Okonjo-Iweala: COVID-19 Vaccine Nationalism, Export Restrictions Threat to Africa African leaders rally for local jab production Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, yesterday deplored increasing COVID-19 vaccine nationalism and restrictions
placed on exports by producing countries, which she described as a threat to Nigeria and other African countries. She said, at a virtual conference with the theme: “Africa’s Vaccine
Manufacturing for Health Security,” that of about 700 million doses so far administered, only 0.1 per cent went to the continent. The African Union (AU) and Africa Centre for Disease Control organised the event.
Okonjo-Iweala said the global vaccine shortage and the resulting inequality in access were a challenge to Africa's effort, adding that the scramble for vaccines has already set in, while COVAX, the alliance fighting
for equal access, is occasionally outplayed, leaving low-income countries vulnerable. She said of the more than 670 million doses administered as of last week, only 0.1 per cent had gone to people in low-income countries, with
close to nearly a tenth of the world's population. She said: “Africa is the continent with the lowest rate of vaccine delivery, that's 1.1 doses per 100 people. In Continued on page 8
Printing Currency Could Hurt Economy, Analysts Warn FG... Page 6 Tuesday 13 April, 2021 Vol 26. No 9501. Price: N250
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Let Voters, Not Court, Choose Our Leaders, Says Jonathan Seeks legislation to strengthen ballot Chuks Okocha and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday canvassed the overhaul of the electoral process to make the electorate the ultimate decision-makers in an election, saying winners should be decided through the ballot box rather than the court. He described the undue
intervention of the judiciary in the determination of election winners in the country as unhealthy for democracy. Jonathan, who was a guest at a youth foundation programme in Abuja, hosted by the Founder of TOS Foundation, Ms. Osasu Igbinedion, stated that the prevailing tough political Continued on page 8
South-east Govs Plan Legal Backing for Ebube Agu Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki South-east governors yesterday unfolded a plan to give legal backing to the formation of the region’s security outfit codenamed Ebube Agu. Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Uchenna Orji, told THISDAY yesterday
in Abakaliki that each of the five states in the zone would promulgate a law to establish the outfit in its area of jurisdiction, explaining that the law would be similar. This comes as a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Mr. Parry Osayande, has attributed the formation of regional security Continued on page 8
NO MORE WAR… Former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose (left), and Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, during the South-west zonal congress of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osogbo…yesterday
Makinde Subdues Fayose as Arapaja Becomes PDP South-west Chairman... Page 5