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Survey to Estimate Percentage of Nigerians with Antibodies Against COVID Begins in Abuja and Kano

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The federal Government of Nigeria with support from the U S Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has launched the second phase of a survey aimed at using antibody tests to estimate the percentage of people in a population who have antibodies against SARS-Cov-2, popularly called COVID-19.

The project titled “COVID-19 Seroprevalence Survey”to be carried out in 38 enumeration areas across the FCT and Kano will alsorevealthe number of people who may have been previously infected with SARS-Cov-2

The survey is set to officially commence in the first week of June, the surveywill enable targeted participants to know their malaria and covid-19 status and receive important information about how to prevent COVID-19 in their household with an added opportunity to interact with trained health professional for any COVID-19 related issues. More so, those who are diagnosed with malariawill be treated instantly while positive COVID-19 cases will be referred and followed up for adequate free management and care.

The Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Centre for Disease control is providing technical assistance and some structural synergy for smooth implementation of all planned activities for the survey.

In a brief chat with the Director Special Duties, Health and Human Services, FCTA, Dr. Matthew Ashikeni, who also doubles as the Chairman technical Committee for the COVID-19 Sero-survey, he mentioned that in preparation for the Survey, those who are to participate have been properly trained and equipped with skills for the data collection.

“First of all the participants are categorized into two groups. We have the laboratorians, who are people who are already trained in the field of medical laboratory with experience in the necessary requirements, skills to conduct laboratory tests because they have to take specimen from the nose, from the throat as well as blood samples for COVID-19 tests as well as for Malaria test” Dr. Ashikeni said.

“we are not unaware that some persons might be apprehensive so we are engaging with the public to inform them about this exercise, we have been engaging with traditional and religious leaders and through the various media channels. FCT and Kano residents are aware that the survey is to be conducted and are willing to cooperate with the enumerators once it commences. The staff have been trained to be courteous and respectful and to be able to explain the purpose of the survey in a manner that it will be easily acceptable”
Dr Ashikinifurther stated that enumeration areas have been selected scientifically, adding that “informed consent is going to be sought and no one will be penalized for not participating”

Funded by the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Survey is being executed by the University of Maryland Baltimore, Nigerian Office.

In a separate interview, the ProgramDirector for the COVID-19 Sero-survey, University of Maryland Baltimore, Nigerian office, Dr. EmemIwara, says the survey is going to give Nigerians a hint on number of persons that may have had COVID without knowing

“The Sero Prevalence Survey is going to give us an idea of the number of persons that would have had COVID-19 over the past six months. You know a lot of persons might have had COVID-19 without necessarily knowing that they have it because the symptoms are similar to what people have when they have Malaria or other illnesses. So, this survey will give a true picture of the persons that would have had COVID-19 because we are testing for the antibodies not for people that have COVID-19 currently. So the anti-bodies are developed once someone has COVID-19 and it could be there for a period of three to six months” Dr. Iwarastated.

She added that the survey has been conducted previously in three Nigerian states-Enugu, Nasarawa, Gombe, Lagos and Sokoto.

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Clergy Urged To Put Members’ Welfare Above All Else

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Anglican Church logo

At a solemn ordination service in Abuja, senior church leaders have called on pastors to make the well-being of their congregations a top priority, following the example of Jesus Christ.

Speaking during the priesthood ordination and installation of a Sub Dean at the Cathedral Church of Advent, Life Camp, Abuja, the retired Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Okene, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Ajulo, described pastors as shepherds charged with the care of their flock. He urged them to shun worldly distractions and focus on meeting the spiritual and material needs of their members.

Bishop Ajulo also encouraged the newly ordained priests to remain faithful to their calling by teaching God’s word without compromise.

In his charge, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, urged the new clergy to preach the undiluted gospel and foster religious harmony wherever they serve. He expressed confidence that their new roles would help promote peace and unity in society.

The service also featured prayers for national leaders and divine intervention in addressing the current global economic challenges.

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1,000 Prayer Warriors Storm Ilorin for Tinubu, Nation’s Deliverance

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

In a dramatic show of faith and patriotism, over 1,000 fiery prayer warriors from across Nigeria will descend on Ilorin, Kwara State, this Saturday, lifting their voices in intense intercession for President Bola Tinubu’s success and Nigeria’s survival in the face of biting economic woes and mounting insecurity.

The spiritual siege, themed “Walking in Domini”, is the maiden convention of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), with its Kwara State Chairman, Evangelist Thomas Adeboye, vowing that “heaven will hear and respond to Nigeria’s cry.”

Aside from marathon prayers, the gathering will roll out free medical outreach to locals across Kwara’s LGAs, a gesture aimed at touching both body and soul.

Adeboye, lamenting Nigeria’s “troubling economic and security realities”, called for a nationwide prayer uprising, insisting that Tinubu has shown the will to revive the nation but needs massive divine backing to succeed.

“Banditry, a collapsing economy, and political tension demand we seek God’s face like never before,” he declared. “We will storm heaven for wisdom for the President and governors to steer Nigeria to safety.”

The convention will also feature awards to distinguished personalities, soul-lifting worship, fiery sermons, and unity-driven lectures—all capped with thunderous prayers for Nigeria’s redemption.

Adeboye urged the President to ensure every policy has “a human face,” stressing that Nigerians must not only endure but also enjoy the fruits of governance.

With the OAIC promising to reaffirm believers’ authority in Christ and rally spiritual boldness in the face of national challenges, Ilorin is set to become the epicentre of a powerful spiritual warfare for Nigeria’s destiny.

 

 

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Nigerian Anglicans Condemn Lesbian Archbishop of Wales, Deepening Global Anglican Rift

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…Church leaders accuse Welsh counterparts of “spiritual decadence” and “abandonment of faith”

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has issued a forceful condemnation of the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the Archbishop of Wales. The move is the latest in a series of developments that have deepened divisions within the global Anglican Communion over sexuality and doctrine.

In a statement from Primate The Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, the church denounced the election as a “serious departure from biblical teaching” and a sign of “spiritual decadence” and “an outright abandonment of the faith once delivered to the saints.”

Archbishop Ndukuba warned that Bishop Vann’s elevation compromises the Anglican Church’s global mission and could obstruct evangelism. He compared the situation to the controversial tenure of Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, former Presiding Bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church, who also faced intense criticism from conservative Anglicans for her progressive views.

The Primate accused Bishop Vann of being complicit in the “ongoing crisis” around same-sex issues, stating that the election is a “clear revelation that many who claim to be members of the body of Christ cannot endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3–4).

The Church of Nigeria called on Anglicans worldwide to reject “rebels” and “apostates” and to instead support conservative bodies like the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).

“The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) condemns, unequivocally rejects, and will not recognize the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales,” Ndukuba declared. He concluded with a solemn warning that without repentance, the Church in Wales risks losing “complete relevance” and its leaders will face judgment.

 

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