The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has reassured Lagosians on safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, just as he maintained that the Lagos State Government will ensure that residents get vaccinated.
Abayomi made this known on “City Talks with Reuben Abati” on Saturday where he reiterated the benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, saying “Once you get the vaccine, you have immunity to the virus”.
According to him, although the vaccination comes with few side effects which include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain and chills, these effects are mild and can be suppressed with a good night’s rest. He added that contrary to claims, among over 40,000 people who have received the vaccines, nobody has developed a blood clot.
Professor Abayomi said the vaccine is accompanied by security to account for the vial, accountability and a cold chain to ensure Lagosians are not put at risk due to corrupt practices.
He affirmed that the focus on COVID-19 has not in any way affected the process of tackling other health issues, noting that during the first wave of the virus, healthcare provision was absolutely free and more people were able to get treatment at health centres and general hospitals across the State.
The Commissioner said one of the measures put in place by the present administration to ensure there is no collateral damage from the COVID-19 is that the containment of the virus has been centralised to designated isolation centres, while primary health centres and general hospitals have been charged with the responsibility of taking care of other health-related issues.
He averred that the government is putting more into the health sector by developing multiple strategies to put resources and infrastructure at the disposal of health responders so that Nigerian doctors can have a place where they can work conveniently and comfortably.
Abayomi said that anyone under the age of 18 years is not vaccinated because generally young people are resilient to the virus, stressing that anyone who is unwell is advised not to take the vaccine until they get well from the present ailment.
“We are majorly worried about elderly people particularly those who have underlying medical conditions”, he added.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday said the first civilian governor of the State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, will continue to live in the hearts of Lagosians and Nigerians at large till eternity.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the legacy left behind by the late Jakande would remain with Lagosians for a long time to come, describing Jakande, a former Minister of Works, as a detribalised Nigerian, who was outstanding in all his achievements.
Sanwo-Olu added that the former governor known as ‘Baba Kekere’ lived a righteous life and will live forever in people’s hearts.
Governor Sanwo-Olu who spoke on Sunday at the 40th day Memorial Service of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande at the Chapel of Christ The Light, Alausa in Ikeja, said the first civilian governor has laid a foundation, which nobody can erase in Lagos State.
He said: “This service is indeed deserving for our late father, the first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande. We cannot celebrate him enough and we will continue to celebrate him forever for the life that this detribalised Nigerian and outstanding Lagosian lived.
“He built the foundation that all of us are enjoying today. He will continue to live in the hearts of several children and even unborn children because he has indeed laid the foundation for something that nobody can erase.
“Romans 14:8 says that; ‘For if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.’ This is synonymous with today’s sermon titled ‘The righteous lives forever.’ So when we say the righteous will live forever, indeed we can say that Baba Jakande has earned it and we know that he will live forever.”
Reading from Isaiah 41:10, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged family of the deceased to have faith in God Almighty.
He said: “Isaiah 41:10 says ‘Do not fear; for I am with you: be not be dismayed; for I am thy God: I will uphold you with my right hand.’ God will uphold the wife and children of Alhaji Lateef Jakande forever. Lord will also uphold Lagos State and every one of us.”
In his sermon, titled, “The Righteous Shall Live Forever” the Lord Bishop, Diocese of Lagos (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. (Dr) Humphrey Olumakaiye, said the definition of righteous man is not about being an angel or a saint but a man that has touched lives while he is alive and used his positions to create opportunities and touched the lives of the people who can never pay him back.
He therefore urged political office holders to see their positions as a great opportunity to serve and benefit the people, noting that righteous people are always concerned about the welfare of God’s creation, which the late Jakande stood for in his lifetime.
Bishop Olumakaiye, who described late Jakande as humble and humane, said the former governor during his tenure never used religion as a tool to divide the state in providing leadership and dividends of democracy for the people of Lagos.
He said Jakande achieved a lot within four years in office and demonstrated service to the masses by providing free education, medical care, low-cost housing and infrastructure, among others for the benefits of not only Lagosians, but entire Nigerians.
Also, Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rt. Rev. (Dr) Stephen Adegbite, said his generation will never forget Jakande and other Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) governors in the Second Republic because of how they impacted people’s lives through the people oriented programmes of the party.
During the memorial service also attended by the First Lady, Dr. (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Jakande’s widow, Alhaja Abimbola and her children, former Lagos Deputy Governor, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, members of the State Executive Council, Body of Permanent Secretaries, Clerics, among others, prayers were offered for the family of late Jakande, who died on February 11, 2021 at the age of 91.
Clergies also prayed for Governor Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and their families, the executive, legislature and judiciary arms of government, the T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, peaceful Lagos and the country in general.
A group agitating for the proposed Oduduwa Republic has launched a new National Currency which will be known as ‘FADAKA’ which means silver.
The announcement was made by the group via its Twitter account on Sunday, March 21.
A new currency for the proposed Yoruba nation, Oduduwa Republic has been introduced by a southwest group.
ODUDUWA NEWS gathered that the group posted the image of the proposed currency on its Twitter handle @OduduwaRepublic, on Sunday, March 21.
The released currency under ‘Ooduwa Reserve Bank’ which appears like a pilot design has most Yoruba cultural heritage inscribed on it. The banknote made available includes 20 Odua currencies which look identical to the N200 note.
The Lagos State Government has noted that the COVID vaccination exercise that commenced five days ago was successful with an impressive and encouraging turnout of residents.
A release signed by the Director of Public Affairs in the Ministry of Health, Mr. Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, clarified that the vaccination takes place on weekdays only i.e. Monday – Friday, explaining that the exercise will not hold on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st March 2021 as well as other weekends.
He gave an assurance that the exercise will resume on Monday, 22nd March 2021, in all the 88 approved vaccination centres for health workers, frontline staff and essential duty personnel that have been identified to participate in the first phase of the campaign.
On the 12th of march, 2021, our Correspondent had an Interview with the Students’ Union President of Adeyemi College of Education. In this interview, the President explains that Unionism has gone beyond hooliganism, that student-leaders must know when to apply diplomacy in their dealings with school management, and when to do otherwise. He also explains the reason why he supported Alopay in the last election, hoping that Asefon will live up to responsibility and change the wrong perception people have about NANS because of some of the activities of some leaders in the past, who turned the association to a commercial enterprise. Enjoy Reading OduduwaNews: Can we meet you sir? Ans: I am Ayoola Olamilekan Joshua, by the virtue of political nomenclature, friends and family call me, Baba Ipaye, the Students’ Union President Of the foremost teacher trainee institute in the sub-saharan Africa, Adeyemi College Of Education, Ondo.
OduduwaNews: Sir, as the one time PRO of the Union in which you’re currently serving as the number 1 person, what was the electioneering experience, with the fact that many saw the previous President in which you served with as the Management boy, and worst ever? President Ipaye: I served as the PRO of the Students’ Union, of course, it wasn’t easy because, the executive that I served had challenges, and coming on board as not normal executive but Students’ Union President, so, it was not easy but God has been faithful, very soon, we would be giving the baton to another person OduduwaNews: Immediately after your inauguration, you wrote to the management about the deplorable state of school toilets, few weeks after, you inspected a toilet project sponsored by the school management, how can you explain your relationship with the college management since many view SUG and Management as two parallel line. President Ipaye : Thank you so much. Immediately after my inauguration, we wrote a letter to the college management stating the need for us as Students’ leaders and Management to collaborate our efforts together to make life easier for the students that we are representing, thank God, they swang into action immediately and of course, even what we didn’t ask for was delivered. The truth is this, many don’t seem not to understand that the management are also humanbeings, and of course, Students’ Unionism has gone beyond hooliganism, we are in an era when we have to diplomatically demand for our rights. People seem to see the Students and college management as enemies, but then, one has to be very wise in dealing with them, when it’s time to be angry to show them that what they have done is not good, we surely do, and when it’s time to smile, you don’t get angry, and when it’s time to meet diplomatically, of course, you do that, so, the relationship between us as Students’ leaders and the management has been very cordial. Infact, we see them more as a father, because most of them as the college is concerned are alumnus, so they see us as children, not as Students, so most of the things being achieved would not have been possible without them.
OduduwaNews: Combining Academics with Unionism, how has it been. Is one affecting the other, in short, what’s your motivation? President Ipaye: Combining academics with Unionism has not been easy, it’s easy per say because for my school here, if you want to contest, one of the criteria is at least, you must be on second class upper. You must have atleast have 3.5 cgpa, and of course, we have more than that, though, it has not been easy but there’s always time for everything, there’s time for us to read, and, and there’s time to play Unionism. So, God has been very faithful, and I have been in this game before, I was the PRO of the SU, 2018/2019 academic session, and as at then, my first cgpa in first semester that year I think was around 4.7cgpa, so, it hasn’t been easy, but there’s always time for us to create time for our books and our Academics. OduduwaNews: In the last NANS Election, you supported Alopay, can you tell us the Politics involved? President Ipaye: Apart from the fact that Alopay schooled in my hometown, he had his undergraduate in LAUTECH, and I’m from Ogbomoso, and I know him then, he was one of the contestants, I used to see him as the most qualified. There’s nothing political about my move. One, he sees us, the Students’ Union Senators as an important strata in this game, some of these contestants never deemed it fit to come to our different Institutions. Instead of coming through some leaders that will promise him that they will deliver Adeyemi College of Education votes, he sees himself as someone that’s accessible, nothing Political about my support, when I see somebody like that with good qualities of leadership, reasonably, one has to support that kind of individual.
OduduwaNews: Did you learn any lesson from the election? President Ipaye: Of course, I learned so much from the Election. I learnt that you have to align with the power that be, you know when we got to the election and I saw some things, I was telling my chairman, Asefon will win this Election, looking at the structure of people that are inside the convention ground, you already know who is winning the game. So, we thank God, Alopay is doing fine, our Asefon also is doing fine, they are both willing to serve Nigerian Students, but then, Asefon emerged. OduduwaNews: Is NANS still an a student Association to be proud of? President Ipaye: Yes, NANS is still an association to be proud of, but then, there’s always room for changes. Over the years, we have seen leaders that have taken this association of Students to be a point of revenue for themselves and their families, but then, like I said, there’s room for changes which I believe very soon, we would have leaders who are ready to serve Nigerian Students with all truth and with all their strength, and not because of money.
OduduwaNews: What do you think President Asefon should do differently? President Ipaye: Everybody is waiting for him to do the needful, NANS over the years, we have witnessed leaders that are money oriented and seeing someone like Comrade Asefon, everyone is looking ad waiting patiently for a change, so, I expect him to see that and work towards that, I believe with some of the things he has done over the past few months in Office, he’s worth emulating, and I hope he will succeed in Jesus name.
OduduwaNews: You just said in Jesus Name. You must be a religious person, what’s it like combining religion with Unionism permutations? President Ipaye: God is number one, that’s why in everything I do, I put God first. If God is before us, who can be against us, this is not religion, it’s about personal belief, that whatever I do, I put God, be it Academics, political or what a view, God is the number one.
OduduwaNews: Is there anything you want the public to know about you, your Association or your school? President Ipaye: Yes, I’m a rotaractor, i love reading and probably, i love teaching too OduduwaNews: Any other message to the Nigerian Youth on Students’ Unionism? President Ipaye: Stay focused!!! Remain steadfast and stand for the truth defending the interests of the students at all time OduduwaNews: Any message for Nigerian Government, on the poor funding of Education? President Ipaye: There is always need for the government of the day to stand for what is right, Education is the bedrock of a sane society and the sector seriously needs urgent revitalization , the government should please use their good office to implement and see to the betterment of our educational system as this is the only way to bring about societal changes and development.
The Defence Headquarters says it is demeaning to allege that the Nigerian military stooped so low to the extent of “spying” on the acclaimed Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo also known as Sunday Igboho.
This comes after Igboho and his cohorts had in a viral video released on Friday alleged that “soldiers” sent by the Federal Government were seen surveying the residence of Sunday Igboho at Soka in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
But responding to the allegations in a statement on Saturday, acting director of Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, said, “While the Defence Headquarters has no interest dragging or joining issues with Sunday Adeyemo or his associates, it is pertinent to clear the air and address these allegations squarely.
“For the records, it should be noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, are highly professional in the discharge of their duties, with well-defined roles, responsibilities and duties in its mandate of securing the territorial integrity of the Nigerian Nation.
“As such, the Military cannot stoop so low to such extent to “spy” on one individual, as wildly and loosely alleged.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is a highly disciplined and professional organization with extant laws and regulations which guide the actions of its personnel in the conduct of their duties.
“As such, it is practically impossible for military personnel on official duty to conduct themselves in such manner as alleged by Adeyemo and his cohorts,” the statement read.
Onyeuko maintained that preliminary investigations so far revealed that one of the alleged “soldiers” is a serial impersonator, warning that individuals and groups should desist from disparaging the enviable reputation of the Military.
He added, “For the avoidance of doubt, preliminary investigation has so far revealed that one of the alleged “soldiers” is a serial impersonator.
“Meanwhile credible eyewitnesses and sources have also revealed that some associates of Igboho went in pursuit of some individuals when the motorbike conveying the impersonator and one Nigerian Air Force personnel ran into them.
“The duo were immediately apprehended and taken to the said “IGBOHO House” at Soka before Ibadan toll gate where they were branded as spies. Furthermore, investigations are currently underway by Nigerian Airforce and the Nigerian Army to unravel the actual circumstances which played out on the day.
“The Defence Headquarters hereby warns individuals and groups to desist from disparaging the enviable reputation of the Nigerian Military by dragging it into its petty issues to gain political mileage. Such actions will not be condoned in the future.”
Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde on Saturday disclosed that no governor in the state has ever handed over to his successor after the expiration of their tenure in office.
Makinde while speaking during the Inauguration and Duty Commencement Service of the 8th President of Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, held at the CAC International Headquarters, Ibadan promised that he would be the first governor in the state to hand over to his successor.
He said, “No governor has ever handed over to his successor in this state, Baba Lam Adeshina didn’t hand over to his successor, former governor Ladoja, Ladoja didn’t hand over to former governor Adebayo Alao Akala, Akala didn’t hand over to Abiola Ajimobi, and Ajimobi also didn’t hand over to me, but am standing in front of the altar of God, I will be the first governor to hand over to my successor.”
Makinde however commended the smooth process that led to the inauguration of the new CAC President, saying that though Nigeria is at the cross road, but priority of all Nigerians should be how to end crisis of division in the nation.
The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has condemned, in strong terms, the violence that marred Saturday’s bye-election in Ekiti East Constituency 1 of the State House Assembly, saying that no one involved in the dastardly act would go unpunished.
This was contained in a statement signed and released to newsmen today by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode.
Consequently, the Governor has directed the State Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Mobayo, to ensure that everybody involved in the violent act are apprehended and brought to book regardless of their party affiliation.
The Governor also commiserated with the families of those reported to have been killed in the mayhem as well as those who sustained injuries.
“This violence is most unwarranted, and deeply disturbing. I have instructed the police authorities to fish out the perpetrators and ensure they face the music. Our condolences to the families that lost loved ones and those who were injured. Government would not relent in efforts to always ensure safety of lives and properties. We shall ensure all purveyors of violence are brought to book.”, the Governor added.
Governor Kayode Fayemi also wishes to reiterate the commitment of his administration to upholding the sacredness of life and sanctity of the electoral process.
At least three people, including a female police officer, have been killed in violence that ensued during the by-election for Ekiti East Constituency 1 in the State House of Assembly.
The seat became vacant following the death of Juwa Adegbuyi in February, who represented the constituency.
It was gathered that political thugs unleashed mayhem on voters and security agents on Saturday.
There are allegations that the All Progressives Congress sponsored the thugs, who unleashed violence on voters and security personnel at different polling units.
Five other persons are reportedly receiving treatment from a private hospital as a result of the incidents.
The shootings happened three hours into the poll at Ward 7, Unit 7 of the Senator representing Ekiti South, Biodun Olujimi.
The senator only escaped by whiskers as the political thugs went on a rampage in her polling units.
HAJJ 2021: LAGOS PROMISES STRESS-FREE COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR INTENDING PILGRIMS
The Lagos State Government has given assurances that COVID-19 vaccine will be administered on every Intending Pilgrim from the State before embarking on the Y2021 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, gave the assurance on Thursday while delivering his opening remarks at a training programme organised by the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for Schedule Officers, Ulamah and Hajj Guides at the Shamsi Adisa Thomas (SAT) Mosque Hall, GRA, Ikeja.
He emphasised that the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, would do everything possible to ensure that each of the intending pilgrims is vaccinated despite the fact that the number of vaccines given to the State by the Federal Government is inadequate for the population.
Speaking further on the theme of the workshop “Way Forward for Year 2021 Hajj Operation and Preparation”, Elegushi urged the participants to see their appointment as Schedule Officers, Ulamah and Hajj Guides as a call to the service of Allah and trust for which they would be held accountable by God on the day of judgement.
He urged them to be good ambassadors of the State and carry out their assignments to the best of their ability, noting that the participants are faced with a very sensitive assignment of seeing to the welfare of the intending pilgrims both in Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
While calling for synergy and harmonious working relationship between the participants, he reiterated that the training became imperative because the State is not ready to jeopardise its enviable position as the best in Nigeria when it comes to Hajj operations, adding that only teamwork and commitment to efficient and effective service delivery to the intending pilgrims would sustain the State’s leadership position.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. Rahman Ishola, expressed his appreciation to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat for their unflinching support to the Board.
He added that with their support, the Board is poised to successfully implement the administration’s policy of providing seamless Hajj experience for all its intending pilgrims irrespective of tribe, class and educational background.
Facilitators at the well-attended training programme included the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Islamic Matters, Mr. Jebe-Abdullai Ahmad who gave a lecture on the topic ‘Relationship between the Schedule Officers, Ulamah and Intending Pilgrims’.
Others are Dr. Mutiu Olakunle Afariogun, a Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), who presented a paper on ‘How to Manage Stress’ and Mr. Awe Jamiu, a Chief Administrative and Human Resource officer with the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency who presented a paper on ‘Hajj Overview’.
