF, Mr Terri Ford, who,regretted the setback made in the fight against HIV by COVID-19, said that lockdowns and restrictions were threats to condom access and distribution.

”This is particularly in countries where stockouts and other barriers made it difficult for people to get condoms.

“AHF remains committed to ensuring people everywhere have access to free and affordable condoms with our always in fashion.” he said

Ford who expressed delight over the progress made so far in HIV and STI preventions, said that International Condom Day events were one way they had done that.

According to him, the organisation encourage everyone in the 45 countries where it operates to find a nearby entertaining event and spread the word on the importance of condoms and condom access for all.

NAN reports that the International Condom Day (ICD) started by AHF in 2008.

AHF is the largest global AIDS organisation determined in reducing the spread of HIV through preventive interventions.

It is aimed at promoting condom use as effective method for preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections and unplanned pregnancies.

The 2021 event is tagged “Always in Fashion,”  the AHF in collaboration with National Agency for Control of AIDS are advancing the message of safer sexual practices as well as distribution of condoms.(NAN)

By Ikenna Osuoha

Dr Gambo Aliyu, the Director-General of the National Agency for Control of AIDS (NACA) says condoms are integral components in the preventive interventions essential for HIV response, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and unplanned pregnancies.

Aliyu made this disclosure at a press conference to commemorate the International Condom Day, in Abuja on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that International Condom Day is celebrated on Feb. 12 of every year, to raise awareness and promote the use of condoms, as preventive elements against sexually transmitted diseases.

Aliyu emphasised the need to use condoms in promoting healthy sexual activities among the people, adding that the mandate of NACA in providing oversight and coordination of the processes and stakeholders involved in national HIV response could not be over-emphasised.

“Prevention continues to be an essential element of HIV response with condoms as an integral component.

“When used correctly and consistently, condoms are highly effective in preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including HIV,” Aliyu said.

The director general, who described condom as a key component of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy, said it was not targeted at promoting promiscuity.

He dismissed insinuations and ideations of some people about the morality question of using condoms, saying that NACA stood against all forms of promiscuity.

“We are promoting the positive use only, in terms of disease prevention and unwanted pregnancy prevention,” he said.

Aliyu reiterated the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, to mitigating behavioural and biomedical barriers influencing the spread of HIV by ensuring effective implementation of interventions.

He said that NACA was working in synergy with the Federal Ministry of Health  and development partners on national condom qualification to galvanise individual risk reduction and new HIV infections.

Also speaking, Mr Adeleye Taofeek, Prevention Programme Manager, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, said that condom use was necessary in driving an HIV free nation.

Taofeek further  said that about 83 per cent of Nigerians were in the affirmative on the use of condoms, while 17 per cent were in the disaffirmation.

According to him, while some of the 83 per cent bracket, say condom is effective and reliable, the 17 per cent say it’s either morally wrong, or gives no satisfaction etc.

The AHF official also emphasised on the effectiveness of condom use, as well as the varieties available such as in texture and flavour. (NAN)

By Ikenna Osuoha

The Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN) on Friday saluted the leadership qualities of President Muhammadu Buhari and Hajiya Sadiya Farouk, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs for approving the National Policy on Ageing.

The President of the coalition, Sen. Eze Ajoku, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja that the policy approval would usher in inter-ministerial cohesion and synergy across all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and stakeholders to address ageing issues.

“Ageing issues, including poverty eradication, healthy ageing and long-term care, food and nutrition, housing and living environment, social protection, employment, income security and financial inclusion of older persons among others will now get attention,” he said.

The coalition’s president, who expressed joy over the approval, also thanked Alhaji Bashir Alkali, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Valentine Ezulu of the Social Development Department, the Resource Person, Dr Yinka Falola-Anoemuah for their tireless efforts in ensuring that the policy was well articulated.

According to him, they followed from our contributions as stakeholders hence making its approval a mere formality.

The senator who congratulated the membership of his coalition on their dogged contributions and efforts so far, said the actualisation of the policy is a demonstration of a brighter future.

He said that the policy was a visible relief to older persons and appealed to the National Assembly to give older persons rights and privileges through the legal backing by passing the Older Persons Rights and Privileges Bill into law.

Ajoku, however, commended the entire staff of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs for their tireless efforts for making the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) possible.

The coalition’s boss, who restated his gratitude to the presidency, commended World Health Organisation, UN Population Fund (UNFPA), his Coalition and other stakeholders at both national and state levels for their valuable inputs since 2018.

“We in COSROPIN also believe this policy will become a working document for planned the Director-General of Senior Citizens Centre when it takes off for the interest of all older persons across the nation.” (NAN)

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 938 new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of infections in the country to 143,516.

The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Thursday.

The public health agency also confirmed additional eight coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total death toll to 1,710 in Nigeria.

The NCDC added that the fresh COVID-19 infections were reported from 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It stated that Lagos State continued to lead with 236 new infections, followed by the FCT with 123 and Plateau 92.

Others states with new infections were Benue-63, Katsina-53, Oyo-50, Osun-45, Kaduna-43, Edo-33, Ogun-31, Ebonyi-31, Akwa Ibom-30, Kano-26, Gombe-18, Bauchi-16, Delta-12, Imo-11, Cross River-10, Rivers-10 and Niger-5.

The agency disclosed that more than 1,065 people had been successfully treated and discharged on Thursday, raising the total number of recoveries to 118,012.

The NCDC noted that the discharged patients as of Thursday included 536 community recoveries in Lagos State, managed in line with set guidelines.

The centre said that a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, is coordinating response activities nationwide.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the country has so far tested 1,398,630 people since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was recorded on Feb. 27, 2020.

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Federal Government has approved the National Policy on Ageing for Older Persons in Nigeria, says an official of the Ministry of  Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Mrs Nneka Anibeze, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

She stated that the objective of the policy is to have a society where senior citizens are guaranteed security, independence, participation, comprehensive care, self-fulfillment and dignity.

“It covers intersecting spectrum of issues and opportunities for older women and men in urban and rural settings, older persons living with disabilities, older migrants and  internally displaced older persons,

“It also covers poor older persons and older persons that are full of vigour contributing to the progress of families, communities and the larger society,” she said.

Anibeze explained that Farouq in her presentation at the Federal Executive Council Meeting on Wednesday stated that the objective of seeking the approval of the council was to uphold the rights and dignity of seniors.

Farouq added that this could be achieved by providing an age-friendly environment for them to maximise their potentials for self- fulfillment.

This, she said, would cause a fundamental positive change in perception and attitude about ageing and an inclusive society.

“We seek approval for the Ageing and Older Persons policy to guarantee an improved quality of life for senior citizens in Nigeria.

“To also strengthen the traditional support systems for them, to provide the framework for the regulatory mechanism on ageing issues, to guarantee adequate and sustainable income, security and healthy ageing

“In addition, to ensure that the fundamental human rights of older persons are upheld and protected and to develop a functional data management system for effective research, planning, monitoring and evaluation of ageing programming,” Farouq said.

The development of the policy document on Ageing for Older Persons in Nigeria began in 2018 under the then Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

By Ayodeji Alabi

The United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday disclosed that 16 million doses of the Covax vaccine for Covid-19 pandemic would arrive in Nigeria very soon.

Mr Peter Hawkins, UNICEF country representative to Nigeria, made this known in Akure during a courtesy visit to Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State.

Hawkins explained that more doses of the vaccine would arrive over the next few months, which would ensure that the vaccine covered 20 per cent of the population of the country.

“In the meantime, we are exploring how else to bring vaccines in with a view to allowing Nigeria to go to 40 per cent by the end of the year. This should be possible things being equal”.

“We are only halfway through. The pandemic will continue for another one or two years.

“A lot has been done in ensuring that Nigeria secures the right level of vaccine and plans for the equitable distribution of vaccine are being taken through,” he said.

Responding, Akeredolu thanked UNICEF for the support given to the state over the years.

The governor, who lamented the delay in the purchase of vaccine for the Nigerian populace, described the situation as unfortunate.

He also appealed for assistance for a permanent solution to end open defecation in the state. (NAN)

By Justina Auta

Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen on Thursday sought for the implementation of new polices, initiatives and mechanisms to support women and girls to learn science subjects.

Tallen, made this call at Government Girls Science Secondary School, Kuje, FCT, while commemorating the 2021 International Day of Women and Girls in Science, themed: ” Women Scientists at the Forefront of the Fight against COVID-19.”

While noting the crucial role women and girls play  in science and technological innovations, she said the COVID-19 pandemic had further widened the gender gap between the female and their male counterparts in the frontline.

She said this had widened the existing gender gap in science and revealed the gender disparities in scientific system, which needed  to be addressed by new policies, initiatives and mechanisms to support women and girls in science.

According to her, efforts are  in place to improve access to scientific and technological studies, information on the place girls and women occupy in science and technology, as well as girl-child education especially in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

She revealed that the ministry had distributed educational support materials to students and collaborated with other stakeholders to promote girl-child education.

” I look at you as the hope of tomorrow. You are the future hope of this country,  you can make Nigeria better through education and science and technology innovation is the key,” she said.

Representative of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs Deborah Kuberet, said the ministry had collaborated with women-based science NGOs to mentor young girls in science oriented courses.

Kuberet further encouraged the girls to be dedicated in the study of science subjects, saying they are fundamental in achieving scientific breakthrough especially in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also, Education Specialist with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mrs Azuka Menkiti, called on all state governments to create opportunities that would encourage women and girls to study science-based courses.

Representative of the UN Women, Ms Patience Ekeoba, said the contribution of women and girls in the field of science and technology was critical to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. (SDGs).

Also, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative, Mrs Obiangeli Slyvana, urged the girls to be determined and resilient despite challenges to realise their full potential and contribute to the development of science and technology in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the students performed drama and dance on the role of women in science and technological innovation.

Also, writing and science materials, as well as sanitary items were distributed to the students. (NAN)

By Justina Auta

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) says it has intensified advocacy toward ending harmful traditional practices and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in all local government areas of the country.

Harmful traditional practices are forms of violence committed against women and girls for so long that they are considered or presented by perpetrators as part of accepted cultural practice.

The National President of FIDA, Rhoda Tyoden, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of an event on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)in Abuja that the federation had increased enlightenment on implications and law surrounding VAWG and harmful traditional practices at the grassroots.

She said “we have taken our campaign to the grassroots; we are going to all the local government area councils to educate, sensitise and create awareness on issues of
Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

“Many people are not aware that acts of violence against girls and women are prohibited; we need to do a lot of sensistisation and create awareness on the provisions of the law that prohibits such an acts,’’ she said.

She explained that harmful traditional practices are against Nigeria’s constitution, hence the adoption and domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act of 2015 and the Child Rights Act to protect victims.

She said “anyone who performs or engages another to carry out Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) committed an offence punishable by four years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 or both.”

Tyoden, therefore, called for increased sensitisation to end the practice, which she described as “discriminatory and degrading as it violate human rights of a person.”

The FIDA president also reiterated the commitment of the association toward protecting, preserving and promoting the rights of women, girls and children.(NAN)