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Fake COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria, UK, others, Interpol warns
Nigeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, and 190 other countries are at the risk of buying fake COVID-19 vaccines, the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has alerted.
It said these countries have come under the threat of organised criminal groups working to supply fake COVID-19 vaccines and steal genuine supplies.
Interpol raised the alarm as the UK Wednesday became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for widespread use.
Already, Interpol said there had been a rise in the activities of the criminals who had started advertising and selling the fake COVID-19 vaccines, especially online.
The need for a vaccine has become more urgent with Nigeria recording over 67,000 COVID-19 infections and over 1,000 associated fatalities, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has so far identified 49 “candidate vaccines” at the stage of clinical trials in humans.
Hopes are high that shots could be ready for use before the end of the year as two frontrunner vaccines – by Moderna and BioNTech/Pfizer – already reported that phase 3 trials for their mRNA vaccine showed 95 per cent efficacy in preventing Covid-19 symptoms and did not produce adverse side effects among thousands of volunteers.
In a statement on Wednesday titled, ‘Interpol warns of organised crime threat to COVID-19 vaccines’, Interpol Secretary General, Jürgen Stock stated, “As governments are preparing to roll out vaccines, criminal organisations are planning to infiltrate or disrupt supply chains.”
Stock said there was a need for coordination between law enforcement and health regulatory bodies to ensure the safety of individuals and wellbeing of communities are protected.
He also said, “Criminal networks will also be targeting unsuspecting members of the public via fake websites and false cures, which could pose a significant risk to their health, even their lives.
“It is essential that law enforcement is as prepared as possible for what will be an onslaught of all types of criminal activity linked to the COVID-19 vaccine, which is why Interpol has issued this global warning.”
According to him, 3,000 websites associated with online pharmacies are suspected of selling fake medicines and medical devices.
He advised residents of Interpol 194 member countries to take special care when going online to search for medical equipment or medicine.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the “fantastic” news of the vaccine approval, while urging the public to remain cautious on the day that England exited a four-week lockdown and re-imposed regional curbs.
“It’s the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get the economy moving again,” he said.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said that starting with care home residents and health and care staff, Britain’s state-run National Health Service will begin with 800,000 doses “early next week”.
That will be ramped up to “millions” of inoculations by the end of the year. Help is on its way,” he told BBC radio.
The breakthrough will encourage hopes the world can finally get back on course in 2021 after a year of traumatic losses, both human and economic.
The novel coronavirus has killed nearly 1.5 million people since the outbreak emerged in China 12 months ago. At least 63 million cases have been registered.
Pfizer Chief Executive, Albert Bourla, said the UK certification was a “historic moment in the fight against COVID-19”.
News
Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit
Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit
President Bola Tinubu will travel to France today (Wednesday) for a three-day state visit at the instance of the French president.
A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this.
It said, “The Nigerian leader’s three-day visit, which will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, promises significant benefits for Nigeria.”
Onanuga said Tinubu and Macron would harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.
“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication,” he added.
“They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.”
The presidential adviser stated that the Nigerian first lady and her French counterpart would discuss solutions for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope initiative.
News
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
News
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
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