Author: oduduwanews

The rise in the number of Coronavirus (COVID-19)-related fatalities recorded in the last one week presents a worrying trend of the third wave of the pandemic in Lagos State.

From the last week in July into the present month, the positivity rate in Lagos rose to 8.9 per cent, with frightening figures of hospitalisations and fatalities.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, briefed the residents on the development, confirming Lagos had been recording a daily average of six deaths at its isolation centres in the last one week.

The Governor, who spoke at the State House in Alausa, disclosed that there had been an eight-fold increase in infection rate in Lagos, resulting in 4,300 confirmed cases in July alone, while 352 patients were admitted into the State-run isolation facilities.

The situation, Sanwo-Olu said, called for improved vigilance and personal responsibility, urging the residents to reactivate the preventive protocols to break the cycle of infection currently ravaging the State.

He said: “From the beginning of July, we started to experience an increase in the number of daily confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lagos, with the positivity rate going to from seven per cent at the end of July. As at August 1, the positivity rate rises to 8.9 per cent, which is an eight-fold increase over the recorded figure a month ago. This has resulted in 4,300 confirmed cases in July alone and 352 admissions into our isolation facilities. Essentially, we have recorded on average six deaths per day since last week. The situation at hand should rightly alarm all of us.

“Let me make it clear that this necessary sense of alarm should not be responded to with panic, but instead with firm resolve and determination to reverse the trend. We must dig deep into what we have learnt from the previous waves, as well as summon the will to do everything necessary in bringing down the numbers to eventually defeat the virus once and for all. We have done it before and we can do it again.”

Sanwo-Olu said the State Government had fully reactivated the home-based care system, known as EKOTELEMED, through which officials deliver care packs to symptomatic patients who do not require admission in isolation facility.

He urged residents feeling symptoms associated with COVID-19 to reach out to EKOTELEMED on its toll-free number 08000356633 for guidance, warning that only State-accredited healthcare facilities could manage COVID-19 cases.

The Governor expressed concern on the low vaccination rate in the State, pointing out that 161,040 out of the 404,414 residents who got the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine administered in March did not return for their second doses. He put the vaccination rate in Lagos as one per cent, which is far below the threshold set by the State to achieve herd immunity.

As epicentre of the pandemic, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos would soon be receiving a sizeable allocation of the single-dosed Moderna vaccine already delivered to the Federal Government. The Governor said only those yet to receive any COVID-19 vaccine would get the Moderna jab when the distribution starts.

He said: “The Moderna vaccine cannot be mixed with AstraZeneca. For people who have already taken the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, they cannot mix it with the Moderna vaccine that has just been received. We are still expecting second allocation of AstraZeneca vaccine before the end of August to vaccinate those who are yet to get the second shots. The distribution strategy would be based on appointment to avoid the exercise becoming a super spreader.”

The Governor said there would be a constant tab on in-bound travellers from the red-listed countries, warning that the Government would not hesitate to impose sanctions and penalties on those violating the mandatory self-isolation rules.

Sanwo-Olu said all existing rules and guidelines on social and public gatherings remained in place and must be obeyed. He directed public and private establishments, entertainment spots and worship centres to continue providing sanitising materials and ensure no person is allowed into their premises without the use of face masks.

He said: “We have incontrovertible evidence that wearing face masks help in slowing down the spread of the virus, particularly the now more dominant strains. We are no longer inexperienced, as we have learnt a lot in 18 months into the pandemic. We have been able to finetune our strategies and response, and we are now in a good place to ensure that this third wave is the final one. But we must put in the work, the compliance, the regard for rules and restrictions.”

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has today, 2nd August, 2021 approved the posting of DCP Tunji Disu as the new Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT). The posting of the officer is on the heels of Management’s decision to fill the leadership gap within the IRT and refocus the Unit for better service delivery.The IGP has charged the new Head of the IRT to demonstrate his professional competence in his leadership of the Unit. He also assured citizens that the IRT will remain focused in the discharge of its duties in line with national statutes and international best practices.

Prior to his appointment as the new Head of the IRT, DCP Tunji Disu, a former Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Lagos State, was the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja. He had also previously served at the State CID, Rivers State as the Deputy Head of the Unit. He was also a former Commander of the Nigeria Police Contingent to the African Union (AU) Peace Keeping Mission in Dafur, Sudan.

DCP Disu holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the Lagos State University (LASU) and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State. He has also attended several professional courses both at home and abroad: Small Arms Smuggling Training in Botswana, Internet Fraud Training at the Cambridge University, UK, Strategic Leadership Command Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, Forensic Investigations and Criminal Intelligence Course at the University of Lagos, amongst others. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations and Chattered Institute of Personnel management, amongst other professional bodies.

The Yoruba elders, under the aegis of Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), yesterday, berated a northern group for calling for proscription of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere.

Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) had asked Federal Government to immediately proscribe Afenifere and other cultural tribal organisations undermining peace, security and peaceful co-existence of the country as terrorists.

The CNG, in a statement, at the weekend in Abuja, by its spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said individuals as Adebanjo and others associated with such groups or organisations that incite others to violence or openly support acts of terror and terrorist movement should be arrested and decisively dealt with by the authorities.

BUT speaking with The Guardian, the YCE Secretary-General, Dr. Kunle Olajide, described the northern group as jokers. Olajide said Afenifere remains most patriotic socio-political organisation in the country.

“They are jokers. Who are they? Who are these people? What is their antecedent? They should be ignored. We should not dignify them. For records, Afenifere is the most patriotic socio-political organisation in Nigeria. It is not an ethnic organisation. It has been calling for true federalism. It has been at the forefront of the call for each region and ethnic group to maximise its potential. It is uncharitable to call for proscription of Afenifere. I think those jokers calling for such should be ignored and not dignified with response,” he said.

The governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun has lost his father. The news of the demise of the father was made known by the governor via his official Facebook account as read in part:

Dr. EMMANUEL ABIODUN PASSES ON AT 89

“The Abiodun Family of Iperu-Remo, Ogun State has announced the passing on of their Patriach, Dr Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun, who slept in The Lord on Monday August 2, 2021 at the age of 89 after a brief illness.

“Dr Abiodun, a devout Christian, is survived by his wife, Mrs Victoria Abiodun, many children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and other family members, amongst them the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR.

“A statement by the Family today in Iperu-Remo said the deceased, an Educationist, worked as a school teacher for many years across the old Western State and was fondly called “Baba Teacher” due to his dedication to duty imparting knowledge and inculcating the right values in his students”.

The statement by Prince Dapo Abiodun said further announcements will be made by the family in due course

The Oyo State Government has kick-started the training of 3,300 youths in Agribusiness by signing a memorandum of understanding with the CSS Global Integrated Farms in Nasarawa State.

The state governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, made this disclosure at the Stakeholders Consultative Meeting on the 2022 Budget, noting that the move is part of measures being taken by his administration to address the challenges of youth unrest and youth unemployment.

He equally explained that the state government’s decision to reconstruct the Oyo-Iseyin federal road was borne out of the need to prevent the state’s investments on the Fashola Agribusiness Hub from becoming a waste as a result of lack of road access.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted him as explaining that the training will have 150 participants per batch and that the first batch is to begin training this week.

“I am happy to tell you that we just signed an MoU with CSS Farms in Nasarawa State to assist us in training 3,300 youths in agriculture and agribusiness.

“The training will last two weeks. The first set will start on the August 1, and it will be 150 participants for every batch. By the end of August, we would have trained 600 of them.”

Governor Makinde, who stated that his administration will do everything to ensure that youths in the state are meaningfully engaged, said he has also instructed the local governments to set up Direct Labour Agencies, which would absorb the youths to engage in minor construction and other works.

He said: “Our youths have to be meaningfully engaged and we will continue to strive. What I asked them to do in each local government is to set up a Direct Labour Agency, in which a certain amount of money will be earmarked for them every month.

“They will be the ones to be doing culverts, fixing street lights, channelisation of drainages and we have an arrangement with the local government chairmen. As soon as we put the new cabinet in place, I assure you that whoever becomes the new Commissioner for local government matters will drive the process.”

The governor equally said that his administration has been investing heavily in sport development in order to take youths off the streets, saying the investments on the Lekan Salami Stadium and other sporting facilities will soon pay off.

“Some of us have talked about our troublesome youths who are disturbing the peace of our environments because they have nothing doing. This is why the Oyo State Government has committed resources of about N6bn to remodel the Lekan Salami Stadium, not only for football but for every other sporting activities.

“We have to be patient with the government so that we don’t lose focus. What you are doing at the community level and what we are doing at the state level, what we need do is to consolidate, which is the only way we can develop the talents in our communities. We should not relent.

“So, I also want to urge our local government chairmen and chairpersons to develop their programmes to ensure they utilise the sport facilities we have put in place.”

While stating that the state is set to flag off the Oyo-Iseyin Road once it obtains the written approval, Governor Makinde said: “I went to Abuja to meet with the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola. We are hell-bent on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Oyo-Iseyin road even though it is a federal road.

“This is because we are investing a lot of money in the Fashola farm estate there. If we don’t fix that road, all of that money will go to waste.
“I am happy to report that the Minister was gracious and has given his verbal go-ahead. He asked us to come with the document and it will be signed.”

The former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki reported to have been arrested yesterday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has been confirmed to be back to his residence.

This was contained in a press statement signed and released today to newsmen by his Media Assistant, Yusuph Olaniyonu as read in part:

“The Media Office of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki would like to confirm that this afternoon, of his own volition, Dr. Saraki visited the office of the EFCC to clarify any issue that the commission may have wanted to raise with him. He was never arrested and he is at home right now.

“It will be recalled that following the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on the Fundamental Human Rights case filed by Dr. Saraki during the period of the former Chairman of the EFCC which precluded the commission from investigating him until the matter is dispensed with, the commission at the last hearing on July 14, 2021, pleaded with the judge that the order was preventing them from doing their job.

“Following this complaint, Dr. Saraki, as a responsible citizen, on his own volition approached the commission that at the earliest convenient date, he was willing to visit the commission’s office and clarify all issues they might want to raise with him.

“He, therefore, visited the commission’s office this afternoon and answered some questions.

“Dr. Saraki also assured the commission that he has nothing to hide and will always make himself available to clear all issues that may require his attention”.

A non political, non Governmental and non interest organisation, Dele Bajaj Foundation (DBF) has rejoiced with the newly installed and coronated King in Ibarapa, HRM, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye, Ayinla, The Olu Of Igboora Land, the community Leaders and indigene of Igboora Oyo State.

In a statement made available by the founder of the foundation, Mr Bamidele Olohunwa after the coronation of Olu Of Igboora by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi Alaafin of Oyo and the presentation of the staff of office by Oyo State Government. The statement reads : it’s my utmost pleasure to rejoice and felicitate with the newly Crowned Kabiyesi in Ibarapa, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye, The Olu Of Igboora Land, on the official attainment of his forefathers throne, oba Jimoh is a responsible father and a man of integrity.

I also rejoice with the community Leaders, the chiefs, Sons and daughters of Igboora and the entire Ibarapa land for this development, it’s obvious That Igboora town has been experiencing steady development in recent times like other towns in Ibarapa and it’s my believe that the new Kabiyesi in town will work closely with other community and private sectors to bring in more developmental Projects for the benefit of everyone.

While I congratulate Kabiyesi once again, the community Leaders and all indigene of Igboora, I enjoin everyone to be law abiding and be an agent of Positive change, Igboora and the entire Ibarapa is known for peace and we must replicate what we are known for anywhere in the world.

May your reign be peaceful, love, fruitful, blessed and purposeful.

Accept My Sincere Congratulations Sir.