Osun Government has disclosed that over 800 intending pilgrims to this year’s Hajj will be vaccinated as part of the requirements for visiting the Holy Land.

The exercise is in compliance with the directive of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in accordance with the safety guidelines of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

This is even as the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Tajudeen Olaniyi Lawal, said the Administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola was committed to citizens’ welfare, healthy living, safety and general well-being.

Recall that the leadership of NAHCON had earlier directed all the 36 States’ pilgrims welfare boards, including the FCT and Armed Forces in the country, to urgently give Covid-19 Vaccination to all 2021 Hajj intending pilgrims, so as to meet up with the average of 12 weeks’ interval required for pilgrims to take two rounds of vaccination before the Hajj exercise.

Addressing the registered intending pilgrims during the flag- off of the vaccination exercise at the premises of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, State Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, Home Affairs Commissioner, Hon. Tajudeen Lawal said the board had received enough doses to cater for the needs of the intending pilgrims.

He said the Administration of Governor Oyetola would continue to do the needful and would prioritise the people’s welfare as it has been doing since inception.

Lawal who said the State had recorded many successes and received several commendations and accolades for its annual outstanding performance, assured the intending pilgrims of seamless and hitch-free exercise.

“First and foremost, I have to commend our amiable Governor for his prompt support over the years. He has shown to us that he is a leader, a worthy leader whose passion and love for the welfare and general well-being of the citizens is second to none.

“As you all know, Nigeria and other parts of the world couldn’t perform Hajj last year. We are considering combining registered intending pilgrims for the year 2020 and 2021.

“So far so good, about 800 people have registered and hopefully, all of them would be vaccinated in line with the directive of the NAHCON.

“I am appealing to our people to take this exercise seriously and conduct themselves with topmost Omoluabi ethos whenever they are in the Holy Land because this is what we are known for”, Lawal added.

Addressing the journalists during the exercise, the Secretary, Osun Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. Bolaji Sanni, said the exercise was designed to adhere to and fulfill all necessary safety requirements as laid down by the health authorities.

According to him, the intending pilgrims are expected to take two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines before they leave Nigeria for Saudi Arabia.

“This vaccination exercise is in line with the directive of the the NAHCON to vaccinate all the intending pilgrims as part of the necessities for this year’s Hajj.

“Since the Hajj exercise for this year is expected to commence in June, we are under obligation to carry out the vaccination exercise to meet up with the deadline.

“This first phase of the vaccination exercise will end by April while the second dose will be taken early June as the intending pilgrims are expected to depart Nigeria for Saudi Arabia by the middle of June.

“We are ready to complete the exercise for all of them. Though we have the combined list of 2020 and 2021 running to 800 registered intending pilgrims so far, some are still registering and we are committed to ensuring that everybody is fairly treated,” Sanni added.

Some of the intending pilgrims that spoke to journalists after being jabbed commended the exercise and the State government for its prompt response to the current health reality.

ODUDUWA NEWS had earlier reported that four students of Ejioku Secondary School in the Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo state were crushed to death by sand-laden truck.

ODUDUWA NEWS learnt that the students were going to school on a motorcycle, when the truck crushed them to death along Iwo-Ibadan Expressway.

ODUDUWA NEWS learnt that the incident forced students of the school to begin vandalising articulated vehicles in Ejioku.

An eyewitness told ODUDUWA NEWS that some parents have stormed schools in the area to pick up their children.

As at the time of this report, it is unclear if the four children belonged to the same parents.

“It happened less than one hour ago. Four students of the Ejioku secondary school were crushed by a truck. Students have started vandalising trucks in Ejioku. They are still here as I speak.

“Police must come around to ensure law and order. This is taking another dimension now. The students are on rampage,” she said.

The police public relations officer in the state, Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the crisis to SaharaReporters on Monday, saying the police would do everything to nip it in the bud and restore peace in the area.

The Yoruba ethnic community in the 19 Northern States has said that it has nothing to do with the calls for Oduduwa Republic.

President of the Yoruba Welfare Group Worldwide, Abdlhakeem Adegoke, told newsmen in Kaduna on Sunday during a peaceful protest: “We don’t believe in the existence of a Republic inside a Republic”.

Flanked by other officials of the Group in the Northern States, Adegoke added: “We are talking on behalf of all the Yoruba in the 19 Northern States that we the Yoruba in the Northern States hereby dissociate ourselves from any Republic inside a Republic”.

He recalled that many Yoruba people were born and bred in the North and had intermarried with northerners with whom they had been enjoying cordial and harmonious relationship over time.

“We believe in the oneness and indivisibility of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he stated, declaring, “We are not part of any Oduduwa Republic declared by our kinsmen in the Southwest.

“We want the entire world to realise the secret behind those who are agitating for Oodua republic.

“If truly they really want Oduduwa Republic they would have insisted that Hausa, Igbo and all other none Yoruba should leave Yoruba land, but as long as they insisted on Hausa Fulani alone they are not really sincere with their agitation.

“The number of Yoruba in the North is more than three States in Yoruba land. Our investment in the North is more than N5 trillion. What do they prepare for us to come and do at home?”

ODUDUWA NEWS has just gathered that a fatal accident had just occurred at early hour of Monday morning at Fatumo Area, along Lalupon, Iwo-Road, Ibadan which resulted in the death of four students of Idi-Ito Community High School, Erunmu and one Okada rider.

It was learnt that the four students were crushed to death while being conveyed to their school by a commercial motorcycle that suddenly collided with a Tipper truck having failed to negotiate its way from knocking flocks of sheep on the road down.

Details later.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has congratulated erstwhile governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his 69th birthday.

This was contained in a statement released by the governor via his official Twitter handle which reads in part:

“Hearty congratulations to our great leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the joyous occasion of his 69th birthday.

“Asiwaju is a statesman and builder whose contribution to a progressive and democratic Nigeria can not be quantified.

“As a pathfinder, Asiwaju charted the developmental trajectory of modern Lagos, raising the bar of governance and public service in Nigeria.

“As he marches forward on to a higher pedestal, may the Almighty go with him every step of the way.

“On behalf of my wife, the government and the good people of Lagos, I wish Asiwaju Bola Tinubu many happy returns in good health”.

No fewer than 127,885 Lagosians have taken the COVID -19 vaccine, 10 days after the exercise began, the government has said.

Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi, who broke the news today, after he received reports of Day 10 of the exercise from the State Primary Health Care Board, said with the figure, Lagos has vaccinated more persons compared to other States of the Federation and FCT.

Highlighting the demography and categories of persons vaccinated, Abayomi explained that 39,959 health workers, 54,200 essential workers and 33,726 strategic leaders, representing 31.2%, 42.4% and 26.40% have so far been vaccinated.

“Our gender distribution data has also shown that we have vaccinated more females than males, with 65,501 females representing 51.2% and 62,384 males representing 48.8% vaccinated as of March 26”, he said.

Abayomi stated that Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Lagos Mainland, Alimosho, Kosofe and Surulere are the top six Local Government Areas with the highest number of persons vaccinated, adding that 12,313 and 12,135 persons were vaccinated in Eti-Osa and Ikeja respectively.

“In Lagos Mainland LGA, we have vaccinated 11,791 persons; in Alimosho LGA, 9,783 people have received the COVID vaccine. For Kosofe and Surulere we have vaccinated 9,723 and 8,903 persons”, the Commissioner added.

Apapa, Epe, Badagry and Ibeju-Lekki local governments have the least number of citizens vaccinated, with less than 3,500 persons vaccinated for each.

Abayomi said the State was recording a steady increase in the number of persons receiving the vaccine, from 268 persons vaccinated at the flag-off of the exercise to 127,885 persons vaccinated as of March 26.

The exercise has been extended by 10 days, in line with the directive of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA. The vaccination will continue at the 88 vaccination sites in Lagos for ONLY citizens that fall within the Phase one category, including health and frontline workers, senior citizens aged 70 years above, essential duty staff and strategic leaders.

The Commissioner said the State Government was not oblivious of the challenges being experienced by eligible persons at some vaccination sites, adding that efforts were being made to address the challenges.

He said, “We have identified some areas of concern on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), overcrowding at some vaccination sites and the E-registration portal. I want to assure Lagosians that all these issues and others are being addressed by the State Government in collaboration with NPHCDA”.

“While no system is perfect, we are striving to improve the experience of Lagosians at our various sites. We are committed to this course and with the support of the NPHCDA and other stakeholders, we are certain of a successful vaccination exercise”, Abayomi said.

Oyetola Showers Encomium on Tinubu at 69

Governor, State of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has showered encomiums on the former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the occasion of his 69th birthday anniversary.

He described Asiwaju as an outstanding model to the emerging leaders of Nigeria and a lesson in patriotism, tenacity, service and resilience.

The governor in a birthday message personally signed by him thanked Allah for donating Asiwaju as an answer to the myriad of challenges besetting the nation and the citizens.

Oyetola, who appreciated Tinubu for being a mentor to all in all spheres, further described him as a phenomenal leader; a proud and illustrious Omoluabi of no mean stature and a beacon of hope to the teeming youth population in the country.

“Today offers me another grand opportunity, as usual, to, on behalf of the Government and people of Osun, felicitate you on your birthday and to thank Almighty Allah for donating you as an answer to the myriad of challenges besetting the nation and its innocent citizens.

“I thank you for being a mentor to all of us in all spheres: a phenomenal leader to our great party, the All Progressives Congress; an outstanding model to the emerging leaders of this great nation; a lesson in patriotism, tenacity, service and resilience; a proud and illustrious Omoluabi of no mean stature; a beacon of hope to our teeming youths and leaders of tomorrow; a good husband to your wife; and a good father to your children.

“On behalf of myself and the people of Osun, I congratulate you on your birthday, Sir, and wish you long life, good health, divine wisdom, guidance and direction in your remaining journeys through life”, Oyetola said.

it is a memorable day today, 28th March, 2021 in Ibarapa Land as Dele Bajaj Foundation sensitises and empowered Farmers across the 5 towns within the local government of Ibarapa North and Central. Items distributed for the empowerment includes seedlings of rice, maize, soya beans, millet and cash for each farmer.

The program was held at Teacher’s Plaza, Igboora -Idere Road, Ibarapa Oyo state. The caliber of distinguished personalities that graced the poverty eradication event are High Chief Akorede who’s the Baale Agbe Of Ibarapa North Local Government, Ayete. Chief Lawal Amubieya, representative of Baale Agbe of Tapa, Mr Owoade Johnson, Mr Olatunde Rasaq who’s the guest speaker of the program.

Mr Dele Bajaj who’s the Founder of the Foundation was absent but was ably represented by Mr Morounfolu Adeniyi. Mr Morounfolu Adeniyi while speaking on behalf of the Founder, Appreciates the farmers at the occasion for their presence and their patients. He however affirms the readiness of the Mr Dele Bajaj of his continuous support for the Farmers across the land.

In his words, he said : ‘ My Principal, Mr Dele Bajaj sent me to greet you all for your presence here today. He said I should appeal to you that this that you are getting today would be smaller than what you should expect from him subsequently. He wishes to be here but due to one or two happenstances, he couldn’t come. Then I was informed to tell you that the seedlings you are being given today is not meant to be consumed but to be cultivated. We will monitor the progress of you all and there are encouraging gifts for whosoever utilises this material excellently”

Mr Owoade Johnson who was the guest speaker of the program spoke to the farmers on important of healthy living and healthy lifestyle. He urges the to always maintain healthiness in whatever they do, ranging from the food they consume, what they drink and how they dress. He stressed the importance of exercise as a significant tool to ensuring healthy lifestyle.

Another personality that spoke at the event was Mr Olatunde Rasaq. He spoke on the importance of farming as a profession and how the resident of Ibarapa are underitilizing the bounties of land and nature that beautify the land.

In his words : ‘I want to tell you people that this farming profession is like a gold mining industry but many of you do not know. Many of you are in Farming for close to 30 years but you hardly have nothing to show for it. This is not because you don’t know your onions but you don’t know how to maximize your efforts so that your returns can be more or equivalent than your efforts. This Ibarapa land is being underutilized for farming and I urge us that their would be enlightenment for you all very soon. So as to know the right market for your produces”

Mr Uthman, Dele Bajaj Father also spoke to the audience and appreciate them for their presence. He spoke on the significant of giving charity and enjoins all to always give from the little they posses.

Part of the speakers at the program are Alhaja Bajaj who’s the mother of Dele Bajaj, Mr Wale Oloyede and others.

While speaking on behalf of the audience, Mrs Florence Alawode appreciates the Founder of the foundation together with the parents for putting this together. She prayed God elevates the Founder so the society can enjoy him the more.

The program ended with vote of thanks from Mr Amubieya, the representative of Baale Agbe of Tapa Land and the distribution of the grains and cash followed