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CORONAVIRUS: SANWO-OLU URGES RESIDENTS NOT TO PANIC, SAYS PATIENT 'IN STABLE CONDITION'

…Health Workers On The Trail Of Victim’s Contacts

…Gov: How Lagos Govt Diagnosed Patient

Lagos State Government has raised its level of response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) incident, following a reported case of a patient diagnosed with the infectious viral disease in the State in the early hours of Friday. This is coming, just as the Chief Incident Commander and the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, allayed fears of residents on spread of the virus.

The Governor also offered more information on how the patient was identified and efforts currently being made to prevent the spread of the virus.

The patient, Sanwo-Olu said, is an Ogun State-based expatriate who flew into Lagos from Milan in Italy via Istanbul, Turkey last Monday evening. The Governor said the patient, whose name was not disclosed, remained in stable condition at the bio-security facility in Yaba, Lagos Mainland, where he is being isolated.

It was gathered that the patient, although, tested positive to COVID-19 virus, is yet to show any respiratory symptoms at press time. He complained of fever and body pain, which prompted his transfer from Ogun State to Lagos for advanced medical investigation.

Sanwo-Olu said a number of persons, who had physical contact with the patient before the virus was diagnosed, are being traced, while others are currently being examined for possible symptoms.

The Governor shared these details during a first press conference held on Friday at the State House in Marina to brief the public on the matter. Top State officials at the conference included Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Gbolahan Lawal, Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji and Director General of Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola.

Sanwo-Olu said there should be no cause for panic among Nigerians over the reported COVID-19 incident, stressing that measures had been set in motion by the State and Federal governments to contain the spread of the virus across the country. He particularly allayed the fear of Lagos residents, saying the two bio-security facilities in the State had the capability to contain the virus.

He said: “At 10pm on Thursday, I got a call from the Commissioner of Health, who reported possible identification of patient with coronavirus in Ogun State. Immediately, we triggered all levels of bio-security responses and containment facilities. After series of laboratory examination, the patient was confirmed to have tested positive to the virus in early hours of today (Friday) and we immediately alerted the federal authorities, including the President and everybody who needs to be aware. We are in constant touch with the company where the patient was engaged. The management and personnel of the company have been cooperative.

“Health workers and emergency officials are on the field to track all persons that had physical contacts and interaction with the patient. Our bio-security facilities have been fortified to continue any form of test and contain any other potential case. We are in constant touch with the Federal Ministry of Health to harmonise our response to the incident. For us in Lagos, we are doing anything that needs to be done. The patient is stable and every health intervention required is currently being given to him.”

On how the patient scaled through health screening at the Lagos airport without being detected, Sanwo-Olu said investigation showed the virus did not manifest in the patient at the time he passed through the airport. The incident, he said, prompted the Government to immediately trigger advanced end-to-end screening for passengers flying into Nigeria, especially from high-risk countries.

The Governor said there would not be prohibition of public gatherings and regular activities in Lagos despite the diagnosed case of COVID-19, pointing out that such measure may give rise to needless panic among the general public. He said the condition of the patient was not “highly contagious” at the moment, adding that the State would only ban outdoor gatherings in the case of escalation in person-to-person transmission of the virus.

He said: “It is only when there is a high level of escalation that the public can be panicky and this is when we realise that it is getting to person-to-person transmission. As we have said, this isolated case has been contained right from the hospital where he was first admitted and the guesthouse he slept after his arrival in Nigeria. It is when there is a person-to-person infection that we can trigger another level of isolation and curtail public events where large number of people can gather. I don’t think we have gotten to that level yet.”

Sanwo-Olu also cleared the air on why the patient was transferred to Lagos after the incident was reported in Ogun State, saying the Federal Government only established testing centres to prevent to coronavirus in States that have international airports. Lagos, the Governor said, is the only State in the Southwest that has testing centres. He said the State was also considered based on its sophisticated bio-security facilities, which were established during the outbreak of Ebola virus.

Prof. Abayomi explained how the diagnosis was carried out, following the patient’s complaint of fever and body pain. He said the patient started to show signs of illness on Wednesday afternoon, after which he was presented at the Ogun State-based firm’s hospital where investigation began.

He said: “Investigation began at the hospital after the patient gave history of his trip to Nigeria. The medical personnel at the company’s hospital kept the patient in isolation overnight and contacted us at the bio-security in Lagos for assistance. We immediately asked them to transfer the case to Lagos. The patient was brought to our high-containment in Yaba on Thursday morning.

“Immediately the patient arrived, he was put in proper isolation and appropriate tests were conducted on him. Within hours, we received signals that the laboratory tests were showing signs of positivity. At that point, we informed the Federal Minister of Health and Governor Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chief Incident Commander in Lagos.”

The Health Commissioner said the patient was responding well under a supportive therapy, saying efforts were on to identify all persons that had physical contact with the patient to break the cycle of transmission.

He disclosed that the State remained prepared to contain potential spread of the virus, observing that Lagos had wrapped up the capacity of its containment facility to 80-bed as a result of the emergency funds released by the Governor.

Prof. Abayomi said more capabilities were being put in place by the State to deal with increase number of cases. He said aggressive public awareness campaign was going on to sensitise residents on hygiene and activities that can prevent the spread of virus.

Great work deserves a great reward, thus, awarded 30-tonne Delivery truck to key dealers.

In its usual manner of rewarding its dealers and partners, , Nigeria’s leading integrated food business and agro-allied Group, owners of the iconic food brand, Golden Penny, recently awarded five of its top-performing dealers with a 30-ton truck each.

The trucks were awarded to FMN’s top five dealers across the country, in the B-to-B and the B-to-C business categories.

Devlin Hainsworth, the Managing Director of the Foods division at FMN, informed that the move was part of FMN’s commitment to recognize and appreciate the distributors for their hard work and celebrate the Group’s anniversary of doing business in Nigeria for the past 60 years.

He said: “We have grown with the country for 60 years. So, the award underscores our commitment to continue to develop our relationship with our top dealers as we feed our nation every day, which is what FMN does. “We have made a breakthrough in partnership, a breakthrough in fulfilling our promises, and that is why we are presenting the trucks to our customers.”
Speaking at the award ceremony, Elizabeth Ajibola, the Managing Director, Mount Olive Limited, one of the recipients of the trucks who was full of praises for FMN disclosed that She had been a partner dealer for FMN for over 20 years.

Gleaming with smiles, she said that she would vouch for the company’s track record of delivering its promises and was thrilled with her win.

“Mohammadu Buhari is the 15th, while I am the 16th”.

Tunde Bakare as the 16th president of Nigeria

POLICE TACTICAL FORCES STORM ANSARU TERRORISTS’ CAMP
Neutralize over 250 terrorists and bandits

Special Operatives of Operation Puff Adder of the Nigeria Police backed by the Special Forces of the Police Airwing, in a daring offensive operation, stormed one of the largest operational camps of the Ansaru Terror Group (also housing other bandits and kidnappers) located in Kuduru Forest, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State and successfully neutralized over 250 high-profile members of the Ansaru Terror Group.

The operation which commenced in the early hours of today, 5th February, 2020, was carried out by a combined team of operatives of Operation Puff Adder made up of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Special Tactical Squad (STS) and Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The operation was necessitated by actionable intelligence linking terror and criminal elements in the super camp to series of terror-related violence, kidnappings, gun-running, cattle rustling and other heinous crimes across the country.

Unfortunately, during the operation, a Police Bell helicopter, which provided aerial and intelligence cover for the ground troops came under attack from the bandits using sophisticated anti-aircraft rifles and GPMG. Commendably, the pilot and the co-pilot who demonstrated uncommon courage and expertise, successfully landed the aircraft at the Air Force Base, Kaduna without further incident. They were thereafter evacuated for medical treatment. Both officers who sustained non-life threatening injuries are currently receiving treatment and are in stable condition.
The Police helicopter has since been flown out of the Kaduna Air Force Base by Police Pilots en-route to Abuja.

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police assures citizens of safety and sustained intelligence-led operations against bandits across the length and breadth of the nation. He has equally applauded the unparalleled bravery, commitment and dedication of the Police operatives currently conducting the special mission.


DCP FRANK MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA

I received with sadness the policy of the government of the United States of America to place Nigeria on its travel ban list.

While I understand the reasons given by the Trump administration (the failure of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration to share information and to address issues of terrorism), the ban does not take into account the pro-American sentiments of the Nigerian public and the solidarity previous Nigerian administrations have had with the United States.

I urge the government of President Donald Trump to consider the history of US-Nigerian relationships. Nigeria was one of the few African nations that joined the US-led coalition during Operation Desert Storm between 1990-1991 when the United States championed the liberation of Kuwait.

The Trump administration may also consider the pivotal role Nigeria, in partnership with the US, played in bringing peace to Liberia, an American sphere of influence, that now enjoys democracy because Nigerian blood and money paved the way for peace in that nation.

Nigeria has also consistently voted in support of the United States and her allies at the United Nations and other multilateral world bodies. This is even as we are perhaps the biggest trading partner that the United States has in Africa, even where we had alternatives.

Nigerians love the United States and have been a major force for the positive development of that great nation: 77% of all Black doctors in the United States are Nigerians. Nigerians are also the most educated immigrant community in America bar none. Surely, the US stands to benefit if it allows open borders with a country like Nigeria that is able to provide skilled, hardworking and dedicated personnel in a two-way traffic.

The current Nigerian administration may have its deficiencies and deep faults, but the Nigeria people ought not to be punished for their inefficiencies.

Once again, I call on President Trump to consider adopting measures that individually target those in government who have failed in their duties, rather than target the entire Nigerian population.

EFFECTIVE AIR OPERATIONS: NAF COMMISSIONS ANOTHER C-130H AIRCRAFT AFTER IN-COUNTRY PDM, INDUCTS ADDITIONAL VEHICLES FOR BASE DEFENCE IN LAGOS

In its continued efforts to boost its airlift and combat support capability for Armed Forces’ operations across the country, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) today, 29 January 2020, ‘accepted’ back into service another C-130H aircraft, NAF 913, after a successful Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) within the country at the 631 Aircraft Maintenance Depot (631 ACMD), Ikeja, Lagos. This brings to 2 the number of C-130H aircraft successfully reactivated in-country within the space of one year after NAF 917 was commissioned on 24 June 2019 upon completion of in-country PDM. NAF 917 has since been involved in so many missions both within and outside the country, including delivery of relief materials to flood victims in Mozambique and Zimbabwe as well as movement of logistics for ongoing operations nationwide. Also inducted today were 3 additional Toyota Land Cruiser “Buffalo” vehicles for Base Defence as part of continuing determination to ensure the protection of the NAF critical assets and infrastructure which would enable it project Air Power effectively. The additional Base Defence vehicles would also provide increased mobility to NAF patrol and rapid response teams in the conduct of their essential duties.

While presiding over the acceptance formalities for the newly reactivated aircraft, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who expressed his delight over the successful completion of the PDM, noted that the added heavy airlift platform would improve the operational efficiency of the NAF. According to him, it would give the required impetus for prompt deployment of troops and the provision of logistical support required for operational effectiveness in all theatres of operation. “This accomplishment is a clear manifestation that our efforts at enhancing self-reliance is gradually producing the desired outcome”, he said. The CAS noted that some of the benefits of the in-country PDM include tremendous savings of foreign exchange for the nation as well as significant improvements in the NAF human resource capacity and competence, thereby repositioning the NAF for better service delivery. He expressed optimism that in the near future, the 631 ACMD would have developed capacity to transition into an authorized Regional Maintenance Repair Organization (MRO) for the C-130 aircraft type that would not only conduct PDM and other major maintenance activities on NAF C-130s but also for aircraft of other air forces in the Region.

Speaking further, Air Marshal Abubakar stated that the modest accomplishments so far achieved by the Service had greatly enhanced the serviceability of the NAF aircraft fleets and boosted its capability to project Air Power within and beyond the shores of the country. Apart from the commissioned C-130H, the CAS said, the NAF is equally undertaking the local reactivation of 3 Alpha Jets and one Mi-35P helicopter. “It is also my belief that in a few months ahead, we will also be here to commission the third C-130H, that is, NAF 918”, he noted. He said the local capacity enhancement efforts are in line with the Federal Government’s policies and aspirations that encourage Ministries, Departments and Agencies to look inwards and evolve innovative solutions to the myriad of challenges the nation is confronted with. In line with this, he said, the NAF would continue to pursue its capacity building initiatives through the conduct of local PDM of all aircraft types. He stressed that this would undoubtedly enable the Service to fulfill its primary responsibilities as provided in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to meet a broad range of national security imperatives.

While concluding his remarks, the CAS appreciated Messrs Shaheen Foundation of Pakistan for their contribution towards the timely completion of the maintenance activities on the aircraft, while also congratulating all the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and NAF engineers and technicians who participated in the well-executed project. He urged the NAF engineers and technicians who participated in the project to make the best use of the knowledge acquired during the PDM by effectively applying same in the conduct of future maintenance on the C-130H fleet. While commending the Commander of 631 ACMD and his team for a job well done, the CAS noted that the great achievements being recorded by the NAF in various theatres of operation within the country could not have been possible without the continued and tireless support of the President, Commander- in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari. He also thanked the National Assembly, especially the Chairmen and Members of the Senate and House Committees on the Air Force for their support in ensuring appropriation of funds for the ex*****on of the project. While further expressing his gratitude to the Federal Government for its support, the CAS said “we will continue to sustain our efforts towards enhancing the security of our nation which is critical to nation building”.

In his welcome address, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command (LC), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Lawal Alao, stated that the contract for the in-country PDM of NAF 913 was awarded to Messrs Shaheen Foundation in April 2019 and was also aimed at improving in-depth maintenance capacity of NAF engineers and technicians at 631 ACMD. The AOC, while expressing his profound gratitude to the CAS for giving the Command the support and encouragement needed to push the NAF to greater heights, noted that the commissioning and acceptance ceremony of the C-130H aircraft marked the end of the in-country PDM, which is a calendar inspection conducted at 4-year intervals or after every 4,000 flying hours.

Earlier, while giving highlights of the PDM project, the Commander 631 ACMD, AVM Moses Onilede, stated that, apart from the excellent, cost-effective and timely ex*****on of the job, the arrangement with Shaheen Foundation and PAF (SF-PAF) included the conduct of structured in-class and On-the-Job Training (OJT) to build the capacity of 19 NAF technicians, whilst refreshing their knowledge on Airframe, Avionics/Electrical and Power Plant. He added that 3 NAF personnel were also trained in de-painting, chemical mixtures and painting. Furthermore, he disclosed that there were other value additions which included the provision of some specialized ground support equipment fabricated by the SF-PAF Team during the PDM as well as the reactivation of unserviceable Hangar infrastructure, some of which had not been in use since the 1970s.

The highlight of the colourful ceremony was the commissioning and inspection of NAF 913. The event also featured the award of certificates to the NAF technicians trained during the PDM as well as a brief hand over/take over ceremony, with the signing of the Aircraft Documentation for NAF 913 by the Shaheen Foundation representative and Chief of Aircraft Engineering Headquarters (HQ) NAF, AVM Musibau Olatunji, before handover of the Document to the CAS. As part of the ceremony, the CAS also inspected the fabricated ground support equipment and inducted 3 new ProForce Base Defence Toyota Land Cruiser “Buffalo” vehicles.

Other dignitaries in attendance at the ceremony were Branch Chiefs from HQ NAF, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, AOC Mobility Command, Deputy Commandant Armed Forces Resettlement Centre as well as Commanders and senior officers from Units in Lagos area.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force

Disregard Fake News on Atiku’s Arraignment

The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to an online report which claimed that the Commission on Thursday, January 9, 2020 arraigned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos for an alleged fraud of N75.3biilion and wishes to state categorically that nothing of such took place.

The Commission also wishes to state that no statement or press release emanated from the spokesperson of the Commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren to that effect as claimed in the report, nor was there any involvement of any sort from the Commission’s prosecutor, Joy Amahian in the imaginary arraignment. It remains imagination of the author of the fake news.

The Commission, therefore, urges the general public to disregard the fake news as handiwork of mischief makers.

PHOTO OF THE DAY.

A talented California-based bird photographer Phoo Chan whose photos have been featured by National Geographic, has captured an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime series of photos of a crow landing and riding on the back of a bald eagle mid-flight.

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