FG Hightened Surveillance at Border Entry over

FG Hightened Surveillance at Border Entry over Marburg Virus Disease

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The recent confirmation outbreak of the highly infectious Marburg Disease in Ghana has prompted the Federal Government of Nigeria to place the Port Health Services under the Federal Ministry of Health at the nation’s seaports, airports and land borders on red alert. 

This followed warnings received from medical expert that Nigeria could be at high risks for its proximity to Ghana. 

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), in a statement affirmed that based on available data assessed by experts, the overall risk of both importation of the disease and its potential impact on the Nigerian population is on the Moderate but given the proximity (same region), high traffic from Ghana and countries that share borders with Ghana, the incubation period of 21 days of the virus, the center has heightened surveillance at all entry points of the country to avert any sighted incident. 

The Center further confirmed that the risk of importation may be further reduced as the current situation in Ghana is under control as reported by Ghana Health Service. Active case finding is ongoing in Ghana while there is heightened surveillance in Togo and Benin as well. 

Marburg according to World Health Organisation (WHO) causes a rare, highly infectious disease and severe haemorrhagic fever (MVD) in humans and non-human primates just like the Ebola virus,  

It is another example of a zoonosis such as Lassa fever, etc. The natural animal reservoir/host are fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus). Following the transmission from infected animals to humans, it spreads in humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, and contaminated materials and surfaces. The virus can enter the body through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth.

The first case of the Ebola-like virus in West Africa was reported in August 2, 2021, when a man from Guéckédou Prefecture, Guinea, died and was confirmed to have had Marburg Virus Disease by WHO. 

Previous outbreaks of Marburg virus disease, which is spread through contact with the body fluids of infected people or animals, have occurred mainly in eastern and southern Africa, report says. 

The public are enjoined to take precautions because there is no treatment or vaccine for MVD, however, infected persons can benefit from supportive care and treatment of specific symptoms which improve the chances of survival. Early detection and treatment improve prognosis.

APMT management REACTS to Union

 MWUN Shut down operations at APMT Terminal 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Wednesday morning obstructed activities at APM Terminals Apapa, Lagos over poor renumeration, bad welfare and ill treatment of workers by management of the terminal. 

This came less than 24 hours after the union issued a three day extension warning strike to the management of the AP Moller Terminals (APMT). 

MWUN General President, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju and other Dockworkers were seen at the entry point of the terminal putting a barricade and at the same time instructed workers to vacate premises. 

It was gathered that authorities of the terminals have refused to yield positively to the request of the union regarding treatment of its workers especially in area of salary review. 

While union insisted that the terminal will remain shut until the management of the terminal yield positively to the needs of the dock workers as the management of  APM Terminals are fond of taking Nigerian labour workers for a ride, there are strong indications that the issue will soon be a thing of past because the terminal management have quickly reacted to the earlier actions of the union through a statement. 

The statement with heading "Notice of Labour Action In APM Terminals Apapa" as at  12:05 pm on Wednesday and addressed to customers read partly,

"This is to inform you that APM Terminals Apapa dock employees have currently embarked on a strike this morning. We recognize that the action would impact our customers, Vessel, and the terminal; as most operations are impacted by the union’s strike action, causing operational disruptions as a consequence of the lockout.

“However, be assured that there are ongoing deliberations and discussions between the management and the labour union in the hopes of reaching an alignment as quickly as possible.

“With your unwavering support, we will do whatever we can to minimize the impact of the labour action and also keep you abreast of developments,” the statement read.

Aero Suspends Flights Operations Indefinitely

 Aero  Suspends Flights Operations Indefinitely 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Harsh business environment, continuous increase in aviation fuel price also known as Jet A1 Fuel, high Foreign Exchange rates, among other multiple problems faced in the Aviation industry by local carriers on their daily operations, has prompted Aero Contractors, one of the local carriers to announced suspension of its scheduled Passengers Service Operations Indefinitely. 

The airline disclosed this in a statement on Monday saying it would temporarily suspend its scheduled passenger services operations with effect from July 20, 2022 

According to the management: “The decision was carefully considered and taken due to the fact that most of our aircraft are currently undergoing maintenance, resulting in their inability to offer a seamless and efficient service to our esteemed customers.

“We are working to bring these aircraft back to service in the next few weeks, so we can continue to offer our passengers the safe, efficient, and reliable services that Aero Contractors is known for, which is the hallmark of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd.”

The airline maintained that the past few months had been very challenging for the aviation industry and the airline operators in particular, adding that with the high cost of maintenance, skyrocketing fuel prices, inflation, and forex scarcity resulting in high foreign exchange rates. These are among the major components of airline operations.

However, it was gathered that this development does not in any way affect the Maintenance activities of the Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) otherwise known as AeroMRO, the Approved Training Organisation (ATO) also known as Aero Training School, the Helicopter and Charter Services operations.

Aniebonam Calls for Peaceful Campaign towards 2023 General Elections

 Aniebonam Calls for Peaceful Campaign towards 2023 General Elections

ZAINAB JUNAID

The founder of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), Dr Boniface Aniebonam has called on his members to adopt constructive and peaceful method of  campaign for the forthcoming 2023 general elections. 

Dr Aniebonam made this call while fielding questions with Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN) at NAGAFF Village on Monday, adding that the society at large must be engaged in the course of the movement. 

Reiterating the bad shape of the economy,  the NAGAFF founder maintained that all hands must be on deck to actualize the dream of New Nigeria. 

His words, “We must engage the society and be constructive in our dealings. There is no need to start blaming anyone for the system that is already in comatose. All we need now is to put all hands on deck to actualize the dream of New Nigeria. This election give room for multiparty system which provides opportunities for people to make choice of their own. We must utilize the opportunity. Besides, it was a call from God for me to initiate this party. As a spiritual leader, it was a divine speech that I received and I believe we will achieve our goals.”

While speaking on the recent developments in the maritime industry, Dr. Aniebonam who is also the founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) argued that Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) is not a government agency as it is misinterpreted and all measures are put in place to ensure that the council remains independent of the Ministry of Transportation. 

He explained that the council was never meant to be a government Parastatal but a professional body regulating activities of the freight forwarders. 

According to him, “CRFFN has not achieved the mandate in which it was established for since it has been misinterpreted to be a government agency. But our lawyer is in court on that matter. We all know that when money is involved, the issue of POF is a serious business, section 6 of the CRFFN Act tells us how to raise funds and administer the council, the POF falls under this purview.”

"When you look at the volume of money involved, the attention of the government has been brought there. It is only the National Assembly that can intervene on this matter. Recall that  I said we are still in court over this issue and we will get what we want,” he said. 

Dr Aniebonam later enjoined the New Minister of Transportation, Mr Mu’azu Jaji Sambo to utilize his new appointment and the little period remaining under the present administration to help resolve the salient issue of CRFFN. 

ECOWAS Court Declares FG Twitter Ban Illegal

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court has declared suspension of Twitter operations by Nigerian Government from June 2021 till January 2022 as illegal. 

In it’s judgment delivered on Thursday, ECOWAS Court affirmed that it has the jurisdiction to hear the suit case filed by the Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and other 176 concerned Nigerians, in reaction to the suspension, announced by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in June last year. It said the case is admissible. 

According to the court rulings, “The Buhari administration in suspending the operations of Twitter violates the rights of SERAP and other 176 concerned Nigerians to the enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and the media, as well as the right to fair hearing. 

“This act is unlawful and inconsistent with the provisions of Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights both of which Nigeria is a state party,” it said. 

The Court thus ordered present administration to further ensure its policies and measures does not have negative effect on citizens rights and freedoms, and should guarantee a non-repetition of the unlawful ban of Twitter.

It later ordered the Federal Government to bear the costs of the proceedings and directed the Deputy Chief Registrar to assess the costs accordingly.”

 It could be recalled that the Nigerian government had announced the ban after a tweet by the President was deleted by the social media platform for violating its policies. It had also threatened to arrest and prosecute anyone using the platform with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) also asking all broadcast stations to suspend the patronage of Twitter.

This action made SERAP and others to sue the government. 

However, while Reacting to the court verdict, Femi Falana, SAN SERAP lawyer in the suit said, “We commend the ECOWAS Court for the landmark judgment in the case of SERAP v Federal Republic of Nigeria in which the Judges unanimously upheld the human rights of community citizens to freedom of expression, and access to information. Even though the Court had granted an interim order of injunction last year which restrained the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN from prosecuting Nigerians who defied the Twitter ban, SERAP deserves special commendation for pursuing the matter to a logical conclusion.” 

“Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and the full enjoyment of this right is central to achieving individual freedom and to developing democracy. It is not only the cornerstone of democracy, but indispensable to a thriving civil society. 

"With the latest decision of the Court to declare the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria illegal it is hoped that the Heads of State and Governments of the member states of the Economic Community of West African States will henceforth respect and uphold the human right of community to freedom of expression guaranteed by Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, “ he declared. 

Lagos Court Sentences Baba Ijesha to 16 years in Prison for defiling Minor

A Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court sitting in the city of Ikeja, Lagos State has today convicted and sentenced Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, to 16 years imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old minor. Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, in a judgment that lasted two hours convicted Baba Ijesha of four out of the six counts for which he was charged. Baba Ijesha was according to report, convicted for indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault. The judge, however, discharged and acquitted him of counts one and six, which were: sexual assault by penetration and attempted sexual assault by penetration. More Details later

Hon. Babajimi Adegoke Benson has brought an 80-Bed Mother and Child Hospital to Imota as part of his constituency projects.Today's groundbreaking foundation laying ceremony for the construction of an 80-Bed space mother and Child health care center was facilitated by Hon. Jimi Benson at Imota LCDA, Ikorodu federal constituency on Tuesday, 2 November, 2021.During the ceremony, Hon Jimi Benson affirmed that, “The fully equipped medical facility is expected to be delivered in the next four months".