By Koforowola Belo-Osagie

Babcock University Ilishan-Remo, has joined the league of universities licensed to run open distance and e-learning programme in Nigeria.

This makes it the second of only two private universities among more than 78 and more than 90 Federal and State universities in the country to be so licensed.

The approval is coming barely three months after the validated status recommended by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in conjunction with experts of Open & Distance Learning.

Read Also: FUOYE gets NUC’s full accreditation for 6 academic programmes

The NUC’s Deputy Executive Secretary, Academics, Dr. Suleiman Ramon-Yusuf, expressed pleasure at the approval for the Babcock University Centre for Open, Distance & E-Learning of Babcock University, BUCoDEL, to commence academic activities following due diligence.

The Centre will now commence operations with BSc Accounting programme via the ICT-Enabled Supported Blended Learning model of Open, Distance & E-Learning (ODL).

Addition of new programmes will be on individual programme basis, subject to NUC’s pre-assessment and approval.

The approval not only marks a significant milestone for Babcock as Nigeria’s premier private university but affirms the Centre’s preparedness to raise the stakes of education in Nigeria with the prerequisite facilities and resources to run ODL programmes professionally.

Prof. Tayo has consistently affirmed the administration’s determination to uphold the Babcock University institutional core values in the Centre’s operations of the Open, distance and E-Learning programme in Nigeria.

For BUCoDEL’s Director, Prof. Mobola Sotunsa, the long wait is over and the journey of excellence has begun

By AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Brigadier-General Shuaibu Ibrahim has argued the education and health sectors would collapse if NYSC is scrapped.

He asked those calling for scrap of the scheme to have a rethink and rather see how they can encourage thousands of graduates to offer selfless services year-in-year-out.

The 18th Director-General of NYSC gave the warning in a chat with journalists shortly after the swearing-in and oath-taking ceremony of 1,332 members of 2021 batch ‘B’ (stream 1) deployed to Kaduna State.

He said: “If we take corps members out of the service, our school and education will collapse and I am so proud to say so.

READ ALSO: 35 Ogun NYSC members test positive for COVID-19

“Anyone in doubt should go and take a survey of our education and health sectors and get back to us about his findings on several corps members rendering selfless services in these two key sectors and others

“We have unveiled nine books on NYSC and I want to encourage Nigerians to go and read those books. People are saying because of insecurity or what if something happens on their way to camp, hence, calling for its scraping.

“Some people appeared to be having issues with us and then resolve to blackmail us which should stop. Corps members should either be encouraged to put in their best.

“We should teach them to be patriotic because they are the leaders of this country in the future,” he said.

The Army officer joined to observe a minute silence for five corps members who died on their way to their various States of deployment from Akwa Ibom last Wednesday, as a sign of respect for the departed souls.

Agency Reporter

The Federal Government says its strict travel protocols are put in place to protect its citizens from being infected by COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made this known while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mohammed said Nigeria had been tagged as a very strict country in terms of travel protocols, explaining that the stand of the government was to protect its people against the spread of the virus.

“We have been accused that our rules are being stringent. We say no. We are not being tough for toughness’ sake. We are being tough because that is what science demands. We are tough because we want to protect our people.

“This is why you will see that the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) has designated and ranked different parts of the globe where the Delta variant is prevalent or the very high risk of contracting COVID-19.

“We have labeled them restricted countries. As of today, we have only four of such; South Africa, India, Brazil, and Turkey. And there are strict travel protocols around these countries because we want to prevent and protect our people.

“The first instance, nationals of these countries are not allowed into Nigeria. If you are a Brazilian and you are coming from Brazil and Indian coming from India, a South African coming from South Africa or Turkish coming from Turkey.

“It doesn’t mean a Brazilian living in London cannot come, you can come if you are coming from London. And also, not everybody coming from these countries is banned, we make exemptions; diplomats are exempted, high-level government officials, those coming to fix our infrastructure and economy are exempted by PSC.

“But no matter what category whether a Nigerian coming from Turkey or you are exempted for whatever you are coming to do in Nigeria but you must observe the travel protocols which means you check in straight into a quarantined facility approved by the Federal Government.

Read Also: COVID-19: My experience on arrival at Lagos airport

“And when you are there, your health is monitored constantly, day two of your arrival, you will do a COVID-19 test, do another one day seven, it is only after you are tested negative at day seven that you are allowed to go home and meet your relations.

“However those who are coming from non-restricted countries, also have their own protocols to observe, one, they must self-isolate in their respective homes, and two, day seven, they must come out and do a test before they are being discharged,” he explained.

The minister said regrettably, many people who came in from non-restricted countries did not observe self-isolation, and even when they did they thought it was an occasion to invite friends and relations.

“It is a dangerous practice. Those doing that are endangering their lives, the lives of their friends and relations.

“If you have taken the two doses of your AstraZeneca or new Moderna, they will not prevent you from catching COVID-19 again, the only advantage you have, if you catch it after you took the vaccine, you won’t be terribly sick, you may not even notice it, you won’t be hospitalised and you will not die of COVID-19.

“If someone comes in from a country like India for instance even if he is vaccinated and he meets a Nigerian who has been vaccinated, that Nigerian can still catch it because you need to have vaccinated at least 70 per cent of your population.

“It is when you have vaccinated 70 per cent of your population before you can achieve what they call herd immunity. Here we are still struggling with two per cent vaccination.

“So that is why we put what looks like tough travel protocols around most restricted and non-restricted countries.”

Mohammed, however, noted that this list was not final and any country Nigeria noticed that COVID-19 or delta variant was becoming endemic such country would be added to the list because it was all about safety of lives of the citizens. (NAN)

Forty-two persons died from  COVID-19 related complications in Lagos State between August. 1 and 8

With the latest toll, Lagos State which is the epicentre of the virus, has recorded 426.fatalities since the index case was reported  in February last year.

This disclosure yesterday by state’s Health Commissioner of Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, came  barely 48 hours after the Federal Government expressed worry over the rising COVID-19 cases especially  in Lagos and Akwa Ibom states.

Abayomi,  who gave the state’s COVID-19 update for August  8.via his Facebook account @Prof Akinola Abayomi, added that   219 new cases were positive out of 2,368 tests conducted. “The new infections increased the state’s total COVID-19 infections to 66,241,” he added.

The commissioner  also disclosed that  3,897 persons with active COVID-19 cases are currently receiving treatment under the state’s home-based care while 152 patients are being treated in the state’s isolation centres.

According to him,  57, 282 out of the infected persons had so far recovered in various communities while 4,481 recovered in the isolation facilities.

The Nation gathered yesterday from a top official of the Health ministry that 45 percent of the state’s isolation facilities is currently occupied by infected persons.

Read Also: Stop managing COVID-19 cases, Osun govt warns private hospitals

 

The official added that the government would not hesitate to open other centres if the cases do not drop.

In Ogun, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker,  said that 85 new COVID-19  cases had been confirmed in the state.

Fifty-five of   the  cases were recorded  in Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Government Area;  14 in Abeokuta South  council; seven in Ikenne;  five in  Sagamu;  three in; Ijebu-Ode and one in Yewa South,

Coker said in a statement yesterday that the government was doing its best to curtail the third wave of the pandemic..

She said: “The significant rise in cases is due to the increased testing and surveillance being carried out across the state. The public should, therefore, not panic.

“We urge residents to adhere strictly to non-pharmacological interventions by ensuring the wearing of face masks properly, regular hand washing, maintaining physical distancing, avoiding large gathering, as well as coughing into the elbow.”

By Moses Emorinken, Abuja

 

The Federal Government says it is set to adopt ”the whole family” approach in the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination. nationwide.

It  assured  the public that all  COVID-19 vaccine brands have the same safety and efficacy.

”The whole family” approach is designed to  integrate the ongoing  vaccination  into other basic Primary Health Care (PHC) services

The exercise, according to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Executive Director,  Dr. Faisal Shuaib, will cover PHC services like childhood vaccination, screening for hypertension, diabetes, and malnutrition.

Shuaib told reporters at a news conference in Abuja yesterday, that  the agency  was  concerned about the total health of individuals and their entire family.

He said: “We are adopting ‘the whole family approach’ to integrate the COVID-19 vaccination with other basic PHC services such as childhood vaccination, screening for hypertension, diabetes, malnutrition.

“We will give residents another opportunity to listen to NPHCDA, State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), and  state    ministries of Health (SMoH) on how they can improve on personal hygiene, water and environmental sanitation.

Read Also: CNN fires 3 staffers for working at headquarters without vaccination

 

”This is particularly important in view of the large number of cases of cholera that we are recording across the country.”

, Shuaib  added  that as of August 10, 2021, Nigeria  had received 4,000,080 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, donated by the United States.

He said: “We are aware that Nigerians would want to know if there is a preferred brand. Let me assure everyone that COVID-19 vaccines, regardless of brand, as long as they have been approved by NAFDAC, provide adequate protection against the disease.

“We want to further assure Nigerians that we have strategised with our partners so that there is no confusion on which vaccines will be given to whom.

“For example, all those who have taken their first dose of AstraZeneca vaccines and are due for their second dose would be given their second dose in this month of August as we are expecting up to 588,800 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the COVAX facility.”

“In all communications, we have been clear that the AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines are very effective against the Delta variant as cases are beginning to increase in states like Lagos and Akwa Ibom states.

“We want to call on all Nigerians to remain assured that the vaccines that we have are safe and will be deployed next week as earlier communicated.”

 

• Family opens condolence register at Benin home

 

By Bisi Olaniyi, Southsouth Bureau Chief, Benin and Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan

 

More Nigerians yesterday paid glowing tributes to the late businessman and philanthropist, Capt. Hosa Okunbo.

A former Edo State deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu; the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC); the party’s governorship candidate in last year’s election, Pastor Ize-Iyamu, and the board and management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) expressed sadness at Okunbo’s demise.

A condolence register was opened at the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin, Edo State mansion of the late philanthropist.

The residence hosted hundreds of sympathisers, including prominent Edo indigenes who condoled with members of the Okunbo family.

The billionaire industrialist died of pancreatic cancer on Sunday morning in a London hospital.

He was 63.

Odubu described Okunbo as a rare gem, an achiever and a record setter with a heart of gold.

He wrote: “He (Okunbo) saw it all and did it all. In the air, he soared like an eagle. On the sea, he sailed effortlessly and while on land, he was as steady as the rock of Gibraltar.”

Pastor Ize-Iyamu signed the condolence register and said: “Captain, brother, leader and friend, congratulations on a triumphant exit. We feel the pain but acknowledge that our time is limited, and you have played your part and excelled in flying colours. You are in a better place.”

Read Also: 11 things to know about late Captain Hosa

 

He also recalled the impactful life the late pilot lived from his youth till his last days.  The lawmaker representing Oredo Constituency in the House of Representatives, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, also described Okunbo as his leader.

Ogbeide-Ihama, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State in last year’s poll who stepped down for defecting Governor Godwin Obaseki, wrote: “My leader, my master, I am happy you had time to make peace with your God. Enjoy heaven.”

Another PDP chieftain, Paschal Ugbome, wrote: “A good man is out, a great man has gone to be with our Lord. Rest in peace, Baba, the Captain of all hemispheres. We shall meet again at the resurrection morning.”

The Edo State APC, in an online statement by its Publicity Secretary, Chris Azebamwan,  said: “He (Okunbo) was a man with a very large heart. His philanthropic gestures, his capacity and willingness to give are unequaled and without parallel. He gave to causes, without counting costs. He lived without bitterness or envy.”

IBEDC, in a statement by the Chairman of its Board of Directors, Dr. Olatunde Ayeni, said the late Okunbo was pivotal to the establishment and growth of the company.

The statement reads: “Captain Okunbo’s sagacious business acumen was extremely pivotal to the establishment of IBEDC and was very involved in piloting the smooth growth of the company to the enviable heights it has achieved. His chain of businesses spanned the gamut of hospitality, security, real estate, oil servicing and agriculture.

“He was a renowned and accomplished business mogul who contributed immensely to the development of the Nigerian economy by providing jobs and substance to thousands of his fellow countrymen and women through his diverse and extensive businesses.

“We have lost a distinguished Nigerian, an illustrious businessman with a heart of gold.”

Describing the late businessman as one of Nigeria’s most outstanding philanthropists whose death has created a huge vacuum that will be difficult to fill, Ayeni urged the family and friends of the late captain to take solace in the fact that his legacy will never be forgotten.

He prayed for the repose of Okunbo’s soul and that God grants the immediate and business families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Agency Reporter

Greenwood House School, an educational institution best known for its creche, nursery, and primary school emerged victorious at the Diplome d’Etudes en Langue Francaise (DELF) Examinations.

DELF is a certification of French-language abilities for non-native speakers of French administered by the International Centre for French Studies for France’s Ministry of Education.

In Nigeria, the exam is sponsored by the prestigious Alliance Francaise.

The DELF and DALF diplomas are required for entry into Higher Education in France (B2 level) and application for French citizenship.

After months of practicing and constant learning in the French classes of Greenwood House, the students were ready to take on the DELF exams, which evaluated their skills such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the French language.

READ ALSO:Greenwood House School wins APEN competition 

Despite being the first attempt by Greenwood House School Pupils at enrolling for the examinations, the student’s results were outstanding.

The deputy head girl, Semilore Oluboyo, far surpassed the pass mark of 50/100 attaining a score in the 98th percentile.

She cinched the best result in the DELF PRIM’ category in Lagos state.

Oluboyo recently graduated from Greenwood House School and is on her way to secondary school.

By Moses Emorinken, Abuja

 

The Federal Government expressed concern yesterday over the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country, especially in Lagos and Akwa Ibom states.

It, however, expressed optimism that the worrisome development would be contained with the arrival of more doses of vaccines today and the resumption of vaccination across the nation on Monday.

One hundred and seventy-six thousand doses of Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines are expected to arrive in the country today.

Seven hundred thousand doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 doses are also expected to be deployed to enable those who have received their first jab to get their second dose.

These were made known by Health Minister Osagie Ehanire and Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, at a news conference in Abuja.

Ehanire, who also noted that the country was “facing the challenge of  other variants” like Delta and Alpha, said: “The figures for COVID-19 are rising, especially in Lagos and Akwa Ibom with the highest infection.”

He pointed out that “the pandemic has not done too much havoc to Nigeria,” because the Federal Government provides everything the Health Ministry needs to combat the virus.

The government, according to him, has not only built 38 new oxygen plants, but it has also repaired all oxygen plants and provided oxygen tanks.

Read Aslo: NCDC registers 51 new infections, zero death in 15 days

 

The minister also disclosed that “the single-shot vaccines of Johnson and Johnson are being programmed for hard-to-reach areas or nomadic places where it would be difficult to go two times.”

Shuaib said: “We are rolling out the second phase of the vaccination programme, sequel to the first phase that ended on July 9.

“After the first phase, we did not have a single dose of vaccines anywhere. The launch of the vaccine should start by Monday, next week.

“Johnson and Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine is expected in two days (by Wednesday). It is not in a large number of doses.

“We have mapped out the target population in hard-to-reach areas.

“We also expect to get 700,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines to make sure that those who got the first dose will get the second dose.”

Shuaib noted that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has approved the use and administration of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines across the country.

The Moderna  vaccines, he said, will be given to persons who are 18 years and above

Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), DrChikwe Ihekweazu, who also attended the news conference, said the agency would “continue to do surveillance for new COVID-19 cases.”

He added: “The detection of the Delta variant tells us about the urgency of the situation.”  NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, said it takes the agency about 15 working days to approve vaccines.”

By AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

 

Kaduna State Health Commissioner, Dr. Amina Mohammed-Baloni, has said more than 130,000 people have been tested for their COVID-19 status in the state.

Mohammed-Baloni spoke yesterday while delivering a lecture at the Kaduna State University (KASU) in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was the 2021 annual Faculty Day lecture of the Faculty of Public Health and Community Medicine of the National Post-Graduate Medical College of Nigeria.

NAN also reports that the theme of the lecture was: Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Communities and the Mitigation Efforts.

The commissioner said 9,100 people have tested positive for the virus in the state since 2020.

She added that the state government had continued to run the COVID-19 tests for the citizens, even when the cases were low.

“Currently, we have a slight surge in the last few weeks, mostly around the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps. This is happening across the country.

Read Aslo: Kaduna schools to remain shut until security improves — Commissioner

 

“We have tried to get ahead of that by making sure that we have adequate testing materials,” she said.

Dr. Mohammed-Baloni said the state had five COVID-19 testing laboratories for Polymerase Chains Reaction (PCR) and 12 gene expert machines, where tests were being done.

“The NCDC has now licensed rapid test and we are also doing it in all our general hospitals.

“We are trying to test as many people as we can. Although it is expensive, government has been very supportive,” she said.

Also, a professor in the Faculty of Public Health and Community Medicine at the National Post-Graduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN), Obehi Okojie, has said about 2.5 million girls across the country are at the risk of getting into early marriage by Year 2025 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Okojie, who quoted a recent survey, spoke yesterday at the college’s 2021 Faculty Day lecture at the Kaduna State University (KASU), Kaduna.

Speaking on the theme of the lecture: Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Communities and the Mitigation Efforts, he said: “Girls are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and the pandemic threatens to undo decades of progress in gender equality.

“Millions of girls might not be going back (to school to learn), putting them at risk of adolescent pregnancy, child marriage and violence. About 2.5 million girls are at risk of marriage by 2025 because of the pandemic – the greatest surge in child marriage rates in 25 years.”