Mr Boss Mustapha, Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, disclosed this at the national briefing on Tuesday, in Abuja.
Mustapha, also, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said that the names of the passengers would be published on Jan. 1, 2021, while suspension of the passports would last for six months.
“With effect from Jan. 1, 2021, passports of the first 100 passengers, who failed to take their day-seven post-arrival polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, would be published in the national dailies,” he said.
The SGF lamented the difficulties experienced in the national response, noting ,”Our National Response is passing through a challenging phase due to the seriousness of the second wave of infections in Nigeria.
”Week 52 has so far given us the highest number of infections in a single week to date. Our analysis shows that 16 out of every 100 tests carried out are positive.
”We are also seeing increasing transmission among younger people and this is not considered good and safe. We must, therefore, exercise utmost restraint by taking responsibility,” he said.
Mustapha said that the PTF had discussed two critical issues, Oxygen supply and Case Management, and during the conversation with health authorities, CMDs of Federal Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, National Hospital; Jabi & Gwagwalada, the PTF directed that the level of Infections, Prevention and Control, as well as case management, should be prioritised immediately.
”With the increasing number of infections and hospitalisation, our objectives are to: ensure that infection, prevention and control (IPC) is properly instituted to minimise spread and exposure of health care workers to the virus;
”Ensure that those who require hospitalisation are well managed; those requiring medical attention for other ailments gain access to Treatment at medical facilities; and critical care is available and deployed, especially where oxygen is needed.
“The situation in Abuja and its environs has been of concern to the PTF,” he said.
Mustapha called on state governments and private organisations to start conducting rapid tests as the second wave of the COVID-19 was spreading fast.
The PTF chairman added: “You will recall that we recently issued some protocols to states to which a number of states have been actively implementing. We thank these States and urge others to follow suit.
“Closely related to these protocols, is the fact that the strategy of testing to detect and treat remains central to the role states are expected to play.
The Federal Government has suspended the passports of 100 in-bound airline passengers who failed to take the second test of COVID-19 after arriving in the country.
![Nigerian official screening inbound passengers for Coronavirus at the airport. [Punch]](data:image/jpeg;base64,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)
Mr Boss Mustapha, Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, disclosed this at the national briefing on Tuesday, in Abuja.
Mustapha, also, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said that the names of the passengers would be published on Jan. 1, 2021, while suspension of the passports would last for six months.
“With effect from Jan. 1, 2021, passports of the first 100 passengers, who failed to take their day-seven post-arrival polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, would be published in the national dailies,” he said.
The SGF lamented the difficulties experienced in the national response, noting ,”Our National Response is passing through a challenging phase due to the seriousness of the second wave of infections in Nigeria.
”Week 52 has so far given us the highest number of infections in a single week to date. Our analysis shows that 16 out of every 100 tests carried out are positive.
”We are also seeing increasing transmission among younger people and this is not considered good and safe. We must, therefore, exercise utmost restraint by taking responsibility,” he said.
Mustapha said that the PTF had discussed two critical issues, Oxygen supply and Case Management, and during the conversation with health authorities, CMDs of Federal Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, National Hospital; Jabi & Gwagwalada, the PTF directed that the level of Infections, Prevention and Control, as well as case management, should be prioritised immediately.
”With the increasing number of infections and hospitalisation, our objectives are to: ensure that infection, prevention and control (IPC) is properly instituted to minimise spread and exposure of health care workers to the virus;
”Ensure that those who require hospitalisation are well managed; those requiring medical attention for other ailments gain access to Treatment at medical facilities; and critical care is available and deployed, especially where oxygen is needed.
“The situation in Abuja and its environs has been of concern to the PTF,” he said.
Mustapha called on state governments and private organisations to start conducting rapid tests as the second wave of the COVID-19 was spreading fast.
The PTF chairman added: “You will recall that we recently issued some protocols to states to which a number of states have been actively implementing. We thank these States and urge others to follow suit.
“Closely related to these protocols, is the fact that the strategy of testing to detect and treat remains central to the role states are expected to play.
”Data shows that despite the resources already made available to sub-national entities, testing is very low across States in varying degrees.
“This is not helping our National Response. Indeed, some States have not reported any infections in several weeks, and laboratories recently established in the States are not working optimally.
“You will recall that we moved from two laboratories to about ninety (Public & Private) located in all states of the Federation. Their inability to function optimally has resulted in unacceptable levels of delay in receiving results and pressure on the National Reference Labs.
“We wish to urge all States to reopen all laboratories and ensure that testing is expanded and turnaround time for results is substantially reduced. In the same vein, states should please keep their Isolation/Treatment Centres open because of the rising cases of infection nationwide.”
He further said that the PTF “has worked out additional quarantine protocols to be observed by travelers arriving from the UK and South Africa. This is in keeping with our determination to minimise any possibility of importation of the virus.
“The new policy started from Monday, Dec.28, 2020 with key changes that include requirement from passengers for two additional documents: permit to travel/QR code obtained from the travel portal, after payment for the day seven post-arrival test; and COVID-19 PCR negative test with a validity now shortened to 96 hours or four days.
“The PTF shall remain vigilant on this matter and our relevant agencies are also working on the sequencing to determine the (COVID-19) strain found”, he said.
An unspecified number of Boko Haram terrorists were killed in military air raids, Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Tuesday, December 29, 2020.
DHQ spokesperson Major-General John Enenche said the air interdiction missions were conducted by the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole on Monday, December 28.
The mission was conducted at the 'S' Region in the heart of the infamous Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
The air strike was executed with Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets after intelligence reports identified the terrorists as responsible for recent attacks in the southern part of Borno and northern part of Adamawa.
"The NAF attack aircraft engaged the target area in successive passes, leading to the destruction of some of their structures and logistics stores, including a suspected anti-aircraft gun station as the terrorists fired at the NAF aircraft.
"Several insurgents were also neutralised in the process," Enenche said.
Boko Haram has killed over 30,000 people and displaced millions in the northeast region over the past decade.
Nsofor, a retired justice of the Court of Appeal, died in the U.S. on Dec. 10 after a brief illness. He was 85 years old.
Ahead of the repatriation, the Nigerian Embassy in Washington D.C. hosted a service of songs in his honour on Tuesday evening.
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Remains of former Nigerian ambassador to U.S. set for repatriation
TODAY AT 1:02 PM | NAN
Tell your friends
The body of Late Justice Sylvanus Nsofor, immediate-past Ambassador of Nigeria to the U.S., is set to be flown back home on Wednesday for burial.
Justice Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor, the immediate Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America.
Justice Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor, the immediate Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America.
Nsofor, a retired justice of the Court of Appeal, died in the U.S. on Dec. 10 after a brief illness. He was 85 years old.
Ahead of the repatriation, the Nigerian Embassy in Washington D.C. hosted a service of songs in his honour on Tuesday evening.
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The hybrid ceremony, held at the embassy in Washington, attracted dignitaries from the diplomatic community in the U.S., Nigerian officials, embassy staff and family members of the late envoy.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person attendance was limited to 10, while other guests, including officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended remotely.
Different speakers, including Ms Cam Henderson, Chief of Protocol at the U.S. Department of State, and Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah, Ghanaian ambassador to the U.S., eulogised Nsofor’s exemplary life.
Henderson said the former ambassador was a great member of the diplomatic corps for whom she had “great affection”, due to his humility and sense of humour.
According to her, the late ambassador was always available at the State Department’s engagements with members of the diplomatic community.
“He was a gentleman and would be missed by members of the diplomatic corps and by us in protocol,” she said.
Adjei-Barwuah also paid glowing tributes to Nsofor, describing him as as a friend who was “tough, honest, clear and straight as an arrow”.
He highlighted the late envoy’s humility with a story of how Nsofor insisted on personally opening the door for him when he visited him at the Nigerian embassy.
“We became friends afterwards, and I am having difficulty coping with the fact that I won’t see him any more,” he said.
In his eulogy, the former envoy’s son, Mr Cross Nsofor, stated that his father stood firmly for truth and justice, a legacy he pledged to sustain.
“Everybody talks about his transparency, his passion for justice, and I take a step back and ask: are we just echoing those words?
“We should live the truth and walk the truth. We his children will try and live and speak the truth no matter whose horse is gored.”
Speaking on behalf of the embassy staff, the Charge D’Affaires, Mrs Jane Adams, said Nsofor would be remembered as a very disciplined man.
Adams added that the late envoy was a man of his words, who hardly missed an opportunity to counsel members of staff on the need to live above board.
In a brief sermon, the officiating priest, Fr. Cornelius Ejiogu, said through Nsofor’s exemplary life, God is asking people to live lives worthy of emulation.
The body of Late Justice Sylvanus Nsofor, immediate-past Ambassador of Nigeria to the U.S., is set to be flown back home on Wednesday for burial.
Nsofor, a retired justice of the Court of Appeal, died in the U.S. on Dec. 10 after a brief illness. He was 85 years old.
Ahead of the repatriation, the Nigerian Embassy in Washington D.C. hosted a service of songs in his honour on Tuesday evening.
The hybrid ceremony, held at the embassy in Washington, attracted dignitaries from the diplomatic community in the U.S., Nigerian officials, embassy staff and family members of the late envoy.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person attendance was limited to 10, while other guests, including officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended remotely.
Different speakers, including Ms Cam Henderson, Chief of Protocol at the U.S. Department of State, and Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah, Ghanaian ambassador to the U.S., eulogised Nsofor’s exemplary life.
Henderson said the former ambassador was a great member of the diplomatic corps for whom she had “great affection”, due to his humility and sense of humour.
According to her, the late ambassador was always available at the State Department’s engagements with members of the diplomatic community.
“He was a gentleman and would be missed by members of the diplomatic corps and by us in protocol,” she said.
Adjei-Barwuah also paid glowing tributes to Nsofor, describing him as as a friend who was “tough, honest, clear and straight as an arrow”.
He highlighted the late envoy’s humility with a story of how Nsofor insisted on personally opening the door for him when he visited him at the Nigerian embassy.
“We became friends afterwards, and I am having difficulty coping with the fact that I won’t see him any more,” he said.
![From left on front roll: Mr Cross Nsofor, son of Late Justice Sylvanus Nsofor, immediate-past Ambassador of Nigeria to the U.S.; wife of the late envoy, Mrs Jean Nsofor, and the Charge D’Affaires, Nigerian Embassy, Washington D.C., Mrs Jane Adams, at the ceremony. [NAN]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw%3D%3D)
In his eulogy, the former envoy’s son, Mr Cross Nsofor, stated that his father stood firmly for truth and justice, a legacy he pledged to sustain.
“Everybody talks about his transparency, his passion for justice, and I take a step back and ask: are we just echoing those words?
“We should live the truth and walk the truth. We his children will try and live and speak the truth no matter whose horse is gored.”
Speaking on behalf of the embassy staff, the Charge D’Affaires, Mrs Jane Adams, said Nsofor would be remembered as a very disciplined man.
Adams added that the late envoy was a man of his words, who hardly missed an opportunity to counsel members of staff on the need to live above board.
In a brief sermon, the officiating priest, Fr. Cornelius Ejiogu, said through Nsofor’s exemplary life, God is asking people to live lives worthy of emulation.
Ejiogu urged everyone to strive for righteousness, peace, and justice in order to make the world a better place.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, the former ambassador’s wife, Mrs Jean Nsofor, said she was taking solace in her husband’s good legacies.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Gabriel Aduda, attended the event virtually.
The body of Late Justice Sylvanus Nsofor, immediate-past Ambassador of Nigeria to the U.S., is set to be flown back home on Wednesday for burial.
Nsofor, a retired justice of the Court of Appeal, died in the U.S. on Dec. 10 after a brief illness. He was 85 years old.
Ahead of the repatriation, the Nigerian Embassy in Washington D.C. hosted a service of songs in his honour on Tuesday evening.
The hybrid ceremony, held at the embassy in Washington, attracted dignitaries from the diplomatic community in the U.S., Nigerian officials, embassy staff and family members of the late envoy.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person attendance was limited to 10, while other guests, including officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended remotely.
Different speakers, including Ms Cam Henderson, Chief of Protocol at the U.S. Department of State, and Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah, Ghanaian ambassador to the U.S., eulogised Nsofor’s exemplary life.
Henderson said the former ambassador was a great member of the diplomatic corps for whom she had “great affection”, due to his humility and sense of humour.
According to her, the late ambassador was always available at the State Department’s engagements with members of the diplomatic community.
“He was a gentleman and would be missed by members of the diplomatic corps and by us in protocol,” she said.
Adjei-Barwuah also paid glowing tributes to Nsofor, describing him as as a friend who was “tough, honest, clear and straight as an arrow”.
He highlighted the late envoy’s humility with a story of how Nsofor insisted on personally opening the door for him when he visited him at the Nigerian embassy.
“We became friends afterwards, and I am having difficulty coping with the fact that I won’t see him any more,” he said.
In his eulogy, the former envoy’s son, Mr Cross Nsofor, stated that his father stood firmly for truth and justice, a legacy he pledged to sustain.
“Everybody talks about his transparency, his passion for justice, and I take a step back and ask: are we just echoing those words?
“We should live the truth and walk the truth. We his children will try and live and speak the truth no matter whose horse is gored.”
Speaking on behalf of the embassy staff, the Charge D’Affaires, Mrs Jane Adams, said Nsofor would be remembered as a very disciplined man.
Adams added that the late envoy was a man of his words, who hardly missed an opportunity to counsel members of staff on the need to live above board.
In a brief sermon, the officiating priest, Fr. Cornelius Ejiogu, said through Nsofor’s exemplary life, God is asking people to live lives worthy of emulation.
Ejiogu urged everyone to strive for righteousness, peace, and justice in order to make the world a better place.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, the former ambassador’s wife, Mrs Jean Nsofor, said she was taking solace in her husband’s good legacies.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Gabriel Aduda, attended the event virtually.
Ubong King died on Saturday, December 26, 2020.
Popular Nigerian businessman and public speaker, Ubong King is dead.
The businessman died on Saturday, December 26, 2020, at the age of 48.
He is survived by his wife, Unyime Ivy-King, and four children.
Until his death, he was the founder of Protection Plus Security Limited and former chairman of the American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS) International Chapter 206, Lagos.
