Nigeria and the other 10 countries and territories have been removed from the United Kingdom (UK) red list, following a review of the latest risk assessment from the country’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

With the removal officially taking effect from 4a.m. today, passengers arriving from Nigeria, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe will not have to stay in a managed quarantine hotel on arrival in England.

The British government added the African countries to its red list last month, emphasising entry was only allowed to UK citizens or residents who must quarantine in a hotel in a bid to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.

A statement by Press and Public Affairs Office of the British High Commission stated that as Omicron cases rise in the UK and other countries, the travel red list is less effective in slowing the incursion of the variant from abroad and these temporary measures are no longer proportionate.

According to the statement, the red list has successfully served its purpose in delaying the spread of Omicron into the UK to buy time for scientists to learn more about this variant.

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The high commission noted that all vaccinated passengers arriving in the UK must continue to take a pre-departure test two days or less before they depart for the UK and they must also take a PCR test on or before day two and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

These testing measures, the high commission said, would prevent any additional cases of Omicron from entering the UK and preventing its spread.

“This is a critical phase in tackling the Omicron and the government’s focus remains on slowing the spread of the variant in the UK – through maintaining testing requirements at the border, through the introduction of Plan B measures, and by turbocharging the booster rollout,” the statement added.

British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing CB, was quoted as saying: “On Tuesday 14th December, UK Ministers made the decision – based on scientific and public health data – to remove Nigeria from the UK’s travel red list. The emergence of the Omicron variant is a reminder that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and like all countries around the world the UK has had to take difficult decisions to protect public health.

“We took this necessary precautionary action to give us time to understand the challenge we and others faced, and to slow down the spread of Omicron while scientists urgently assessed what impact the variant has on vaccines, treatments and transmissibility. When we announced the heightened restrictions we made clear that we would remove them as soon as we could, and that is the decision Ministers have taken today.

“I know this will be welcome news for students, tourists, businesses and families in the UK and Nigeria, although I recognise the impact that these temporary health measures have had.”

 Also, the UK Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “The red list bought our scientists time to learn more about Omicron and to slow the seeding of the variant from abroad into the UK. Now that there are high levels of community transmission, it is right to remove the red list and focus on our national effort to tackle Omicron.

 ”With cases doubling every two to three days we’ve turbocharged our booster programme, we’re asking arrivals to keep testing to limit the spread of new cases, and we are introducing Plan B measures to protect the country from the threat of this new variant.”

 While all countries have now been removed from the red list, the high commission said the managed quarantine hotel policy remains in place to act as a crucial line of defence against the importation of variants of concern.

“Restrictions will be re-imposed should there be a need to do so to protect public health.

“Airlines will continue to check all passengers for pre-departure tests alongside their completed Passenger Locator Form, and passengers will not be allowed to board a flight without providing evidence of a negative test result.

“The government will take further action if necessary to contain the virus and the new variant, as has been the case throughout the pandemic. The UKHSA continues to monitor the situation closely, in partnership with scientific and public health organisations across the world, and the government is working collaboratively with the World Health Organisation and countries around the world to better understand the new variant,” the statement said.

By Robert Egbe and Blessing Olaifa, Abuja

The Federal Government has said marriages consummated at Ikoyi Registry in Lagos are valid and legal with constitutional backings.

The government dismissed as false, misleading and a distortion of court’s decision reports that marriages conducted at the registry are invalid and illegal.

The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, gave the assurance in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

The statement said based on available records, same court had ruled that the Federal Government is constitutionally empowered to conduct marriages across Nigeria with the assertion that local governments are “delegated by the Federal Government to conduct marriages by virtue of Legal Notices issued pursuant to the Marriage Act”.

The statement reads: “We would like to state that this statement is false, misleading and a deliberate distortion of the decision of the court in a suit between Eti-Osa Local Government Area & Three others v. Honourable Minister of Interior and Two others, where the Honourable Court held that only the local government councils can conduct valid marriages in Nigeria.

“It is noteworthy that the same Federal High Court situated in Ikoyi, Lagos, in a suit between Prince Haastrup and Eti Osa Local Government held that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Interior, is constitutionally empowered to conduct marriages in Nigeria and held that the local governments were delegated by the Federal Government to conduct marriages, by virtue of Legal Notices issued pursuant to the Marriage Act…”

But the National President of Association of Local Government Marriage Registrars, Deji Sokeye, yesterday said the Federal High Court in Lagos had barred the Federal Government from conducting marriages at its marriage registries nationwide.

He said the court declared as illegal all solemnisations of unions at Federal Government-owned marriage registries, such as the one in Ikoyi, Lagos.

According to him, the court also ordered the closure of all Federal marriage registries opened by the ministry, including that of Ikoyi Marriage Registry.

Sokeye, a staff member of Eti-Osa Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos, told The Nation that Justice Daniel Osiagor delivered the judgment on December 8, 2021, in a suit which had the Ministry of Interior and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as defendants.

The union leader averred that he was part of the proceedings since the case was filed and was in court when the declaration judgment was delivered last Wednesday.

The Nation could not immediately verify Sokeye’s claim on the matter as the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment was not ready as of yesterday.

Our checks at the Federal High Court confirmed Sokeye’s assertion that Justice Osiagor was yet to sign the CTC of the judgment because he was away for the judges’ conference in Abuja.

Sokeye first made the claims in a post on his Facebook page last Wednesday.

The story was reported by a national daily on Tuesday morning.

Speaking with The Nation, Sokeye said: “I am the National President of Association of Local Government Marriage Registrars. I was in court. I heard everything.

“The judge, Justice Daniel Osiagor …queried how on earth the ministry could have written to embassies not to accept marriage certificates issued at local government marriage registries. The ministry also wrote to immigration offices that they should disregard marriage certificates from local governments. Meanwhile, they don’t even have the power to consummate marriages.

“Justice Chuka Obiozor delivered a judgment on the matter some years ago; Justice Oyindamola Olomojobi also did the same in 2004; the same thing. Justice Osiagor’s judgment aligned with that of his learned brothers.

“Because they said judges are in Abuja, so he has not been able to sign the judgment so that we can get the CTC from the Registrar. It was a very clear judgment; there was no ambiguity about it.”

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday raised alarm that certain groups and individuals intend to cause a breakdown of law and order in the country.

The Service said this is more so as it has observed that some persons who are desperately seeking power use wrong and skewed narratives to not only mislead citizens but overheat the polity.

It said already, such persons are exploiting and politicising the issue of insecurity in parts of the country for pecuniary and other selfish reasons.

Addressing reporters at the DSS headquarters, Public Relations Officer of the Service, Dr Peter Afunanya, said many simply want to use the situation to cause divisions among citizens, seek cheap popularity and/or present the country as ungovernable.

The Service also raised alarm that recessing members of National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly and other public and private sector workers on vacation may be predisposed to threats of various degrees.

This, it said, also applies to Nigerians who may travel from within and outside the country to join their loved ones for the celebrations.

These individuals, the Service said, are susceptible to kidnapping, hijack, assassinations, armed robbery and political manipulations

The DSS also accused the legal team of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, of misleading the public with fake news about how their client is treated in custody.

It said contrary to what is being peddled, Kanu is not being starved or ill treated in any way.

Afunanya said: “The Service, therefore, warns that those who are involved in these should desist from such destabilising acts.

“It also enjoins politicians to play by the rule and avoid statements or activities capable of inflaming the fires of division and violence prior to 2023 elections.

“Opinion moulders like the clergy, religious and traditional rulers are also to guard their utterances and avoid inciting pronouncements.

“In a related development, it is common knowledge that criminal elements will heighten their inglorious activities before, during and after the festive periods.

“Therefore, religious and community leaders, hoteliers and operators of markets, parks, recreational and relaxation centres are to be at alert and watch strange movements and activities around their facilities.

“Such facilities include places of worship, palaces, markets, schools and other public buildings.

“Owners and operators of these public spaces and their patrons should endeavour to isolate and report suspected rogues to security agencies for prompt response.

“Consequently, the Service’s interactive website and complaint lines will remain active and available to the public.

“Its formations at the State and local Government levels will be open 24 hours of the day. This is in line with the Service’s commitment and support to the populace.

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“As schools vacate and students return home for holidays, there is likelihood that subversive gangs will target them for recruitment for undesirable intents.

“These may include but not limited to financial crimes, armed robbery, civil disobedience and violent protests, substance abuse, banditry and kidnapping.

“In this respect, parents and guardians are advised to be watchful of their children and wards and ensure that they do not engage in unlawful acts.

“Aside students, recessing members of National Assembly/State Houses of Assembly and other public/private sector workers on vacation may be predisposed to threats of various degrees.

“This also applies to Nigerians who may travel from within and outside the country to join their loved ones for the celebrations.

“These individuals are susceptible to kidnapping, hijack, assassinations, armed robbery and political manipulations.

“They are advised to be security conscious in order not to fall victims of these attacks and destructive political maneuvers.

“Let me reiterate at this juncture that those who sponsor kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, insurgency and all kinds of attacks on security agents, civilians and vulnerable populations should have a rethink.

“These persons, whether in the North or South, know themselves. There is no doubt that they have crossed the lines and it is now time to crush them.

“On IPOB and the alleged ill-treatment of its detained leader, the Service has, without any fear of contradiction, applied restraint in making public statements over the matter.

“The reason is simply because it avoids joining issues especially over a matter that is sub-judice. But for the sake of transparency and democratic accountability, the Service has decided to make some clarifications.

“It (the Service) denies all the inciting allegations by IPOB and states that:

“Nnamdi Kanu is not, in any way, maltreated in custody. Accusations of maltreatment negate the Service’s Standard Operation Procedure on the implementation of rights of a suspect;

“Nnamdi Kanu enjoys full luxury in the holding facility incomparable to any of its type anywhere in the country. He is accorded full rights and privileges. He is never denied his right of worship or freedom from his select religious practice.

“Adequate attention is paid to Kanu’s health. He has unhindered access to the best medical care and doctors.

“Kanu, himself, has confirmed to his visitors that the Service has never, in any way, maltreated him. He even confirmed this to the quartet of Senators Ike Ekweremadu and Enyinnaya Abaribe; Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, Nigeria and Co-Chair, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace and Ambassador Okechukwu Emuchay, MFR, Secretary-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who saw him on Wednesday, 8th December, 2021.

“The story of Kanu being starved is fallacious. He could not have been starved as he enjoys meals of his choice. That he is not allowed change of clothing is also false.

“He is regularly allowed change of clothing as against what is presented to the public by IPOB propagandists.  Assuming he is being maltreated, how come his visitors told him he was looking well?

“All the allegations of violation of his rights as a suspect, victimization and starvation among others are not true.

“It is unfortunate that some elements have decided to use outright misinformation to represent the state of affairs.

“Those who make these false stories do so to attract undue attention for the singular purpose of achieving a desired end.

“Rather than focus on how he should get justice, Kanu’s legal team and some mischievous elements among them have chosen to use fake news to mislead the public.

“While the Court in its wisdom ordered that Kanu be remanded in the safer DSS Custody, some of his legal representatives, for reasons best known to them, preferred Kuje Prison and have failed to explain the rationale for such choice.

“It may interest the public to note that a particular lawyer among Kanu’s Team is feasting on the matter such that one can conclude that his interest is beyond getting justice for his client. Be that as it may, the Court has the final say on the matter.

“Instructively, the media is reminded of its duty in national security. As influencers, media practitioners are called upon to use their platforms to pursue peaceful coexistence.

“They must commit themselves to the unity of the country and shun misinformation, fake news, hate speech and such other misleading narratives.

“Journalists, while discharging their constitutional roles, are enjoined to be objective, conflict-sensitive and patriotic in their reportage.

“Overall, citizens and residents are advised to cooperate with security and law enforcement agencies for lasting peace in the country.

“They should be wary of efforts designed from within and outside the shores of the country to misdirect or use them to undermine public order.  Therefore, they should exercise caution in the way and manner they may conduct their affairs during the festivities and beyond.

“On its part, the Service will continue to collaborate with other sister agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure that all law abiding citizens and residents pursue their legitimate businesses without hindrances.

“While it has become expedient to issue these warnings and advisories, the Service maintains that it will not hesitate to deal, in accordance with the law, with those who may wish to test its resolve in ensuring internal security and national stability before, during and after the yuletide.

“For those that wish to, they must note that nemesis and the long hands of the law will definitely catch up with them.

“For emphasis, no one, no matter how highly placed, will be allowed to take laws into his or her hands.

“Finally, the DG, Management and Staff of the DSS appreciate everyone who has supported the Service in its effort to ensure peace and security in the country.

“Let us remember that security is the responsibility of everyone. Let us support security agencies to achieve the desired peace for our country.

“We wish every one of you and indeed all Nigerians a hitch free yuletide season. As we look forward to a new year, we wish you a prosperous 2022.”

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor and Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

The frosty diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over travel restrictions escalated yesterday.

The UAE authorities directed airlines not to fly any passenger with Nigeria’s international passport into its airports, it was learnt.

But, the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19  has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was working assiduously to ensure that the flight restrictions were lifted in about a week.

The UAE’s latest directive, which appears to be a response to Nigeria’s decision to stop flights from the oil-rich Arab country, affects Nigerian passport holders across the globe. The ban may result into heavy losses to both countries as it may affect international trade between them.

It was learnt that UAE may go a step further in tightening the noose by introducing stringent rules for visa applications for Nigerians desirous of visiting Dubai for medicals, tourism, and business.

Aviation sources also linked the order not to fly Nigerians to the reduction of Emirates weekly flights into the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos from 21 to only one.

Emirates is UAE’s national carrier.

The Middle East country had earlier denied the Nigerian flag carrier airline – Air Peace- from operating to Sharjah, near Dubai, three times a week.

The Arab country had last week joined the United Kingdom(UK), Canada, and Argentina in putting Nigeria on the red lists of countries with positive cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19. With the addition, all flights from Nigeria into the four countries were banned.

Read Also; Why travel ban on Nigeria will not work, by Onyeama

The Federal Government, which had asked the countries to rescind the ban on Sunday, announced that it would also bar flights from their airports as from today. But yesterday, Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika said the government  had decided to wait till next week to see if the four countries would lift the ban or not.

Sources said airlines like Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Air, and other international carriers connecting transit flights from their headquarters/hubs into Dubai are already refusing to board Nigerians.

Ethiopian Airlines yesterday declined to fly Nigerian passengers to Dubai, according to sources.

A travel agent, who spoke on the development at the MMIA, said the passengers were shocked when told that the UAE had instructed airlines not to pick passengers from Nigeria through their hubs.

He said: “One of our customers at the airport (MMIA), who was about to board Ethiopian Airlines, told us that the airline said that flights have been banned from Nigeria to Dubai. So no entry for Nigerian passengers from any airline.”

Aviation security consultant Group Capt. John Ojikutu (retd) said it was shocking that Ethiopian and other airlines are not allowed to take passengers to Dubai.

“Ethiopian Airlines does not fly or check passengers directly to Dubai, so why deny transiting passengers to Dubai except Nigerians are banned in Dubai. There are many things still hidden in the melee that we need to expose.”

In Abuja, the PSC    said the government has initiated moves to reverse the travel bans on Nigerian travelers.

Its Chairman, Boss Mustapha, also explained that the decision to limit Emirates’ flights was based on international aviation standards, as well as the need to protect the nation’s sovereignty.

Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), spoke during PSC’s briefing yesterday.

He said: “The PSC is working with mandate ministries to address the issues surrounding the restriction imposed by some countries on travelers from Nigeria on account of the Omicron variant. While each country is entitled to put in place measures to protect its citizens, Nigeria has similar responsibilities.

“However, based on existing relationships, Nigeria has initiated diplomatic steps to make these countries reverse their course. This is ongoing in the interest of all parties concerned and we expect that positive results would emerge within the next week.

“The PSC also evaluated the developments on the relationship between Nigeria and the UAE and we are pleased to inform you that the position of the Federal Government is in line with established ICAO Protocols and the spirit of the BASA signed with the UAE.

“Our sovereignty remains paramount and mutual respects shall be our guiding principle in as much as it should be in the best interest of Nigeria.

“The PSC will at its next regular briefing on Monday, 20th December 2021 brief you fully on developments.”

Mustapha added that the PSC had escalated surveillance nationwide to prevent Omicron’s spread.

He said the vaccination of eligible persons was being intensified while arrangements are on for the administration of booster jabs for those already fully vaccinated.

Mustapha said: “With the emergence of the new COVID-19 Omicron variant, now spreading very fast globally, Nigeria has continued to study developments and has deployed science and data to measure the risks to our citizens especially, the dangers of importation.

“The PSC wishes to assure Nigerians that it has escalated all surveillance and control measures around our country. It has similarly ramped up vaccination of eligible citizens and residents while making provisions for booster shots for those fully vaccinated.”

Also, Sirika  said Nigeria seriously believes that the UK, UAE, Canada and Argentina would respond to the requests to lift the travel bans.

He said: “Because it is bilateral country to country, and because Covid-19 is scientific, we believe that science is factual and we believe we are doing it in the interest of humanity to save each other from dying and to fight the virus, we strongly  believe that they respond and delist Nigeria.’

Earlier, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Esther Sunsuwa had  said that  the government was still consulting on the no-entry order on Nigerian travellers.

“The government was yet to take any action on the matter but I can tell you that consultation is ongoing,” Sunsuwa added.