General
Nigeria Rules Out Another COVID-19 Lockdown
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria is not considering another COVID-19 lockdown because of the possible effects on the economy, the federal government has assured.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, gave this assurance during a media briefing in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, he confessed that Nigeria has gained a lot from the virus, including increasing the National Reference Laboratory for the testing of COVID-19 from two to over 100, comprising public and private laboratories across all the states.
He said the federal government, through the Sustainable Production Pillar of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, had been encouraging local manufacturing companies to embark on the production of consumables.
The minister said local manufacturing companies were specifically encouraged to embark on the production of face masks, ventilators, hand sanitisers and face shields.
Mr Mohammed noted that as part of plans to mitigate the impact of the virus on Nigerians, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration unveiled the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) to support families, small and medium enterprises and the manufacturing sector among others
He said with the resurgence of the pandemic had spurred the extension of the mandate of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 until the end of March, 202 as the country had recorded a surge in the number of cases of infected persons.
He also noted that the country was advancing talks in its bid for vaccines.
The minister, who is also a member of PTF, gave an assurance of the administration’s untiring efforts to tame the pandemic and protect Nigerians.
He assured that the FG had worked hard to fight the novel coronavirus which was imported into the country in February 2020, explaining that the government mobilised all sectors and segments of the country for a sectoral approach to interrupt the transmission of the virus and curtail mortality.
Mr Mohammed said the approach included expanding health infrastructure, building the capacity of health workers and mounting aggressive public sensitisation and community mobilisation against the spread of the virus.
He said the country had so far performed creditably well in the fight against COVID-19 through the deployment of resources, mobilisation and training of manpower and expansion of health infrastructure.
He urged Nigerians to strictly abide by all COVID-19 protocols to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
He said the media briefing, earlier scheduled for December 29, 2020, was shifted in order for him not to breach the COVID-19 protocols
“Many of you may not be aware that I represented Mr President at the inauguration of President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré of Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou on December 28, 2020.
“I returned to Nigeria the same day, but had to observe the mandatory seven-day quarantine which expired yesterday, January 3, 2021,” he said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, has disclosed that the state government has not restricted the movement of people during the re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Responding to an enquiry by an X user, Faveo Autos, on Saturday, he said the exercise was not brought back to restrict the movement of residents, noting that arresting anyone during the sanitation was unlawful and not backed by law.
However, he encouraged Lagosians to use the period to keep their surroundings clean.
“What is the fine for movement during environmental [sanitation]?” Mr Wahab was asked by Faveo Autos today.
In his response, the Commissioner said, “For clarity, there is no restriction on movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Consequently, arresting anyone on the basis of movement during the exercise is unlawful and does not represent the position or policy of the Lagos State Government.
“The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was reintroduced primarily to restore and strengthen the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state.
“The initiative is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. However, the law does not provide for any restriction on movement during the exercise.
“Our focus is on encouraging Lagosians to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility and a shared commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, rather than relying on enforcement measures.”
Life is full of unexpected moments that test our patience, strength, and perspective. Everyone experiences setbacks, disappointments, and periods of uncertainty. While these moments can feel overwhelming, they also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
One of the most valuable lessons we learn is that difficult situations rarely last forever. Time, reflection, and a willingness to adapt often help us move beyond even the toughest circumstances. Maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on practical solutions can make a significant difference.
Relationships also play an important role in overcoming hardships. Support from family, friends, or mentors reminds us that we are not alone. At the same time, learning to let go of anger and resentment can free us from emotional burdens that prevent us from moving forward.
The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive. It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
Personal growth is not about avoiding challenges but about responding to them with resilience and wisdom. Every experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to the person we become. By embracing change and practicing gratitude, we can create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
In the end, moving forward requires courage, forgiveness, and hope. When we choose to focus on what we can control instead of dwelling on the past, we open ourselves to new opportunities and a brighter future.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The establishment of four new army divisions has been approved by President Bola Tinubu, bringing the total to 12.
In a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, it was stated that the President also authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen national security.
The new divisions created include 5 Division, with the headquarters in Makurdi covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States; 9 Division, with the headquarters in Ilorin covering Kwara and Niger States; 10 Division, with the headquarters in Jalingo covering Taraba and Adamawa States; and 83 Division, with the headquarters in Benin City covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
It was disclosed that the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The statement said the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions will improve the operational effectiveness of the security agency and strengthen national defence capabilities further.
Before now, the Nigerian Army operated 1 Division, with the headquarters in Kaduna covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; 2 Division, with the headquarters in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States; 3 Division, with the headquarters in Jos covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States; 6 Division, with the headquarters in Port Harcourt covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States; 7 Division, with the headquarters in Maiduguri covering Borno and Yobe States; 8 Division, with the headquarters in Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States; 81 Division, with the headquarters in Lagos covering Lagos and Ogun States; and 82 Division, with the headquarters in Enugu covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
Mr Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
He lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
