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Ogun Makes COVID-19 Test Free For All SS3 Boarding Students – Dapo Abiodun

OGUN MAKES COVID-19 TEST FREE FOR ALL RETURNING SS3 BOARDING STUDENTS

The State has been very apprehensive about the issue of school opening even for exit students. Data from other countries, where schools have resumed show that community transmission in school environments is a major concern. Even countries with strongerhealth care facilities than ours are being very cautious.

In line with the Federal Ministry of Education recommendation and WASSCE timetable, we decided to open our schools on the 4thAugust 2020 for SS3 students only. We put in place guidelines that would ensure that our students resume in a safe environment.

In our pre-opening engagements with stakeholders, opening of boarding houses was discussed. Our State has one of the largest population of boarding students in the country, coming from all over the Country. After consultations with health professionals, we concluded that testing the children for COVID-19 before admittance will reduce the risk of community transmission. This is to reassure parents and even teachers of the safety of everybody concerned.

The State planned and provided testing, free of charge, for boarding students in our public schools and allowed for the management and parents of private schools to make their arrangements to get COVID tests. The two Ogun State run laboratories have a capacity for about 500 tests a day and conduct free tests for traced contacts or symptomatic patients. To meet the additional demand for the expected number of boarding students, the statement from the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology listed some private test centers which set up sampling points in some of our Health facilities.

These private laboratories have been accredited by NCDC and Lagos State Government for walk-in tests and charge N50,400 per test but I understand that the Ministries of Health and Education negotiated this to N25,000 for boarding students in private schools that may wish to use them. There is no financial benefit to the State Government.

After reviewing these developments, I have today immediately directed that the Government Laboratories carry out test for all returning SS3 boarding students at no cost. I have also directed that all those who have paid for tests be refunded.

The health of our children remains our utmost priority, however in view of the total number of boarding students to be tested (5,340private and 500 public), and bearing in mind the limitation of our installed testing capacity of 500 tests per day, it may not be feasible for all boarding students to get tested and get their results prior to resumption or even exams which commence on 17th August 2020.

Consequently the State Government has therefore stepped down the COVID-19 test as a mandatory requirement for returning students in our exit classes. We therefore enjoin Private School owners toexercise their duty of care to their pupils. The admittance of students into boarding house in private secondary schools will be at the discretion of the management and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of such private schools.

Ogun State Government recommends that students who do not have to stay in the boarding house should attend school from home, especially those with underlying health conditions.

I have also directed the provision of face masks to all students inboth private and public schools.

The inconvenience and confusion experienced yesterday is highly regrettable and my sincere apologies to the parents and students so affected.

The quality and standard of education and well being of our children are issues that are very dear to my heart.

I appreciate the cooperation, support, resilience and understanding of all the people of Ogun State towards flattening the curve of COVID-19 in Ogun State. It is my prayer that this phase will end soonest.

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Business: Shoprite Sets To Leave Nigeria Due To Decline In Sales

In a trading update filed at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) on Monday morning, the retail giant said it was planning to discontinue its operations in Nigeria.

“Following approaches from various potential investors, and in line with our re-evaluation of the Group’s operating model in Nigeria, the Board has decided to initiate a formal process to consider the potential sale of all, or a majority stake, in Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Shoprite International Limited,” the update read.

“As such, Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited may be classified as a discontinued operation when Shoprite reports its results for the year. Any further updates will be provided to the market at the appropriate time.”
In Nigeria, sales declined by 6.3 percent in the 2020 fiscal year.

Shoprite launched in Nigeria nearly 15 years ago, opening its first store in Lagos in December 2005.

That chain has grown from one to more than 25 retail stores across Nigeria — including some of the biggest retail stores in west Africa.

Outside South South Africa, Shoprite sales grew by only 0.1 percent in the second half of the year under review.

“In equally, if not more difficult circumstances resulting from COVID-19 lockdown regulations, Supermarkets Non-RSA’s second-half reported an increase in sales of 0.1%,” the company said.

This resulted “in an overall decline in sales of 1.4% for the year but in constant currency increased by 6.6%.” OduduwaNews also learnt that fall in Naira to dollar due to the devaluation of Naira by the CBN also accounts for the loss.

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Chinese Loan: No Inch Of Yoruba Land Will Be Ceded To FG’s Creditors – Afenifere

In its reply to Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi on the controversial $5.5Billion Chinese Loan, the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere Says No Inch Of Yoruba Land Will Be Ceded To FG’s Creditors.

The pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere declared that no inch of Yoruba land will be ceded to creditors of the Federal Government should there be reasons for its creditors to make such demands.

Afenifere was reacting to reports that the Federal Government had signed an agreement with the Chinese government, which contains a clause that compels Nigeria to waive its immunity for itself or its property in case of a breach of the agreement.

$5.5Billion Chinese Loan- Afenifere Replies Amaechi, Says No Inch Of Yoruba Land Will Be Ceded To FG’s Creditors. In a statement by its spokesman, Mr Yinka Odumakin, Afenifere described the disclosure that a clause in a loan agreement signed by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government ceded the sovereignty of Nigeria and its assets if the nation defaults in payment as worrisome.

Odumakin said: “The Yoruba nation will not allow an inch of its land to be taken over by any foreign interest to which any government that is loan-crazy must have concessioned the sovereignty.

We are not aware of any such authority given to any government to do such. “Let lenders beware so they don’t give loans beyond what any regime can repay in its tenure.”

The controversial clause in the agreement says: “The borrower hereby irrevocably waives any immunity on the grounds of sovereign or otherwise for ITSELF or its property in connection with any arbitration proceeding pursuant to Article 8(5), thereof with the enforcement of any arbitral award pursuant thereto, except for the military assets and diplomatic assets.”

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JUST IN: Policemen allegedly shoot one dead, injure two others in Oke-Are, Ibadan

Police Officers at the Mapo Divisional Headquarters have been identified to have shot three people at Oke-Are, Ibadan. An eyewitness who spoke on the condition of anonymity said five police officers came in a Micra car to the area and pulled the trigger suddenly which led to the death of one person immediately while the other two people are in extensive care unit at the nearby hospital. As at the time of writing this report, OduduwaNews cannot ascertain the main reason that led to the ugly incident. Details later.

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SS3 Boarding Students Will Undergo COVID-19 Test Before Resumption – Ogun Govt.

The Ogun State Governor said there will be COVID-19 and malaria tests before students would be allowed to resume for academic activities.

The governor’s aide who spoke on behalf of the State Government stated that tests of the students were part of the frantic efforts of the state government to ensure a safe learning academic atmosphere for both learners and teachers in all public and private schools.

She noted that all principals of private and public schools have been asked to enforce the directive of the government which was in line with the guidelines of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

“All the returning boarding students are to stay in the school hostels only. Parents are hereby advised that private hostels are exempted from accommodating students during this period to ensure strict compliance with NCDC directives,” the statement read.

Soyombo said part of the “strong condition of admittance” to school was that returning boarding students must present a COVID-19 certificate showing negative.

“To this end, all principals are, therefore, directed to immediately disseminate the above important information to all SS3 learners in the state and to ensure that the above instructions are strictly adhered to as sanctions will be meted out to any defaulting school,” the government warned.

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I warned FG against Chinese loan – Ayodele Fayose

I Warned Against China Loans —Ayodele Fayose

The former Governor of Ekiti State, Peter Ayodele Fayose has lent his voice in joining some Nigerians who berate the agreement signed by the Federal Government and China which borders on some parts of Nigerian sovereignty ceded to the Chinese government.

Fayose said, “Nigerians should remember that in April 2016, I warned against these Chinese loans. I even wrote a letter to the Chinese Government but those still clapping for this government then criticized me.”

“The loan agreement, which was signed in 2018 according to Oduduwa News was between Nigeria and Export-Import Bank of China. The clause in the loan allegedly “wills the sovereignty of Nigeria” in the $400 million loan for the Nigeria National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Infrastructure Backbone Phase II Project.

Last week, National Assembly decried the agreement entered into by the FG and Chinese Government on the purported loan and called for proper scrutiny before anything could be done further. In the meantime, Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project SERAP has dragged the Federal Government to Court to come and explain what has been done with the loans received in the past.

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SALLAH: DIG Moyosore Felicitates Oyo Governor, Deputy, Speaker and all Muslims

The Director and Convener of Female Orientation Team FOT and a PDP Chieftain, DIG Eedris Moyosoreoluwa has expressed his felicitation message to the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Gov. Seyi Makinde, Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin and all Muslim Faithfuls on the Eid-el-Kabir festive.

In his felicitation message, Moyosoreoluwa said, “it is with great joy, happiness and love from my heart that I say congratulations to all Muslim faithfuls as they celebrate the Special ‘Ileya festival’ particularly an historic event at the present moment the pandemic COVID-19 is ravaging the world.”

“I therefore use this medium to celebrate with the Governor, Deputy Governor and the Speaker being the leaders of all the citizens of the State whether Muslims or Christians as their commitment and determination in ensuring peaceful coexistence among Muslims and Christians can never be overlooked. Seyi Makinde demonstrates love and harmony to everybody irrespective of religious or political affiliations owing to his usual stance of preaching peace and tolerance to religious leaders at all times. Indeed, he is a leader worthy of emulation and I express my confidence and trust in his administration particularly how he has been handling the outbreak of COVID-19 in the State.”

“Eidel-Kabir is a remarkable day in our lifetime as the day signifies love, perseverance, benevolence and peaceful coexistence.

I urge our dear Muslim faithfuls to channel their prayers to Almighty Allah in ending this pandemic as soon as possible so that people in the State and across the world can return to their normal day to day activities.

While we are celebrating the Sallah, I appeal to the good people of Oyo State to adhere strictly to the guidelines and preventive measures NCDC given to us.

May Almighty God continue to protect everyone of us now and forever. Amen.

Barka De Sallah.

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Oluyole Factory To Compensate Family Of Slain UI Student

Company To Compensate Family of Killed UI Student

The sister company of Henkel Global, Expanded Global Industries Limited, Ibadan, where Gbadebo Richard, the 300-level student of the University of Ibadan died last Tuesday, has reached out to compensate the family of the deceased.

The latest move by the company came after Oyo State Government has closed down the factory till further notice to allow independent investigation into the ugly incident that led to the death of the young lad. It was learnt that Gbadebo who was 3-00 level student at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan slipped into the soap-making machine and died immediately.

Many people have been calling on relevant government agencies to prevail on some of the foreign companies operating in Nigeria to stop inhumane treatment meted on their staff particularly the so-called casual staff.

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Arsenal Wins FA Cup To Qualify For Europa League

Chelsea had been ahead after just five minutes through Christian Pulisic.

But things went from bad to worse for Frank Lampard’s side with three injury setbacks and a red card helping hand the trophy to the Gunners.

After Pulisic’s early opener, Aubameyang levelled with a penalty kick he had won himself on 28 minutes and then brilliantly added his second midway through the second half.

Chelsea then had Mateo Kovacic sent off as they chased the game, the Croatia international picking up two bookings, with the second a controversial call from referee Anthony Taylor.

For Mikel Arteta, this was a first piece of silverware in a managerial career that only began in December and ensured Arsenal will take their place in the Europa League next season.

ubameyang had began his evening by wasting the first chance of the final, heading wide when picked out in the box by Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Chelsea had their own opening moments later, Xhaka robbed of the ball and Mason Mount’s curling effort forcing Emiliano Martinez into an early save.

But there was nothing the Arsenal goalkeeper could do from the next Chelsea attack as Pulisic struck.

Mount broke into the penalty area and squared to Olivier Giroud, the former Arsenal man flicking the ball into the path of Pulisic, who skipped past the challenge of Kieran Tierney to become the first United States international to score in an FA Cup final.

Azpilicueta would last less than five minutes longer, forced off with an injury as he made way for Andreas Christensen.Arsenal dominated the remainder of the first half without managing to test Willy Caballero in the Chelsea goal.

After the break, Pulisic broke forward looking to add his second of the afternoon but instead was soon going the same way as his captain, limping off with a hamstring injury after shooting wide.

Pedro entered the fray in his place as Chelsea started to wrestle back control of the contest. That was until Aubameyang struck once again.

Hector Bellerin burst forward down the right and Christensen’s heavy challenge saw the ball break to Pepe, his pass picked up by Aubameyang who turned on to his preferred left foot to lift the ball over Caballero.

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Osun PDP Threatens Protest Over The Suspension Of State Chairman

Aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ijesa North Federal Constituency on Saturday threatened to embark on a protest at the PDP National Secretariat over the party’s refusal to recall the suspended Osun State chairman of the party, Mr Soji Adagunodo.

A statement released on Sunday, “Ijesa North PDP threatens to embark on protest against refusal to reinstate Adagunodo,” was signed by Rotimi Odugbemi, the leader of the group.

The members noted that if the suspension of the chairman could not be reversed, then another loyal party member from Ijesa North Federal Constituency should be appointed to complete his tenure.

The group said the silence of the national leadership of the party over the issue was becoming an embarrassment, insisting that it would soon storm the PDP national secretariat in protest, if its demand were not met.

The statement read in part, “We members of the party (Ijesa North Federal Constituency) are set to stage a protest at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja. We are demanding from the national leadership of the PDP the reinstatement of Soji Adagunodo as chairman of the party in Osun or the appointment of another competent and loyal party man from Obokun Local Government Area, where Adagunodo hails from as chairman in line with the dictate of Section 47; sub-section 6 of the PDP constitution.”

“We also condemn in strong terms the attempt to choose an Acting Chairman from any other part of Ijesa land beside Obokun where Adagunodo hails from to complete his term. We shall strongly

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