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Omicron: Don’t Panic, COVID-19 Vaccines Still Effective, NCDC Tells Nigerians

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The director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Ifedayo Adetifa, has advised Nigerians to dismiss what he described as speculations that vaccines have no effect on the new SARS-CoV2 variant which has been named Omicron.

He said vaccination remains “a very powerful tool to prevent transmission of the disease and death caused by this virus.”

Mr Adetifa, who spoke on Channel’s “Sunrise Daily” programme on Wednesday, said NCDC believes that even if the Omicron variant has any impact on vaccination, “it cannot be equal to full abrogation”.

“So theoretically speaking, if the vaccine was 90 per cent protective against severe disease and deaths from the Delta variant, it may become 80 per cent protective from the Omicron variant. So while we work out what kind of impact it will have on vaccine protective effect, the point remains that vaccines are effective, safe and they confer protection,” Mr Adetifa said.

According to the director-general, the centre, like other scientists across the world, does not know how dangerous the variant is, noting that investigations are still ongoing.

He said; “There are mutations that have been seen in the spike proteins that theoretically may confirm the risk of increased transmissibility, may cause more severe disease or reduced protections from existing vaccines but the reality is that we don’t know.

“What we know is that the cases currently affected by this variant have been mostly asymptomatic, they have been mostly young, and there have been no deaths. So we are still watching, we need more time to see what happens when it affects slightly different pockets of the population like the susceptible or the elderly. But for now, we don’t know much.

“What we know is that current public health safety measures and vaccination confer protection. It might not be 100 per cent but the protection they offer is useful and beneficial and people should adhere to those measures and make use of every opportunity that is currently provided especially in Nigeria to receive their vaccines..”

Mr Adetifa warned Nigerians of the possible emergence of a more dangerous variant and advised them to remain cautious by observing all non-pharmaceutical measures to ward off the danger.

He said the consequences may be bad if they throw caution to the wind.

He said the emergence of the Omicron variant is a reminder that the battle is not over, that there is still a risk.

Mr Adetifa added; “The fact that we thankfully have not seen many severe cases and deaths does not mean that we are not getting infections and does not mean that the virus has not been transmitted. What happens is that if we have unmitigated transmission of the virus within the population, you will always have a chance that a variant that may be more dangerous than the predecessor or even change the pattern of disease for us, may emerge.

“This is why we are calling on people to return and adhere to safety measures that are in place. And of course, vaccination, which is very important.”

The NCDC boss also explained that there is nothing strange about the mutation of the Omicron variant, saying all viruses mutate.

“Viruses mutate at different frequencies depending on what type of virus it is. What is new is the pathogen SARS-CoV2 which we call RNA virus. Most RNA viruses have frequent mutations. It means that in the cause of multiplying, their errors are made in every circle in their genetic code.

“While humans and some other viruses have corrective mechanisms, a lot of viruses especially the RNA virus do not have corrective mechanisms. So errors are carried on to the next generation but just a few are able to survive and go ahead to cause diseases,” Mr Adetifa said.

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My Only Regret In Life Is Bleaching My Skin — Toke Makinwa

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Toke Makinwa, famous Nigerian media personality, has revealed that bleaching her skin is her only regret in life.

Toke made this known during a recent interactive session with her fans on the X (formerly known as Twitter) platform.

A fan had asked, “If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?”

In response, the media personality noted that regret is exhausting and bleaching her skin was the ‘dumbest’ thing she ever did.

She, however, said she is grateful for her good genes and money, which suppressed the side effects of the skin bleaching.

Toke said, “Nothing. Regret is so exhausting! Wait, maybe bleaching my skin. It was the dumbest thing ever and I’m just so thankful for good genes and money cos….”

Meanwhile, Toke Makinwa has disclosed that she underwent surgery to remove 13 fibroids from her body.

Makinwa explained that she had always known something was wrong because she had a very big tummy, irregular periods, and a bulge when she lay down.

She narrated that fibroids affected the majority of women in her family and some had to remove their wombs.

Makinwa made the revelation following the release of Stephanie Coker’s documentary titled “Where the Heck is My Period.”

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Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road: Ohanaeze Distances Self From Peter Obi’s Vilification Of Umahi

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The Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Sunday condemned the unfair slander that Peter Obi and other opponents had perpetrated against Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.

Obi and his backers had publicly blasted Umahi for overseeing the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, claiming it was a waste of tax dollars.

In a statement released by its Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze stated that the organisation remained unwavering in the face of a barrage of unjustified criticism and unfounded insults directed at Umahi’s visionary efforts and the Lagos Calabar Coastal Road.

It said the cacophony of disparagement and negative fervour surrounding these transformative initiatives raised eyebrows and prompts reflections on the true motives behind such aggression; clearly not in the interest of the Nigerian people.

“In response to the recent controversies clouding the Lagos Calabar Coastal Project, Ohanaeze Ndigbo unequivocally denounces the unjust vilification aimed at Senator Dave Umahi by Peter Obi and other detractors.

“Setting the records straight, Ohanaeze calls for private dialogue and constructive engagements rather than resorting to public confrontations that could impede the much-needed infrastructural development in the Southeast.

“The recent expressed interest by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in reconstructing major federal highways in the Southeast is a monumental step towards remedying decades of neglect, exemplified by ongoing projects like the Markudi-Nsukka-Nightmile-Enugu,the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, the Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Calabar Expressway and others, enabled by innovative Cement Technology,” the body said.

Ohanaeze urged Obi to seek diplomacy and engage privately with Umahi to gain firsthand insights into critical national development projects.

The organization stressed the importance of fostering respectful dialogue and discouraged actions that could sow discord among the Igbo community and Nigerians at large.

The body said it is privy to intelligence reports debunking the baseless arrest rumours swirling around Obi, dismissing these as spurious fabrications propagated by malicious elements seeking to undermine the transformative infrastructure strides led by the Tinubu administration under the able stewardship of Umahi.

“It is imperative for Peter Obi to refrain from public acrimony towards Senator Dave Umahi, a stalwart of progress and development in Nigeria and the Southeast, in recognition of the monumental efforts by President Tinubu and Umahi to rectify longstanding infrastructural deficits in the region.

“The Southeast craves an infrastructural revolution that transcends political affiliations, cherishing progress over petty opposition accolades,” Ohanaeze stated.

Ohanaeze emphasised its clarion call for unity and mutual understanding and reiterated support for the contentious Lagos-Calabar coastal road project, asserting that the shoreline falls under the Federal Government’s Right-of-Way jurisdiction.

“Ohanaeze reaffirms the unwavering solidarity of Nigerians and the Igbo community in championing President Tinubu and Senator Umahi’s laudable efforts in advancing national infrastructure, exemplified by the recent allocation of a 2.75 billion compensation fund for affected property owners along the project’s Right-of-Way.

“In conclusion, Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering harmonious dialogues, unity, and progress for all Nigerians. The organization echoes a clarion call for collaborative advancement to ensure a prosperous and united Nigeria,” the body said.

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AY Makun, Seyi Law, Others Grace Dedication Of Ali Baba’s Triplets In Lagos [PHOTOS]

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Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, had a dedication ceremony for his triplets, and in attendance were celebrities like AY Makun, Seyi Law, Chi Girl, MC Lively, and many more.

Gathering Ali Baba’s friends, family, and business associates, the celebration was held on Sunday at Lagos.

An event at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Christ The Lord Central Parish in Lekki, served as the kickoff for the dedication.

At an event centre on Hakeem Dickson Street in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, there was a reception held after the service.

Other guests at the event included Chigul, Bunmi Davis, Ajebo Comedian, and Adebola Williams.

Ali Baba had on April 1 announced that his wife, Mary was delivered a set of triplets.

Many, however, did not believe the information which they tagged April Fools’ message.

 

See More Photos Here:

 

Photo Credit: The Cable.

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