Oduduwa News

Oyo State government, on Wednesday, has announced its renewed plans to bring back some of the mendicants who have left the provided Akinyele Resettlement Centre back into the facility.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Omolabake Kafilat Olayiwola, stated this during an assessment visit to the facility, saying that the state government is willing to accede to some other urgent requests made by the destitute.

She appealed to philanthropic residents to patronize beggars, destitute urchins at the Akinyele resettlement, saying this is the best way to treat the destitute.

She explained that adequate care has been given to the evacuees at the new facility, which, according to her, is more habitable and conducive.

She said: “Firstly, I want to appreciate the effort of the governor concerning what he has done here. We even have some people in other states who have acknowledged the fact that the good things happening here are not being experienced in their own states. So, it is a great privilege.

“Concerning those among the destitute leaving this settlement the state government has provided for them, we have interviewed them and they told us that it is because those who give them food no longer come inside the settlement. So, they had to be going outside to get the food from those people. They said if the people will be coming inside to give them food, they won’t have any cause to go outside of this environment.

“In view of this, I want to urge some of our people who give them food to always try and come into the main resettlement centre because this is the best way to treat the destitute. We should stop giving them stuffs outside.

“In any case, I have assured that some of the requests they have made will be tabled before His Excellency, who we know is very kind and I believe the requests will be granted. Also, we will take every necessary step to ensure that those that go outside are returned and remain inside.

“Another good development about this is, we are making provision for food for them and they don’t complain about that. I have walked round this resettlement and I have seen that the state government has really done well for the destitute. I commend the government for the infrastructure put in place for them and I believe many more things will come for them.”

While speaking with newsmen on behalf of the Commissioner, the permanent Secretary, Mrs Christiana Abosede expressed satisfaction on the state of the resettlement centre, stressing that the state government would continue to take good care of the Residents, in as much they stay in the designated camp.

She maintained that efforts are on top gear to recapture those that have absconded the camp to continue their begging business in some major streets of Ibadan.

“We bless the name of the Lord, thus far. God has helped us and Oyo State Government has been trying to see to the welfare of the destitute that have been evacuated and resettled at this centre.

“As you can see, they are doing well as regards medical care. The Ministry of Health has been up to the task and they have been feeding well. They took rice and fish in the morning, Eba and okro soup this afternoon. So far, so good, the Honourable Commissioner, the new commissioner for the Ministry in the person of Alhaja Khafilat Omolabake Olayiwola, has deemed it fit, as part of her familiarisation tour to visit the people here, and to assure them of government continuous support of the centre.

“That is why she is here and she is here too to listen just to get some feelers from them so that when she meets with His Excellency, she will be able to deliver some of their requests.
“Some of the destitute that were evacuated, we all see that some of them have strayed back to the street and effort of the ministry is to ensure that all of them are captured in.

“Even as part of the interview conducted with the seven elders that they have here, they complained a lot. They said they never liked the way some of them went back to the street and that they wanted Government to bring them back here.

“So, we are going to continue the evacuation exercises which we will be doing together. They have been feeding well as far as the Ministry in charge is concerned,” She said.

In their reactions, destitute, beggars met on the ground appreciated Governor Makinde led administration for providing basic needs for them within the camp,

They however charged the state government to maintain its stand and dislodge those beggars that are floating other colonies in major streets of Ibadan.

One of the protesters wore a white garment outfit while carrying a placard, while the other claimed he was a journalist. The two persons are currently cooling off in a black maria van.

Details later.

The Governor of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Monday inaugurated the Outbreak Response to Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio as part of efforts towards advancing healthy living of the citizens, particularly the children.

Oyetola said the initiative was designed to produce an army of healthy children who will inherit and sustain the administration’s Development Agenda and be the face of the Osun dream.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, held at Ayegbaju international market, Osogbo, Oyetola said by inaugurating the exercise today, the State was trying to prevent Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio which are in some states in Nigeria from getting to Osun.

He added that the initiative would serve as a booster to the health segment of the Administration’s Development Agenda which encompasses adequate, quality and equitable healthcare delivery in all its ramifications.

Governor Oyetola who disclosed that his Administration had adopted adequate and prompt strategies to remedy and revitalise the health sector.

According to him, the Administration’s healthcare delivery is a holistic, expansive and interconnected exercise hence, the polio exercise targeted at further enhancing the health of the children.

He enjoined the residents, particularly parents and guardians, to take maximum advantage of the initiative, saying, “I urge our mothers to cooperate with government by visiting our health centres to avail the chidren of the available facilities.”

He further said: “Today, we are widening the healthcare delivery net by flagging off the outbreak response to circulate vaccine derived polio to give our children good health attention and put the minds of their parents at rest.

“You will all recall that Nigeria was confirmed to be polio free on August 25th, 2020 with zero cases of the wild poliovirus. The nation was the last polio endemic country in Africa and was officially certified free from polio after making three consecutive years since the last case of wild polio had been identified.

“However, what we are trying to prevent today is Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio which are in some states in Nigeria today so as to prevent it from getting to Osun.

“This vaccination will be given to our children who are within the age range of 0-59 months. The main vaccination will be for a period of four days while there will be mop up for two days so as to get to areas where there could be missed Children.

“I am therefore appealing to mothers not to be afraid of the exercise. Mothers should bring their children for vaccination so that the health of their children can be boosted and guaranteed.

“This exercise is proactively designed to produce an army of healthy children who will inherit and sustain our Development Agenda and be the face of the Osun of our dream. I urge our mothers to cooperate with government by visiting our health centres to avail the chidren of the available facilities,” he added.

While enumerating some of the interventions made to revamp the health sector, Oyetola said, “Since coming into office, we have adopted adequate and prompt strategies to remedy and revitalise the health sector, including battling the Coronavirus pandemic, eliminating open defecation, and drastically reducing child and maternal mortality.

“Our School Free Feeding Programme which is targeted at children at the elementary school stage to enhance their health and mental alertness is also on course.

“Our renovation and revitalisation of nine General Hospitals and 332 Primary Health Centres programme, one per ward, which was flagged off three months of our coming into office, has reached an advanced completion stage as over 300 of them have been completed. All the Centres have qualified staff and adequate and quality drugs.

“We have also instituted the Osun Health Insurance Scheme with affordable premiums for workers and zero premiums for the vulnerable, including the aged and persons living with disabilities to provide affordable healthcare for our people.”

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chairman, Osun State Primary Health Care Development Board, Leke Ogunsola, applauded the Administration of Governor Oyetola for taking the health and general well-being of the citizens to the front burners.

He said the Board has been working hard to ensure smooth delivery of immunisation to all households across the nooks and crannies of the State.

“The performance of this Administration in all sectors has been nothing short of stellar, especially in the area of health, with much focus on healthcare delivery at the grassroots.

“The first round of this Polio Outbreak Response Immunisation Exercise held in September this year, and it was observed that some children didn’t get immunised as a result of the reculcitrant attitude of some parents in refusing to present their children for immunisation.

“The second of the programme has already commenced on the 16th of this month, with the active implementation ending on the 19th and a mop-up exercise between 20th to 24th.”

Also speaking, the State Coordinator, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Mrs. Modupeola Oyesiji, commended the Governor on his prompt response to health related matters, saying this has proven his determination as taking the sector to the next level of development.

Dr. Oyesiji who described the provision of quality health as non-negotiable to every serious, responsible and responsive government, hailed the Governor for being resolute in his commitment to advancing the course of the citizens as reflected in the myriads socioeconomic and infrastructure development in the health sector.

She said, “We are very grateful for your timely and prompt payment of salaries which has been the motivation to enhancing the health sector. You have really assisted us in the health sector by assuring us that it is your priority. We have all the machineries in place to let us succeed. The immunisation is the right of every child and we will do everything to ensure that our children get immunised.”

The Representative of World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Bello Hammed, commended the Governor for being faithful to his electoral promises, particularly for allocating the recommended percentage to health sector in the Year 2022 Budget.

He said, “It is worthy of note that Osun is among the few states that have earmarked the required percentage to health sector as requested by WHO.

“I must also commend the tremendous achievements of the government to reposition the health sector. No doubt, the State is doing well in improving the health of the citizens as it has taken full ownership of their health.”

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has finally been presented with his caricature, days after daring Boda Taiye Oniyakuya, the comic artist who made a mockery of the Governor’s official portrait.

The comic artist, whose real name is Taiwo Osinowo, dared the Governor and showed up with Sanwo-Olu’s drawing at a youth event held in LTV Blue Roof, Agidingbi, on Tuesday.

Midweek, Boda Taiye Oniyakuya became a social media sensation after a viral post showing the Governor’s caricature. The artist, then, threatened to show up at the Governor’s office to present the humorous image.

The artist’s audacity elicited Sanwo-Olu’s response under the viral post, inviting the artist to present the funny drawing.

Sanwo-Olu, dressed in Boy Scouts’ venturing green shirt, beret and light-brown pant with yellow tie to match, received the comic image from the artist and praised the creativity behind the post.

“I’m truly excited with the creativity we have in Lagos and the amount of talented youths we have here. There are several of Boda Taiye Oniyakuya that we need to bring out to showcase to the world. We have gifted artists and scientists in Lagos.

“I use this opportunity to tell our youths that we are changing education curriculum to accommodate music, song writing, entertainment and fashion to be taught right from school. This is to help young people develop their abilities and give them choices.”

The Governor received the drawing and reward the artist for his effort.

Visibly excited after meeting the Governor, Boda Taiye Oniyakuya, who attended the event with his twin brother, thanked Sanwo-Olu for encouraging his talent.

He said he received messages warning him not to honour the Governor’s invitation for fear of possible arrest, pointing out that Sanwo-Olu’s simplicity and good-nature had changed the impression people sowed in his mind about the Governor.

Popular Nigerian rapper, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Fal,z has directed Nigerians to come out and participate in the #EndSARS Memorial Car Procession taking place on 20th October 2021.

Falz, on his Instagram page, said there will be no protest but a procession of Nigerians through the Lekki tollgate in order to remember those who lost their lives on 20th October 2020 during the #EndSARS protest.

According to him, it is impossible not to “memorialize our fallen heroes”.

His post read: “We will never ever forget that Innocent Nigerian citizens waved flags and sang till they were shot at, injured, and killed.

“We must never forget we are rolling up in cars tomorrow to drive through the tollgate. We know their way, so a procession of cars is the safest option to minimize Police harassment.”

Falz assured those participating of safety in their cars.

“We will stay in our vehicles throughout. We have rides for people that need them. Each and everyone’s safety is very important so please let’s move together,” he said

Attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to a post being circulated on the social media insinuating that the police in Lagos have agreed to allow street protests in commemoration of the one year EndSARS anniversary on 20th October, 2021.

On the contrary, the police will only allow an indoor and virtual event in commemoration of the EndSARS anniversary and will provide adequate security at the venue (s) if known. This is in recognition of rights of every Nigerian to express his or her interest.

We wish we could permit such street protests. However, intelligence at our disposal has revealed plans by some faceless groups or individuals to stage an anti-EndSARS anniversary protest in the state same day.

In view of the conflicting interest between the pro and anti- EndSARS anniversary groups and threat to cause mayhem, the Command once again warns both groups against any form of street protest between now and 20th October, 2021 and beyond.

It is acknowledged that citizens have the right to peaceful protests. However, in this instance having carried out a critical security assessment and intelligence report at the disposal of the Lagos Command in respect of the planned protests and attendant implications on public safety, the Command considers it inappropriate to allow such protests to hold. It will not stand aloof and allow breakdown of law and order which the protests may cause.

To avoid a recurrence of the gory protests of last year during which some innocent Nigerians including police officers were gruesomely murdered, private and public property plundered and maliciously destroyed, the police will not abdicate their responsibilities of protection of lives and property by allowing such avoidable incident happen again in the state

Therefore, in the interest of security and public safety, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, wishes to warn the organisers of the protests that the police will deploy all legitimate means to stop or neutralise the planned protests.

Parents, guardians are admonished to warn their children against participating in the protests. Similarly, youths and other individuals or groups planning to take part in the protests are further warned in their own interest to shelve the plan.