News
US, Nigeria Find Way To Give Better Estimate Of COVID-19 Sero-Prevalence
In continuation of United States Government support for Nigeria’s conduct of a household survey that determines the extent of COVID-19 transmission in the country, a new study by a team of U.S. and Nigerian scientists has reaffirmed the importance of validating SARS-CoV-2 assays using locally obtained samples to assess COVID-19 exposure in the population.
Therefore, the researchers conducted a laboratory-based investigation to validate SARS-CoV-2 assays using samples from COVID-19 survivors and other archived pre-pandemic samples available in Nigeria.
In the study tagged, ‘Validation of xMAP SARS-CoV-2 Multi-Antigen IgG assay in Nigeria’ (plos.org) published in the journal PLOS ONE, the researchers collected samples from individuals at different time points after the patients’ initial COVID-19 RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) positive result.
In addition, the researchers used archived plasma specimens stored before October, 2019 and specimens from the 2018 US-supported Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS). Over 100 SARS-CoV-2 positive specimens and about 300 archived specimens were used to evaluate the assays’ sensitivity and specificity, two crucial indicators of the accuracy of tests results.
The team initially validated four SARS-CoV-2 serological assays, which show lower sensitivity than the manufacturers’ results.
Similarly, two assays targeting the most crucial structural components of SARS-CoV-2 (Nucleocapsid protein) indicated moderate to substantial cross-reactivity.
Cross-reactivity is the presence of other pathogens in the samples, thereby affecting the test outcomes.
Dr. Nnaemeka Iriemenam is the paper’s lead author and Deputy Chief of the US-CDC Nigeria Laboratory Branch.
He said it is vital for countries preparing for COVID-19 sero-surveillance to validate SARS-CoV-2 serology assay using in-country specimens.
The assays need to reflect the serologic profile of the population being tested to avoid wrong estimates.
This latest study follows previous studies by the same team.
The conclusions are consistent with the Validation of Commercial SARS-CoV-2 Immunoassays in a Nigerian Population study published in Microbiology Spectrum 10.1128/Spectrum.00680-21.
It is also in line with the Cross-Reactivity of Two SARS-CoV-2 Serological Assays in a Setting Where Malaria Is Endemic, published in American Society for Microbiology’s Journal of Clinical Microbiology 10.1128/JCM.00514-21.
These studies show the strong collaboration between Nigeria and U.S. researchers and further highlight U.S. Government’s technical assistance to Nigeria’s COVID-19 pandemic response. In addition to collaborative research to understand the virus epidemiology and its spread among the population, the United States is at the forefront of providing vaccines and other technical assistance to Nigeria.
News
Mba Seeks Closer Synergy To Check Road Accidents
Worried over the high rate of accidents on Nigerian roads, resulting in the death of hundreds of thousands of people, the Governor of Enugu State, Barr Peter Mbah, has called for closer synergy and cooperation among security agencies to check the ugly trend and ensure safety on all the roads within the country.
Governor Mbah, made the call in an address at the Graduation Ceremony of Senior Course 2 of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Command and Staff College, Udi near Enugu.
Represented by the state Commissioner for Information, Chief Aka Eze Aka, governor Mbah noted that closer security and intelligence sharing on incidents on roads within the country by various security formations and agencies both military and para-military would lead to greater security and safety of lives and property on roads.
He stated that the state government had keyed into the FRSC vision of reduction in road crashes and fatalities, adding that it had equipped the state traffic officers with the same set targets.
“As an administration, we are making all efforts to fix and improve on all roads and road infrastructure within the state; while we are calling on the Federal Government to do the same.
“Our partnership with the FRSC for training and retraining of our road traffic officers will continue and be strengthened so that as a state it will also build its own capacity to deal with road traffic issues and challenges,” he said.
Governor Mbah, however, congratulated the graduating participants of the course, while commending the FRSC management for being in the forefront of raising the standard and quality of its staff.
According to him, “my administration will continue to partner with the FRSC and strengthen existing engagements of mutual benefits”.
Earlier, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, said that the event was significant to the Corps as it marked its commitment to continuously improve its educational and operational standard and capacity.
Biu, represented by the Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM) Bisi Kazeem, who is in-charge of FRSC Training, said that the Corps was building resiliency and increasing its service delivery capacity by equipping its officers with quality and international standard training.
By: Canice Amadi Enugu
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
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