Joe Biden will be inaugurated as the 46th president of the U.S. on Wednesday, capping off a chaotic election season in a country still divided by Donald Trump’s claims of voter fraud.
The inauguration ceremony will start at 10:30 am (1530 GMT) with Biden and incoming Vice President Kamala Harris sworn into office at noon.
Hundreds of thousands of people usually attend the ceremony, but this time around there will only be a small crowd due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that has now killed more than 400,000 Americans.
Security precautions have also been bolstered after rioters supporting outgoing President Trump stormed the Capitol earlier this month.
More than 25,000 National Guard troops will be working in Washington to secure the inauguration.
In a break with tradition, Trump will not attend Biden’s swearing-in and the subsequent gathering of all living presidents.
Vice President Mike Pence will be in attendance.
Trump will leave the White House early and plans to hold a small ceremony at a nearby military base before heading to Florida, where he is expected to take residence at his Mar-a-Lago Resort.
A Jesuit priest, Leo O’Donovan, will start the inauguration ceremony and pop star Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem.
Other celebrities including singer Jennifer Lopez will participate.
Biden will give the traditional inaugural address, a key speech that marks his first formal address to the nation as president and is seen as a key chance to set the tone of his term.
Governors of the 36 states of the federation, under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), will, tomorrow, decide when the Coronavirus vaccination will kick-off across the country.
In a statement by Head, Media and Public Affairs of the NGF, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the governors expressed worry over the intensity of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Nigeria’s tardy commencement of inoculation that is sweeping through countries globally.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, had, last week, said governors would be given COVID-19 vaccine on live television to encourage Nigerians to accept the vaccine.
Fayemi revealed this to journalists after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, when asked if governors would also take the vaccines on live television.
He said: “Absolutely. We too will like to demonstrate to our citizens that we believe that vaccines would work.
Don’t forget, we have a lot of experience on this. Governors Forum managed the polio vaccines administration in the country and we have garnered a lot of experience.”
Tomorrow’s meeting, the first for year 2021, by the governors, will hold virtually, in conformity with the COVID-19 protocols. It is the 23rd of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum teleconferences.
The statement noted that the Governors’ PTF Committee, headed by Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, which is charged with the responsibility of liaising between the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and the Governors’ Forum, will brief the Forum on what it needs to know on the vaccines and the way forward.
Okowa is also expected to give a panoramic view of the second wave of the pandemic.
Fayemi will brief the forum on his meeting with president Buhari as well as update the forum on all pending matters that have remained inconclusive, flowing from the previous year’s meetings.
The invitation to governors issued by the Director General of the NGF, Mr Asishana B Okauru, shows that the matters include ALGON and FAAC deductions, external debts reconciliation (2002-2018), Stamp Duty collections in respect of the governors’ letter to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and another response to the Ministry of Water Resources, regarding the lingering Water Resources Bill among others. All disbursements of funds to states on the three tranches of PAYE will also be tabled.
Governors will also be updated on the States’ Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability programme for results (SFTAS) for the preceding year, 2020.
The governors are also expected to entertain three presentations from the Minister of Water Resources, Suliaman Adamu, on its World Bank Support; a feedback from the Federal Government on the Medium and Long Term National Development Agenda; and enhancing IGR through a harmonised Traffic Management System by Dimensions Information Technology, LLC, a non-governmental actor which is seeking the nod of state governors.
FG releases N10bn for domestic vaccines
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has released N10 billion to support domestic vaccine production to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, made the disclosure at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing yesterday. He urged Nigerians to ignore claims by some persons to have COVID-19 vaccines for sale in the country.
“The Ministry of Finance has released N10 billion to support domestic vaccine production. While we are working to develop our own vaccines, Nigeria is exploring options for licensed production in collaboration with recognised institutions, we are also exploring the option of local production of the vaccines in country.
“I advise all citizens to disregard these claims as they are criminal. There are procedures for vaccine acquisition and use which include appropriate regulation and certification by National Agency for Food Drugs and Administration Control (NAFDAC). I advise against fake vaccines, as there is no vaccine approved for use in the country and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), is the only authorised vaccine administrator in Nigeria.”
Osagie said the number of new COVID-19 cases had continued to rise in Nigeria, such that 10,300 confirmed cases were reported from just 50,750 samples tested in one week,translating to 20 per cent positivity rate.
“It means one out of every five persons tested in the last one week turned out positive compared to the previous week which recorded a positivity rate of 14 per cent. Nigeria’s total number of confirmed cases is 110,387 of a total of 1,172,234 samples tested, with a cumulative positivity rate of 9.4 per cent1,444 cases were recorded in the past 24 hours, with sadly 77 deaths in the past week and total fatality of 1,435. It is instructive of the 2nd wave that all cases recorded so far this January is more than 20 per cent of all confirmed cases in Nigeria, more than the whole of December, barely halfway through the month. There is no question that we are deeply into the second wave of the pandemic which requires that PTF and FMoH review our strategies to respond to the challenge.The Federal Ministry of Health has outlined three approaches to confront the pandemic: infection mitigation, therapeutics and vaccines.”
Do everything possible to avoid second lockdown, PTF begs Nigerians
Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF) has appealed to Nigerians to do everything possible to avoid the government ordering a second lockdown saying the pandemic was raging.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said this at a media briefing, appealing that all tiers of government and citizens must keep their hands-on-deck.
“We are in a difficult situation in which a balance must continue to be struck between lives and livelihood. We are considering all options while hoping that broad cooperation will be received. We must do everything possible to avoid a second lockdown in Nigeria. You will also recall that the PTF had informed you that the resumption of schools nationwide would be reviewed due to rising daily numbers of infections and the challenges of case management, especially the shortage of oxygen so that we do not allow our facilities to be overwhelmed. While we note that several states have proceeded with the resumption of schools, the PTF recommends strongly that very strict adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions should be enforced by the states to avoid the escalation of cases. The PTF will continue to dialogue with the governors and the Federal Ministry of Education to closely monitor the situate,” he said.
Mustapha said the PTF had also authorised the NCDC to immediately implement the 450 tests per LGA plan, nationwide.
“We are aware that states are not on the same pedestal in the area of testing and we shall begin with states that are in the forefront of resourcing and infrastructure. The PTF wishes to emphasise the need for all segments of the society to get involved in the risk communication and community engagement. In our continued collaboration with the religious and traditional rulers, we align with the statements issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) guiding the sick and the elderly on the need to avoid large gathering by staying at home. We are optimistic that other institutions will follow suit as we progress.”
Pan–Ohanaeze Ndigbo socio-political organisation, the Coalition of South East Professionals Network in Nigeria and Diaspora (CSEPNND), has lambasted the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, for refusing to support the quest for Igbo presidency in 2023.
It also called on South-East governors to denounce and disassociate themselves from IPOB and Kanu, and be focused on producing the next leader of Nigeriaafter the expiration of the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.
IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, had recently stated the group’s on theIgbo presidency saying “all the people being prepared for the position are stooges that will be used against the interest of Ndigbo, Biafrans and Biafra agitating groups.”
But, CSEPNND National Coordinator, Prof. Madumare Chika and National Secretary, Anayo Uchemba, in a statement, yesterday, lamentedthat many gullible sons and daughters of the South East extraction had been brainwashed by Kanu to believe that he was out to defend and protect the region.
“The press release by Indigenous People of Biafra,published in some national papers expressing its refusal to support the agitation for Igbo presidency come 2023, has vindicated our stand that IPOB and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, are anti-Igbo working with some enemies of Igbo nation to thwart its chance to produce the next president of Nigeria.
“Naturally, any group working for advancement of its people should be at the forefront of issues that would see to the realisation of their yearnings and aspirations. IPOB knows vividly well that the general feelings of the people of the South East is how the region can also be entrusted with Nigeria’s presidency. Ironically, this is not the case here with IPOB!
“So, one would be quick to ask what really is IPOB looking for? We believe strongly that no reasonable group should kick against the progress of its own people as IPOB is currently doing. We have earlier alerted our people that desperate politicians feeling threatened of the chances of Igbo to produce the president in 2023 were sponsoring Nnamdi Kanu, leader of outlawed IPOB, to scuttle the bid.”
“At this point that almost every Nigerian is clamouring for Igbo presidency, the best thing for IPOB is to embrace the move and work to its realisation if actually it’s out to work for the betterment Igbo nation. We cannot be demanding for president of Nigeria on one hand and on the other hand, supporting IPOB and Kanu, being financed by desperate politicians to cause disaffection in our region.
“We believe in one united Nigeria where justice and fairness reigns. We have invested so much in the nation and would not be party to its destruction under any guise.
“From experience, cessation or separatist movements have never really solved the problems of nations. Rather, dialogue and engagements with all parties to address the underlying issues have often yielded positive results,”Madumare said.
As the deadline for telephone subscribers with National Identity Numbers to register their SIM cards with the identity numbers elapsed on Tuesday, mobile operators have said that SIMs with unlinked but submitted NINs would not be blocked.
The Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, spoke on behalf of the telecommunications companies including Airtel, MTN, Globacom, and 9Mobile.
He said, “If you already have your NIN and you have delivered the number to your service provider and it has been acknowledged and forwarded to NIMC, I don’t think the penalty will be there for you as from tomorrow (Tuesday) if your SIM has not been registered with the NIN.
“This is because as far as you are concerned as a subscriber, you have uploaded that number to your operator and forwarded to NIMC.
“Now the further interrogation of that means that you are not supposed to be penalised because you have done what you are required to do to your service provider and to NIMC.”
Adebayo said the penalty would be mainly for those who do not have the NIN and who were unable to deliver their NINs to their service providers.“So those in the problem category are those who do not have the NIN and who have not delivered the NIN to their service providers by Tuesday.
Therefore if you as a subscriber have submitted your NIN to your service provider and this has been forwarded to NIMC, at this stage I am not aware of any penalty for you,” he said.
The Federal Government through the Nigerian Communication Commission had ordered telecommunications companies to deactivate telephone lines of subscribers who failed to link their phones to their National Identity Number.
Subscribers with NIN have until January 19 as deadline to link their NIN with their SIM cards while subscribers without NIN have until February 9 to do so.
Also, when contacted on whether there would be an extension of the January 19 deadline, the media aide to the communications minister, Uwa Suleiman, replied, “I am not aware of any.”
She, however, stated that if there was any of such information, the communications ministry or any of its relevant agencies would make it public
BVI Channel 1 will continue to sensitize our people on the need to organize ourselves under a purposeful and visionary leadership.
Praise singing has taken over our political environment that people are confused of what they want. In many State in the former eastern Nigeria ,the level of unemployment is increasing by the day ,that many graduates are driving Keke Napepe to make both ends meet. Factories are relocating as purchasing power is declining.
This year election in Anambra State will be a turning point to the people as all forces are mobilized towards making the best candidate a Governor. BVI Channel 1 working with other public interest groups will mobilize one million voters to ensure that power is returned to the people.
The immediate past commissioner for tourism, Indigenous culture and diaspora of Anambra state Dr Christian Chukwuma Madubuko kidnapped in awka the state capital
Recall that Dr Madubuko has recently resigned his appointment as commissioner in Obiano’s government citing sabotage of genuine efforts by the governor to develop the state by a tiny cabal in the APGA state government in Anambra state,he went further to say that the governor is not in charge and should rise up to his responsibility.
Dr Madubuko was kidnapped in the evening of January 13, 2020 in Awka by unknown gunmen
According to the family, the news of his resignation and information contained in the resignation document did not go down well with the governor as the document tended to negate the integrity of the state government.
The family member holding back tears, said: “We are calling the attention of Nigerians and international community to prevail on this unknown gunmen to leave an innocent man that have served his state sincerely.
She said “Dr Madubuko ran into an internal battle with the agents of those very close to the seat of power in Awka on who control the state revenue – the state government or individuals.
“As we pray for his release unharmed, we ask the federal government of Nigeria and the international community to intervene and save him.”
We his kinsmen will not keep quiet should any thing happen to him, we are aware that his kidnapped was politically motivated
Release him unconditionally & unhurt
Don’t forget Dr. C C. Mmadubuko is from Anaku ogbe
#Cc.His excellency Gov.Willie Obiano
#Cc.Rt.Hon.Uche Okafor speaker Anambra state house of Assembly
#Cc.Commissioner of Police Anambra state Mr. John Abang
We should begin to define what we want in 2021 in specific terms.
First let me clear the confusion surrounding the name ‘ Biafra’
Biafra is historical name. Millions died under the brand fighting for freedom and social justice. Those that killed the Biafran brand hate the name with passion and would be ready to kill anybody pushing for the rising sun. Unfortunately,those that fought against the rising sun are in Government of Nigeria starting from the president to the beneficiaries of the genocidal war. Many of our brothers in the villages are directly or indirectly benefitting from those who slaughtered millions to ensure that fraudulent one Nigeria is sustained. These people are our traditional rulers ,our president generals ,our stakeholders , political leaders etc. The generality of our people are poor with no access to credit facility. Our only strength is our diaspora brothers and sisters.
We are in a sorry situation .But because our case is divine,God will always show us way.
Biafra to us is an indigenous people living in former eastern Nigeria . It is not an organization. You cannot be a member of your nation . We are Biafrans by indigenous identity but Nigerians by citizenship. Nobody can proscribe Biafra- a people but an organization can be proscribed. Since we are Biafrans living in the former eastern Nigeria,we can decide to determine the kind of life we want to live including determining who governs us .
Therefore,in 2021 and going forward, we demand for a just ,free , equitable and fair society where all men are equal. That society could be within or outside Nigeria . The process has started by the demand for a people Constitution and young people being involved in Political decisions at all levels . With a new Administrator- Dr Joe Agbo piloting the affairs of Customary Government of IPOB in Nigeria ,Biafra struggle will now have a sense of direction with new vigor and determination.
BVI Channel 1 will always be there to quench your burning desire for local contents with respect to our people.
Have you been wondering why ordinary folks seem to be less affected by covid 19?
Whenever my drivers, house helps and security come back from their leave at home, I always asked them the state of things in their villages. Up till today in the last 1year, none has come back with any news of deaths or serious illnesses requiring hospitalization in their homes or surroundings.
I visited the SABO market in Sagamu and the tomato market at toll gate in ogere. I questioned many traders if any stall or store owners have been missing, or did not come to the market or have actually died. Responses were always negative.
So clearly the prevalence of noticeable infection with covid 19 is less among the lower class and fatalities appear to be higher among the upper class. However, It is necessary to make some adjustment for the fact that deaths among the elite class readily get media attention than those of regular folks.
Melinda gates prediction failed woefully because there was no way she could have foreseen this demographic prevalence factor in the spread of covid19.
The overall infectivity and fatalities in Africa are disproportionately much lower than the rest of the World!!!
*WHAT IS THE MAGIC HERE*?
Simply put, the magic is SUNLIGHT.
People who are daily exposed to sunlight are able to convert some chemicals in their skins to vitamin D, especially D3. Scientists have incontrovertible evidence that Vitamin D seriously boosts human immunity and actually have the capacity to prevent respiratory and lung diseases.
In the case of Covid19, vitamin D3 can prevent infection in some people and in others who still get infected, it decreases the severity of the infection and recovery rate is far better.
Recently a petition signed by 120 physicians spread across the globe, (I have a copy) has been sent to world leaders and governments to treat vitamin D deficiency common in Europe and Americas, who have effective sunlight for just a few months in a year and hence have large numbers of the populace suffering from vitamins deficiency leading to high rates of susceptibility to covid19 infections and deaths.
Many of us elites in Africa are also vitamin D deficient and this makes us ready targets for covid19 infections also. This is because we are hardly in the sun all year round.
Yet a 30 mins lounge daily in the bright sunlight gives one about 20,000 IU of vitamin D in our blood. This figure is much much higher than our daily requirement of which is about 4000 IU of vitamin D.
This is why young people, students, hawkers, traders and many who toil daily under the Sun have a very high immunity against covid19.
So my dear elders, VIPs and Ogas please walk leisurely or lounge in the sun for 20 to 30 mins daily, and with your face masks always on public and observing normal covid protocols, with daily supplications to the Almighty, you will place a Ban on covid 19 from affecting you and your household.
I left the rogue now terrorist group IPOB-IPONK in late, 2017, on a clean record of no form of any atomic allegations whatsoever, prior to that I’ve already started questioning some ills activities in the group. I was true to my service to the rogue now terrorist group and I was honest, fearless, committed, passionate, selfless, and humble at the time I held sway as the Media Officer Onitsha-South of the rogue now terrorist group.
These idiots expelled in recent months from the rogue terrorist group from, 2020, are not necessarily fighting the monster but they are positioning to enthrone themselves as the supLim Reader did when he presented himself as saint, gave us high hopes, castigated and maligned every souls threatening his enthronement painting them as evil.
From Uche Mefor down to the least expelled idiot, they are all worst than the supLim Reader of the IPOPIGS-IPONK, they have been complicit in the illicit deliberate exploitation of our people ab initio, sponsored and led many to deaths, destroyed many lives, rendered many incapacitated due to injuries sustained from gunshots and tortures from incarcerations, rendered many useless and above all rendered many senseless.
Until they start telling us the contents of the oath they administered to people or supervised its administration to people before the sacred shrine of Ibini Ukpabi.
Until they tell us those who gruesomely murdered Anthony Nwoko.
Until they start telling the very contents of the signed, sealed and delivered documents of 2019.
Until they start telling us how he landed in Israel starting from how he left the palace in a military convoy been driven in the jeep of one of his most trusted top security protocol.
Until they start telling us what they went to do at the EU building.
Until they start telling us those that benefitted from the Allen Onyema’s sponsorship to US.
Until they start telling us how they were complicit in returning the drunk in Agu Awka for his second tenure in guise of OFE-NSALA DAY.
Until they start answering these few pertinent questions then we will all know how to classify them but for now they are fighting to position themselves by dethroning the very monster they aided in his evil acts.
Nwafor IfeanyiChiukwu Awgu,
Concerned Biafran, Writes from Fegge, Onitsha South.
BVI desk just received information about the death of Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu. According to Prof Chidi Osuagwu ,’ he was home during the Christmas season for the introduction ceremony of his daughter who was getting married to a man (both of them from abroad). Had mild cough then and his condition deteriorated suddenly. Had to quickly fly back to Lagos where Covid-19 infection was diagnosed. He’s been on intensive care with oxygen. Those still doubtful about Covid-19 should take note’ Prof Osuagwu concluded.
