The Government of Ekiti State has reviewed its directives on COVID-19. This was revealed by the state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi in a statement released yesterday via his twitter handle which reads apart:

“Our COVID-19 guidelines have been reviewed and we will open schools in the state as from September 21, 2020. The order for reopening is as follows:

“Students in SSS II, JSS III and Primary 6 are to resume on September 21, 2020.

“Students in SSS I, JSS II and Primary 5 and 4 are to resume from September 28, 2020;

“While students in JSS I and Primary 1-3 are to resume on October 19, 2020.

“Pupils in Kindergarten and Nursery Schools are expected to resume on November 2, 2020 when more assurances of safety for their age bracket would have been established.

“Tertiary institutions of learning in Ekiti may begin to reopen as from October 2, 2020 but this is subject to their level of readiness and compliance with the established protocols. They are to liaise with the Ekiti COVID-19 Task Force for guidance on the appropriate measures to be put in place before reopening.

“Worship centres can now hold two services on Friday, Saturday or Sunday as the case may be but mid-week activities and night vigils remain suspended for now. Other protocols and regulations concerning worship centres reopening still subsist.

“Owners of halls and event centres may now be allowed to rent out their facilities but under no condition should such a facility contain more than 50% of its normal capacity. This is to allow for social distancing. Events centres are expected to observe all protocols prescribed for religious centres and to obtain certificate of readiness before opening”.

Earlier last week, OduduwaNews reported that the National Association of Nigerian Students NANS, Southwest zone threatened to embark on protest if Federal Government fails to reverse the recently hiked fuel price and electricity tarrif within one week.

In the meantime, the Ogun State Police Command has reacted to NANS planned protest which is slated to commence tommorrow throughout the Southwest region by threaten to deal decisively with any student involved in what it termed as planned violent protest by the South-West zone of NANS.

The students had given the Federal Government a five-day ultimatum, which expires on Sunday (today), to reverse the hike in the prices of fuel and electricity tariffs, while threatening to protest in some parts of the South-West states, including Ogun State.

But the police in Ogun said they had received intelligence that some disgruntled elements were bent on disturbing the public peace in some parts of the state, starting next week Monday.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a statement on Saturday, warned the protesters against the planned action.

Oyeyemi said, “A group of individuals, who claim to be NANS executives, South-West Zone D, led by one Kappo Samuel Olawale, in a letter addressed to the command, has given the Federal Government a five- day ultimatum to reverse the recent hike in fuel prices and electricity tariffs.

“It threatens to unleash mayhem in Ogun state after the expiration of the ultimatum on Sunday, September 13, 2020.

“The students plan to block all major highways, including the Lagos-Ibadan and Lagos-Benin Expressways, recruit miscreants, street urchins, hoodlums, expelled, suspended and perpetual students overrunning their courses at tertiary institutions in Ogun State and other states from the South-West.”

According to him, the protesters intend to “swell their ranks” and ensure their desired objective of “spreading violence in the state, beginning from Monday, September 14, is achieved.”

The PPRO added, “The decision by any group of students to embark on a protest over the recent increase in fuel prices and electricity tariffs is unwarranted and therefore unacceptable to the Ogun State Police Command, as it was only on September 8, that is, less than a week ago, that NANS executives carried out a protest in Abeokuta over the same issues.

“Consequently, the deliberate and selfishly designed violence-oriented protest planned for Monday, September 14, 2020, is not approved by the Ogun State Police Command and will be resisted vehemently.

“No group will be allowed to perpetually hold the entire good people of Ogun State in perpetual fear of violence and harm to their persons and property. Olawale and his group are hereby advised, in their own interest, to drop their plan to block any highway in the state, and thereby cause confusion, disturbances and public apprehension. The law is not on their side on this.”

The police spokesman also advised members of the public to go about their lawful business without fear or molestation by any person.

The PPRO said, “The police, in conjunction with other security agencies, are resolute and have the capacity to deal with such elements in the most decisive manner.”

He urged parents and guardians to call their children and wards to order, saying “a word is enough for the wise.”

The President of Soludero Hunters, Oyo State Chapter, Nureni Ajijolaanobi has berated the ongoing recruitment of Amotekun Corps over what he termed as deliberate attempt to sideline his members. The National President revealed that Oyo State Government has jettisoned its earlier plan to incorporate some members of his association among the recruits for the Oyo State Security Network known as Amotekun.

Ajijolaanobi, while speaking with PUNCH on Friday, explained that Soludero Hunters were ready to join the corps.

He said the group had been working to defend Oyo State and the entire South – West even before Amotekun was established . He said the hunters would not stop their work even if they were sidelined.

Ajijolaanobi said the efforts of the group were parts of what led to a drastic reduction of crimes in the Akinyele Local Government Area of the state .

He said , “I heard the news on the radio and television and read it in newspapers that they have started recruiting for Amotekun. But I am surprised that they said some applicants registered claim to be our members . I can tell you that none of our members has registered.

“ If they bring forms to us, we will be part of it but if they don ’t want us , it is okay by us . We enter forests to catch criminals and everybody knows this . The Commissioner of Police gave us money once because he saw our impact.

“ The President of Yoruba World Congress , Prof Banji Akintoye , gave us one SUV and two motorcycles for patrol . We are not doing this to make money but we want to rid our land of criminals . ”