STRONG indications have emerged that more governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP may move to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general election.

Vanguard gathered that moves by the PDP governors to dump their party may not be in connection with lingering and unresolved crisis in the party, especially with the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party and also in some states and zonal levels.

According to a source, the prelude to the defection is the fact that while some governors have begun visits to President Bola Tinubu in Lagos, others are inviting him for the commissioning of projects in their respective states where discussions are said to be ongoing.

Also, the chairman of progressives governors and Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, is alleged to be involved in the wooing of the governors as part of moves to enlarge the coast of his party.

Recall that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State who recently asked Deltans to support President Bola Tinubu, had said one of the major communication policy thrusts of his administration was to consistently support the administration of President Tinubu as he continues to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda for the betterment of Nigerians, including Deltans.

Oborevwori, who was represented by his Commissioner for Information, Ifeanyi Osuoza, stated this at the opening ceremony of the 5th Edition of Delta State Communication Workshop, with the theme, “Advancing Delta: Strategies for Public Communication and Effective Media Management,’’ in Asaba.

Also recall that President Tinubu had last weekend, praised Enugu State governor, Dr Peter Mbah, for his leadership style and commitment to development, describing him as a focussed and result-oriented leader.

Tinubu, who spoke during his first official visit to Enugu State, where he commissioned several projects, said Mbah was doing a fantastic job and expressed happiness that Enugu was making great strides.

He said: “I salute Peter Mbah for his commitment to development. You’ve built a solid team and I’ve reviewed a number of things with you in Abuja.

“You’ve impressed me with the technological advancements in the state and the support you’ve garnered from the private sector. I know your background.’’

Similarly, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State was among the first callers to visit President Tinubu at his Bourdilon, Lagos house in the spirit of Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Come clean of rumours of alleged plans to decamp to APC, PDP leaders tell Delta gov
Meanwhile, a group, under the aegis of concerned leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, has urged Oborevwori to come clean of rumours of alleged plans to dump his party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC, to secure his governorship seat ahead of 2027 general elections.

In an open letter to the governor, a copy of which was made available yesterday, the group said it had become imperative for Oborevwori to intimate them of his position, as that would reassure them about their future in the PDP.

The letter, titled “Open letter to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to confirm the rumours of his planned defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC,” was signed by Theophilus Ekiyor; Ochuko Oghenekome and Ezekiel Chukwudi respectively.

The letter read: “We, the concerned Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, are compelled to address you in this open letter regarding the very disturbing rumours of your alleged plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC, to secure your governorship seat ahead of 2027 general elections.

“The rumour mills are agog with stories of your intention of cross-carpeting to the ruling party at the centre, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

“That you have been secretly romancing top aides of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Top presidential aide and allies of the President mentioned as your point men for your new venture include; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila and Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who are now working to facilitate a meeting between you and President Tinubu on this self-seeking agenda.

“Your ultimate goal, as pointed out by those close to you, is to obtain approval to join the APC. In this regard, we are deeply troubled by these flying and unconfirmed rumours.

“We, therefore, demand prompt clarification from you to put us in the picture. A delayed response could be considered as glaring evidence of your compromised position.”

The long-embraced and intoxicated lifestyle of using smartphones has persisted in Nigeria, despite the various economic downturns the country has been experiencing over the years.

But many citizens, who preferred buying brand-new smartphones instead of used phones, due to issues of phone thefts, according to Economy&Lifestyle investigation, are now opting for foreign used ones, because of the fast depreciating values of the recent crop of new phones.

According to Mr. Vincent Ibeh, a car dealer, those new smartphones manufactured now depreciate fast, unlike before when you can use a phone for two to three years and still pass it on to another person.

“I bought a phone, a few months ago for N160,000 and, within six months, the charging point started having issues.

“Then it was the battery. That was how the phone got to the point of damage.
“A friend now told me that I bought a repackaged phone.

“He advised me to buy a foreign used one. I had to tell a friend who travelled to buy me a new Android phone, while I was managing the small one I had.

“Since I started using the phone, I have not had any issues.

“How will sellers not repackage old smart phones? The money to restock is no longer there. The economy has gotten to a state where even the content of a cube of maggi needs to be queried.

“Fake and adulterated products are everywhere just because people want to make money by force.
“It is the masses like me that fall victim to all these at the end.

“Nigeria has gotten to a stage where people don’t even have confidence in our locally made goods.”

Mrs. Florence Johnson, a business woman, complained that she bought a brand new smart phone and its battery life stands at 60 per cent after six months of usage when compared to the lower grade of the brand whose life still stands at 75 per cent after two years of usage.

“I had to fall back to the old one because it was bought outside the country.

“Sometimes I wonder why we as an end user of a country are always thrown at things that have less quality.

“All these phone factories in Nigeria are not helping matters.

“Today, you will see different models of phones produced in the space of three months.

“When you patronize these phones, you end up using it for less than a year and not even up to their claimed one year warranty given to the customer.

“It is high time the government looked into this issue because people spend higher amounts buying these phones and end up with something not worth the value of their money.

“Many of my friends have experienced this also and have switched to buying foreign used phones or asking someone to buy it for them when coming home.”

Mrs. Kehinde Salami lamented the problem she had last year when she bought a new phone and after a few weeks it started malfunctioning.

“I bought the phone from a phone hub. On getting home a few weeks later the phone started hanging.

“All attempts to return the phone were futile as the attendant told me there was nothing wrong with the phone.

“The screen got blind in three months and before you know it the battery got weak.
“I had to tell my sister abroad to get me a new phone.

“This is it. I have been using it and have had no issue with it.”

Mr. Olawale Omoniyi an electrical engineer said most of the new phones are fairly used old faulty ones that are being repaired, repackaged and put up for sale as new ones.

“The phones are Nigerian used phones, that are repaired and repackaged.

“Some have been faulty from the store and what they do is repair it and repackage it like a new one .

“When you buy such a phone and use it for five to six months, it starts having issues like getting hot, screen going blind, earpiece going bad among others.

“I don’t buy new phones. I go for foreign used phones.

“Some foreign used smartphones even come with a pack while some don’t.”

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Kemi Badenoch, member of the House of Parliament and Opposition Leader of the Conservative Party, and Tony Elumelu, chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) have been recognised among the 100 Most Reputable Africans for 2025.

The list which was released on Sunday by Reputation Poll International (RPI), in partnership with the Global Reputation Forum, had the names of other notable Nigerians and African leaders.

The list featured men and women from diverse sectors across the continent who had excelled in technology, creative industries, sports, public service, academia and environmental advocacy.

National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu who also made the list has his nomination stemming from his leadership of the nation’s security apparatus leading to enhanced synergy between the military, other security and intelligence agencies in the country.

He has recently coordinated a series of successful rescues of kidnapped victims in the northern part of the country.

“This is a celebration of African excellence and a call to recognise those shaping the future of the continent with their unwavering commitment to progress and innovation.

“Honorees were chosen for their significant local and global influence as well as their ability to create meaningful change.

“The 2025 honorees were selected through a rigorous methodology based on integrity, ethical leadership and commitment to societal well-being.

“They were also selected through the impact of contributions to transformative projects and initiatives as well as the recognition and influence within their respective fields,” the organisers said on the website.

The ‘roll of honour’ released on the organisations website also had the names of Dr Paul Enenche, the founder, Dunamis International Gospel Church, Mr Cosmos Maduka, Chairman Coscharis Motors and Sen. Gbemisola Saraki.

While Enenche and Adeboye have appeared on the list in the past, Dr Daniel Olukoya, founder, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries is appearing for the first time.

Others are Bala Wunti, the Group General Manager National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), as well as songwriter and worship singer, Osinachi Egbu, popularly known as “Sinach”.

President-elect of Ghana, John Mahama, who won an election for his second term in office, Benedict Oramah, President of Afrexim Bank and Mo Ibrahim, a Sudanese-British billionaire businessman are the other notable African leaders that made the list.

Isatou Ceesay of Gambia, one of the honorees, was notable in advocacy for climate resilience and sustainable development; she redefined sustainability through her innovative approach to waste management and women’s empowerment, turning plastic waste into economic opportunities for rural women.

For Karen Matsiko of South Africa, another honoree, she was notable in finance and corporate governance, and was found worthy as an exceptional leader in banking and logistics, with a focus on trade finance and sustainable trends in emerging markets.

Her work was instrumental in driving financial innovation and economic growth across sub-saharan Africa.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan; Dr Jennifer Douglas, Managing Partner, Miyetti Law Firm and Ogiame Atuwatse, the Olu of Warri made the list in previous editions.

Pastor William Kumuyi, founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry and Bishop David Oyedepo, founder, Living Faith Church Worldwide were among the 2023 honorees.

A former presidential spokesman,Dr Doyin Okupe, has described President Bola Tinubu’s official visit to Enugu on Saturday as a game changer.

Okupe, in a statement on Sunday in Lagos, said: “The visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Enugu on Saturday is a major game changer.”

“Any objective observer can easily discern President Tinubu’s open heartedness and unrestrained affection for the South-East.

“He (Tinubu) spoke openly and candidly from his heart and made very significant commitments for support for developmental projects in the south east.”

According to him, without any equivocation, the South-East deserves the attention and support of any fair- minded  President

Okupe, a former Director-General of Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Council, said any Nigerian of goodwill would commend Tinubu’s genuine good gestures to the South-East.

“Without any iota of doubt, the age -long mantra, which was very dear to the late Igbo leader, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, that ‘the absence of an east-west political alliance is a potential existential threat to the unity and stability of Nigeria’is an all time truism.

“I will personally urge Mr President, while working tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of the masses, to continue to build bridges across the nation for our political stability and peaceful coexistence,” Okupe Recall that the President embarked on a state visit to Enugu State on Saturday during which he inaugurated some  projects executed by Gov.Peter Mbah.

Some of the projects inaugurated by Tinubu  included Airport-New Haven – Bisalla and Okpara Square roads

Other projects included  Enugu Smart Green Schools,  Enugu International Conference Centre, Enugu Command and Control Centre as well as 150 patrol vehicles fitted with AI surveillance cameras.

The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has said it is possible for the current Value Added Tax structure to be kept as it is given the controversies it had stirred.

Oyedele said this on Sunday when he appeared on a live television programme on Arise TV to discuss the tax reforms proposed by President Bola Tinubu.

In October 2024, Tinubu introduced four Tax Reform Bills to the National Assembly to overhaul Nigeria’s tax system. The Bills – the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill – were to consolidate existing tax laws, streamline tax administration, and enhance revenue generation.

The proposed legislation has faced stiff resistance from various players in the country, as people argue that it would favour one section of Nigeria at the expense of others. Proposed reforms to the Value Added Tax were one of the main grief points.

Speaking on Sunday, Oyedele said what his committee proposed regarding Value Added Tax would benefit every part of the country.

He, however, noted that if the preference was for the current state, then his team was willing to oblige.

“There were two comments that Mr President made. His first point is that we have to do tax reforms. We cannot continue with the laws of the colonial era and hope that Nigeria will become a developed country. This tax system is holding us back. Then after a few other questions, someone asked a question again about whether he was willing to move and make a compromise, and he said, ‘Yes’. So his point is that we have to carry out tax reform.

“That is what is non-negotiable, otherwise, we will be missing out on a significant opportunity to move Nigeria forward. But in terms of the details of those bills, everything is up for grabs. I can tell you, as we speak today, if they want us to keep the current VAT formula, we’ll keep it 100 per cent.  So, the fact that people keep using the problem we are trying to solve against us, is what I need to understand.

“We are saying today that Lagos State is getting the benefit for calls made in Kano, Kwara, in Ekiti. We say, let’s change that. And then you come out and say they want to take what we are doing in Kano to Lagos,” he said.

The tax reforms committee boss tracing the history of the VAT in Nigeria said, “It seems to me that the more we explain it, the more people try not to understand because a lot of people don’t even understand the current position of the law.

“Let me quickly explain what the problem is, the value-added tax was introduced in 1993 by the military. Implementation started in 1994 and that was to replace the sales tax that was being done by states.”

Oyedele stated that in 1999 when Nigeria got into the Fourth Republic, the country needed a constitution.

“The people that put the Constitution together pretty much replicated 1979’s. In 1979 there wasn’t VAT. So in 1999 when they introduced the constitution, VAT was missing, but the government continued to collect VAT. Some states like Rivers State and Lagos State are in court saying that VAT should be collected by the state because they feel that they are not getting enough for the contribution they are making into the VAT pot, and therefore if they collect it as a state tax, they will be better off.

“That is the equivalent of 100 per cent derivation. For us, as we’re working on these tax reforms. We said if we get states to start collecting VAT in Nigeria, it will be chaotic for business because we know for a fact that states in Nigeria will not respect input-output.

“So we said, how can we make everybody at least comfortable and address inequity? What did we identify? As of today, when companies remit their VAT, they tend to remit from their head office because that’s where they have the finance department. So MTN, BUA, Dangote, Airtel, all the banks, most of them are headquartered in Lagos. Some of the oil companies are headquartered in Rivers State,” he stated.

Oyedele affirmed that the tax reforms became important seeing that there was no VAT in the Nigerian constitution.

He went on to warn that if the tax reform bills were withdrawn from the National Assembly, it would be hard to represent them as he feared that consultations would be frustrated.

Two of the suspects arrested alongside Simon Ekpa, a factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), have reportedly been released by the Finnish government.

Ekpa, who was apprehended on November 21, 2024, alongside four others, faces allegations of involvement in terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and funding terrorism in Nigeria.

Naija News reports that after his arrest, the Päijät-Häme district court ordered his detention, accusing him of “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.”

The group of five has been held in custody since November 2024. However, sources have disclosed to The Nation that Finnish authorities have released two of Ekpa’s alleged co-conspirators.

Details about the identities of those released or the reasons for their release remain unknown at the time of this report.

Government representatives confirmed Ekpa is still in custody but declined to provide additional information.

This development comes after Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, announced that the Nigerian government had formally requested Ekpa’s extradition.

Gen. Musa stated that the necessary documentation for Ekpa’s extradition had been submitted to the Finnish government.

“Legal action is going to be taken accordingly,” he said.

“The Federal Government has actually forwarded most of the requirements to the Finnish Government. So, I’m sure the right thing will be done,” he added.

Investigations revealed that the Finnish government is collaborating with Nigerian authorities to address the violent activities of IPOB in the southern regions of Nigeria.

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed confidence that the party will reclaim governance at the federal level and produce more state governors in the 2027 elections.

This was disclosed during a visit by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri at his country home in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, on Sunday.

Speaking on behalf of the NWC, the National Treasurer, Alhaji Ahmed Yayare, attributed the optimism to widespread dissatisfaction across the country, driven by lingering economic hardship under the current administration.

He said, “The cry of hunger and poverty is too much in the land.

“Nothing stops the PDP from producing the president and vice president in 2027. The APC cannot go out to campaign because they will be stoned. Nigeria is in your hands. We need your support to salvage Nigeria.”

He added that the PDP remains the only viable opposition party capable of rescuing the country, warning that failure to take over power in 2027 could spell doom for democracy in Nigeria.

Call For Unity And Strengthening the Party

Yayare emphasized the need for PDP governors to close ranks and work together towards actualizing the party’s vision.

He also stated that the NWC would embark on a nationwide campaign to canvass support ahead of the 2027 elections.

National Secretary, Ude Okoye, reiterated the party’s determination to reposition itself as a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The NWC will swing into action to strengthen the party and ensure respect for the PDP and its governors,” he said.

Okoye commended Governor Diri for his leadership and developmental achievements in Bayelsa State, describing him as a model for good governance.

In his response, Governor Douye Diri stressed the importance of unity among party members, urging them to prioritize the PDP’s collective interests over personal ambitions.

“As governors, we need to work closely together. We need to do what is right without minding whose ox is gored. If PDP dies in our hands, posterity will not forgive us,” Diri stated.

He called on party members to avoid divisive actions, including frequent court cases over disputes, and to build consensus as an alternative method of resolving issues.

Diri also expressed support for the idea of forming a mega party with the PDP at its core to ensure it stands out as a formidable force to reclaim power in 2027.

He said, “We cannot be in PDP in the daytime and at night be in another party.

“We need to do in-house cleansing and strengthen the party to salvage the country from its current slide.”

The visit also included condolences to Governor Diri over the recent deaths of the retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Moses Jituboh and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Elizabeth Bidei.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) says it will intensify efforts to eliminate Ponzi and pyramid schemes, thereby fostering an environment for genuine investment opportunities to thrive in 2025.

Dr Emomotimi Agama, the Director General of SEC, said this in his New Year message to the capital market community on Sunday that protecting investors remains a cornerstone of the commission’s mission.

Agama also said that the commission would prioritise key initiatives aimed at deepening market integrity, enhancing investor confidence and driving economic growth.

According to him, SEC is positioned with a dual mandate in regulating and developing the capital market in Nigeria.

“Naturally, our top priority in 2025 will cut across the dual mandate. For us, mainstreaming the Nigerian Capital Market into the economy is very vital.

“Enforcement is the backbone of effective regulation. We are revamping our investigative processes to enhance efficiency and hold bad actors accountable more decisively.

“Insider trading undermines activities and dampens market fairness. By revising our regulatory framework, we aim to strengthen detection, prevention, and accountability mechanisms.

“Transparency is at the heart of investors confidence and capital markets. We will introduce measures to ensure greater visibility and trust in securities transactions,” he said.

The Director-General added that to resolve market disputes efficiently and fairly, the commission was focusing on enhancing the operations of the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST).

He noted that these efforts aim to make the tribunal more effective in delivering timely resolutions, thereby improving overall efficiency in the process.

Agama stated that key focus for the commission in 2025 is strengthening the legal framework of the commodities market to enable it attain its full potential of aiding economic development.

He said the commodities market is a major area of interest for SEC, adding that Nigeria is purely an agrarian nation.

The director-general said that taking that comparative advantage to the next level, is something that the commission is proud to be part of.

Agama said this year, SEC would focus on reinforcing the legal and regulatory structures that support growth to create a solid foundation for the vibrant commodities ecosystem, be it soft or hard commodity.

“More so, when we have a plethora of commodities all over Nigeria. SEC as a partner in development will make sure that we make the difference,” he said.

Agama said that these initiatives reflect the commission’s vision for a stronger and more inclusive capital market in 2025, adding that SEC is committed to building wealth, instilling confidence and making  impacts.

The SEC boss said: “As we embark on this journey, I invite all stakeholders to work with us in achieving these goals.

“Together, we can unlock the potentials of the Nigerian capital market and make this a defining year for our economy.

“What we intend to do, is to steer the capital market towards a direction that ensures that development gets to the doorstep of every Nigerian.”

Teachers, pupils and parents are currently upbeat as primary and secondary schools resume in most states today (Monday).

States where pupils will be resuming for second term after the Christmas and New Year break include Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Delta and Jigawa, among others.

The Kano State Government had earlier announced Sunday, January 5, 2025, as the resumption date for all boarding public and private primary and secondary schools, with day school students resuming on Monday, January 6, 2025.

A statement signed by the state Director of Public Enlightenment, Balarabe Kiru, urged parents and guardians to comply with the resumption dates to ensure smooth operations.

The statement warned that disciplinary actions would be taken against students and pupils who fail to resume on time.

The state Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ali Makoda, emphasised the government’s commitment to “fostering quality education and providing a conducive learning environment to encourage students’ academic success.”

He added that monitoring exercises would be conducted to ensure punctuality and efficiency among school staff.

In Delta State, the government has also directed public and private schools to resume today, January 6.

A statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministries of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr. Augustine Oghoro, highlighted the need for teachers to “renew their commitment to improving the standard of education in the state.”

The Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, and her counterpart in the Ministry of Primary Education would lead monitoring teams to ensure compliance with the directive.

Teachers and school heads were warned against absenteeism, with the government promising to take action against defaulters.

Similarly, Jigawa State set Monday as the resumption date for public and private schools, with boarding students returning on Sunday, January

The Commissioner for Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Isa Chamo, assured parents that teaching aids had been provided to facilitate effective learning.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government shifted the resumption date of unity schools across the country to January 12 from January 5.

A circular released on December 30, 2024, by the Federal Ministry of Education explained that the shift in dates was due to the ongoing renovation works in most of the unity schools.

The circular was addressed to all principals of Federal Unity Colleges and was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwazzo.

PUNCH reports that as schools prepare to reopen, the Head of School at Offsprings Ilorin, Kwara State, Alli-Oluwafuyi Lateefat, stressed the importance of collaboration between schools, parents, and students.

“We are excited to receive our students after the holidays, and we expect them to return with renewed energy. Learning can be as enjoyable as play if approached with dedication,” she said.

Lateefat underscored the importance of parental involvement in monitoring academic progress, emphasising that a strong home-school partnership is crucial for student success.

However, parents have expressed concerns over rising costs.

Mr. Tunbosun Esho, a father of three, said, “With the way prices keep rising, getting everything ready for the new term is becoming more difficult. Balancing tuition, transportation, and other bills is not easy.”

Similarly, Mrs. Nafisat Bakare, a mother of two, said, “Transport fares have doubled since last term, and it’s a burden. Sometimes you have to choose between essentials and school needs.”

Experts demand proactive steps as new virus surges in China, ravages children

The Federal Government on Sunday said it would activate surveillance measures for inbound passengers from China following the current surge of a respiratory virus.

Reports indicate that the virus has led to overcrowded hospitals, emergency measures and public concerns in China.

The virus, attributed to the Human Metapneumovirus, has seen cases spiking across northern Chinese provinces this winter, particularly among children. Neighbouring countries such as Cambodia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong are closely monitoring the HMPV situation, having reported a few cases but no widespread outbreaks, according to reports.

According to Chinese authorities, there has been a noticeable increase in HMPV cases, especially among children under 14 years old in northern parts of the country. Social media posts, accompanied by videos of overcrowded hospitals, have sparked fears of a larger-scale health crisis.

In response to the rising cases, the Chinese government announced measures, including constant monitoring of cases, the adoption of masks, social distancing and disinfection of public spaces to curb the increase of the virus.

The new virus outbreak is coming five years after the emergence of a novel coronavirus – COVID-19 – in Wuhan, China, which was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation on March 11, 2020.

So far, COVID-19 has infected 777 million people globally and killed over seven million, according to WHO.

However, while both HMPV and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses, there are important differences. HMPV typically causes milder symptoms such as a cold or flu, while COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, can lead to more severe health complications and long-term effects.

HMPV is also a seasonal virus, similar to other cold-causing pathogens like RSV, and infections usually peak during the winter months. HMPV, like COVID-19, spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes and it can also spread via contaminated surfaces.

However, officials from the National Health Commission stated that while respiratory diseases are expected to rise during the winter months, the overall situation this year is less severe than last year.

Beijing also downplayed the developments as an annual winter occurrence.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday, “Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season. The diseases appear to be less severe and spread with a smaller scale compared to the previous year,” she said.

A pilot programme was launched by China to track pneumonia of unknown origin, ensuring labs and health agencies reported and managed cases more effectively, state broadcaster CCTV reported, quoting an administration official at a news conference.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said HMPV could cause upper and lower respiratory diseases in people of all ages, especially among young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

The U.S CDC noted that HMPV is most likely spread from an infected person to others through secretions from coughing and sneezing, close personal contact and touching objects or surfaces that have the viruses on them, then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.

“Symptoms commonly associated with HMPV include cough, fever, nasal congestion and shortness of breath. Clinical symptoms of HMPV infection may progress to bronchitis or pneumonia and are similar to other viruses that cause upper and lower respiratory infections. The estimated incubation period is three to six days, and the median duration of illness can vary, depending upon severity but is similar to other respiratory infections caused by viruses,” the US CDC stated.

Meanwhile, health authorities in Nigeria are already implementing emergency measures to monitor and manage the spread of the HMPV.

The Director, Special Duties, Office of the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr John Oladejo, told The PUNCH on Sunday that the Federal Government would implement preventive measures by activating surveillance measures to curb the spread of the virus

“The FG will activate surveillance measures, like quarantine, for passengers coming in from China,” Dr Oladejo said.

Earlier in November 2024, global health body WHO noted that it was closely monitoring the situation and was in close contact with national authorities in China, adding that it would continue to provide updates as warranted.

Based on the available information, WHO recommended that people in China followed measures to reduce the risk of respiratory illness, which include recommended vaccines against influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens as appropriate; keeping distance from people who are ill; staying home when ill; getting tested and medical care as needed; wearing masks as appropriate; ensuring good ventilation; and practicing regular handwashing.

“WHO does not recommend any specific measures for travellers to China. In general, persons should avoid travel while experiencing symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, if possible; in case of symptoms during or after travel, travellers are encouraged to seek medical attention and share travel history with their health care provider.

“WHO advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions based on the current information available on this event,” the body added.

First detected in Pakistan in 2001, the HMPV has caused several outbreaks over the years in the Asian nation, primarily affecting children, but the virus is new to Africa as there haven’t been reported cases on the continent.

“Human Metapneumovirus was first identified in Pakistan in 2001, and outbreaks have been reported since then,” an official at the National Institute of Health, Islamabad, said.

“In 2015, a study conducted at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences found 21 cases of HMPV in children hospitalised with severe lower respiratory tract infections.”

Meanwhile, medical experts have stated that implementing surveillance measures against the virus was a crucial and appropriate step in ensuring that it doesn’t spread to the country.

They emphasised that surveillance should be an ongoing process carried out continuously by the government.

A virologist at the Department of Virology, College of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Dr Moses Adewumi said, “On  good day, surveillance should always be part of us. What happens most times is that despite the amount that was voted for COVID-19, we seem to have relaxed. Our people are more interested in spending the money, and after that, we probably decide to go to sleep. So, the surveillance should be a continuous thing.

“It is good that we increase our surveillance for people coming into the country, especially from China, Japan and other places, where we have the outbreaks. The government should be more involved in surveillance because most of the surveillance and all the research we do is funded by foreign bodies, so our own government should be more interested in research, in surveillance for all these viruses.

“The virus is not new but the surge may be because there is a different variant, and that is why we need to increase our surveillance and monitor it closely to curtail its introduction into the country. Experience has taught us that if we check now, we may have our people with antibodies already, and that’s a confirmation that it’s likely that this is circulating here, maybe not the exact variants that they have now.”

Also, an Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases and Genomics in the Department of Microbiology at the Adeleke University, Osun State, Oladipo Kolawole, noted that the decision by the government to implement surveillance measures was a good one, adding that it aimed to monitor and control the potential spread of the virus, ensuring public health safety as the situation developed.

Kolawole said, “The government is likely to enhance screening processes at points of entry and provide guidelines for travellers from China, this is to mitigate risks associated with HMPV. Activating surveillance allows for the early detection of cases, which is essential in managing outbreaks effectively. Monitoring travellers from regions experiencing outbreaks can help identify and isolate cases before they spread within the community.

“Also, quarantine for inbound passengers from the affected regions can significantly reduce the risk of transmission. It serves as a precautionary measure to ensure that individuals who may be infected do not unknowingly spread the virus to others. Finally, this situation underscores the importance of preparedness in public health systems.”

Meanehile, Hong Kong has reported a few cases of HMPV following the outbreak in China while Cambodia’s Communicable Disease Control Department issued warnings about the virus, noting its similarity to COVID-19 and influenza.

Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control said the virus poses higher risks for children, the elderly and immuno-compromised individuals.

In neighbouring India, officials said there was no need for panic as HMPV is “like any other respiratory virus.”