Minister of State for Health launches Ultra MEGA PCR Laboratory in Lagos.

A Laboratory that will provide critical diagnostic support for the management of HIV and other infectious diseases outbreaks of public health, such as COVID-19, Lassa fever, and similar viral infections, has been launched in Lagos.  
Sited within the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research premises in Yaba, its advanced Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology, provides rapid and accurate molecular diagnostics on an unimaginable scale. 
Launching the Laboratory, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Isaq Adekunle Salako described the Ultra MEGA PCR facility as a transformative leap in the health sector.
He said, "By fostering synergy between research, diagnostics, and policy, we are taking proactive steps toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, adding this Ultra MEGA PCR Laboratory underscores our commitment to building a resilient healthcare system". 
"It will further enhance our capacity not only to respond to pandemics but also to anticipate and mitigate health risks, contributing to the overall stability and well-being of our society".
Dr Isaq stressed that, with the technology and capacity, the lab will become a cornerstone in the fight against HIV and other infectious diseases, particularly in diagnostics, epidemiological surveillance, and biomedical research.

He said, and I quote, "The facility will also serve as a hub for training the next generation of molecular scientists and researchers, ensuring that their workforce is equipped to tackle present and future health challenges ".
According to the Minister, "the Laboratory aligns with the broader national strategy for health security and a key pillar of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, HSRII.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Akin Abayomi commended the Minister for launching the Ultra MEGA PCR Laboratory and urged the NIMR to maintain the lab and other facilities appropriately.

The Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Prof. John Obafunwa, appreciated the Minister and reassured NIMR's commitment to research and service.
The DG NIMR also Commended the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Akin Abayomi, for his doggedness, saying that the collaborative spirit was necessary for the advancement of health research in the state.

The DG, who appealed to the Minister to prioritize research and research funding, said the advancement of ethical research practices was critical for the development of the healthcare systems and the well-being of the people.

Shipper's Council to check discrepancies in Ports Operations, want Port Regulatory Agency Bill signed into law.

The Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC) has called on stakeholders in the Maritime sector to support its Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill 2023 into law. 
Executive Secretary of the Council, Barrister Akutah Pius made the call at the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) 2024 annual conference and awards on Thursday in Lagos with the theme: "Nigeria's Maritime Industry Under the Renewed Hope Agenda: What is New?"
The bill, when it becomes law, he explained would enhance regulatory authority, enforce compliance, regulate charges, improve efficiency, eliminate exploitative practices, bring about fairer trade conditions and fast dispute resolution, amongst others. 
According to him, the bill will also boost maritime competitiveness based on global best practices and position Nigeria as a regional hub for shipping. 
Akutah, who was represented by the Director of Strategic Planning and Research, Rotimi Anifowose, while speaking on the topic, "Achieving a Profitable Port System: NSC Duty as Port Economic Regulator", said all hands must be on deck to see it actualised. 
He said: "For a country that wants to have the renewed hope agenda placed placedigeria maritime industry, we must collectively emphasise the functionality and role of the port economic regulator. 
"For us, the Council NSC boss noted, "We have Wen in the forefront of the promotion of the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill 2023. and assured that" the bl, when passed into law, will empower the Council to effectively perform its regulatory function in the port sector. I can tell you that the bill, as of now, has been done concurrently by the House of Representatives and the Senate.
"We are calling on everybody to support us in making sure that the President assent to this bill to make it an act that will be very instrumental in the realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda within the industry. We need everybody to join us ". Anifowose
" He stated, and I qu,ote, " There are so many things that we can fix, not because we cannot fix them, but because we need to put structures on the ground that will fix them. If you are talking about port efficiency, there is a need for regulatory functions to be addressed. 
" If you are talking about effective trade facilitation, there is also a need for the port economic regulation to be addressed". Anifowose explained 
Speaking on some of the recent achievements of the NCS, he said the Council had signed a formal bond with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy in May 2024, facilitated the official commissioning of the Funtua Inland Dry Port, negotiated and facilitated the signing of the agreement on minimum standards of provision of service for maritime workers who were hitherto being treated like slaves. 
He listed others to include the elimination of incidences of illegal capital flight and also the development of a mobile application that provides real-time trade, shipping and logistic information to industry stakeholders. 
According to him, these efforts by the council committed to making sure that the Renewed Hope Agenda for the maritime sector is realised and for Nigeria to take its rightful place in the global market. 
 "If not 90 per cent, 85 per cent of the cargo in Lome Port are Nigeria bound. What we have is just in shipment. We need to put our hands on deck " he revered 
"Mr Anifowose stated that the Cusoms are getting revenue from the government and can do more with the creation of a conducive environment that will improve and exporters have confidence in the ports. 
"That's why we must all come together and support the Nigerian Shippers' Council drive to make this reform an act so that the effective port economic regulatory function can be attained". he stated

Osimhen Makes Galatasaray's Substitute Bench on Injury Comeback.

Victor Osimhen is back in Turkish Super Lig  action for Galatasaray at home against Trabzonspor.

The Napoli loanee is on Gala's substitute bench after a minor muscle injury kept him briefly on the sidelines.

The injury the Super Eagles' forward copped in previous Super Lig game at Sivasspor earlier this month ensured he missed his team’s UEFA Europa League trip to Malmo of Sweden.

If subbed on, Osimhen could come face-to-face with fellow Nigerian star Anthony Nwakaeme who is listed as a starter, donning jersey number 9.

Nwakaeme returned from injury to score his first goal, an equaliser, for Trabzonspor last week to keep his team one place above relegation in 15th place.

Galatasaray top the standings on 38 points from 14 matches, three points ahead of second-placed Fenerbache.

Kick-off  for Galatasaray versus Trabzonspor is 7pm.

Report Installs Lookman as Overwhelming Favourite for Africa's Best Player Award.

Super Eagles' winger Ademola Lookman is the “absolute favourite” to replace Victor Osimhen as Africa’s best player for 2024, according to leading Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

Osimhen's successor will be known tonight at the CAF Awards which takes place in Marrakech, Morocco.

The respected Italian sports outlet said Lookman's Europa League final heroics will give him the edge over Achraf Hakimi (Morocco and PSG) and Serhou Guirassy (Guinea and Borussia Dortmund).

Lookman was the only African nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

He eventually finished 14th on a final 30-man short list.

INEC Denies Rumors of Prof. Yakubu's Death

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted claims circulating on social media regarding the alleged death of its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, issued a statement confirming that Prof. Yakubu is alive and in good health. He also clarified that Prof. Yakubu has not traveled to London in the past two years.

Reports were shared on social media stating that the INEC chairman had passed away in a London hospital following a brief illness. The statement read: “We have been alerted to a false narrative circulating on social media claiming that INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has died in a London hospital. This story first emerged on Monday, December 9, 2024.

“We urge the public to disregard this rumor. Prof. Yakubu is alive, healthy, and in good spirits. He has not traveled to London in the last two years. He was present at an interactive meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, and chaired the Commission's meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners on Thursday, December 12, 2024. Both events were widely covered on television and featured prominently in major newspapers on Friday, December 13, 2024.

“The public may remember that similar rumors circulated in 2021, and now, three years later, the same falsehood is being spread again. 

“Those who engage in this behavior, as well as those who propagate these stories, should consider the impact on both the individual and society as a whole.

“The Commission will continue to collaborate with reputable media professionals to combat the spread of fake news and the dangers it poses to society.”

FG Targets 2,000 Renewed Hope City, To Restore Unused Buildings through PPP, As Minister Pays Working Visit to Lagos By Abiola PETERS

 

All is set for the groundbreaking of the Two Thousand Renewed Hope City in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, by President Bola Tinubu, to cover the Southwest region of the country.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Musa Danginwa, who stated this during an inspection of federal government buildings in Lagos, said that the President would later be in Kano to do the groundbreaking that will cater for the North Central region.
Architect Danginwa said he had earlier met with Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, and they both agreed to a Tripartite Committee that would resolve all issues concerning housing and lands between the federal and state governments.
According to the Minister, one of such issues is the integrity and security concerns of unrehabilitated federal government buildings, stating that some will be taken care of with budgetary expenses, while the Private sector will be engaged for others for rent and eventually revenue for the federal government.

Architect Danginwa, who had earlier visited the Fields Headquarters Office, housing over forty federal government offices at Tafawa Balewa Square, acknowledged the deplorable state of the facility with a promise to ensure the upgrade and improve the work conditions of the staff.
Earlier, the Controller of Housing, Lagos, Town Planner Funmilayo Olayiwola, had listed a lack of power supply, water, dilapidated structures and obsolete operational vehicles as part of the challenges in the Headquarters and some other offices, thereby limiting the productivity of staff.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development also visited the old Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi, Federal Land Registry Ribadu, Ikoyi, Craft Training Schools in Ikoyi and Harvey Road, Yaba, 60 beds hostel facilities at Onikan, National Population Commission Land at Surulere and Eric More Housing and Treatment Plant Project at Surulere.

Architect Danginwa  was accompanied by the Minister of State, Mr Yusuf Abdullahi Ata and Permanent Secretary, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi.pp

The Minister will continue his working visit to Lagos tomorrow with an inspection of some ongoing Federal Government Housing Estates and Projects and also engage stakeholders on Land Administration.
Most of the buildings served as offices of the Federal Government became vacant or unused due to the relocation of the Federal Capital Territory from Lagos to Abuja on December 12, 1991.

RADIO NIGERIA'S METRO 97.7 FM TO RESUME FULL OPERATIONS THIS WEEK.

The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Lagos Operations has assured that Metro FM would commence live transmission of its News and Programmes before the end of this week.
The Director, Mrs Bolanle Owoyemi, gave the assurance when a delegation from the Voice of Nigeria, VON, visited  FRCN Lagos Operations to commiserate with the management over the fire outbreak, which affected a section of the Corporation's building housing Metro FM and Radio One Studios.
"Radio one transmission was restored fully,  24 hours after the unfortunate fire outbreak. Metro FM has been rendering skeletal Services ever since. By the grace of God, we are working assiduously to ensure that Metro  resumes full transmission of its programmes on or before this weekend."

Mrs Owoyemi thanked the Director-General of VON, Malam Jibrin Baba- Ndache and his team for the visit.
Earlier, the leader of the VON delegation and  Director of ICT, Mr Abdulkareen  Maruf, had, on behalf of the VON DG, sympathized with the management of FRCN for the loss of equipment in the fire disaster.
"We are particularly saddened by the loss of equipment and  disruption of operations in the inferno"
The VON delegation, which shares the same premises with Radio Nigeria, unanimously described FRCN as their second home based on the level of cooperation between the members of staff of the two organisations.
The visitors were happy at the revelation by the Director of Lagos Operations, Mrs Bolanle Owoyemi, that Radio Nigeria's Achieve Library was not affected by the fire.
Mrs Owoyemi later took the VON delegation around the FRCN facilities that were destroyed by the fire.