Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The Nigeria COVID-19 summit has stressed the need for Nigeria to galvanise other nations to call for debt relief so that resources can be channelled towards building the national bio-security and ensuring Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The summit also called for improved partnership in primary healthcare delivery and vaccination uptake, strengthening the collaboration between national and sub-national entities, and pursuing the "One Health" Strategy and the requirements under the International Health Regulation. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also called on stakeholders across blocs to support the cause. The World Bank and IMF have warned that poor vaccination in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) is a major obstacle to the recovery of the sub-Saharan African economy, and that the emergence of the Omicron variant has global implications. The global community has been debating patent-free COVID-19 vaccines and the need to democratise the process to allow African countries to produce vaccines to catch up with the rest of the world.

NAFDAC has stopped the registration of alcohol in sachets and small volume Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and glass bottles below 200ml, and introduced other stringent regulatory measures to curb abuse of alcohol. Manufacturers of low volume alcohol beverages (200ml) have been directed to reformulate their products to stipulated standards free of charge, and DIBAN has been given a marching order to embark on nationwide campaigns against underage consumption of alcohol. NAFDAC has committed to strict implementation of regulatory measures to safeguard the health of Nigerians, especially vulnerable youths, against the dangers of reckless consumption of alcohol. Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa has set up a task force to track and dismantle drug cartels behind the production and distribution of methamphetamine. NDLEA's achievements in 2021 include the arrest of 12,306 suspects, conviction of 1,400 offenders, seizure of over 3.4 million kilograms of drugs and cash worth over N130 billion, and counselling and rehabilitation of 7,761 drug users.

Nigerians mourned the death of former Head of Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan, who passed away in Lagos, aged 85. President Muhammadu Buhari directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast from today till Friday as a mark of respect for the former elder statesman, who left his flourishing business career to become Head of Government at a delicate time when the country needed someone of his calm mien and pedigree to save the ship of state from sinking. Former military President Ibrahim Babangida said Shonekan was a patriot, an urbane and refined gentleman, a thoroughbred boardroom maestro and a cosmopolitan mind who was devoted to his country. Senate President Ahmad Lawan described Shonekan as a lawyer, business captain, boardroom guru and statesman. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo described Shonekan as "a unifying force for the nation" and former President Goodluck Jonathan described him as "an elder statesman, well-loved for his sincerity and sense of purpose". Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said Shonekan's sad exit came at a time the country needed his leadership, wealth of experience and wisdom to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing the nation.

The lifting of the seven months ban on micro blogging platform, Twitter, by the Federal Government has seen many government agencies, parastatals, corporate Nigeria and users return to the platform. Twitter said it was pleased to restore service for everyone in Nigeria, while the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) described the lifting as strategic. The President Muhammadu Buhari-led government had suspended Twitter in Nigeria on June 4, 2021, and lasted for seven months with attendant effects on the country's reputation, economy and development. The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, and Amnesty International have welcomed the lifting of the ban on Twitter in Nigeria, which was an attack on the right to freedom of expression, access to information, and freedom of the press. Paradigm Initiative, an organisation that works to connect underserved young Africans with digital opportunities, is also happy that access to the microblogging platform has been restored.