The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has tested, certified, and confirmed the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine safe for use in Nigeria.

This was announced by the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, on Friday at an event held at the National Hospital in Abuja.

He explained that the government agency confirmed the vaccine for use in the country after it concluded its final test on it.

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“The long-awaited day is here on which Nigerians can now join others in the global community to be vaccinated against the dreaded COVID-19 virus.

“For us in the health sector, it is a relief and the marking of the start of a tedious but hopeful exercise to see our fellow citizens develop immunity against this virus,” he told the gathering at the event.

Ehanire added, “I am also relieved again to announce that at 12 minutes past midnight today (Friday), I got a text message informing me that NAFDAC has certified this vaccine for use, otherwise we will not be sitting here today.”

Few days from the arrival of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine to Nigeria at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, the nation on Friday has commenced its COVID-19 vaccination as a medical doctor, Dr. Cyprian Nyong, of the National Hospital, Abuja, will receive a jab of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine any moment from now.

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, flagged off the exercise on behalf of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

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At the exercise, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, described the moment as a “watershed”.

The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, also said it was crucial “to first cater for those who cater for us”.

The President and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as earlier reported will receive shots of the vaccine on Saturday before it can be made available to Nigerians.

Some unidentifiable gunmen have killed a passenger and also abducted some, along Osogbo/Ibokun road.

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According to sources in the area, the incident occurred on Tuesday evening, between the hours of 7:30 and 8:00 pm near Ajebandele, a village in the Obokun Local Government area, about three kilometres to Osogbo, the state capital.

The gunmen had reportedly attacked travelers and shot dead a man, whose name remains anonymous at the time of the report, while an unspecified number of passengers were also abducted.

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The Field Commander, Amotekun Corps in Osun, Amitolu Shittu, who was at the scene of the crime, confirmed the incident.

Amitolu said the deceased was shot dead by the attackers, whom he said carried AK-47 rifles, adding that search and rescue operation had commenced for those abducted.