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Federal Government hints at taking action against those who refuse COVID-19 vaccine
The presidential steering committee (PSC) says Nigerians who refuse to take COVID-19 vaccine won’t be allowed to put others at risk.
Faisal Shuaib, executive director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), spoke on the issue of vaccine hesitancy during a briefing today.
Shuaib said the federal government will prevent eligible Nigerians from endangering others once the vaccines are available to everyone.
He said: “The Presidential Steering Committee and the Federal Ministry of Health is exploring ways of making vaccines more available to all Nigerians including Federal Civil Servants and Corporate entities. Once these vaccines are made equitably available to all Nigerians, then we would need to have a frank discussion about justice, fairness and liberty that exist around vaccine hesistancy.
“If some individuals refuse to take the vaccine, hence endangering those who have or those who could not due to medical exemptions, then we have to apply the basic rule of law which stipulates that your human right stops where mine begins. So, you have a right to refuse vaccines, but you do not have the right to endanger the health of others.
Shuaib also reiterated that the vaccines being administered in the country and safe and efficient.
He said: “Let me once again, assure Nigerians that the Federal Government is very alert on the safety and efficacy of the various range of vaccines we are using in the country, and that is why we are not compromising on any component of our vaccine logistics at Federal and state levels.
“I once again appeal to all our health workers to remain steadfast in discharging their professional responsibility to Nigerians. The Federal government is working hard and supporting the states in ensuring that Nigerians are protected against COVID-19. This is a collective fight in which we all have responsibility as Nigerians to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our community.”
He added that evidence of vaccination against COVID-19 is now mandatory for all pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem.
Shuaib said: “I therefore urge adherents of both religions who are planning to perform pilgrimage next year or in the future, to get vaccinated now to avoid any delays.
“This is also to bring to our attention, that as the COVID-19 vaccines become available worldwide, some countries have made vaccination a requirement to gain access to their country.”
News
Court grants Emefiele ₦300m bail, requires travel documents, stay in Abuja
An FCT high court in Maitama on Wednesday admitted the embattled former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele to bail in the sum of ₦300 million.
Justice Maryann Anenih granted him bail while ruling on his bail application over an alleged unlawful naira colour swap. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission brought against him a – count amended charge bordering on disobedience to the direction of the law.
Anenih in addition, ordered two sureties in the like sum of ₦300 million who must have property in Maitama district of Abuja. The sureties, she said, must in addition present the title documents and certificates of occupancy (C of O) to the court for verification.
The sureties in addition must submit to the Registrar of the court their recent passport photographs. The judge further added that Emefiele should submit to the registrar of the court his travelling documents and must be within Abuja within the period of his trial.
The judge ordered the certified true copy (CTC) from Justice Hamza Muazu who granted him bail in the same conditions. He earlier held that bail is at the discretion of the court according to what was placed before it, however, according to the law.
He added that the offence of six counts of confinement of advantage on self attracted 5 years imprisonment as punishment.
He held that there was nothing in the prosecution’s submission that showed that Emefiele would abscond or would jeopardise an investigation or threaten the security of the country.
News
NiMET to begin strike on Monday due to unpaid arrears
Aviation unions, including the National Union of Air Transport Employee Association of Nigeria, the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations and Technical and Recreational Employees, have instructed Nigeria Meteorology Agency staff to begin strike action on Monday, May 20, 2024.
This was disclosed in a letter dated 14 May 2024, obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday.
The strike stems from management’s failure to address 45 months of minimum wage arrears and consequential adjustments for staff members.
The union, represented by the three General Secretaries: Ocheme Aba, Abdulrasaq Seidu, and Waheed Sikiru, wrote a letter addressed to NiMET’s Director General, Prof Charles Anoske, with the subject line ‘Re: Failure to Pay 45-Month Arrears of Minimum Wage Consequential Adjustment—14 days ultimatum.’
The ultimatum had been issued, and management responded with what seemed like a compromise: paying off the 45 months of arrears in installments.
They also expressed their dismay that the agency’s staff has been awaiting the palliative payments sanctioned by the Federal Government since October 2023. Furthermore, they highlighted that the 25-35 per cent salary increase has not been implemented for them, alongside NiMET’s exclusion from receiving Peculiar Allowances.
“Furthermore, our Unions through a joint letter dated 4, April 2024, did request for review of the outdated conditions of service. To date the management has deemed our Unions unfit for any response,” it read.
The letter further reads, “The above catalogue of woes, and others unmentioned confirm that NiMET Staff have been consigned to the lin bin of abject poverty – worse than any existing aviation establishment. In our considered view, it is inhuman on the part of management to be forborne with these conditions and irresponsible on the part of unions to tolerate this situation for this long.
“Therefore, this letter serves as notice to the management of NiMET that the staff members of the agency are, by a copy of this letter, directed to withdraw all services with effect from Monday, May 20, 2024, unless and until the outstanding 42 months arrears of consequential adjustment is fully liquidated.
“NIMET Salary structure is adapted to an appropriate Federal Government approved structure and all accruable payments liquidated, Management commences review of the outdated CoS with our Unions with a definite timeline for delivery and actualisation.”
News
JUST IN: Emefiele arraigned for printing naira notes without strict approval
Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has been arraigned on a fresh four-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The former CBN governor was arraigned before Maryann Anenih, judge of a federal capital territory (FCT) high court, and pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
The anti-graft agency is accusing Emefiele of “illegal” printing of naira notes in its fresh charge.
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