United States planning to accuse China of trying to hack vaccine data

 

  The F.B.I. and the Department of Homeland Security are reportedly preparing to issue an accusation that China’s most skilled hackers and spies are working to steal vaccine and treatment research from America to develop vaccines and treatments for the Coronavirus.

   A draft of the forthcoming public warning, which officials say is likely to be issued in the days to come, says China is seeking “valuable intellectual property and public health data through illicit means related to vaccines, treatments and testing,” New York Times reports.

Madagascar’s COVID-19 cure drugs sent to Nigeria

 

  The Republic of Madagascar has offered its herbal drug – COVID Organics (COV) – to Nigeria and other African countries. The drug is for prevention and cure of Coronavirus.

   Nigeria’s consignment has been sent to Equatorial Guinea from where it will be airlifted to Abuja. For ease of transportation, African countries were divided into zones leading to the freighting of Nigeria’s consignments to Equatorial Guinea.

   Nigeria’s COVID-19 positive tally moved to 4,399 last night with 248 new cases announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Lagos recorded 81 cases, followed by Jigawa State 35 and Borno 26 cases to top the chart. Kano recorded 26 cases, followed by Bauchi with 20 cases.

   THE NATION

‘Switching on’ of 5G network in Lagos, “faceless individuals or groups cannot be further from the truth”- NCC

 

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, on Monday said it has not issued any license for Fifth Generation Network also known as 5G in Nigeria.

NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, issued the denial in a response to reports making the rounds that Nigerian telecommunications’ industry was at the verge of switching to 5G network.

Danbatta, in a statement signed and sent to DAILY POST by Dr. Henry Nkemadu, NCC’s Director, Public Affairs said the claim which came from some “faceless individuals or groups cannot be further from the truth.” According to Danbatta, the “Commission has unequivocally stated that there is no deployment of 5G in Nigeria at the moment.”

He disclosed that the Commission had in November 2019 approved a trial test for 5G for a period of three months and the trial has been concluded and installation decommissioned. The statement reads: 

“The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been drawn to a mischievous statement making the rounds on social media like Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and other sites that the Nigerian telecoms industry is going to switch on Fifth Generation (5G) in Lagos this Sunday, 10th, Monday, 11th or Tuesday, 12th May, 2020.

“Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, said that, ‘’the trial among others was to study and observe any health or security challenges the 5G network might present. Relevant stakeholders including members of the security agencies were invited to participate during the trial.

“The NCC will continue to maintain its policy of technology neutrality and will continue to encourage service providers to deploy the best technology that will meet the needs of the society in a secured and friendly manner.

“The NCC had provided clarifications through Frequently Asked Questions on 5G in view of the recent developments in which misleading materials with no proven evidence are being circulated to link CORONAVIRUS or COVID-19 with 5G technology and therefore refutes the claim that there will be switching on of 5G in Lagos in its entirety.”

The Commission also provided clarifications on the laying of fibre optic cables within Lagos and other parts of the country to the effect that the laying of additional fibre optic cables is to strengthen the existing 3G and 4G infrastructure to provide robust and pervasive telecoms infrastructure to improve network performance.

“5G is a fifth generation of mobile technology, which is an improvement of today’s 4G technology with enhanced capabilities. 5G technology provides the platform for new and emerging technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data to improve the way we live and work.

“NCC has not issued any licence for 5G in Nigeria and therefore, the mobile network operators (MNOs) cannot switch on such technology. NCC is technology-neutral. As such, we don’t license technology but assigns spectrum to operators for deployment of any service when allocated by National Frequency Management Council (NFMC).

‘’As the telecoms regulator, we enjoin Nigerians to get accurate information from us rather than relying on information emanating from social media by some individuals out of ignorance to misinform our people,” Danbatta said

DAILYPOST

Governor Nyesom Wike justifies his actions for Demolition of Hotels

   

  Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has justified his decision to demolish two hotels in the state for allegedly flouting the lockdown order. Speaking in a statewide broadcast, the governor said he decided to demolish the hotels after one of the owners of the hotel unleashed thugs on members of the state COVID-19 taskforce.

 “We acted against the hotelier because, apart from using the facility to jeopardize the lives of our citizens in violation of the extant law, the owner audaciously unleashed thugs led by the Eleme Local Government Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and inflicted severe injuries on our task force members who went to enforce the law against the continued operation of the hotel.

As we speak, nobody knows the fate of the lives of most of the victims of that brazen and deadly attack given the severity of the head injuries they sustained.

And so, we’ve done no wrong as all our actions were taken in good faith and justified by, under and within the purview of the Executive Orders, which have neither been challenged nor set aside by any competent court of law.”

 

He also responded to the backlash he has received following his action. 

“While we welcome genuine criticisms directed towards strengthening our intervention measures, it is no use taking issues with uninformed critics and social media legal practitioners who, blinded and prodded by sheer politics, bias and hatred, have opted to demonized and paint our lawful and responsible actions in bad light.

Granted that we may not have totally achieved our targets, but we are convinced that, so far, the lockdown and the other measures have impacted greatly in containing and preventing the onslaught of the pandemic on Rivers State.

We therefore thank the entire people of Rivers State for the overwhelming understanding you have shown even as you continue to endure the pains of the restrictions on your well-being and fundamental freedoms.”

 

Why I no longer participate in partisan politics - Goodluck Jonathan

   

   Former President Goodluck Jonathan has explained why he no longer participate in partisan politics.  The former President who spoke at the inauguration of the state executive council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Yenagoa, Bayelsa state on Sunday May 10, said he is shifting away from partisan politics because of his non-governmental organisation (NGO). Jonathan further revealed that his partners are skeptical about partisan leaders. He said; 

 "Don’t be discouraged if you do not see me in most party activities in the state. I decided to appear in this event so that I will not be misunderstood. 

“I’m shifting away from being an effective partisan politician because of my foundation. People who want to partner me feel that if you are a partisan leader in the country, they will eat with you with a long spoon.

“I felt that after serving as President of this country, I should go to some other areas where my services would be required.

“Through that process, I would be able to support the nation and the state in one way or the other.”