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COVID-19: NCDC registers 89 new infections, 1 death on Oct. 18

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Another 34 COVID-19 cases recorded ahead of Beijing Winter Olympics
… As ECOWAS Speaker says COVID-19 vaccines are safe, shun conspiracy theories***

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has registered 89 new infections, 169 discharged and one additional death from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on Oct. 18.

This is according to data released by NCDC on Tuesday morning.

The newsmen report that the 89 fresh cases reported on Monday indicate a decrease from the 125 cases reported the previous day in the country.

According to it, till date, 209,387 cases have been confirmed, 197,312 cases have been discharged and 2,838 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The public health agency stated that the 89 new cases were reported from eight states.

“Kaduna (34), Abia (22), Delta (11), Kano (8), Rivers (8), Bauchi (4), Jigawa (1), and Zamfara (1).

“Today’s report includes zero cases from Edo, Gombe and Sokoto,” it stated.

Also read: COVID-19: NCDC registers 125 infections, as cases rise to 209,298

The agency said that the country’s active cases now stood at 9,237.

The NCDC said that over 3,142,971 million samples of the virus from the nation’s roughly 200 million population had been tested.

It added that a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 2, continued to coordinate the national response activities.

In another development, Dr Sidie Tunis, Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has encouraged community citizens to take COVID-19 vaccines and shun all forms of conspiracy theories because all vaccines are very safe.

Tunis, made the call on Monday in Winneba, Ghana at the opening of the Second Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament to consider and adopt the Parliament’s Draft Budget for the year 2022.

He said that the call for the citizens to get vaccinated was coming as cases continued to surge across the sub-region.

“As it stands, the third wave of the pandemic seems to be stabilising across our States, but cases are still high.

“With the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) reporting a total of 649,077 cases across the region as of Oct. 14, 2021.

“On the vaccine front, more doses are getting into arms daily.

Dr Sidie Tunis, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament

“And we seize this moment to appreciate our partners under the COVAX initiative and friendly Governments that have donated doses to African Countries.

“However, the percentage of African population fully vaccinated, which is a little over 2.47 per cent, according to the Africa Center for Disease Control, is appallingly low, compared to those unvaccinated.

“Much as the unavailability of the vaccine is an issue to consider, we also frown at the conspiracy theories that have created fear of the vaccines in our population.

“I therefore, wish to use this podium, as I have always done, to send a clear message to our citizens that the vaccines are safe and should be taken once they are available,” Tunis said.

Tunis said that the Parliament had continued to examine the COVID-19 pandemic more closely and very concerned about the region falling deeper into recession as a result of the pandemic.

This, he added would ultimately erase the progress we have made over the past two decades.

Hon. Alban Bagbin, Speaker, Ghanaian Parliament urged Members of Parliament to recommend programmes that would alleviate the sufferings of the citizens, especially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic while considering the budget.

Babgin, who was represented by Hon. Joesph Osei-Owsu said that the recommendations would largely influence the budgetary implementation for the proposed programmes and activities of the institution.

“I wish to emphasise that your programmes should alleviate the sufferings of the citizens and reduce their burdens in these trying times.

“Especially those adversely impacted by the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We must continue to address poverty in its entire ramification and create job opportunities for the people,” Babgin said.

 

Health and Safety

NDLEA, NBA Hail Comptroller Idris For Tackling Smuggling, Drug Trafficking

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NDLEA, NBA Hail Comptroller Idris For Tackling Smuggling, Drug Trafficking

The Katsina Customs Area Command, Controller, Abba-Aji Idris, has been hugely commended by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for his proactive efforts in tackling cross-border crimes, particularly smuggling and drug trafficking.

In a press statement signed by the Command’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs Bello Isah, on 31 October 2024, both agencies were reported to have praised Comptroller Idris during recent engagements with the Command, recognising his role in strengthening border security and public awareness.

The newly appointed NDLEA Commander for Katsina, Abubakar Aminu, already paid a courtesy visit to Comptroller Idris at the Customs House in Katsina on 30 October 2024. 

During the visit, he specially commended the Customs Command’s extensive efforts to raise public awareness of the dangers of smuggling and drug trafficking.

“The purpose of this visit is to assist the Comptroller in any way possible,” Commander Abubakar stated, emphasising the NDLEA’s alignment with the Customs Command’s objectives to protect the state from illegal cross-border activities.

Comptroller Idris, in his response, expressed appreciation for the NDLEA’s show of support, describing the visit as a timely reinforcement of Katsina Command’s mission. He detailed several strategies he has implemented since taking office, underlining the Command’s ongoing dedication to safeguarding Katsina State’s borders.

Similarly, the Katsina State Chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), led by the Chairman, Barrister Shafiu Umar, also acknowledged Comptroller Idris’ contributions to public security. 

During their visit to the command, Barrister Umar applauded the Comptroller’s active engagement with the community and his public enlightenment campaigns, noting the NBA’s commitment to supporting legal cooperation and awareness efforts in alignment with the Command’s anti-smuggling objectives.

Comptroller Idris expressed his appreciation to the NBA delegation for their support and pledged to work closely with the association to enhance the command’s operational goals further. 

He particularly emphasised the importance of community partnerships in achieving lasting success, against border-related crimes.

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Health and Safety

CYBERCRIME: Be More Disciplined and Mindful In Your Choice of Words, Police Cautions Journalists

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CYBERCRIME: Be More Disciplined and Mindful In Your Choice of Words, Police Cautions Journalists

…Says Words are sometimes sharper than Swords

The National Cybercrime Centre – Nigeria Police Force has stressed that the word is sometimes sharper than the sword and warned journalists to be more disciplined and mindful in their choice of words online.

 The Acting Assistant Director of the Cybercrime Centre, SP Abubakar Smart, advised at a cybercrime workshop organised for journalists by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) on Thursday at the International Maritime Press Centre, Apapa, Lagos.

 Smart stressed that the pen could be sharper than the knife and therefore warned that journalists should ensure that whatever they push out online would not get them in trouble.

“What strikes the mind of people when we talk of cybercrime is internet fraud but it is more than that.

“Today, it has become a global threat due to the way we use digital technology, the nature of our work and the way we interact online.

“Journalists need to be well-informed about the Cybercrime Act of 2015, as amended, to be more educated about cybercrime so as not to fall victim,” he said.

Smart described cybercrime as any criminal activity done in cyberspace on any social media platform.

He listed them to include bullying, stalking,  fraud, identity theft and phishing.

“The punishment for cybercrime can be up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to N10 million and asset forfeiture.

“We should be aware of regulatory agencies responsible for ensuring the cyberspace is free.

“Some of them are the National Cybercrime Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” he said.

In his paper presentation, Dr Layinka Adagun, a veteran journalist and Mass Communication Lecturer at Lagos State Polytechnic urged journalists not to be desperate to be superstars.

He said that the zeal to confirm exclusive stories and the persistence to get information first could make some run foul of the cybercrime law.

Adagun said that some media professionals had a misconception that their daily activities, particularly intellectual outputs were removed from Internet governance.

“The internet has become a global tool for everything including a channel for freedom of expression but sadly, the freedom that the internet depicts is now being attacked and users intimidated.

“We all need to safeguard our access and activities on the electronic highway,” he said.

He said that cybercrime could be avoided, reduced or eliminated through a combination of individual awareness, organisational measures and technological solutions.

“Some strategies are: to educate ourselves on cybercrime, use strong passwords, be cautious with links and attachments, keep software up-to-date, and implement cyber security policies,” he said

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Health and Safety

Why NCoS Affirms Suspension Of Senior Officers

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Why NCoS Affirms Suspension Of Senior Officers

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has warned that any further attempt by its officers to pull the wool over the public eyes, may be treated as an act of gross misconduct and thus, attract serious sanctions 

The NCoS emphasized this in a statement made available by the Public Relations Officer and image maker, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Umar Abubakar, specifically calling attention to a public reaction of one of its officers, to a recently trending video.

“The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service has been drawn to a trending video of one of its senior officers purporting that the Service has not served him a letter of suspension as earlier directed by the Civil Defence, Correctional Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB)”, the statement indicated, adding:

“The Service views this as an act of gross misconduct aimed at misleading the public on the issue at hand.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Correctional Service suspended not only the said officer in the video, but three (3) other officers following their alleged roles in various misconducts to allow for further investigation.

“The suspended officers are the officer-in-charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Sikiru Adekunle; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Michael Anugwa; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, FCT command, DCC Kevin Ikechukwu Iloafonsi; and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections (ASC II) Ogbule Samuel Obinna of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakiliki, Ebonyi state”, the statement further indicated.

It would be recalled that two letters were issued by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services board (CDCFIB) with reference nos: CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/16 and CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/17 both dated 26th September, 2024, suspending the aforementioned officers.

 The suspension which took effect from the 26th of September, 2024, was conveyed to the various officers accordingly. 

The Image maker consequently advised the public to remain resolute as the Service would ensure that a thorough investigation would be carried out and any person or group of persons found culpable would be punished in line with the Public Service Rules as well as other extant laws.

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