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Lagos Monitors Public, Private Schools’ Compliance with Resumption Safety Protocol

LASG Monitors Public, Private Schools’ Compliance with Resumption Safety Protocol

Commissioner Says Students Must Not Exceed 20 per Class

The Lagos State Ministry of Education, on Monday, embarked on a monitoring exercise to public and private schools in its effort to ensure compliance to the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines for schools reopening.

The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, who led the monitoring team to assess the process of resumption and ensured that all safety protocols were strictly observed in order to reduce the risk of anyone contracting the disease.

In a chat with news correspondents during the inspection tour of some public and private Schools in Yaba, Surulere and Apapa under the State’s Education District IV, Adefisayo expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness of the schools visited, adding that the State Government is very concerned about the safety of students and their teachers.

While stressing that the students and teachers wellbeing is of utmost importance to the State Government, the Commissioner noted that the inspection tour will continue till all Schools are covered, adding that any school accommodating other students apart from SS3 and TEC3 contrary to the State government’s directive this period will face disciplinary action.

She emphasised that the resumption became necessary for the students to write their WASSCE Examinations and encouraged them to put in their best in the forthcoming exams taking place in two weeks’ time in order to excel, urging them to shun all vices, work hard and stay focused on their studies.

Adefisayo also implored teachers to take care of themselves and to take up the role of enforcement and compliance with the COVID-19 protocols by the students, hinting that the bulk of these efforts lie in their hands as they are the custodians of the students while in school.

She reiterated that students must not exceed 20 per class in compliance with physical distancing and called on parents/guardians to monitor the children/wards closely as their roles are germane and complimentary at this period, stressing that all hands must be on deck to curb the spread and flatten the curve as the State government is determined to contain the disease.

The Commissioner added that asides her visitation to schools, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Tutors-General/Permanent Secretaries of the Six Education Districts, Office of Education Quality Assurance and other top officials of the Ministry were also on the field across the State to ensure that maximum compliance and coordination are achieved.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Abosede Adelaja added that the Lagos State Government has provided free face masks and sanitisers for all students.

She noted that aside from fumigating the schools and ensuring a clean and conducive environment for learning, the State Government has also provided facilities such as wash hand basins and potable water.

Adelaja, therefore, maintained that all policies made by the government for compliance with COVID-19 protocols will be observed, noting that visitors and food vendors are not allowed into the school premises during this period.

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Osun COVID-19 Taskforce Drags 100 Residents To Court For Not Wearing Facemasks

Osun COVID-19 Taskforce Drags 100 Residents To Court For Not Wearing Facemasks

The Osun state government on Monday commenced the total enforcement of COVID-19 safety protocols in the state.

This was as over 100 violators of the safety protocols were sentenced to community service of various degrees.

The enforcement was in line with the government resolve to contain the further spread of the deadly virus.

The governnent had on Sunday announced the enforcement of stronger punitive measures include the deployment of Mobile Courts, imposition of fines on defaulters and more stringent enforcement exercises by the Joint Task Force.

According to the state government, hotels, clubs and bars that flout COVID-19 safety protocols would be closed and fined N250,000 before they can be reopened while defaulting worship centres shall be closed and fined N100,000 before they can reopen.

The Deputy Governor who doubles as the Chairman, Osun COVID-19 Taskforce, Mr Benedict Alabi, in a statement, said private hospitals caught treating COVID-19 patients shall have their establishments shut and the owners’ practising licenses withdrawn saying individuals who flout the safety protocols of the State Government, after being tried, shall be sentenced to community service.

Early Monday morning, members of the enforcement team stormed the popular Olaiya Junction and Old Garage and other strategic locations to enforce the safety protocols and arrest violators.

The Chairman of the enforcement team and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Adebayo Adeleke, said the action was in line with the government’s commitment to contain the spread of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic in the state.

Adeleke who decried the surge in the number of confirmed cases of the pandemic in the last few weeks, noted that the punitive measures were taken to rescue the state and her citizens from the scourge that has been ravaging the state.

He called on residents to comply with the government’s directives on safety measures just as he disclosed that the team would continue to enforce the safety protocols as long as the people flout the rules.

“We are enforcing the law that moving around anywhere in the state without the use of face masks.

“If you can recall, the state of Osun made some legislations out of which it was made illegal for anyone to move around without the use of face masks.

“But recently, we discovered that the number of COVID-19 infected individuals had increased and this is very worrisome to the governor and as a result of this, he, in his good wisdom has said that there is need to enforce those safety rules by ensuring that people comply with the use of facemasks and other precautionary measures.

“When we make arrests, we will take the violators to courts. That is why we have been out since morning to implement the directives.

“As you can see, those we have arrested would be taken to court and judgement would be passed on them accordingly.

“We believe strongly that this will send message to other people who believe that the use of face masks is a joke. This will also send a warning signal to those who have been flouting the safety protocols.

“I am using this period to appeal to our people to take the safety protocols seriously by ensuring that they wash their hands regularly, use their facemasks and apply hand sanitiser intermittently”, he said.

Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Mrs Abiodun Ige, said members of the team were out to put a permanent stop to the violation of COVID-19 safety protocols.

She warned residents of the state to always adhere to safety protocols and avoid things that can expose them to the deadly virus.

Speaking on the expectation of government over the enforcement exercise, Ige noted that “it is expected that after the whole exercise no one will go out without using his or her facemasks”.

She added: “We expect that all that we have been saying on the need for the people to stay safe and comply with the safety protocols would be totally adhered to from here on.

“Henceforth, we don’t expect people to go out without their facemasks. We don’t expect people not to use their hands sanitisers or fail to obey social distancing rules, among other precautionary measures.

“As you can see, we have arrested more than 100 violators today and this exercise would continue as long as the people continue to disobey the rules.”

In his ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mr. Francis Isola Omisade sentenced the first batch of 37 violators to five days community service with an option of N2,000 fine, while the second batch of 19 violators were sentenced to three days community service without option of fine.

Omisade said the sentence would serve as deterrent to others on the need for them to be law abiding citizens.

In the same vein, Magistrate Modupe Awodele who presided over the third batch of 52 defaulters, sentenced them to 3days community service with option of N2,000 fine each.

Awodele ordered the convicts to render the punishment under the supervision of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Mrs. Abiodun Ige.

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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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