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JUST IN; NCDC calms fears over discovery of XEC COVID-19 variant across the World

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has allayed public fears over the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 XEC subvariant globally.

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The Director-General of the centre, Dr Jide Idris, did this in a public advisory issued on Saturday night in Abuja, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Idris reassured Nigerians that the variant, though identified in 29 countries, has not been detected in Nigeria.

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He said that the XEC subvariant, a descendant of the Omicron JN.1 lineage, was currently classified as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM).

According to him, this means that it is being closely observed for potential concerns but does not yet pose significant risk.

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“The XEC sub-variant has been reported in Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa, with Botswana being the only African country to record cases so far.

“While the sub-variant exhibits higher transmissibility, there is no evidence of increased disease severity,” he said.

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The NCDC boss said that Nigeria had been monitoring the JN.1 variant, classified as a Variant of Interest (VOI), which has been present in the country since January.

He assured Nigerians that the National COVID-19 Technical Working Group was conducting continuous surveillance and data analysis.

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Additionally, he said that a dynamic risk assessment was being organised to strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capabilities.

He urged health facilities nationwide to ramp up COVID-19 testing and forward positive samples to accredited laboratories for genomic sequencing.

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He encouraged the public to maintain vigilance and adhere to basic health protocols, including handwashing, mask usage in crowded spaces, and ensuring proper ventilation indoors.

He advised vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, to remain cautious.

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“COVID-19 remains a significant risk, particularly for the elderly, individuals undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, and those with suppressed immune systems.

“We urge Nigerians to get vaccinated and receive booster doses as recommended,” he said.

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The director-general also called on state governments to enhance public health infrastructure, provide resources for improved surveillance and diagnostics, and promote public health education.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to providing Nigerians with accurate and timely information on the evolving COVID-19 situation globally.

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He urged citizens to avoid misinformation and rely on verified updates from its platforms.

“For assistance, the public is encouraged to contact the NCDC via its toll-free number 6232 or, WhatsApp: 07087110839, Twitter: @NCDCGov and Facebook: @NCDCgov,” he said.

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NAN report that reports that the XEC variant of COVID-19 is a recombinant strain, meaning it results from the combination of genetic material from two or more existing variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Recombinant variants can emerge when different strains infect the same individual and exchange genetic material during replication.

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This process may lead to new variants with unique properties, such as increased transmissibility, virulence, or resistance to immunity.

While thousands of mutations have been tracked globally, only a few variants are monitored for public health significance.

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Nigeria’s NCDC and global health organizations like the WHO continue genomic surveillance to monitor and respond to emerging variants.(NAN)

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Govt. introduces solar installation, garment making, GSM repairs in jss curriculum

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Govt. introduces solar installation, garment making, GSM repairs in jss curriculum

 
 
 
 
 
 
The Anambra Government has introduced 15 entrepreneurial subjects into the Junior Secondary School (JSS) curriculum to enhance students’ practical skills and foster an entrepreneurial mindset.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new subjects include solar installation, garment making, GSM repairs, agriculture and processing, plumbing, tiling, POP installation and event management.

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Others are bakery, hairstyling, make-up, interior design, CCTV/intercom installation, digital literacy, information technology and robotics.

Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, Chairperson ,Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC),  while speaking at  the occasion in Awka on Friday, said the initiative was aimed at repositioning education to meet contemporary needs.
Ikediugwu noted that in a rapidly changing world, education should go beyond theory and examinations to equip students with practical skills, creativity, innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset.

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“The goal of the programme is to prepare learners, not only to seek jobs but to create value, generate employment and contribute meaningfully to the economic development of the state,”she said.

Mr Cyril Nwuche of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, delivered a paper titled “Building Entrepreneurial Secondary Schools: Why Every School Needs an Entrepreneurship Club”.
Nwuche said the introduction of entrepreneurial subjects showed that the government was on the path to transforming the state’s economy.
“Traditional academic instruction alone is no longer sufficient to prepare children for the future.

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“There is the need for schools to embrace practical and skill-based learning to enable students to thrive in a dynamic global environment, ” he said. (NAN)

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Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl

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Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl

The police in Lagos on Friday, charged two men before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling an 11- year-old girl.

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The defendants are: Prince Tomnyie, 40, a businessman, who resides at Agege, and Micheal Adenuga, 24, a furniture maker, who resides at Atere Street in Lekki.

They are standing trial on charges of defilement, and had each pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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The prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji told the court that they committed the offence sometimes in December 2024, and September 2025, at Langbasa Ajah and Igbara Lekki, Lagos .

The prosecutor alleged that the victim’s father, had taken his daughter for medical check and it was discovered that the minor had been defiled.

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The prosecution alleged that the victim had told her father that his friend, Tomnyie, defiled her sometimes ago.

Ademigbuji alleged that the victim also mentioned the second defendant’s name who lives in their neigbourhood.

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The offence contravenes the provisons of section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr L. A Owolabi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of of N600,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.

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He adjourned the case until March 5, for mention. (NAN)

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Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free

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Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free

The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has insisted that bail is free, and called on the public to report any officer asking for money to release a suspect on bail.

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The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

Adeh spoke in reaction to public outcry that some police officers were demanding money to release suspects on bail in the territory.

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She said the report of the erring officers would serve as a deterrent to others, adding that it was fraudulent to demand for money to release a suspect on bail.

Adeh blamed the yielding to such fraudulent demand on ignorance on the part of the victims who refused to stand on their rights.

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“A similar case was reported where an officer demanded money to release a suspect on bail and when the matter was reported, we requested for evidence from the victim.

“The evidence was provided because the money was transferred to the officer’s account and actions are being taken on the issue.

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“So, I encourage the public to take advantage of the FCT Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) lines on 08107314192 to report such misconduct with evidence,” she said.

Adeh urged the public to always insist on their rights and refuse any form of payment to release a suspect on bail.(NAN)

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