Federal government has described the travel ban on Nigeria by the United Kingdom UK as discriminatory. This was revealed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, at a press conference in Abuja on Monday. Mohammed argued that the decision of Britain was based on discrimination and prejudice and not science because so far, no one had died of the Omicron strain. He added that many from the UK had also tested positive in Nigeria but Britain was not banned.
In response, the UK head of Head of Communications and British High Commission, Dean Hurlock, justified its travel ban on Nigeria, saying the measure was a temporary measure aimed at protecting its public health. In addition, the UK noted that they aware of the significant impact of the travel ban and how it would affect people in both the UK and Nigeria, particularly at this time of the year. The commission however, stated that it would continue to work with the local authorities in tackling the pandemic
In a similar development, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, Minister of State for Health, Olorunimbe Mamora, and the Permanent Secretary, Mahmuda Mamman has been reprimanded for being absent at a National COVID-19 Summit. The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, who reprimanded the ministry said the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 is simply an interventionist outfit, hence the ministry of health is meant to be physically present to gather all the resources that will come out of the summit. When told that the minister of health was present earlier, he insisted another senior official should have replaced him to demonstrate the seriousness of the event. The summit is aimed at bringing all stakeholders together to discuss the Theme: Pushing Through the Last Mile to End the Pandemic and Build Back Better.
Chidozie Chima | September 20, 2024
