Gov. Makinde Commissions Bike Park Says Government will Ensure Registration of Motorcycles and Tricycles Operators.

The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr Oluseyi Makinde on Thursday Commissioned the newly constructed Bike Part at Agodi Gate.

The Governor in his speech, informed the general public that his Government is not ready to Ban Motorcycles and Tricycles operation in the State.

“This afternoon, we commissioned the Bike Park at Agodi Gate for use. This pilot project will be replicated all over the state if it works according to the design plan. While we do not plan to ban commercial motorcycles and tricycles, we will regulate their operations in Oyo State.”

“I appealed to the riders to get better organised so that they can assist the government in regulating their activities. We will be registering all operators for easier identification and to curb the menace of motorcycles being used to commit crimes in our state.”

Makinde pledges support to Agidigbo FM, says Oyo is creating enabling environment for businesses to thrive in Oyo

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has stated that his administration will continue to create enabling environment for all business owners to thrive in the state.
The governor, who stated this while commissioning the Radio House of Agidigbo 88.7FM, said that his administration would keep upping the ante in this regard.
Governor Makinde said that his government will support the newest entrant into the thriving radio business in the state.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor commended the tenacity and doggedness of the proprietor of the radio station, Mr. Oriyomi Hamzat.
He maintained that Hamzat has done excellently well by struggling to achieve the aim he (Oriyomi) has been nursing for many years.
He said: “I am happy to be here today, firstly because what my brother, Oriyomi Hamzat, has in mind to do has come to reality. There are a lot of people who want to come up with good projects like this but never had that opportunity to actualise them. So, we thank God that Oriyomi achieved a feat such as this.
“What hit me at first was the uniform I saw on the permanent staff members when I came in, and the way they are looking smart and gorgeous. And what that means is, what this government stands for is the progress of everyone in this state.
“You can see that a majority of the staff are youths. He has provided jobs for 65 of them. So, as a government, we will continue to encourage those who want to set up a business.
“I want to also let you know that, from this event, there is a lesson for all of us to learn.”
Makinde further added that the establishment of the radio station, which has provided job opportunities for 65 youths in the state, is a feat well-achieved, pointing out that his administration will continue to encourage all those that are aspiring to set up businesses.
In the same vein, he declared that his government has been working assiduously to tackle insecurity in the state through the use of both state and non-state actors which include the Police and other security agencies, Vigilante groups, Amotekun, Agbekoya and other local security outfits.
In his words: “I saw Amotekun operatives over there. Before we got into government, Amotekun was not existing but we created it. I was asking from the Security Task Force Team, which we just set up, to know the strength of Police Force in the state and I got to know it is about 6,000; but we recruited 1,500 personnel into the Amotekun outfit. What this means is that we have successfully recruited 25 per cent of the Nigeria Police Force operating in the state.
“So, with the security challenges we have, we want some of you that will be speaking on radio to help broadcast this development to the whole world, that in Oyo State, in a bid to ensuring that we are not treating the issue of security with kid gloves, we have voluntary policing. We want the state actors, non-state actors and other security agencies to come together to tackle the menace of insecurity.
“The way we are not resting on our oars to fight insecurity, we also want you to intensify in broadcasting the message to the people. I must tell you that those who want us to continue to live in the past are around us. And because we want the economy of the state to grow, we must jealously guard our democracy.
“This station will go from strength to strength. Even after we might have left the seat of power, I believe Agidigbo FM will still continue to influence what will be happening in Oyo State.

Earlier, the founder of the Agidigbo FM, Mr. Hamzat, thanked the Governor Makinde-led administration for creating a viable and sustainable atmosphere that attracts local and foreign bussinesses and investments into Oyo State.
He added that the government’s policies on trade and investments have turned the state into a beehive of local and foreign bussinesses.
He said: “Agidigbo Radio is the people’s voice that is committed to driving the kind of broadcasting that will reflect the thoughts and concerns of members of the public.”
He appealed to government to pay attention to the issues that the station will be bringing to the fore, promising to ensure that citizens continue to listen to the station.
The event had in attendance the Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka; Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun; Chairman, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, Prince Dotun Oyelade; Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Jide Ajani; Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr.Taiwo Adisa and a host of others.

Oduduwa Republic: Groups set June 12 for Yoruba self-determination

This resolution and others were reached at the meeting held at the Western Hall, Oyo State Secretariat Complex, Ibadan, with the theme: “The Paramountcy of Yoruba Unity in Tackling The Insecurity Menace in Yorubaland.”

In a communique read by the Founder of Yoruba K’oya Movement, Otunba Deji Osibogun, after the meeting, the groups said that Yoruba self-determination was non-negotiable.

The groups, which urged the Yoruba, especially the elite, to return to protect their land, also tasked every House of Assembly in the South-West to pass a resolution on the state of insecurity in Yorubaland and urged members representing Yoruba constituencies in the Senate and House of Representatives to move a motion on insecurity in Yorubaland within the next 90 days, precisely June 25.

It also urged Yoruba groups to organise relief materials for victims ravaged by insecurity.

All the Yoruba groups were charged to make the unity of purpose a guiding principle, while Yoruba Central Coordinating Council has been proposed.

In a remark, Prof. Banji Akintoye, represented by the Administrative Secretary of Ilana Oduduwa, Dr. Tunde Hamzat, stressed that the call for Yoruba self-determination should not be misconstrued as secession.

Akintoye said the Yoruba nation would be achieved in a peaceful manner through the building of consensus and mobilisation of the people.

Also speaking, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, stressed that the Yoruba should be ready to defend themselves against threats to their lives.

He charged all Yoruba individuals and groups to bring to bear their intellect, asset and knowledge for the cause of the Yoruba nation.

Groups, under the platform of Assembly of all Yoruba Groups Worldwide, have set aside June 12 as the day of referendum for the Yoruba on the self-determination agenda.

This resolution and others were reached at the meeting held at the Western Hall, Oyo State Secretariat Complex, Ibadan, with the theme: “The Paramountcy of Yoruba Unity in Tackling The Insecurity Menace in Yorubaland.”

In a communique read by the Founder of Yoruba K’oya Movement, Otunba Deji Osibogun, after the meeting, the groups said that Yoruba self-determination was non-negotiable.

The groups, which urged the Yoruba, especially the elite, to return to protect their land, also tasked every House of Assembly in the South-West to pass a resolution on the state of insecurity in Yorubaland and urged members representing Yoruba constituencies in the Senate and House of Representatives to move a motion on insecurity in Yorubaland within the next 90 days, precisely June 25.

It also urged Yoruba groups to organise relief materials for victims ravaged by insecurity.

All the Yoruba groups were charged to make the unity of purpose a guiding principle, while Yoruba Central Coordinating Council has been proposed.

In a remark, Prof. Banji Akintoye, represented by the Administrative Secretary of Ilana Oduduwa, Dr. Tunde Hamzat, stressed that the call for Yoruba self-determination should not be misconstrued as secession.

Akintoye said the Yoruba nation would be achieved in a peaceful manner through the building of consensus and mobilisation of the people.

Also speaking, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, stressed that the Yoruba should be ready to defend themselves against threats to their lives.

He charged all Yoruba individuals and groups to bring to bear their intellect, asset and knowledge for the cause of the Yoruba nation.

Oyo records slowest inflation growth in Nigeria – Makinde’s Economic Adviser

The National Bureau of Statistics report indicated that price increase remained the slowest in Oyo at all levels, with the Economic Adviser to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, Professor Musbau ‘Tunji Babatunde, stating that the effective management of the state’s economy by the governor were responsible for the development.

Statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for February 2021 have shown that Oyo State’s month-on-month as well as year-on-year inflation figures were the slowest in the country within the time under review.

Data made available by the NBS in February indicated that the inflation rate rose to 17.33 per cent (year-on-year); 1.54 percent rise month-on-month above the January 2021, while urban rate increased by 17.92 percent (year-on-year) in February 2021 from 17.03 percent recorded in January.

However, the NBS report indicated that price increase remained the slowest in Oyo at all levels, with the Economic Adviser to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, Professor Musbau ‘Tunji Babatunde, stating that the effective management of the state’s economy by the governor were responsible for the development.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted Prof. Babatunde as saying that Oyo State was able to record the slowest growth in headline inflation and food inflation month-on-month and year-on-year because of the sound economic policies of the Governor Makinde administration.

He pointed out that the regular payment of salaries, which according to him, increased effective demand in the food system, support to farmers with inputs at the height of the pandemic and the expansionary fiscal policy from the various capital projects embarked on by the state were among factors responsible for the slow inflation increase.

According to Babatunde, a professor of Economics at the University of Ibadan, the NBS Data had indicated that “the consumer price index, at the national level, (CPI) which measures inflation, increased by 17.33% (year-on-year) in February 2021. This is 0.86% higher than the rate recorded in January 2021 (16.47) %.

“On a month-on-month basis, the Headline index increased by 1.54% in February 2021, this is 0.05% rate higher than the rate recorded in January 2021 (1.49%).

“The urban inflation rate increased by 17.92% (year-on-year) in February 2021 from 17.03 % recorded in January 2021, while the rural inflation rate increased by 16.77 % in February 2021 from 15.92% in January 2021.

“The upward increase in inflation can be attributed to the lingering effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, fluctuations in the price of crude oil, weakened Naira that has increased the price of imported input, insecurity in the food producing parts of Northern Nigeria, the food blockade during the Shasa riot, among others.

He added:

“The components of inflation that witnessed surges in the review period are food, health care, imported food and transportation.

“However, food price is the main component of the inflation basket. It rose to 21.79% in February, a jump of 1.22 % point from the January figure.

“This rise in the food index was caused by increases in prices of Bread and cereals, Potatoes, yam and other tubers, Meat, Food products, Fruits, Vegetable, Fish and Oils and fats.”

Further analysis of the performances of the state had shown that on month on month basis in February 2021 all items inflation was highest in Kogi (3.25%), Ondo (2.46%) and Kebbi (2.43%), while Kwara (0.84%), Kano (0.70%), while that of Oyo stood at (0.38%), the slowest rise in headline month on month.

On month on month basis, however, February 2021 food inflation was highest in Kogi (3.34%), Ondo (3.33%) and Ebonyi (3.26%), while Benue and Niger (0.90%), Kano (0.70%), oyo again recorded (0.09%), the slowest rise in month on month food inflation.

Babatunde, who explained that the implication of the slowest rise in headline and food inflation in Oyo State meant that the state has the lowest cost of living in Nigeria, said that the cost of health care services in Oyo State has not risen due to the strategic investment that the state has made in the management of COVID-19 pandemic.

He said: “The conversion of isolation centres to Level 3 primary health care centres has improved access to health care services. “The effects of the strategic investment in the health sector by the State has manifested in the stable service cost.

“Transportation cost has also been stable in the State despite the fluctuation in domestic price of petroleum products. The positive effect of the Park Manager System with respect to managing the commercial transport sector is showing positive with respect to the regulation of transportation costs across the routes.

“So, one can say that there is good value for money can be obtained in Oyo State.”

He further said that the positive inflation figures recorded in Oyo State in headline and food inflation month on month across the 36 States can be attributed to the regular payment of salary, which has increased effective demand in the state.

He said that the regular payment of salary in the State has improved demand.

“Similarly, the effective support to farmers with inputs at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic has paid off. The strategy of supporting farmers with inputs impacted positively on their output level which has been translated to the moderation in price increase of agric. output.

“Also, the effective distribution of the COVID-19 palliatives to different categories of people in the state moderated the demand for those goods that were distributed in December 2020.

“More so, the expansionary fiscal policy from the various capital projects embarked on by the State also had impacts. The contractors have employed a sizable number of artisans across the geopolitical zones in the State. This has created both direct and indirect jobs.”

Babatunde added that the effective management of the government deficit structure and the use of alternative infrastructural financing framework have also allowed the government to simultaneously embark on welfare enhancing projects, a factor which, according to him, also contributed to the slow inflation growth.

He further stated that the ongoing construction of the Moniya-Iseyin road has also enhanced the movement of agricultural goods to the main city and has reduced farm-gate losses, which he said, has also improved the supply of agricultural goods.

“The merit driven staff recruitment across the educational, health and environmental sectors of the State have boosted household confidence about the activities of Government given the economic opportunities available to the newly employed candidates.

“Low interest fund support to SMEs to cushion the impact of COVID-19 pandemic that is being coordinated by OYSIPA has enhanced the business framework in the State. It has enhanced the business performance of the beneficiaries with feedback to the Oyo State economy.

“In conclusion, effective economic management has been very supportive of the low headline and food inflation being witnessed in the state,” the Prof. added.

Ogun to beef up security in all public schools over rising incidence of kidnapping

The Ogun State Government said it has beefed up security around all public schools in the state to guard against the incidence of kidnapping.

Governor Dapo Abiodun said this on Wednesday in Abeokuta when he received members of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education, led by its Chairman, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

Abiodun described the measure as a proactive step in the light of the recent kidnappings of students in some parts of the country.

“As a responsible government, we have approved the employment of security men in all our schools. We do not want to be reactive on the issue of security in our schools.

“We want to ensure that our children and teachers are safe while in school,” the governor said.

He also announced plans to rehabilitate 600 schools across the state before the end of his first term in office.

According to him, the projects are part of efforts to ensuring a conducive environment for teaching and learning in the schools.

He noted that his administration had invested huge fund in infrastructure in the education sector, stating that more investments needed to be made to take the schools to greater heights.

“In spite of the much we have done, each time I see some news items on the television or newspaper about one school whose roofs are about to fall, I ask myself when will we cover all these schools.

“The task to rehabilitate the schools to ensure a conducive environment for the children to learn remains our priority.

“Our target is that by the end of the first four years in office, we will have given about 600 schools a facelift.

“We are also in the process of awarding the construction of 60,000 furniture contract so that the children can sit comfortably while learning,” Abiodun said.

He assured that his administration would accord necessary priority to basic education, saying “basic education is the foundation on which other levels of education are built upon”.

#EndSARS: I spend N15,000 on medication monthly since police beat me up three years ago, petitioner tells panel

A petitioner, Mr. Elusanmi Kolawole, on Thursday told Osun Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations and Related Extra Judicial Killings that he has been spending N15,000 monthly to precure medication as prescribed by his doctor to cure the internal injuries he sustained to police brutality.

Kolawole who claimed to have been defrauded of his car by a police officer, said he was beaten to a pulp before his car was taken away to an unknown destination.

This was even as the petitioner demanded for a sum of N7million compensation to assuage the adverse effects of the incident.

Recall that the petitioner had earlier appeared before the panel on 11th March, 2021, the adjournment date to give credence to his petition.

While being cross-examined by the respondent’s counsel on Thursday, Kolawole said he has been suffering memory lapse due to the degrees of injury he sustained from the police assaults.

Narrating how he was allegedly duped by the Police, the petitioner recalled that one Superintendent Ayuba, a police officer serving in Ogun State then bundled him out of his house in Osogbo and tortured him from Osogbo to Ilesa.

Kolawole who had approached the panel to seek justice, alleged the accused of complicity, fraud and stealing by trick.

According to him, the alleged police officer accused him of buying a stolen vehicle, a claim which he said he refuted when he presented the officers the documents of the car.

“It is unfortunate that I have been turned to what I am today. As you can see, I have been suffering from memory loss due to the incident of police brutality which I was a victim of.

“What actually happened was that I was in my house that fateful day when I saw about five fully-armed police officers who had come to arrest me. I was beaten mercilessly and forced into the vehicle.

“I was hit repeatedly on the head with different harmful weapons they took along and I was taken to Ilesa, the residence of the person that I sold the vehicle to.

“The injuries I sustained particularly on the head have been disturbing me till now to the extent that hardly I remember past occurrences. The ugly incident had caused a lot of damage to the extent that I spent N15,000 every month to buy drugs”, he added.

The petitioner admitted that he sold the vehicle to someone in Ilesa after he purchased it from one Mr. Waheed and Tajudeen Hassan.

He said the vehicle was sold because it was not his choice of car, saying, “the car was sold to me at the rate of N220,000, out of which I paid N100,000 to the owner as deposit. When I made a move to return the car, I was asked to look for a buyer after which the person that sold the car to me and myself took it to someone that wanted to buy the car.

“But few weeks later, five police officers came from Mogbon Police Division in Ogun State, along side with the persons that sold the car to me and I was bundled out of the house around 1:00am and took to Ilesa and later to Zone 11 here in Osogbo.

“I was there for few days and later released but the car was taken to Magbon police station in Ogun State where it was allegedly sold to another police officer. All efforts to retrieve the vehicle proved abortive but we later got to know that the car had been sold to a police officer in Ogun State”, he added.

Ruling in the case, the chairman of the Panel, Justice Akin Oladimeji (rtd.) adjourned the case to tomorrow March 26, 2021, for further hearing.

Addressing journalists after the proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel, Barrister Bidemi Olumide Odutola, expressed confidence in the ability of the panel to dispense justice.

Gov. Makinde visits Akinyele Market, sues for peace among traders

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, pledged to upgrade the infrastructural facilities and social amenities, such as roads and solar lights, in Akinyele Market in order to make the market conducive and habitable for traders.

The governor stated this while speaking with traders at the market, calling on them to ensure that there is harmony among different ethnic groups earning their living in the place.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor added that the government is desirous of having as many people as possible making their living legitimately in the state, as, according to him, their activities will also contribute to the state’s economy.

He said: “When the incident at Sasa happened, I was convinced that it was the handiwork of people that do not mean good for this country. We want as many people that can make a living in Oyo State to come here. It does not matter where you are from.

“What I want to say is that, this is a market, which has contributed to the economy of Oyo State. Now, government will come here and fix your infrastructure. We will organise the market very well and ensure that there is harmony between everybody that is earning their living here.”

Governor Makinde explained that he will meet with the leadership of the market on how to organize the market, saying that those trading on the express road should desist from doing so in order to avoid loss of lives.

“I will meet with the leadership of the market and we will ensure that this place is organized. Truth is, we don’t want any loss of lives. This is why we will clear the express road, clean all of these places and they will make ways for you.
“But please, we don’t want people to trade on the expressway, we want them to come in.

“We will get the local government to come here and upgrade your facilities. They will fix the road coming in here, they will put solar light so that people can stay here. But please and please, do ensure that there is ethnic harmony in this place,” the governor added.

He equally admonished the traders to go about their lawful business without hindrance and to obey their leaders in the market.

He said: “We are all together and you should go about your business without hindrance. Obey your leaders, obey the laws that will be put in place in this market and you won’t have any problem with anybody, not even with the government.”

Oyo To Bring Army, Police, DSS, NSCDC, Amotekun, OPC, Vigilante, Others Together To Jointly Fight Insecurity

The Oyo State Task Force on Security, also known as the ‘War Room,’ has announced plans to launch what it called integrated security concept, which will bring together state and non-state actors in a bid to effectively tackle insecurity in the state.

The Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, CP Fatai Owoseni (rtd), disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Press Centre of the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted Owoseni as saying that the decision was taken at the state’s Security Task Force meeting held late on Tuesday, in Ibadan.

According Owoseni, the Army, the Police, the Department of State Security Services, Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun operatives, members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), the Vigilante, the Agbekoya, the Soludero, and other state and non-state security actors will be brought under one umbrella to jointly fight crime and criminality in the state.

He said: “The Task Force observed a slight improvement in the security situation in the state. And we also realised that a lot still has to be done in order to have perfect peace in the state; and the Task Force itself is resolutely committed to making Oyo State a haven of peace.

“Towards this direction, the Task Force deliberated at length and resolved that the needful should be done to ensure the efficiency of what has been termed the ‘integrated security concept’ earlier adopted by this state.

“Concerted efforts are going on in conceptualizing this and towards that end, an improved security architecture for the state and a number of things would have to follow, which have to include finalising standard operating manual for both the state and non-state actors so that we will have synergy for the state.

“In order to further optimize this ISC, a gap analysis is going on so that we can fully utilise hotspot policing and strategic policing.

“We resolved that we have got to really think and operate quite smart enough against the backdrop of whatever resources we have got.

“The state has taken the architecture of integrated security concept where both state actors and non-state actors will work seamlessly together.

“But taking it further, a lot of gaps have been identified. The security challenges in Ogbomoso may be different from the ones in Saki or Kisi or Ibadan.

“In addition, we have also looked at the strength of the combined security or conventional security agencies including Amotekun that we have in the state compared to the population and, of course, the challenges we have.

“It is one thing to say we are having a concept and it is another thing to have regulations and guidelines that will guide the performance of the people that are involved. It has been observed that even the non-state actors are always at loggerheads with each other”

Owoseni added that the state is already making efforts to bring the security actors together in a way that they will operate without rancor, saying, “taking turns from the first meeting, efforts have been made to pull these actors together in order to eliminate the issue of supremacy and rancor among them so that they will work as one.

“There should be a guideline that they will use so that when they are on the field together in the theatre of operation, no one will want to outdo the other. These are the basic things that came up yesterday (Tuesday).”

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, hinted that the state government has perfected plans to establish hot spots and strategic policing.

He added that after the programme is launched, operatives will be stationed at various trouble spots in the state, especially in areas like Foko, Born Photo, Popo and other areas of the state.

In his remarks, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Bisi Ilaka, maintained that the two concepts will take off soon.

He said that though the Task Force observed a slight improvement in the security situation in the state, it also realised that a lot still has to be done.

Lagos first lady, others embark on awareness walk in commemoration of World Tuberculosis Day,

The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has restated the commitment of the State government to bringing an end to preventable deaths arising from tuberculosis.

Dr. Sanwo-Olu, joined policymakers, stakeholders and partners in the fight against TB to commemorate the year 2021 World TB Day in Lagos with an Awareness Walk and an Engagement meeting, said the State Government is determined to change the narrative of high TB prevalence in Lagos as well as reverse its position as the State with the highest TB burden.

She noted that the State government, through the Ministry of Health, has expanded the TB Directly Observed Treatment Shortcourse (DOTS) Centres from 1,047 in Y2018 to 1,257 in Y2020 to offer increased treatment to TB patients.

Mrs. Sanwo-Olu also disclosed that the State government with support from global funds has also conducted training for community care workers to provide quality TB care, procured and deployed 18 X-ray machines to health facilities in the State and provided 31 GeneXpert sites in 20 local government areas of the State.

“We recently launched three Mobile X-ray vans to increase active case search in the State, which hitherto will improve diagnosis, treatment and an overall increase in TB case finding”, she added.

While noting that evidence abounds around the world that there are successes in TB prevention and control, Dr. Sanwo-Olu, who doubles as the State TB Ambassador, opined that increased awareness, diagnosis, treatment and care of TB cases will help achieve the goal of TB eradication.

“It is germane to state here once again, that TB is preventable, curable, and the treatment is free. It has become pertinent to increase general awareness, ensure effective service delivery, including diagnosis, treatment, and care by improving access to TB diagnosis and treatment services”, Sanwo-Olu stated.

The First Lady stated that the theme of Y2021 World TB day; “The Clock is Ticking’ is very apt, stressing that it is reminding everyone that the world is running out of time to act on the commitments made by global leaders to end TB.

“This running out of time is also influenced by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and it is necessary we scale up access to prevention and care of TB. World Tuberculosis Day is an important day to remember as it creates public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of Tuberculosis”, she added.

While appreciating stakeholders in the fight against TB, Dr. Sanwo-Olu said that the contagious disease is becoming more prevalent, noting that its control must be a global agenda in which everyone must show commitment and be part of the fight to bring the disease to an end.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi appreciated the First Lady for taking the lead in expanding the awareness of Tuberculosis in the State.

Abayomi stated that tuberculosis is a silent killer and its eradication must be prioritised as a public health strategy, hinting that 28,000 people globally get tuberculosis every day out of which 4,000 people lose their lives on a daily basis.

He said, “In Nigeria, just half a million people are diagnosed annually and it is saddening to know that Nigeria ranks sixth in the world amongst countries contributing to global TB burden and is now number one in Africa with an expected diagnosis of 440,000 TB patients in a year.

“TB awareness is, therefore, crucial as the disease is a significant cause of ill health and death in Lagos State. As a government, we are committed and we will go to any length to address the challenge of under-diagnosis of TB in Lagos State. Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu is the Lagos champion for tuberculosis and it is indeed very befitting that we have such a prominent person taking the lead and expanding the awareness and importance of Tuberculosis”, the Commissioner said.

He disclosed that the State government is actively managing TB across the 27 General Hospitals, over 300 primary healthcare facilities and numerous private sector facilities which add up to about 1200 health facilities.

Also present at the Awareness Walk and Stakeholders’ Engagement were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye; Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. Ore Finnih; Former Super Eagles Striker, Daniel Amokachi and representatives of partner organisations.

Alleged Rift Between Buhari And Tinubu, Handiwork Of Cynics – Presidency

A photo combination of President Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Presidency has stated categorically that there is no rift between President Muhammadu Buhari and his strong ally, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement on Wednesday by Mr. Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant to the president stated that the two leaders have a very strong commitment to the All Progressives Congress, APC towards bringing Change, adding that this is a commitment they have made to the Nigerian people.

According to Mr. Shehu, recent reports of a rift between the two leaders of the party are false; the handiwork of some media mischief-makers.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Announces ₦50m Donation For Victims Of Katsina Market Fire

“It is quite unfortunate that certain sections of the media feed on birthing controversies, providing a nexus for naysayers who work behind the scenes planting such stories which are absolutely false.

“This administration is aware of pessimists and cynics who willfully spread misinformation to create doubts in the minds of the people about the relationship between its leaders and whether the party will remain intact or not.

“There is no doubt that the President and the party are focused on development, peace and security, restructuring of the economy, and war against corruption in the country and will not be diverted to anything else. This desperate attempt to fool the people will not succeed,” the president’s spokesman noted.

Mr. Shehu stated that to President Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu remains one of the most respected political leaders in the country who has stuck to his principles in the face of all adversities. Adding that the political stalwart was instrumental to the formation, growth, and development of the APC into a formidable political party and the political alliance is waxing even stronger.

According to the president’s special aide, if the Asiwaju is not a frequent face in the Aso Rock Villa, it is on account of the fact that he is not a cabinet member of the present government.

He stressed that the fact that Tinubu is not everyday around the Villa does not make him less of a friend to the President and this administration.

You cannot copy content of this page