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WHO announces end of COVID-19 as a global health emergency
The WHO states that globally, 13.3 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered
After more than three years of declaring the COVID-19 outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an end to it. WHO’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, announced on Friday that COVID-19 no longer constitutes a PHEIC.
The decision was made by the WHO’s International Health Regulations Emergency Committee during its 15th meeting on COVID-19. While acknowledging the uncertainties posed by the potential evolution of the virus, the committee advised that it is time to transition to long-term management of the pandemic. The Director-General concurred with the advice and determined that COVID-19 is now an established and ongoing health issue which no longer constitutes a PHEIC.
The global health body noted that the global risk assessment for COVID-19 remains high, but there is evidence of reducing risks to human health driven mainly by high population-level immunity from infection, vaccination, or both. Improved clinical case management and consistent virulence of currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-lineages compared to previously circulating Omicron sub-lineages have also contributed to a significant global decline in the weekly number of COVID-19-related deaths, hospitalizations, and admissions to intensive care units since the beginning of the pandemic.
The WHO also provided updates on the status of global vaccination, stating that globally, 13.3 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, with 89% of health workers and 82% of adults over 60 years having completed the primary series.
The Director-General will convene an IHR Review Committee to advise on Standing Recommendations for the long-term management of the pandemic, taking into account the 2023-2025 COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan. During this transition, States Parties are advised to continue following the issued Temporary Recommendations. The WHO expressed its gratitude to the Committee for their engagement and advice during the last three years.
COVAX will continue to provide funded doses and delivery support throughout 2023 in line with demand. Although the PHEIC declaration has ended, the Director-General will continue to authorize the use of Emergency Use Listing (EUL) procedure. The termination of the PHEIC should not affect access to vaccines and diagnostics that have already received an EUL, and States Parties will still be able to access these vaccines and diagnostics (provided the manufacturers continue production).
The Kaduna State Police Command has revealed the identity of the man who caused panic after charging towards President Bola Tinubu during his visit to the state.
According to the police, the suspect has been identified as Umar Mohammed, a resident of Anguwan Muazu in Kaduna.
The incident happened during the commissioning of a 300-bed specialist hospital in Millennium City.
As President Tinubu was addressing the audience, Mohammed suddenly broke through the crowd and rushed toward him, triggering a swift response from security operatives.
The moment left Tinubu visibly shocked, as seen in a widely shared video showing his startled reaction and the confusion among his security team.
Police later disclosed that the man has a mental health condition he has lived with since birth.
They described his actions as unplanned and driven by excitement, adding that he was unarmed and posed no real threat after being restrained.
Despite the scare, the event continued as planned.
Governor Uba Sani led the inauguration of the hospital, which is expected to boost healthcare access in Kaduna.
Video credit: TVC (Twitter)
News
Hardship: Govs Agree to Dismantle Illegal Road Blocks, Multiple Taxes
The communique was signed by NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Governors of the 36 states of the federation have agreed to dismantle illegal road blocks and multiple taxes across the country.
They made the resolution after a meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in Abuja, which ended early Thursday.
The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who read the communique at the end of the meeting, said that the governors resolved to dismantle illegal road blocks and multiple taxes, which they said contributed to food inflation in the country.
The communique was signed by NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
(ThisDay)
News
TCN Records 42 Incidents of Transmission Lines Vandalisms Within Seven Months
The major effect of the vandalism is the disruption of power supply across the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry, as the generated power from the generation station could not be wheeled to the distribution ends.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) recorded 42 vandalism incidents on its infrastructures between January to June 2025 and which affected a total of 178 transmission towers nationwide.
The General Manager of Transmission Service at TCN, Mr Ali Sharifa, who made this known yesterday in Keffi, Nasarawa State, lamented that 2024 and 2025 have been the most trying times for TCN concerning vandalism of its transmission line infrastructure by non-state actors.
“A total of 86 towers were vandalized in 2024, with 26 towers completely down, which left affected states in total darkness. While in the first and second quarters of 2025, a total of 42 acts of vandalism were recorded affecting a total of 178 towers,” he said.
He emphasized that the major effect of the vandalism is the disruption of power supply across the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry, as the generated power from the generation station could not be wheeled to the distribution ends.
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