FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT OVER UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT RED LISTING OF NIGERIA
The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, has expressed disappointment over the United Kingdom, UK, government’s placement of Nigeria on its red list following the detection of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. The minister stated that they were not very happy when six countries in Sub-Saharan Africa were placed on a red list and the World Health Organisation, WHO, also advised against putting each other on the red list, and less than one day after the UK announced the move.
According to the minister, the move was ill-advised as he noted that it would have multiple impacts on commerce and disrupt activities during the Christmas and New Year festivities. Ehanire also revealed that the Federal Government has spent at least 29 million Dollars to procure about 40 million doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines in the country. He stated that the 40 million doses will come in stages, adding that they have not requested that they be brought in bulk because they are going to be receiving and dispensing.
