Metro
COVID-19: NCAC to Launch Campaign on Use of Face Mask
Having successfully produced and kitted select frontline service providers and various care givers in the forefront of the battle against covid 19 pandemic, the Director General National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC ), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has disclosed that the next stage of the culture agency focal agenda is to launch a nation wide campaign to encourage Nigerians to brace for the use of facemask in public places.
The NCAC boss had last week produced and kitted security agencies, the media and a select group of professionals in the front line of the covid 19 pandemic with branded facemasks made exclusively from adire and Ankara fabrics, and also gave out sanitizers made from the natural resources sourced locally in order to promote home grown efforts to the pandemic and also open certain cultural economy.
Explaining the need and exigency for the #protectnaijafacemask campaign, Otunba Runsewe stated that there are imperical facts that wearing facemask has about 100% capacity to prevent the spread of the micro droplets, usually transmitted through the mouth and sneezing through the nose.
“We at NCAC is the firm believe that a population wide facemask wearing is very important and essential to the suppression and prevention of the communial transmission of the covid 19 pandemic, hence the frontal awareness efforts by NCAC to prepare and positively change the attitude and minds of nigerians to facemasks lifestyle” he stated further.
Drawing key example from the Czech republic which successfully adopted facemask strategy and thereafter, with the consequent low covid 19 impact in the entire European countries, the NCAC boss who had in the past drove the national campaign to diversify the nigerian economy through tourism, with” oil is good but tourism better and sustainable” campaign, further disclosed that the nation wide awareness drive on the use of facemasks, will help create a post covid 19 cultural economy that will see the nigerian women, widows and youths producing facemasks as part of NCAC intervention.
” We are already grounded in providing skill acquisition as part of our cultural mandate and with this campaign in focus, we can through our various offices in the six geopolitical zones empower the rural women and unemployed youths to take to tailoring and produce an average of ten million facemasks in three days, made from local fabrics and according to our standard.
” This campaign is a must do and not talk and no action. This cultural agency of government is on strong footing to deliver on this expectations” Runsewe assured, noting that as much as covid 19 protocols of social distancing, strict hygiene are important, the desirability and importance of wearing facemask cannot be overemphasized.
“Indeed, the spread of the disease across our nation with a population of 200million people is a bit scary and despite the the great intervention of the National Center for Disease control, we must be seen to be culturally supportive through this campaign which also is not in any way the scientific solution to mitigating the scrouge but as a knowledge and awareness based effort from NCAC to empower Nigerians to wake up and live with reality of facemasks wearing in public places as a new way of life.
On getting a national musical and entertainment response to the #protectnaijawithfacemask campaign, the national and cum pan African cultural influncer, noted that the possibility would be exploited and be given the face of “we are the world” musical extravaganza of the 90s to raise fund and awareness about mitigating poverty in the world.
“You can bet we shall adopt that musical effort but it shall be cultural in content and context and we may request musical and cultural troupes to come up with something unique that will appeal to national unity and consciousness.
“The artistic community shall be part of this campaign and we are definitely looking beyond the covid 19 situation to the next level of truly responding and creating a new culture entrepreneurs that can challenge our collective national strength for a better cultural economic tomorrow, to project Nigeria to the world as a nation conscious of it’s richness in culture and with a people with strong resolve to overcome any challenge of life” He explained further.
Several lucky Nigerians on Monday received huge cash prizes in Globacom’s Jolly Product Cash Award presentation ceremonies held simultaneously in different cities across the country. The events featured winners from different categories, Jolly Life lottery, Jolly Wheel, Jolly Win, and Jolly Trivia.
The star prize of ₦1 million went to Sunday Efenure, a 69-year-old technician from Edo State who won through the Jolly Wheel promo. Efenure who received his cheque in Lagos confessed that he almost ignored the news of his win, fearing it was a scam. “With the rate of scams in the country, I didn’t believe it at first. My wife encouraged me, and I even sent my son to verify before I decided to attend. I thank Glo for this life-changing gift,” he said.
Also smiling home with ₦500,000 each were Taiwo Oni, a 39-year-old Ibadan resident who won in the Jolly Life promo in Ibadan, Oyo State, and Esther Clifford in Abuja who was rewarded under Jolly Win. Taiwo’s twin brother, Kehinde, captured the mood when he exclaimed in Yoruba, “E chop am o!” in celebration of his brother’s fortune which also prompted him to purchase a Glo sim for himself to play the Jolly games with the aim of winning as well.
In Warri, Delta State, Christopher Onajobhe received ₦200,000 won in the Jolly Win category, while Denem Usman Maji from Nasarawa, Godwin Udanna from Onitsha, Anambra State, and Ijeoma Anogwa from Enugu each won cash prizes ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦200,000 in the Jolly Wheel category.
Addressing the winners in Lagos, Mr. Mojeed Aluko of Globacom’s Value Added Services (VAS) Department congratulated them and urged other subscribers to continue participating in the Jolly promos Nigerians to participate in the Jolly promos by dialling *13199# on their Glo lines and following the menu prompt to join the list of winners, describing them as avenues to combine entertainment with empowerment.
Globacom’s partner on the project, Tetragrammaton International, represented by Tolulope Aminu, also commended the winners and encouraged Glo subscribers to “keep playing and spreading the word so others can benefit too.”
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced a 50 per cent discount on fares for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line to mark its second anniversary, effective Thursday, September 4, 2025.
The governor, in a statement ato residents via his official X handle on Wednesday, highlighted the successes of the Blue Line since its launch two years ago, disclosing that the rail system has transported more than five million passengers without a single accident.
He said: “Dear Lagosians, two years ago, we took a bold step with the launch of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line. Today, as I look back on how far we have come, I feel a deep sense of pride and gratitude.
“In these two years, the Blue Line has carried more than five million passengers safely, without a single accident. Trains now run every ten minutes, making over 90 trips each day. Journeys that once took much longer have become faster and easier.”
He noted that the milestone reflects the state’s commitment to building transport infrastructure that delivers value to residents.
According to him, the project has eased commuting challenges and demonstrated the power of collective trust and dedication.
“These achievements show that when we work with dedication and purpose, we can build systems that truly serve the people,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu expressed appreciation to Lagosians for their support, describing the Blue Line as “a project that belongs to all of us.”
He said the anniversary discount was designed to encourage more residents to experience the modern rail service.
“To mark this second anniversary, I am pleased to announce a 50 per cent reduction in fares on the Blue Line for tomorrow, Thursday, September 4, 2025. If you have not yet experienced the Blue Line, I encourage you to take a ride and see what we have built together,” the governor stated.
Looking ahead, Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to improve mobility in the city through safer, faster, and more efficient transport systems.
“Our journey is far from over. Step by step, we are creating the Lagos we all desire, building a city where moving around is easier, safer, and faster. Together, we are shaping the Lagos of our future,” he said.
The Blue Line, launched in September 2023, is the first of several rail projects envisioned under the state’s integrated mass transit strategy, designed to reduce congestion, improve efficiency, and enhance productivity in Africa’s most populous city.
The National Industrial Court (NIC) sitting in Abuja has nullified the provision of the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service for the Officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces (HTACOS), which made it mandatory for soldiers to serve for a minimum of 15 years before they could be allowed to resign.
The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Subilim, declared the provision as both oppressive and a gross violation of fundamental rights that are protected by the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The verdict followed a suit marked: NICN/ABJ/25/2025, which a dissatisfied Air Force personnel, Flight Lieutenant J. A. Akerele, lodged before the court.
The Claimant, who told the court that he was commissioned in 2013 as a Pilot Officer during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, specifically challenged what he described as his “systematic persecution and victimisation,” by the authorities of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, after he applied to disengage from service.
He told the court that the then Chief of Air Staff not only rejected his resignation letter but equally declared him AWOL with a signal issued for his arrest.
Narrating his ordeal, the Claimant, in an affidavit he filed in support of the suit that was entered on his behalf by a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, averred:
“Before the 14th day of September 2013, I was selected based on merit as a final year student in the Nigerian Defence Academy in July 2013 to complete my Flight training in the United States of America.
“During the course of my studies, allowances were no longer released for about 5) five months and I was abruptly recalled from the course in July 2014, and this led to my loss of seniority in rank, and I was not assigned to any unit for over a year.
“I switched five different career paths as a young officer in the Nigerian Air Force, and during this course, I was never promoted as compared to my course mates, as I spent 6 (six) years on the rank of a Flying Officer instead of the standard 4 (four) years.
“I was posted to the National Air Defence Corps, and my specialty was changed to Air Traffic Control and subsequently to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV); I began my UAV training in August 2016, but it was terminated as the foreign contractors were not paid according to terms.
“After several months of waiting, my specialty was again changed to the Intelligence Arm of the Air Force.
“I was nominated for the Intelligence Course after serving in Base Services Group (BSG) Lagos from November 2019 to November 2020, but it was later canceled and I was sent back to the UAV specialty.”
He told the court that the bitter experiences he was subjected to caused him “severe emotional distress, feelings of victimization, and a lack of sense of direction.”
The Claimant insisted that the ordeal adversely affected his mental well-being, saying he was traumatized.
“It was for these reasons and the enduring depression and trauma that I voluntarily resigned and disengaged from the Nigerian Air Force,” he added.
According to the Claimant, after his letter for voluntary resignation was received, the authorities of the NAF subjected him to a series of interviews and counselling.
He stated that his Commander and the disposal officers who conducted the interviews and counselling sessions supported his decision and recommended that he should be allowed to disengage from service.
However, he told the court that despite the recommendations, the then Chief of Air Staff rejected his letter of disengagement, insisting that he must serve at least 15 years before he could be eligible to voluntarily resign.
The Claimant told the court that the Air Force boss, basing his decision on provisions of the HTACOS, ordered his immediate arrest.
He argued that as a public servant, he had the constitutional right to voluntarily resign from service.
Challenging the action, the Claimant contended that the said HTACOS was not only a breach of section 306 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, but equally negated various subsisting court judgements.
Delivering his judgement in the matter on Tuesday, Justice Subilim faulted the decision of Air Force authorities, saying it was akin to forcing soldiers into “modern day slavery under the guise of national service.”
Declaring that members of the Armed Forces have the statutory right to retire or resign voluntarily, the court struck down the 15-year compulsory service requirement provided by the HTACOS.
It dismissed the NAF’s argument that the Claimant’s letter had “voluntary retirement” as its caption instead of “resignation.”
The court held that what was of utmost importance was the substance of the letter and not its form, adding that the word “resignation” as used in Section 306 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, must be given a liberal and wider interpretation and not a restrictive interpretation, in line with decisions of the Supreme Court on principles governing the interpretation of the Constitution.
Consequently, the court granted the Claimant’s reliefs and declared his resignation from the NAF as valid and effective from the date his letter was received.
The court equally issued an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the Chief of Air Staff and the NAF, who were the 1st and 2nd defendants in the matter, from arresting or detaining the Claimant or compelling him to continue in military service.
