Oduduwa News

Governor of The State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called on Muslims in the country to rally support for the Federal government’s COVID-19 vaccination programme that is targeted at stemming the spread of the virus.

Oyetola made the call on Saturday while speaking at the 26th Annual Ramadan Lecture of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Abuja Branch.

This is even as the Guest Lecturer, Sheikh Muhydeen Ajani Bello, noted that there was nothing unIslamic about the vaccination, saying that Allah enjoins the Muslims to obey Him, the Prophet and those in authority.

The theme of the lecture is “Islamic Perspectives on Covid-19 Pandemic and Vaccination.”

Represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Prince Abdullah Adeyanju Binuyo, the governor stressed the need for religious leaders and informed followers to correct whatever misconceptions surround vaccination against COVID-19 and complement government’s efforts at combating the virus.

“Vaccination sustains life while Coronavirus threatens it. Winning the war against Coronavirus is a collective responsibility. We must, as Nigerians, regardless of our religious and political affiliations, unite to fight the virus that is threatening our lives, our economy and all we labour and stand for as a people.

“We must see coronavirus as our common enemy; it poses a threat to our lives and livelihood. We put ourselves, our families and livelihood in jeopardy when we pander to ignorance and play politics with a life-snuffing virus,” the governor said.

Oyetola disclosed that his Administration is “doing everything possible to halt the spread of the virus through consistent advocacy on the need for our citizens to not only present themselves for vaccination but also to continue to follow all the safety protocols even after vaccination.”

The governor who was the first person to receive COVID-19 vaccine in Osun after the frontline workers, commended the people of the State for their response to the vaccination exercise since it began in the State.

He further said: “As a demonstration of leadership, just as I was the first Osun citizen to present myself for the voluntary Covid-19 test after the pandemic broke out last year, I received my first jab of the vaccine on March 10, less than 24 hours after they were delivered to us.

“I am happy to report that since then till date, the response from residents and citizens of Osun has been tremendous. I therefore commend our people so far for their understanding and support for our Administration in our efforts towards curbing the spread of the virus.”

Oyetola, who recalled that Muslims could not gather during last year’s Ramadan for any public lecture or observe prayers at mosques, thanked Allah for easing the situation this year. He however urged the Muslim faithful to always adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols while performing their religious obligations in public places.

“Last year, we could not gather during Ramadan, let alone hold any public Lecture or even observe our Taraweeh in congregation at our respective mosques. But we thank Allah for easing it for us this year.

“However, while worshipping during this period, we must take cognisance of the fact that Coronavirus is still here with us. I therefore appeal to us to continue to observe safety protocols by maintaining social distance at our places of worship, use our nose masks and wash our hands with soap and water regularly. And where we cannot find soap and water, let’s make use of our hand sanitiser,” he added.

He also charged Muslim faithful to take the advantage of the month of Ramandan to “intensify prayers for the continued peace, progress and development of Nigeria, ” saying “I strongly believe that with passion, commitment, dedication and determination to do what is right at all times, and with fear of the Almighty Allah, I am optimistic that Nigeria shall rise again!”

The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), in collaboration with the Stallion Group, is set to train women resident in Lagos as tricycle engineers as part of efforts to empower them and alleviate poverty in Lagos State.

Speaking at a meeting with a delegation from Stallion company, a subsidiary of BAJAJ group of companies on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs. Bolaji Dada, disclosed that interested women residents would be trained on tricycle assembling and maintenance, as a form of skill acquisition through the collaboration.

She said, “WAPA is statutorily saddled with the responsibility of assisting women in Lagos State to be financially independent towards supporting their families and households to achieve qualitative lifestyles”.

“Thus, this initiative is particularly targeted at improving the lot of women with a form of enterprise. Trainees will be equipped for the repair and maintenance of tricycles. With this, we sincerely hope for vast employment capability for our women”, she added.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Oluyemi Kalesanwo, reiterated the relevance of the training, stressing that it will not only empower the women but also serve as an economic tool to enhance the status of motherhood.

Her words: “This initiative is a welcome development that will foster more development among the women. Our economy used to be a one-gender world that has been transformed through team spirit by both genders for advanced productivity. It must be noted that the ability of women to thrive, proffers for resourceful children and improved lifestyles”.

The leader of the delegation and Stallion Head of Marketing, Tobi Alonge, explained that the training programme will comprise theoretical and applied knowledge in assemblage and maintenance of tricycles.

He said the participants must be ready and willing to grasp necessary knowledge in the right frame of mind for intended effect on productivity.

The Police Operatives attached to Sagamu Road Division, Ikorodu in Lagos State have arrested, one Rasheed Isiaka, alleged to be terrorising residents of Ikorodu.

According to a statement signed by the State Police Command’s Spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the suspect was arrested on April 15 at about 12:10 a.m., at Olowonisaye Street in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Adejobi said in the statement the the suspect had been alleged to have perpetrated many crimes in Ikorodu area.

The spokesman said that Isiaka had been placed under surveillance due to the intelligence gathered on him before he was evetually arrested.

“Items recovered from him after his arrest include: two locally-made pistols, one laptop, two suspected stolen Bajaj motorcycles, two knives and some assorted charms.” he said.

Adejobi in the statement also stated that the same Sagamu Road Division operatives, on April 16 at about 5.45 a.m, arrested one Tobiloba Akeem at Itamaga, while he and his friend, now at large, refused to pay their transport fares.

Adejobi in the statement said that the suspect was arrested by one Insp. Atunramu Ojo attached to Oworonsoki Division of Lagos State.

“The suspect was arrested for his aggressiveness and resistance to pay their transport fares to the driver of a Toyota Previa Bus with Reg. No. LSD 369 FU transporting the Inspector and the suspects.

“The hot argument and gallantry act of the police Inspector attracted the Police Operatives on a routine patrol who eventually arrested the suspect with some dangerous weapons.

“Items recovered from him after search, include one locally-made pistol, some live cartridges and assorted charms.” he said.

The Commissioner of Police, in Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, commended the gallantry of the Police Inspector and the other operatives for the feats.

Four days after gunmen struck at Onipe Community axis of Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road, Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, three female victims who were abducted have been rescued by police operatives, after they regained their freedom.

It was learnt from credible sources that the women came out of captivity in the bush on Friday, April 16, 2021, and were rescued by police operatives, led by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Idi Ayunre Division, at about 9am, close to Triton Fish Company, by a bush at Ogunmakin Community.

The victims were Mrs Theresa Okeowo, Mrs Abosede Adebayo and Mrs Bola Ogunrinde.

Mrs Okeowo, a teacher in a secondary school in Ogun State was said to have been given a ride by Mrs Ogunrinde, a Master Warrant Officer, along with Mrs Adebayo, who was working as a dentist, also in Ogun State, when they were kidnapped on Monday, April 12.

Mrs Adebayo, said to be a mother of two, was still nursing a baby on breast milk when she was abducted.

Another source said that after pressure was mounted on the kidnappers by the police through their being trailed in the bush, they decided to collect an undisclosed amount as ransom and showed their victims the path they could take to get close to help.

The source said that the victims were unkempt and tired-looking when they were found by the police.

Confirming the rescue of the victims by the police, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Adewale Osifeso, said that it was achieved through police operatives’ efforts at dismantling the operations of the captors.

Osifeso said: “As a result of ceaseless, strategic and systematic utilisation of intelligence and operational assets, the tactical sweep embarked upon, as coordinated by the Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, has yielded desired result.”

The PPRO pointed out that the pressure mounted on the kidnappers, with the invasion of their suspected hideout, as well as continuous trailing by the command operatives, made them to release their victims.

He added that the women had been medically evaluated and reunited with their families, assuring that efforts were still on to arrest the kidnappers.