The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) is calling on the general public to exercise caution over the recent cholera outbreak in some states across Nigeria.
In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Friday 14th June, 2024, the Director General of NBMA said Nigerians must exercise caution as Nigeria records 30 deaths, and 1,141 suspected cases from the disease.
“As we approach the festive period of the Salah celebrations, it is of utmost importance that we collectively prioritize the health and safety of our communities.” She said.
Cholera, a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by the ingestion of contaminated food or water, has been reported in Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta,
The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has ended about two decades of feud between legendary actor, Alhaji Kareem Adepoju (Baba Wande) and legendary producer/cinematographer, Mr. Tunde Kelani.
Ooni Ogunwusi made the stride on Thursday, through a delegation to the duo which held at Mr. Tunde Kelani’s country home in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.
Addressing the elders through a correspondence delivered by his Private Secretary, Yusuf Adewale Adetoyese Ooni Ogunwusi who commended the duo for their enduring legacies of evergreen creative content with pure Yoruba langu, described himself as a top fan and admirer their works.
The letter read in part, “In my interaction with stakeholders in the industry through Aroba Groove especially to adapt the story; “Ti Oluwa Ni Ile”, an epic blockbuster in the early 90s into a stage drama, I got to know that the fallout between you two around the work has not been resolved. I am not impressed by this and I wish to appeal to you as the Arole Oduduwa to let go of any rancor for peace and progress.”
Ooni Ogunwusi through his Ile Oodua Palace of Ife is currently working with Aroba Groove; an international promotion company headed by Ambassador Alfred Oladotun Taylor, to reproduce the movie into a stage play titled ‘Asiyanbi: Ti Oluwa Ni Ile’.
In their reaction, Alhaji Kareem Adepoju and Mr. Tunde Kelani agreed that the rancor ensued from the movie (Ti Oluwa Ni Ile) royalty, adding that they have now put it all behind and ready to work together to develop the industry.
“I met Tunde Kelani in Osogbo and grew a working relationship even during our apprenticeship days with our masters. I am happy that Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife picked interest in us. Peak of my joy is that of life, I thank the Almighty Allah that none of us is dead despite life experiences. Kelani is my friend and we shall continue to be for the growth of our most cherished industry and Yorubaland as a whole.” Baba Wande said.
Mr. Tunde Kelani noted that, “To me, this call for peace is more of a reminder that we are being watched and our works are well appreciated especially now by the Oonirisa. This is a good signal that our works won’t be buried with us when we grow old and return to our creator, I thank Kabiyesi for this intervention and wish to assure the team working with the Ooni to represent Ti Oluwa Ni Ile my support.”
Ti Oluwa Ni Ile (The Land Belongs to God) is a Nollywood Yoruba drama film released in 1993 through Mr. Tunde Kelani’s Mainframe Production as written by Alhaji Kareem Adepoju (Baba Wande). It was made in three (3) parts and listed as one of the best selling Yoruba movies.
Commenting after the joyful meeting, Amb. Oladotun Taylor explained that he is a son to both Kelani and Adepoju, adding that they (Baba Wande & Kelani) have showed enviable leadership which will go down in history as a lesson to everyone in and out of the industry particularly the younger generation.
“There must be a nexus between the old generation and the upcoming so that right message will be passed and stakeholders won’t be working at cross purposes in their quest for development.” Amb. Taylor said.
In a move to strengthen the education sector, President Bola Tinubu has announced new appointments to the Governing Councils and Boards of Federal Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education across the country.
FORMER DEPUTY GOVERNOR, MINISTER, AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MEMBER AMONG APPOINTEES
Notable appointments include:
– Rauf Olaniyan, former Oyo State Deputy Governor, as Board Chairman of Federal College of Education (SPED), Oyo – Bayo Shittu, former Minister, as Board Chairman of King David Umahi University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State – Dapo Lam Adesina, former House of Representatives member, as member of Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo State
OTHER APPOINTEES FROM OYO STATE
– Asimiyu Alarape, former Oyo Assembly Speaker and minority leader, as member of Federal College of Education, Ondo – Abass Aleshinloye, as member of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Ebonyi – Wasiu Ajimobi, as member of Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, Kano State
APPOINTMENTS AIM TO STRENGTHEN EDUCATION SECTOR
The appointments, announced by Permanent Secretary, General Services, Nnamdi Maurice, on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), aim to bring expertise and experience to the education sector.
The Federal Government has declared Monday and Tuesday as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ui-Adha celebration.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Aishetu Gogo Ndayako, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
He said the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, and congratulated all Muslim Ummah both at home and in the Diaspora on this occasion.
He called on the Muslim Ummah to continue to imbibe the spirit of peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for unity, prosperity and the stability of our country,” the statement read.
“The Minister assured that the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is committed to safeguarding the lives and property of all Nigerians.
“While wishing the Muslim Ummah a happy Eid-ul- Adha celebration, the Minister advised all Nigerians to take responsibility in the resolve to hand over a prosperous Nigeria to our children.”
On June 7, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, declared Sunday, June 16, as Eid-el-Kabir day after affirming that Friday is the first day of Dhul Hijjah.
Sultan disclosed this in a statement by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council, Sambo Junaid, in Sokoto State.
“His Eminence, the Sultan felicitates with Nigeria’s Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings.
“The Sultan, while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country, also wishes all Muslims a Happy Eid-El-Kabir. May Allah (SWT) accept our religious deeds, amen”, the Sultanate council said in the statement.
The Lagos State government has called for heightened vigilance and the adoption of precautionary measures as the state records a cholera outbreak resulting in five fatalities.
Akin Abayomi, the state Commissioner for Health, warned in a statement on Wednesday that the state had recorded an excess report of severe gastroenteritis cases in the last 48 hours.
Speaking on the surveillance reports, Mr Abayomi disclosed that cases of severe gastroenteritis have been reported in communities around Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Kosofe local government areas.
He noted that the outbreak resulted in about 60 hospital admissions and five deaths, mainly from patients presenting late with extreme dehydration.
“We have activated a statewide heightened surveillance and response.
“The Ministry of Health Directorate of Environmental Health and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) have been alerted to investigate a possible water contamination source in the Lekki, Victoria Island axis.
“We suspect a possible cholera outbreak; however, samples have been taken for confirmation,” he said.
The commissioner noted that following recent rainfall, Lagos had witnessed a notable increase in cases of severe vomiting and watery stools, adding that urban slums and crowded areas with poor sanitation are particularly at risk.
Mr Abayomi explained that cholera is a highly contagious disease that causes severe diarrhoea and can be life-threatening.
He added that it posed a significant health burden in poor water treatment and sanitation areas and could impact the state.
“Cholera spreads through direct transmission by eating or drinking contaminated food or water and indirect transmission due to poor sanitation and a lack of handwashing.
“Symptoms of cholera include severe watery diarrhoea, vomiting, rapid dehydration, muscle cramps, fever and sometimes collapse,” he said.
According to him, treatment options for cholera include dehydration and using oral dehydration salts (ORS) for mild to moderate dehydration.
He noted that intravenous fluids are used for severely dehydrated patients, given only in medical facilities and supervised by medical personnel.
“To prevent cholera, citizens are urged to ensure safe drinking water by boiling, chlorinating, or using bottled water and avoiding ice products made from untreated water,” Mr Abayomi advised.
He also advised residents to rely on the state Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and accredited local health facilities for guidance, advice, and updates on prevention, treatment, and management.
The commissioner disclosed that suspected cases should be promptly reported via the following emergency hotlines: 08023169485, 08137412348, or by using helplines 767 or 112 to safeguard communities.
Data from the NCDC showed that as of April 28, Nigeria had reported 815 suspected cholera cases and 14 deaths across 25 states.
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man, Yusuf Adenoyin, for being in possession of eight human skulls in Isua, the headquarters of the Akoko South-East Local Government.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, on Wednesday, explained that the police personnel attached to the Police Safer Highway Patrol at the Isua/Epinmi checkpoint arrested the suspect while performing their lawful duty.
Odunlami said, “On June 10, 2024, at about 0800hrs, personnel attached to the Police Safer Highway Patrol at Isua/Epinmi checkpoint while performing their lawful duty flagged down a Nissan Salon car en route Akure.
While the vehicle was being searched, one of the passengers took to his heels and the police mpursued and arrested him. “His load was searched and eight dry human skulls, fresh human flesh, and charms were found in a wrapped polythene bag concealed in a garri sack he was travelling with.
….Rural Roads In Oke-Ogun Need Urgent Attention, Says Adeola.
The Honourable Member representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency, Hon. Dele Adeola has called on Executive Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to expedite action on his promise to reconstruct the suspended lake of Ado-Awaye to meet up with the global standard that will drive economic prosperity in the State.
“I must commend you for all what you have been doing in the State. Indeed, you are an architect of modern Oyo State and your achievements are very remarkable.
“Recall, in Omituntun 1.0 you made promise that in Omituntun 2.0 you would ensure that the economy of the State is driven through tourism and Ado-Awaye will play a very important role in that regard”, said Adeola.
Further speaking, the Honourable implored the state government to embark on infrastructural development in College of Health Technology, Kajola Local Government as the institution cannot boast of singular govt project since inception of the present administration.
The Honourable equally called the attention of the Executive Governor to the state of Okaka-Babaode road, Ipapo-Saki road, Akinwumi-Osoogun among several other roads in Oke-Ogun which have been in dilapidated state and need urgent attention.
In his remark, Governor Seyi Makinde while responding said his administration would fulfill his campaign promise in making sure that the state economy is driven with massive investment in tourism and Ado-Awaye hanging will take the lead as there is ongoing discussion with private investors to partner with the government on the facelift.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has commuted the death sentence of 45 condemned prisoners to prison terms.
He also granted pardon to 41 other inmates serving in different Correctional Centres across the state.
Speaking at the 2024 Democracy Day, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Prince Abiodun said the decision was in exercising his perogative of mercy as the governor of the state.
He said: “Government has a duty to uphold democratic values by consistently applying principles of mercy, justice, and the rule of law. In this vein, the Nigerian Constitution empowers me to exercise a prerogative of mercy to anyone convicted of an offense in Ogun State.
“Having received the guidance of the Ogun State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, I have signed the appropriate warrants ordering the release of 41 convicts currently imprisoned across different correctional facilities in Ogun State. I have also signed warrants converting the death sentences of 45 inmates to prison sentences.
“This gesture signals a break from past grievances and a move towards a more inclusive and compassionate society where merciful second chances are granted to deserving offenders.
“All convicts who have received this gesture have shown remorse for their crimes, acquired skills and certifications in prison, with several of them receiving university degrees from the National Open University of Nigeria. They have also demonstrated verified good conduct during their imprisonment.”
He said the celebration holds immense significance as it marks the triumph of democracy, the power of the people, and the pursuit of justice and freedom, observing that the history of Nigeria’s democracy is one of struggle and perseverance.
“June 12, 1993, stands as a watershed moment in this journey. On that particular day, Nigerians transcended differences of tribe, gender, and even the unique joint Muslim-Muslim ticket to speak unanimously through the ballot.
“They elected the late Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola and Babagana Kingibe of th
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Kehinde Ejibunu, on Thursday, announced the seizure of 26,950 litres of petroleum products being smuggled out of the country into the Republic of Benin.
The seizure is said to be worth N19m.
Ejibunu said that the petroleum products which consist of 978 kegs of 25 litres totalling 26,950 litres were impounded in Zone A of the NCS consisting of Lagos and Ogun states under two weeks.
He said that the special squad was set up two weeks ago by the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi to add bite to efforts aimed at cracking down on the criminals smuggling petroleum products outside the country.
Ejibunu disclosed this on Thursday at a press briefing held at the Ogun State Command office of NCS, Abeokuta, the state capital.
The customs officer said that the activities of smugglers usually aid the artificial scarcity of petroleum products in the country forcing the prices to go up for as much as N900 per litre.
“In just about two weeks of operation, the Operation Whirlwind team, Zone A axis intercepted 26,950 litres of premium motor spirit worth N19m,” he said.
The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has approved the recruitment of 7000 teachers into the service of Oyo State Post-Primary School Teaching Service Commission TESCOM and also the recruitment of 7000 teachers in primary schools.
He said the directive to begin the recruitment process was imperative to fill the shortfall in personnel record of various public schools in the state.
Makinde, while speaking further at the state of State public address currently ongoing at the Oyo State House of Assembly, claimed that his government has made sure that the resources of the state are judiciously spent on meaningful projects that will impact the lives of the citizenry.
He highlighted some of his achievements in the last one year which included the rapid social safety intervention to ameliorate the sufferings of the people ocassioned by the economic challenges that trailed the removal of subsidy and floating of exchange rate.
He spoke on his agric revolution initiative which his administration embarked on by rehabilitating all farm settlements as well as road network intervention in Oke-Ogun which included the reconstruction of Ibadan-Iseyin road, Oyo-Iseyin road and Ogbomoso-Iseyin road. He affirmed that the State is becoming regional agric business hub and that his administration is ready to open the State for more investments.
He was quoted as saying, “we are working assiduously to ensure that the state is driven through agric revolution. We have invested heavily in agriculture and we are expecting to see the result soon.
“It is laughable when some critics say we have not made money through our intervention, I tell them that government does not have business in running businesses, our own intention is to create enabling environment for industry to thrive and we are optimistic that our investment will start yielding results for the overall benefit of all the people of Oyo State.
“In education, I have instructed that there should be an infrastructural development in public schools and I have equally instructed that 7000 teachers should be recruited into SUBEB and additional 7000 teachers be equally recruited into TESCOM”, said Makinde.
