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Tag: COVID-19

  • WHO DG reveals “true death toll” from COVID-19

    WHO DG reveals “true death toll” from COVID-19

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that more seven million deaths from COVID-19 have been recorded in the past five years.

    Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated this on Wednesday during an online media conference. According to him, the true death toll is estimated to be at least three times higher.

    Ghebreyesus emphasised that COVID-19 was still a present threat, causing acute disease, “long COVID” and deaths.

    “On average, 1,000 deaths from COVID-19 are reported to WHO each week,” he said.

    The WHO Director-General also highlighted the ongoing health threats, including the outbreaks of mpox in Africa, Marburg virus disease in Rwanda, and H5N1 avian influenza in the United States.

    Additionally, Ghebreyesus noted the progress made against some diseases, while losing ground against others.

    He cited the 71 per cent increase in deaths from cholera in 2023 and the 20 per cent increase in measles cases.

    “The WHO has established various initiatives to address these health threats, including the Pandemic Fund, which is financing 19 projects in 37 countries.

    “The organisation has also supported countries in strengthening their lab capacity and establishing the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Germany.”

    Ghebreyesus emphasised the importance of universal health coverage, noting that half of the world’s population cannot access essential health services.

    He called on countries to promote and protect the right to health, in principle and practice.

  • NCDC gives fresh update on new COVID-19 variant

    NCDC gives fresh update on new COVID-19 variant

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has allayed public fears over the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 XEC subvariant globally.

    The Director-General of the centre, Dr Jide Idris, did this in a public advisory issued on Saturday night in Abuja, made available to newsmen.

    Idris reassured Nigerians that the variant, though identified in 29 countries, has not been detected in Nigeria.

    He said that the XEC subvariant, a descendant of the Omicron JN.1 lineage, was currently classified as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM).

    According to him, this means that it is being closely observed for potential concerns but does not yet pose significant risk.

    “The XEC sub-variant has been reported in Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa, with Botswana being the only African country to record cases so far.

    “While the sub-variant exhibits higher transmissibility, there is no evidence of increased disease severity,” he said.

    The NCDC boss said that Nigeria had been monitoring the JN.1 variant, classified as a Variant of Interest (VOI), which has been present in the country since January.

    He assured Nigerians that the National COVID-19 Technical Working Group was conducting continuous surveillance and data analysis.

    Additionally, he said that a dynamic risk assessment was being organised to strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capabilities.

    He urged health facilities nationwide to ramp up COVID-19 testing and forward positive samples to accredited laboratories for genomic sequencing.

    He encouraged the public to maintain vigilance and adhere to basic health protocols, including handwashing, mask usage in crowded spaces, and ensuring proper ventilation indoors.

    He advised vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, to remain cautious.

    “COVID-19 remains a significant risk, particularly for the elderly, individuals undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, and those with suppressed immune systems.

    “We urge Nigerians to get vaccinated and receive booster doses as recommended,” he said.

    The director-general also called on state governments to enhance public health infrastructure, provide resources for improved surveillance and diagnostics, and promote public health education.

    He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to providing Nigerians with accurate and timely information on the evolving COVID-19 situation globally.

    He urged citizens to avoid misinformation and rely on verified updates from its platforms.

    “For assistance, the public is encouraged to contact the NCDC via its toll-free number 6232 or, WhatsApp: 07087110839, Twitter: @NCDCGov and Facebook: @NCDCgov,” he said.

    The XEC variant of COVID-19 is a recombinant strain, meaning it results from the combination of genetic material from two or more existing variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

    Recombinant variants can emerge when different strains infect the same individual and exchange genetic material during replication.

    This process may lead to new variants with unique properties, such as increased transmissibility, virulence, or resistance to immunity.

    While thousands of mutations have been tracked globally, only a few variants are monitored for public health significance.

    Nigeria’s NCDC and global health organizations like the WHO continue genomic surveillance to monitor and respond to emerging variants.

  • FG opens up on new COVID-19 strain known as XEC

    FG opens up on new COVID-19 strain known as XEC

    The federal government (FG) has said there is no evidence of the COVID-19 variant known as XEC in Nigeria, and advised the general public not to panic but continue with the universal precautions of observing personal hygiene including regular washing of hands.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the newly detected COVID-19 variant was reported in Australia and has spread to about 29 Countries globally, which has shown a more virulence over other circulating strains.

    The FG made the disclosure in a statement by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director of Information & PR in the the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

    “Since the COVID variant XEC has not been detected in Nigeria, it has therefore become imperative to address and correct the misinformation circulating on social media regarding a supposed resurgence of COVID-19 in the country.

    “We urge the public to disregard the contents of a letter (Ref. No. DHS/INSPDIV/017/VOL.1/46, dated 5th December 2024) that has been widely shared online. Citizens are advised to remain calm, rely on verified information from official sources, and continue their daily activities as usual.,” the statement reads.

    According to the statement, the FG “has proactively upgraded our Federal Tertiary Hospitals by establishing Molecular Laboratories, Isolation centers, and intensive care units equipped with ventilators.

    “In light of the above the general public is advised not to panic but continue with the universal precautions of observing personal hygiene including regular washing of hands,” the statement reads.

    COVID-19: What Nigerians need to know about XEC strain

    As the world continues to battle the constantly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, new variants of the virus are emerging, each presenting unique challenges.

    One such variant is the recently identified XEC strain, which has raised concerns due to its potential impact on global public health.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

    COVID-19 can cause mild to severe respiratory illness, including death. The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

    Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been number of prominent variants, including Alpha, Beta, Delta,  Omicron and XEC.

    The XEC strain was first detected in Germany in June 2024 and has since spread to 27 countries.

    It has been found in several countries across Europe, Asia, and North America, with at least 600 confirmed cases in the past four months.

    Countries affected include Germany, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Canada, China, Norway, Poland, and the Netherlands.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that the XEC strain is a subvariant of the Omicron lineage of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

    Like other variants, the XEC strain has raised concerns due to its potential for increased transmissibility and partial immune escape.

    This means that individuals who have been infected with previous strains or who have been vaccinated may still be at risk of reinfection.

    However, vaccines remain the most effective defence against severe illness.

    The WHO further explained that the XEC strain, like other COVID-19 variants, primarily spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

    According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the XEC strain is a combination of the KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 variants.

    Surveillance data from the UKHSA indicates that the admission rate for patients testing positive for all strains rose to 4.5 per 100,000 people in the week leading up to October 6, 2024.

    Experts believe the XEC strain is more transmissible due to its numerous mutations. Symptoms of this strain are similar to those of other COVID-19 variants, including fatigue, headaches, sore throat, and high temperatures.

    Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, noted, “Our current surveillance shows that around 13 per cent of sequenced COVID-19 cases are of the XEC lineage.

    However, current information doesn’t suggest we should be more concerned about this variant. We are monitoring it closely, and vaccination still offers the best protection.”

    While the symptoms of the XEC strain are generally similar to those of other COVID-19 variants, they can range from mild to severe.

    Common symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell. Some individuals, especially those with underlying health conditions, may experience more severe complications.

    The elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to the more severe effects of the virus.

    In Nigeria, experts are urging the public to remain vigilant and informed about this new strain, which could alter the course of the ongoing fight against the virus.

    Although the XEC strain has not been officially reported in Nigeria, the Coordinating Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali PAte, has been monitoring the situation closely and is advising healthcare providers to be cautious.

    The Ministry emphasised the importance of precautionary measures to prevent the potential spread of the variant into Nigeria.

    Experts stressed that vaccines remain the most effective tool in protecting against severe disease.

    With Nigeria’s vaccination drive ongoing, citizens were strongly encouraged to participate.

    Dr Adesola Adebayo, a public health expert, highlighted the continued importance of following public health guidelines:

    “The emergence of the XEC strain is a reminder that the pandemic is far from over.

    “It’s crucial that Nigerians continue to adhere to safety guidelines and take personal responsibility in preventing the spread of COVID-19.”

    Adebayo further stated, “Vaccination, adherence to safety protocols, and public health measures remain essential in protecting ourselves and our communities.”

    According to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Nigerians can access the COVID-19 vaccine at public and designated private health facilities, COVID-19 Diagnostic Centres, motor parks, shopping malls, markets, event centres, and schools.

    Amongst others were public places across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The XEC strain serves as a stark reminder that the battle against COVID-19 is ongoing.

    Hence, Nigerians are urged to stay informed, get vaccinated, and adhere to public health guidelines to protect themselves and their communities from this evolving threat.

  • World Bank approves $500m COVID-19 grant for Nigeria

    World Bank approves $500m COVID-19 grant for Nigeria

    The World Bank has announced a 500-million-dollar grant to support Nigeria’s recovery efforts from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The fund will be utilised through the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.

    NAN reports that the programme was launched in 2021 to aid poor and vulnerable households and micro-small enterprises affected by the pandemic.

    Dr Lire Ersado, the World Bank Task Team Leader for NG-CARES, revealed these at the end of a two-day Peer Learning and Experience Sharing meeting in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    The meeting was organised by the Federal Cares Support Unit, under the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

    Ersado, represented by Prof. Foluso Okumadewa, an official with NG-CARES, said that the grant would also assist Nigeria’s broader economic recovery initiatives.

    He added that “the World Bank will continue to support NG-CARES for the next three years, and this support may extend further with backing from the government.”

    He reiterated the bank’s commitment toward institutionalising the programme to ensure its sustainability beyond external funding.

    He said “the NG-CARES programme aims to promote economic resilience and provide stimulus to communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

    Dr Abdulkareem Obaje, the National Coordinator of NG-CARES, highlighted the programme’s successes in offering essential support to vulnerable populations.

    He said the programme spent about 750 million dollars to aid those affected by the pandemic.

    He explained that “the shock response mechanism of the programme has been highly effective, with 625 million dollars already disbursed to states, representing an impressive 88 per cent.

    “These reimbursements for work completed by various states is a remarkable achievement, considering the programme’s scope and timeline.”

    The national coordinator further stated that an additional 50 million dollars was expected  to be disbursed before Dec. 31, with the possibility of extending the programme.

    Obaje pointed out that NG-CARES has overachieved its goals by 30 per cent, with 345 million dollars reimbursed to states, resulting in 834 million dollars in verified outcomes.

    “The programme could reach one billion dollars by the end of the fourth Independent Verification Agent assessments, restructured to support victims of shocks in several states across the country.”

    Alhaji Abdulateef Shittu, the Director-General of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), emphasised the NGF’s mandate to assist states in adopting best practices for developmental programmes like NG-CARES.

    He highlighted the forum’s role in managing peer learning and experience-sharing, ensuring that all states benefit from the programme.

    “The forum commends the states for their active participation and collaboration in overcoming common challenges to achieve success,” Shittu concluded.

  • Paris 2024: COVID-19 hits Olympic games, forces several athletes to withdraw

    Paris 2024: COVID-19 hits Olympic games, forces several athletes to withdraw

    Three years after the Tokyo Olympics were held with strict precautions and no fans due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, concerns about the virus have resurfaced in Paris.

    COVID-19 has caused some athletes to withdraw from events at the Paris Games and others to start wearing masks again. However, the impact is significantly more limited this time.

    Several athletes have tested positive, including Australian swimmer Lani Pallister. Pallister, a medal contender in the women’s 1500 meters freestyle, had to withdraw from the event. However, a team spokesperson stated that the decision was made to conserve Pallister’s energy for the 4x200m freestyle relay starting on Thursday.

    Similarly, British swimmer Adam Peaty tested positive a day after narrowly missing out on the 100m breaststroke gold, sharing the silver with American Nic Fink. Peaty has announced he will focus on a “fast, full recovery” to perform his best in the relays later in the week.

    “Adam’s okay, he’s not dying. He’s alright, just a bit of a cold,” said Peaty’s British teammate Matt Richards after his 100m freestyle heat on Tuesday. “We’ll avoid it (COVID) as best as we can. But we’re here to race. If we get a little bit ill whilst we’re racing we’ll keep racing. It’s how we do it.”

    Several Australian women’s water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 days before the opening ceremony, requiring them to isolate from other team members. Nevertheless, the team played on Tuesday, defeating Serbia 8-3.

    The Tokyo Games were delayed a year due to COVID, and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics were held with strict precautions, making Paris the first post-pandemic Olympics. There are no strict protocols or restrictions around COVID-19 in Paris.

    “We have a protocol that any athlete who has tested positive must wear a mask, and we remind everyone to follow best practices, but in terms of monitoring COVID, cases are quite low in France,” said Anne Descamps, Paris 2024 chief communications director.

    British swimmer Jacob Whittle mentioned that his team is being more stringent with precautions. “We’re hand sanitizing and wearing masks everywhere we can,” he said. “When we’re swimming and speaking to reporters are the only times we’re not wearing a mask. It’s about being extra cautious when eating, going on buses, and in communal spaces to avoid catching it and not spreading it if you have it. Just being careful really.”

    Canada’s chief medical officer, Mike Wilkinson, said his team continues to follow many of the infection prevention protocols that were effective during the COVID pandemic, including hand washing, sanitization, and good hygiene practices. “We also have a team that disinfects shared spaces throughout the day and isolation protocols for anyone who does get sick,” he said.

  • COVID-19 rocks Paris 2024 Olympics

    COVID-19 rocks Paris 2024 Olympics

    Three years after the Tokyo Olympics were held amid strict precautions and with no fans because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, there is now another fear of the disease in Paris.

    The virus has forced athletes to withdraw from events at the Paris Games and has others donning masks again.cThis time the impact is much more limited though.

    Several athletes have tested positive, including Australian swimmer Lani Pallister. She was a medal hope in the women’s 1500 metres freestyle but had to withdraw from the event.

    A team spokeswoman said, however, that the decision was made to save Pallister’s energy for the 4x200m freestyle relay which starts on Thursday.

    Likewise, British swimmer Adam Peaty, tested positive a day after he just missed out on 100m breaststroke gold, sharing silver with American Nic Fink.

    He has now said he would focus on a “fast, full recovery” to give his best in relays later in the week.

    “Adam’s okay, he’s not dying. He’s alright, just a bit of a cold,” Peaty’s British teammate Matt Richards said after his 100m freestyle heat on Tuesday.

    “We’ll avoid it (COVID) as best as we can,” Richards said. But “we’re here to race. If we get a little bit ill whilst we’re racing we’ll keep racing. It’s how we do it.”

    Several Australian women’s water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 in the days leading up to the opening ceremony, forcing them to isolate from other team members.

    However the team played on Tuesday, smashing Serbia 8-3.

    The Tokyo Games were delayed a year due to COVID while the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics were held with strict precautions, making Paris the first post-pandemic Olympics.

    There are no strict protocols or restrictions around COVID-19 in Paris.

    “We have a protocol (that) any athlete that has tested positive has to wear a mask and we remind everyone to follow best practices but in terms of monitoring COVID, cases are quite low in France,” said Anne Descamps, Paris 2024 chief communications director.

    British swimmer Jacob Whittle said his team were nevertheless getting more strict with the precautions

    “We’re hand sanitising and wearing masks everywhere we can,” he said. “When we’re swimming and doing stuff like this (speaking to reporters) are the only times we’re not wearing a mask.

    “It’s just being extra cautious when eating and going on buses and communal spaces, just being really conscious so as to not catch it and also if you’ve got it not to give it to anyone else. Just being careful really.”

    Canada’s chief medical officer Mike Wilkinson, said his team “continued to implement many of the infection prevention protocols that proved successful during the COVID pandemic including hand washing, sanitisation and good hygiene practices.

    “We also have a team that disinfects shared spaces throughout the day, and isolation protocols for anyone who does get sick,” he said.

  • BREAKING: President Biden down with COVID-19, at higher risk of severe illness

    BREAKING: President Biden down with COVID-19, at higher risk of severe illness

    U.S. President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, the White House said in a statement on Thursday.

    Biden is “vaccinated and boosted and he is experiencing mild symptoms,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

    According to the statement, the positive test came following an event Biden attended in Nevada.

    Biden will be returning to his private residence in Delaware “where he will self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time,” Jean-Pierre said.

    Biden’s doctor said the president had shown “upper respiratory symptoms” in the afternoon, including a runny nose and a cough.

    His physician said the results of a PCR confirmation test are still pending but Biden has received the first dose of the COVID drug Paxlovid,.

    Biden, 81, last tested positive for COVID-19 two years ago. At the time, he only suffered from mild symptoms, according to the White House.

    Due to his advanced age, the U.S. president is considered to be at higher risk of becoming severely ill from COVID-19.

    The latest positive result comes as Biden’s mental acuity and physical condition are increasingly being scrutinised amid growing concern that he may not be fit enough to run for a second term in November’s presidential elections.

  • Treat cholera with same seriousness as COVID-19 – Rep. Faleke urges

    Treat cholera with same seriousness as COVID-19 – Rep. Faleke urges

    Rep. James Faleke (Ikeja Federal Constituency) has called on Nigerians to treat the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the country with the level of seriousness  they handled  COVID-19 pandemic.

    Faleke made the call in an interview with NAN in Lagos on Monday.

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recently reported that 53 deaths due to cholera had been recorded in the country.

    Also, the Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, said that the Federal Government had activated the National Emergency Operation Centre for cholera.

    Idris said, “As at June 24, 2024, 1,528 suspected cases and 53 deaths were recorded across 31 states and 107 LGAs with a case fatality rate of 3.5 per cent since the beginning of the year.”

    Reacting, Faleke said that Nigerians should do more to curb the cholera outbreak.

    ” Every Nigerian needs to be careful, our attitude to cleanliness matters,” he said.

    Faleke said that Nigerians should be more careful with what they would eat and drink.

    “The way we took COVID-19 seriously is the way we should take  this cholera outbreak.

    “Cholera has killed many people. We expected that, at this modern age, we should not be having an outbreak of cholera in Nigeria.

    “However, it has come; so, we have to deal with it.  People should be more careful with what they eat and what they drink.

    “There are many fake products out there. Stop taking fake products. You don’t have to drink anything, take clean water,” he advised.

  • Just in: SERAP drags Tinubu to court over failure to probe missing $3.4bn IMF loan to finance budget, respond to COVID-19

    Just in: SERAP drags Tinubu to court over failure to probe missing $3.4bn IMF loan to finance budget, respond to COVID-19

    The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a fresh lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu.

    The lawsuit concerns “the failure (of the President) to probe the grim allegations that $3.4 billion loan obtained by Nigeria from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to finance the budget and respond to COVID-19 is missing, diverted or unaccounted for.”

    The allegations are contained in the recently published 2020 Nigeria’s annual audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation.

    In the suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/269/2024, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is asking the court “to direct and compel President Tinubu to probe the allegations that $3.4 billion loan obtained by Nigeria from the IMF to finance the budget and respond to COVID-19 is missing, diverted or unaccounted for.”

    SERAP is also seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel President Tinubu to ensure the effective prosecution of anyone suspected to be responsible for the alleged mismanagement and diversion of the $3.4 billion IMF loan obtained by Nigeria to finance the budget and respond to the COVID- 19 pandemic.”

    SERAP is also seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel President Tinubu to ensure the full recovery of the missing $3.4 billion IMF loan obtained by Nigeria to finance the budget and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

    In the suit, SERAP argues: “Investigating these grave allegations, bringing suspected perpetrators to justice and recovering any missing IMF loan would contribute to addressing the country’s economic crisis and debt burden.

    “The findings by the Auditor-General suggest a grave violation of the public trust, the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], national anticorruption laws, and the country’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption.”

    SERAP noted that “servicing IMF loan that is allegedly missing, diverted or unaccounted for is double jeopardy for Nigerians—they can neither see nor benefit from the projects for which the loan was approved; yet, they are made to pay back both the loan and accrued interests.”

    The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Andrew Nwankwo, read in part: “There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these serious allegations. Granting the reliefs sought would end the impunity of perpetrators and ensure justice for victims of corruption.

    Granting the reliefs sought would facilitate the effective implementation of the recommendations by the Auditor-General in the 2020 annual report that the missing $3.4 billion IMF loan be fully recovered and remitted to the public treasury and those responsible be ‘sanctioned and handed over to anticorruption agencies’.

    “The allegations of corruption in the spending of IMF loan documented by the Auditor-General undermine economic development of the country, trap the majority of Nigerians in poverty and deprive them of opportunities.

    “According to the 2020 annual audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation published last week, the US$3.4 billion emergency financial assistance obtained from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to finance the budget and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic is missing, diverted or unaccounted for.

    According to the Auditor-General, no information or document was provided to justify the movement and spending of the Fund.

    “The Auditor-General has recommended that the money should be fully recovered and remitted to the public treasury and for the evidence of remittance to be forwarded to the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly.

    “The Auditor-General has also recommended that anyone suspected to be involved should be ‘sanctioned and handed over to the EFCC and ICPC for investigation and prosecution, as provided for in paragraph 3112 of the Financial Regulations.’

    According to SERAP’s information, Nigeria has signed an agreement to spread the repayment of the IMF loan/interests from 2023 to 2027. The first instalment, due in 2023, is worth $497.17 million. The second instalment, due in 2024, will be worth $1.76 billion. The third instalment, due in 2025, will be worth $865.27 million.

    The final two instalments, due in 2026 and 2027, will each be worth $33.99 million. These instalments will only be interest payments.

    “Impunity for corruption in the management of loans obtained by Nigeria will continue as long as high-ranking public officials go largely unpunished for their alleged crimes.”

    Joined in the suit as Respondent is Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

  • Post COVID-19 fund: Presidential aide faults Falana’s criticism

    Post COVID-19 fund: Presidential aide faults Falana’s criticism

    Mr Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, says Mr Femi Falana’s criticism of N135 billion post COVID-19 reimbursement given to 36 states in December, is misrepresentation of facts.

    Ajayi, in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, said that Falana (SAN)  in a viral video, alluded to the sum of N135 billion given to the 36 states in December 2023 at a memorial event in honour of Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti.

    According to him, Falana allegedly exaggerated and embellished the facts.

    Ajayi said: “What the Lagos lawyer rendered in that trending video is total misrepresentation of facts.

    “He also did not tell his audience the real reason the said amount was released to the states under the World Bank-funded NG-CARES Programme.

    “Contrary to the wrong impression of wasteful and frivolous spending being conveyed to the public by Falana, it should be stressed that it is the Lagos lawyer who needs to get himself acquainted with the issue in contention.”

    Analysing the facts, Ajayi said the whole global economy was still reeling from the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic with the attendant disruptions to global supply chain, “which the world is yet to fully recover from.”

    He said COVID-19 exacerbated poverty around the world, especially as a result of loss of livelihoods in rural communities and among the urban poor.

    “Post-COVID-19, the World Health Organisation and World Bank are still supporting countries to strengthen their health systems and emergency preparedness.

    “This is so that nations can be in much better position to deal with other public health emergencies that may occur in future.

    “Just last year, there was an outbreak of Diphtheria, monkeypox, and Lassa Fever in more than 20 states in Nigeria that government effectively contained.

    “In a bid to further manage the aftermath of COVID-19 in line with the framework of the WHO and the World Bank, the Federal Government, in December 2023, disbursed N135.4 billion to the states.”

    According to him, the disbursement followed Independent Assessment of results achieved under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme.

    “The money, which Falana attempted to scandalise in the viral video, was released to address social and economic crisis created by  the pandemic.

    “This is not peculiar to Nigeria. Every country in the world today is still dealing with many socio-economic problems caused by COVID-19,” he said.

    Ajayi said the aim of the NG-CARES Programme backed by World Bank, being implemented in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was to mitigate the economic and social shocks faced by vulnerable people.

    According to him, it is for vulnerable people who are yet to get their livelihoods back as a result of the lockdown occasioned by the pandemic.

    He said the project was structured as one that delivered results.

    He said that only states that had implemented the programme according to laid-down procedures prescribed in the Financing Agreement, the Funds Release Policy, and the Independent Verification Agent Protocol got reimbursement for the money already spent.

    “The money Falana mentioned with the intent to ridicule the Federal Government and incite the public against  President Bola Tinubu, was disbursed based on the results achieved by the states and FCT in their efforts at supporting poor and vulnerable Nigerians under the NG-CARES Programme.

    “The top three best performing states in the Second Round of Assessment are Nasarawa, which got N13,697,828,496.96, Cross River – N10,944,747,818.84 and Zamfara – N10,231,055,267.82,” according to NG-CARES National Coordinator, Abdulkarim Obae, in a statement.

    “While government needs critics as watchdogs for accountability and to engender more transparency in the management of public affairs and finance, that sacred duty should not be left in the hands of those who have elevated half-truths and embellishments as their article of trade.

    *Criticisms should be constructive and fact-based.”