Kogi State Government on Monday night eventually took delivery of about 16, 900 doses of the AstraZeneca Vaccine, to be flagged off in the state on Tuesday.

Dr Abubakar Yakubu, the Executive Director of Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA), led a team of officials from the agency and Kogi Ministry of Health to receive the vaccines at the National Programme on Immunization (NPI) Unit of the State Central Medical Store, Lokoja.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after taken delivery of the vaccines, Yakubu said that the most awaited COVID-19 vaccines arrived Kogi from Abuja at about 7:40 pm, saying the state was well prepared for it.

”We have about 16,900 doses of the vaccine, and by tomorrow Tuesday we hope to flag off the campaign in the Ministry of Health.

”The firstline of recipients of the vaccines are the health workers which will be demonstrated on Tuesday by 12 noon at the ministry.

”The vaccine administration will be followed by the frontline essential non health workers like the police, military, NSCDC, Custom men among others”, Yakubu said

He added that the Ministry intended to carry out the campaign as efficient as they could because the state was a bit behind scheduled compared to other States, who had almost completed their 10 days mandatory campaign for the administration of the vaccines.

The Executive Director noted that the state was initially expecting about 45, 000 doses of the vaccines from NPHCDA, which accounted for one per cent of the total population of Kogi State.

”But to our surprise, we are being supplied with 16,900 doses now, I think there will be further reconciliation to send the balance of the doses as soon as possible”, he said.

Also speaking, Alh. Acheku Yusuf, Kogi State Health Promotion Officer, said the Ministry had solicited the support of all relevant stakeholders, and running jingles to ensure adequate sensitisation of the people about the vaccines.

On her part, Mrs Bilikisu Adagiri, the State Cold Chain Officer, said the state was fully prepared for the administration of the vaccines to people above 18 years.

Mr Olumide Ade-Yeye, the Vaccine Security and Logistic Consultant, UNICEF Kogi, said they were happy as a State to be part of those who would participate in COVID-19 vaccination.

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The Rivers state Athletes to the forthcoming National Sports Festival today got vaccinated as they intensify preparations for the festival.

The development is in tandem with the directive of the Honourable Sports Minister, Mr. Sunday Dare that athletes and officials that will be part of the multi sports event must get vaccinated.

The Covid-19 Vaccine boosts the immune system and to a large extent prevents the novel virus from penetrating.

The 2021 National Sports Festival is scheduled to hold in Benin City, Edo State between April 2nd and 15th. It was shifted twice because of the pandemic which also halted other Sporting events globally.

With the opening ceremony in sight, arrangements are in top gear by Team Rivers to record a colourful outing. The State government has also charged the athletes to dazzle everyone and be the Cynosure of all eyes.

Rivers state is one of the leading states tipped to do well at the 20th National sports Festival due to its numerical strength, quality of athletes and officials as well as the government’s willingness to develop and promote the sports sector.