2nd Coronavirus In UK: Boris Imposes New Lockdown, Cancels Christmas Gathering

December 19, 2020

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has imposed a new, stricter level of coronavirus restrictions, canceling Christmas gatherings and ordering that most shops should close, especially in London and much of southern England, to curb rapidly spreading infections.

Boris Johnson said today, December 19 that the capital and other areas in southern England currently under Tier 3, the highest level of coronavirus restrictions, will move to an even stricter new Tier 4 that requires all non-essential shops, hairdressers and indoor leisure venues to close after the end of business hours Saturday.

With just five days to go until Christmas, the Prime Mminister also announced that a planned easing of socializing rules that would have allowed up to three households to meet in “Christmas bubbles” from December 23 to 27, will be cancelled for Tier 4 areas and sharply curtailed in the rest of England.

He said that there will be no mixing of households in Tier 4 except under very limited conditions outside the public places.

In the rest of England, people will be allowed to meet in Christmas bubbles for just one day instead of five, as the government originally planned.

“It is with a very heavy heart that I must tell you we cannot proceed with Christmas as planned,” Boris Johnson said.

He said: “there is no alternative open to me and people must sacrifice this Christmas to have a better chance of protecting the lives of loved ones.

“I know how much emotion people invest in this time of year, and how important it is for grandparents to see their grandchildren. But when the virus changes its method of attack, we must change our method of defence.”

Boris Johnson said that a fast-moving new variant of the coronavirus that is more than 70 per cent transmissible than existing strains appears to be driving the rapid spread in London and southern England, adding that London now has the highest infection rates in England.

“There’s no evidence to suggest it is more lethal or causes more severe illness, or that vaccines will be less effective against it.”

England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said that the U.K. has alerted the World Health Organization (WHO) that the new variant identified this week appears to be accelerating the spread of cornavirus.

The government’s scientific advisers came to that conclusion based on preliminary modelling figures, and they are continuing to analyze the available data, he said.

Viruses mutate regularly, and scientists have found thousands different of mutations among samples of the virus causing COVID-19. But many of these changes have no effect on how easily the virus spreads or how severe symptoms are.

Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead on COVID-19, told reporters after receiving notification from England this week that the U.N. health agency had “no evidence this variant behaves differently” and that it was similar to a variant initially reported among mink in Europe. She said scientists would study the virus strain to see if there might be any difference in how it prompts an immune response in people.

Wales and Northern Ireland, which have their own devolved governments and independent rules for controlling the virus, have already announced fresh lockdowns once Christmas is over.

U.K. officials reported another 28,507 confirmed cases on Friday, and 489 deaths of people within 28 days of testing positive for the virus. The U.K. has Europe’s second-highest COVID-19 death toll behind Italy, standing at 66,541 as of today, December 19.

Coronavirus Cases Hit Over 10 Million In India

Editorial staff

December 19, 2020

Coronavirus patient in critical condition

Coronavirus cases in India have surpassed 10 million, reaching 10,004,599.

Latest data from the federal health ministry indicated that today, December alone 25,152 new cases were registered.

According to the data, the death toll mounted to 145,136 as 347 coronavirus patients have died since Friday morning.

There are still 308,751 active cases in the country, while 9,550,712 people have been discharged so far from hospitals after medical treatment.

Meanwhile, the federal government has ramped up coronavirus testing facilities across the country, as more than 160 million tests have been conducted.

As many as 160,090,514 tests had been conducted till Friday, out of which 1,171,868 tests were conducted on Friday alone, said the latest data issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Saturday.

Delhi has been one of the most coronavirus affected places in the country. As many as 1,418 new cases and 37 deaths were registered in the national capital during the past 24 hours.

So far as many as 10,219 people have died in Delhi due to coronavirus.

Atiku Calls For Tougher Measures Against Insurgents, Bandits; Not “Condemnations

Editorial staff

December 19, 2020

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has called on government to evolve tougher and more proactive measures than what obtains currently to contain the frequency with which insurgents and bandits killed innocent Nigeria.

“Condemnation of attacks is not enough to reassure citizens who are constantly living in fear”, the former Vice President said, in reaction to what he called “brutal brutal murder” of aides and security details of Emir of Kaura Namoda, Alhaji Sanusi Muhammad Asha by bandits who attacked his convoy.

“The government should speed up the prosecution of terrorists and bandits in order to send a strong message to these outlaws that there are consequences for wilful taking of life.”

According to Atiku, the frequency and ease with which the bandits are killing innocent people almost on a daily basis is embarrassing and should be halted, lest outlaws are allowed to rule over affairs.

The PDP Presidential candidate in the 2019 election said that a situation where people are afraid to leave their homes for the fear of their lives being terminated by bandits is a cause for anxiety.

FCT Minister Of State Describes New VC Of Federal University Lokoja As An Asset

Greenbarge Reporters

December 19, 2020

The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, a daughter of Kogi State has described the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi as an asset to the institution.
She said that the appointment of Professor Akinwumi is a blessing to the university “as the erudite Professor who was until his new appointment a Professor of African History and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of Nassarawa State University- Keffi, will bring to bear his wealth of academic and administrative experiences in charting a new course for the Institution.”

In a statement today, December 19, the minister expressed unreserved solidarity with the people of Kogi State, adding that the appointment is a testamentary to Professor Akinwumi’s legendary scholarship in African History.
She expressed her consistent support with Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello in appointing Professor Akinwumi as the first indigenous Vice Chancellor of Federal University- Lokoja.
Dr. Ramatu Aliyu appreciated the Professor’s quest for knowledge and perfection and as an asset to the Kogi University.
She rejoiced “with the beautiful people of Kogi State over one of theirs,” even as she called on the University community to rise up to the occasion with this well deserved and erudite leadership to re-didicate themselves to positively turning around of the fortunes of the Institution.

Police Boss Promotes 4,134 Traffic Warden Officers

Editorial staff

December 18, 2020

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed A Adamu, has approved the promotion of 4,134 Traffic Warden Officers to their next ranks.

The promotion includes 65 Officers who were elevated to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Traffic; 245 Officers to Assistant Superintendent of Traffic II; 138 Officers to Senior Traffic Warden; 3,683 Men to Grade I and 3 Men from Grade III to Grade II.

A statement today, December 18 by the Police spokesman, Frank Mba, quoted the IGP as saying that the promotion of the officers is part of the ongoing efforts by the Force to ensure that deserving personnel are promoted accordingly, to encourage hard work and further entrench the culture of merit, excellence and dedication to duties.

The Traffic Warden Service was established in 1975 as a section of the Nigeria Police Force charged with the task of discharging functions in connection with the control and regulation of, or the enforcement of the law relating to road traffic under the direction of the Police. Since its establishment, it has remained one of the key frontline components of the Force.

The IGP, who commended the officers for their resilience and invaluable commitment to traffic control duties as greatly recognized by the members of the public, charged them to see their promotion as a call for renewed commitment to duty and further re-dedication to their professional calling.

Mohammed Adamu enjoined the officers to be diligent in the discharge of their duties and shun all acts capable of undermining the efforts of the Force particularly in the ongoing reforms.

Attacks On Educational Facilities, Grave Violation Of Children’s Rights – UNICEF

Editorial staff

December 18, 2020

The United Nations Education Fund (UNICEF), has said that attacks on educational facilities anywhere in the world are grave violation of the children’s right.

“Last Friday’s attack (on the Government Boys Science Secondary School in the Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State), directly targeting children in the middle of the night, in a place where they should feel safe, was an outrage.

“Schools should be safe. Children should never be the target of attack – and yet, far too often in Nigeria, they are precisely that – victims of attacks on their schools.

“Attacks on educational facilities are a grave violation of children’s rights. This incident is a disturbing reminder of the heavy toll that violence takes on civilians in north-west Nigeria, including children.”

In a statement today, December 18 in Abuja, the Nation’s capital, UNICEF described such attacks as depriving children of the right to an education, adding that they make children fearful of going to the classroom, and parents afraid to send their children to school.

“Schools must be safe places to study and develop, and learning cannot become a perilous endeavor.

“Interventions must be put in place to ensure that schools are safe, and that all Nigerian children can learn without fear. These interventions should take into account the important role that communities can play in ensuring the safety of schools, including through support for school-based management committees (SBMCs).

“No cause justifies attacks against children and schools. Such cruel disregard for humanity must come to an end.”

Federal Govt Stops Network Providers From Charging N20 For NIN Retrieval

Editorial staff

December 18, 2020

The Federal Government has ordered all network providers to stop, with immediate effect, the N20 being charged for the retrieval of the National Identification Number (NIN) with immediate effect.

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami gave the order in a statement today, December 18.

“The Minister’s directive which takes immediate effect is an intervention aimed at making the process easier and affordable,” the minister said.

“In a letter conveying the implementation of the directive, the Executive Vice Chairman NCC and the Director-General of NIMC informed Dr Pantami that the relevant authorities had met with, and negotiated a waiver with the Mobile Network Operators in that regard.

“By this waiver, all Nigerians, subscribers and applicants can access the service using the *346# code for their NIN retrieval at no charge for the duration of the NIN/SIM Card integration exercise.”

A few days back, the Federal Government had directed that all NIN should be integrated with the Subscriber Identification Modules for security purposes and ordered the network operators to ask all their subscribers to provide valid NIN to update their records and suspend SIM registration.

The development sparked diverse reactions from Nigerians who questioned the rationale behind the short notice, insisting the time frame was short.

The House of Representatives was the first to call on the National Communications Commission (NCC) to extend the 31st December deadline issued to sim card owners to submit their NIN to their network providers to prevent blocking.

The motion was moved on Wednesday during plenary by the House Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu.

According to the lawmaker, two weeks is too short for 200 million Nigerians to conclude the process.

The House lauds the intention of the NCC, for security reasons but wants the process to be extended to 10 weeks, considering the difficulty experienced by Nigerians in attaining the NIN.

Minister Gives Notice Of Return Of Mobile Courts To Curb Coronvirus Resurgence

Editorial staff

December 18, 2020

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has made it clear that his administration will embark on a rigorous enforcement of all extant coronavirus health and safety protocols, including the establishment of mobile courts to stop the spread of the disease in the Capital Territory.

At a news briefing today, December 18 on the second wave of coronavirus in the Territory, Malam Musa Bello decried the rising number of positive cases in the Territory which he said are unacceptably high.

Malam Musa Bello said that the enforcement teams will step up their activities and return to the streets of the FCT working very closely with the judiciary through the mobile court system under the existing laws.

According to the minister, the high rate of the cases has been as a result of the fact that residents of the Territory had ceased to comply with recommended health guidelines put in place to curb the spread of the virus.

“Our recorded figures over the last 3 weeks have been unacceptably high and there is an urgent need to contain it as much and as fast as possible.”

The Minister said that the Administration will re-enforce its communication and public enlightenment strategies that will involve the active participation of local youth groups and non-governmental organizations.

“It is our intention that they drive these campaign processes to reach the nooks and crannies of the Territory”

He called on residents of the Territory to play their roles if the FCT is to overcome the second wave of the pandemic.

He also called on residents not to be carried away by the euphoria of the festive season and let down their guard against the virus which he said had not lost its potency or capacity to make the afflicted very ill.

The Minister also revealed guidelines to curb the spread of the virus which are based on resolutions reached during a stakeholders meeting held earlier in the week, the Public Health Advisory of the NCDC, and the Federal Executive council meeting

The guidelines as released are;

i. The Abuja Market Management Limited and the various market associations should work together to carry out sensitization activities and also ensure compliance of all extant health protocols.

ii. All extant regulations issued as conditions for re-opening of places of worship on the 4^thof June 2020 still subsists and heads of the various congregations are to ensure compliance.

iii. All extant regulations guiding the operations of entertainment and recreational centers still subsists and operators of such places are enjoined to ensure strict compliance.

iv. Public transportation facilities such as buses taxis and tricycles must also obey all already established protocols.

Other COVID -19 guidelines in offices and business premises are;

i. Mandatory temperature checks must be carried out on all employees and customers entering office and business premises in the FCT

ii. No mask, No entry, No service – all staff members, visitors and customers entering workplaces, shops or business premises must wear a face mask that should cover the mouth and nose.

iii. All office and business premises must have a handwashing station with running water and soap or hand sanitizer

Restrict all physical meetings and instead opt for virtual meetings, whenever possible..
Office, shops and business premises must be well-ventilated and cleaned regularly throughout the day.
Employees who are feeling unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms, should notify their supervisor immediately, or stay at home and seek medical attention to confirm diagnosis, by doing a COVID19 test.

The minister expressed the appreciation of the Administration to all medical and other frontline personnel in the fight against coronavirus.

Kidnapped And Freed Students Give Conditions For Returning To Kankara School

Editorial staff

December 18, 2020

Kidnapped students in katsina | Photo by Premium Times

Some of the abducted 344 students of Government Science Secondary School who regained freedom yesterday, December 17 night from their abductors, have given some conditions for them to return to the same school. One of the conditions is the provision of adequate security.

The students, who spoke in an interview at the Katsina State Government House today, December 18, called on the State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari to relocate the school to Kankara town.

One of the students, Yusuf Suleiman, SS1, said lack of adequate security in the school was responsible for their abduction by the bandits.

He said: “We suffered in the hand of the bandits and for me, I will not return to the school again because it has no security and it is located at the outskirt of Kankara town”.

Another student, Abdulmajid Umar, called on the state government as a matter of urgency to relocate the all-boys secondary to Kankara town to avoid reccurrence of the incident.

Umar, a JSS3 student, said: “It will be difficult for us to return to the school. Most of us have agreed not to go back to the school again. We will seek for transfer to other schools within Katsina metropolis”.

The Commander of the 17 Brigade-General WB Idris, who handed over the students to Governor Masari, said that the students were rescued by the combined team of security operatives in the state.

“We are here this morning (Friday) to formally hand over the 344 students of Government Science Secondary Kankara that were rescued from the bandits yesterday night (Thursday)”, he said.

While receiving the 344 students, Governor Masari, said that they would be taken to hospital for examination to ascertain their health status before they will be reunited with their parents.

He assured that his administration would continue to give ultimate attention to security of lives and property of the citizenry, adding security is everyone’s responsibility.

Source: THISDAY.

You Must Return To School, Buhari Tells 344 Kidnapped, Freed Kankara Students

Editorial staff

December 18, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has reminded rescued students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State that there is no substitute to good education, “so you must return to school and continue with your education.”

He asked them to remain focused in pursuing their interest of acquiring good education, despite the misfortune of kidnapping, stressing that the reward of knowledge is not negotiable.

The President, who met with the 344 students today, December 18, at the Government House in Katsina, said that the unfortunate incident was a test of character and determination to succeed in life, assuring the students that the Federal Government will upgrade the security structure in the country to ensure more safety.

“My dear children don’t be discouraged with what has happened,’’ he said, “give your attention to acquiring knowledge and developing good character, and you will be distinguished in life.’’

“I know that you have been through a lot. The suffering you went through, please put it aside, and try to forget the painful experience.

“If I wasn’t educated I will not be standing here today in front of you. I schooled in Katsina for nine years. I moved on to join the army, served as a governor, Head of State, went to prison, came out and later joined politics. I contested presidential elections three times, and finally, I was declared a winner in 2015.”

The President commended the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, for working tirelessly to ensure that the kidnapped children were returned unharmed, while appreciating all the security agencies, traditional institutions and individuals that played key roles in their rescue.

President Buhari said the military and security agencies still had a lot to do to secure the country, and its citizens.

“This is their job. They signed for it. Whether they like it or not, they will have to provide security for the country.”

In his remarks, Governor Masari said the security architecture in the country should be upgraded to ensure safety of citizens, adding that the “kidnap of school children should never happen again’’.

The Governor said the release of the children was through collaborations, negotiations and discussions, thanking the President for consistently supporting the process, creating time for regular updates and taking actions when needed.

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