World
FG And LASG Seek Sanction For Kenya Airways For Conveying Dead Body To Nigeria
The Federal and Lagos State Governments are seeking sanction for Kenya Airways for conveying a dead body from Ebola infested Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, without approval from the necessary bodies.
This is coming as the corpse flown in from DRC has tested negative to the deadly Ebola virus.
At a joint news conference on Thursday in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, Lagos Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris said the Kenya airline conveyed the deceased to Nigeria against the extant regulation.
“The airline brought the remains of this Nigerian without all necessary documentations that are required to process its clearance by the Department of Port Health Services, Federal Ministry of Health. The Federal Government of Nigeria and relevant agencies condemn this deliberate breach.
“In line with industry practice, a report has been made to the Nigerian Civil Aviation, the regulatory agency of the Nigerian aviation industry on the occurrence.
“Necessary steps are being taken by the regulatory authority to sanction the airline in a bid to prevent future occurrence. We have commenced detailed investigation by all relevant agencies of government to determine the immediate and remote intentions of this unfortunate behaviour,” he said.
Idris emphasized that the Federal Government instituted a ban on the repatriation of human remains into the country in all points of entry as a precautionary measure to avoid importation of any infectious disease, saying that the ban was one of the interventions the nation undertook during the Ebola outbreak.
He said the Federal Ministry of Health and Port Health Division issued guidelines to all airlines on the procedures to be followed to obtain a waiver before repatriating any human remains into the country.
“The government will like to reiterate again that the ban is still in force and any attempt to contravene this ban will attract serious sanction. The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari takes the health of her citizens seriously and will not shy away from wielding a big stick on any errant individuals or organisation,” Idris said.
However, the commissioner said as soon as the dead body was brought in from DRC, the officials of Port Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC and the Lagos State Ministry of Health investigated the cause of death of the remains and took samples for laboratory investigation.
Idris said the laboratory report showed that there was no evidence of Ebola infection or any other contagious infections on the corpse, while assuring everyone to go about their normal business without any anxiety.
“Government will want everyone to be vigilant and encourage all our officials at land, sea and air borders to continue screening of international passengers.
“Government will want to appeal to all our international passengers to cooperate with our officials who are conducting screening at all our borders. This surveillance shall continue until further notice. All international carriers are also enjoined to cooperate with all relevant agencies of government to ensure unhindered surveillance,” he stated.
A representative of the Minister of Health, Dr. Joshua Obasanya also said a letter of investigation had been forwarded to Kenya Airline to establish why the airline flew a dead body from DRC into Nigeria without the necessary approval.
He said if it was found that the airline breached the necessary protocols, it would be sanctioned appropriately, saying that the government was waiting for the airline’s response to the letter.
Also speaking, Dr. Biodun Ogunniyi, Consultant Epidemiologist, NCDC said there is no fresh outbreak of Ebola in Nigeria, saying that government had the wherewithal to deal with any emergent outbreak.
World
10 dead, 30 injured after vehicle drives into crowd in US
At least 10 people have been killed after a vehicle drove into a large crowd in New Orleans, a city in Louisiana, United States.
The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon in the French Quarter, a popular tourist area, when a car sped down Bourbon Street.
Witnesses told CBS News that the driver reportedly got out and began shooting at pedestrians. Police returned fire, and two officers were injured in the exchange.
Anne Kirkpatrick, the city’s police superintendent, described the attack as “very intentional”.
“This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could,” she said.
Kirkpatrick said attack began at 15:15 local time (21:15 GMT), adding that most of the victims appeared to be local residents, but the identities of those killed or injured are still being determined.
She said numbers could change, but confirmed 10 people were killed and at least 35 others injured.
She said it is unclear how many victims are tourists and how many are locals but added that she believed that the majority are local to New Orleans.
The superintendent said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will take over the investigation into the incident.
Althea Duncan, FBI agent, clarified that the shooting was not a terrorist incident, but noted that “improvised explosive devices” were found on scene.
Duncan said the FBI is working to find out if they are “viable” devices and urged the public to stay away from the area.
Jeff Landry, governor of Louisiana, described the incident as a “horrific act of violence”.
Landry said he is praying for all the victims and first responders at the scene.
World
South Korean court issues arrest warrant for impeached president
A Seoul western district court has issued an arrest warrant against impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol following his botched martial law declaration.
It is the first time authorities have sought to detain a sitting South Korean president.
It is unclear when authorities would attempt to take Yeol into custody. January 6 was given as the deadline to execute the warrant.
“The arrest warrant and search warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, requested by the Joint Investigation Headquarters, were issued this morning,” the Joint Investigation Headquarters, which includes officials from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), police, and the defence ministry, said in a statement on Tuesday.
The warrant comes after Yeol, who is being investigated for power abuse and inciting an insurrection, ignored three summons in the last fortnight.
The president’s legal team has called the warrant “illegal and invalid” and said they would challenge it in court.
World
Biden declares January 9 national mourning day for Jimmy Carter
United States President Joe Biden has declared January 9, 2025 as a national day of mourning for Jimmy Carter.
Carter, the 39th US president, died on Sunday at 100. He was the first ex-US president to become a centenarian.
Biden described Carter as an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian.
“With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us,” Biden said in a statement following Carter’s death.
“He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.
“He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together,” he added, referencing Carter’s wife of 77 years who died in November 2023.
Biden ordered that flags be displayed at half-staff at the White House, all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels for a period of 30 days from Carter’s death.
The president said similar arrangements applied to US representatives in foreign countries at embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad.
“I do further appoint January 9, 2025, as a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States,” Biden added.
The president urged Americans and people around the world who share in the grief to honour Carter’s memory on the said day.
-
Business3 days ago
Air France deboards French national in Abuja airport for unruly behaviour
-
Entertainment2 days ago
Adanma Luke narrates how she contemplated suicide after Jnr Pope’s death due to online backlash
-
Entertainment1 day ago
‘I’m waiting on the Lord for kids’ — teary Eniola Badmus seeks prayers
-
Business1 day ago
Ghana approves visa-free entry for ALL Africans
-
News2 days ago
Eight-year-old boy survives 5 days in lion-inhabited Zimbabwean game park
-
News4 days ago
UNIMEDTH resident doctors in Ondo begin indefinite strike over poor conditions of service
-
News4 days ago
Lagos state government to probe DJ Kulet’s husband over child molestation allegations
-
News4 days ago
‘We’re stranded in Lagos’ — late Kano emir’s daughter appeals for help