ALL THE RELEVANT NEWS: WEDNESDAY

01 Dec ALL THE RELEVANT NEWS: WEDNESDAY

Latest on Omicron COVID:

* The NCDC has confirmed the detection of three cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in Nigeria. In a statement by its Director General, Ifedayo Adetifa, the NCDC said, “Genomic surveillance has now identified and confirmed Nigeria’s first cases of the B.1.1.529 SARS-CoV-2 lineage, now known as the Omicron variant. Samples obtained for the stipulated day two test for all travellers to Nigeria were positive for this variant in three persons with a history of travel to South Africa.”

* Amid reports, South Africa’s President Ramaphosa has arrived Nigeria on a 3-day visit.

* The Canadian government has added Nigeria, Egypt and Malawi, to its list of countries placed on ‘travel ban’ over growing concerns of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Over 70 countries have issued travel restrictions.

* The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, on Tuesday, issued new directives to travellers as measures to contain the new Omicron variant. Passengers arriving in Nigeria are now required to conduct a PCR test, 48 hours before embarking on their trips to the country and another day two and day seven PCR tests on arrival. They are also expected to self-isolate for seven days.

* Nigeria Caseload: On Tuesday, Nigeria reported a jump from 21 cases on Monday to 105 new cases, as well as one death. So, there are now 214218 confirmed cases, 207304 recoveries and 2977 deaths in the 36 states and the FCT.

* Elsewhere, the United States has announced tougher COVID-19 testing rules, while more countries tightened their borders amid uncertainty around the virulence of the Omicron variant and its ability to evade vaccine protection.

🌍The National Economic Council at an emergency virtual meeting presided over by VP Osinbajo yesterday endorsed a memorandum on finance bill 2022, presented by Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed.

🌍Oil Monitor: Prices rose more than 3% on Wednesday, recouping a big chunk of the previous session’s steep losses, as major producers prepared to discuss how to respond to the threat of a hit to fuel demand from the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Brent crude futures rose $2.46, or 3.6%, to $71.69 a barrel at 0742 GMT, after rising to as high as $71.95 earlier in the day. The benchmark had slumped 3.9% on Tuesday.

🌍President Buhari yesterday vowed that FG will sanction those who bring in personnel into the public workforce by illegal recruitment, pad their payroll and retain ghost workers. The 2021 Public Service Integrity Awards was presented to three distinguished Nigerians.

🌍The ICPC says it has uncovered gross abuse of personnel budget as well as duplication of projects by some federal MDAs amounting to over N20.138 billion.

🌍MTN Group says it will sell up to 575 million shares held in MTN Nigeria at N169 per share to retail investors – beginning today.

🌍United Airlines resumed non-stop Washington-Lagos flight services on Monday.

🌍President Buhari has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for advice on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021.

🌍Banks’ borrowing from the CBN to address illiquidity problems rose by 315% to N24.53trn between January and November, 2021

🌍In a white paper on the report of the judicial panel set up to probe cases of police brutality in the state, the Lagos government has rejected claims of massacre at the Lagos Toll Gate.

🌍The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has said Nigeria is building massive transportation infrastructure across the country to key into the benefits of the African Intercontinental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market.

🌍Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola has filed N2 billion defamation suit against the Chief Executive Officer of Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, Leno Olaitan Adesanya, over alleged libelous publications against him in two national dailies.

🌍Former Minister of Aviation, Fani-Kayode has been released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), after an arrest on Tuesday.