Oyo reopens praying grounds for Eid-el-Kabir prayers
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Thursday ordered reopening of praying grounds for Muslims in the state for the 2020 Eid-el-Kabir prayers. Makinde in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, however, warned that Muslim faithful must ensure strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols in the state. Makinde said that it has become imperative for the sake of public health and well being of all worshippers that the Eid prayers are conducted in strict compliance with the guidelines on prevention of COVID-19. He urged the leadership of each praying ground in the state to ensure the availability of handwashing points and compulsory use of nose masks. “As the Muslim Ummah prepare to undertake this year’s Eid-el-Kabir prayers, the Government of Oyo State wishes to advert Islamic clerics and leaders to the need to maintain strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols, especially the social distancing rule. “The Eid Praying Grounds across the state have, upon the directive of the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, been opened to Muslims for the purpose of the 2020 Eid-el-Kabir prayers. “His Excellency reckons that prayers are important to overcome the challenges that presently assail us, especially the COVID-19 pandemic. “However, just like many aspects of our lives that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be an adjustment to Eid prayer gatherings. “There is the need to ensure that not more than 25 percent of worshippers are allowed at every instance in order to ensure compliance with the social distancing rule. “Similarly, let it also be noted that no worshipper should be allowed into the praying ground without face masks and readiness to wash hands with soap and water in compliance with COVID-19 protocols. “To further ensure safety and ownership of the Covid-19 preventive measures, the Emergency Operations Centre, EOC, of the Oyo State Covid-19 Task Force, has sent advisories to major markets and shopping malls, on the need for strict compliance with Covid-19 preventive protocols during this festive period and beyond. “The EOC has also contacted all the health educators in the 33 LGAs in the state with a mandate to reach out to possible places of gathering and advise on the need for responsible behaviour, just as the centre has revved up risk communication advisories on radio. “In addition to these measures, however, all clerics and leaders are expected to take on the responsibility of guiding our people to pay attention to even the minutest detail on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during this festivity. “The need to follow all laid down guidelines on COVID-19 prevention must be emphasized to every resident of the state at this period, in accordance with the Own Your Action initiative of the State’s COVID-19 Task Force, which emphasizes that our wellbeing and safety are individual responsibilities. “The Oyo State government wishes the Muslim Ummah a peaceful Eid-el-Kabir, filled with the blessings and benevolence of Almighty Allah.”
Reopening: What Happens To Private Universities’ Final Year Students? By Olabisi Deji-Folutile
The Nigerian Government’s decision to reopen schools for students in exit classes and allow the country participate in this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is a welcome development. It is also heartening to know that the Ministry of Education has finally come up with a comprehensive schedule for other national examinations. Of course, some people might say the ministry’s response was rather too late; it is better late than never. Some of us are simply excited that at long last, we are getting some clear signals from the managers of our country’s education sector. No doubt, past government’s contradictory pronouncements caused a lot of confusion among students and stakeholders alike. Now, the education sector no longer appears rudderless. Besides, lots of burdens must have been taken off many people, especially schoolchildren, who unfortunately, have become the greatest victims of the uncertainty that characterised the sector for the almost five months that schools have been shut over the COVID-19 pandemic. At this stage, it is important for the education ministry to leverage on the progress it has made by henceforth driving activities in the sector holistically. Having settled the issue of students in exit classes, it is high time it started the conversation on the mode of assessing pupils in the other classes for promotion to their next classes. At least, by now it should be inconceivable that schools will reopen for other students this year going by the growing cases of COVID-19 across the country. It’s obvious that government underestimated the problem at the initial stage and this accounted for its message to schools not to commence the 3rd term. With hindsight, we know that schools should just have been allowed to start their third term. Of course, the challenges would still have been there, but many of them would have been resolved.
I am aware that Oyo State government is using students’ continuous assessment tests to grade and promote them to the next class. The state has also officially cancelled the third term and released a time table for the 2020/2021 academic session. Just this Wednesday too, Lagos State said it was considering using the same method to promote its pupils. I think other state governments should make pronouncement on the method they intend to use in promoting students to their next classes. This is likely to help many parents and guardians to take informed decisions. Many of them have withdrawn their children and wards from the e-learning platforms of their schools with the hope that these children would still have a second chance of doing third term in school. If they know early that there won’t be a third term, they can make alternative arrangements for the children to cover their learning gap. Some could decide to enrol them in online classes, get them private teachers or ensure that they connect to the free learning platforms being provided by government. That way, these children will gain something instead of missing a whole school term. It is also surprising that government has yet to speak about the resumption of classes for final year students in private higher institutions. Shouldn’t the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba, have talked about phased resumption of classes in private universities too? Strangely, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 seems also to have completely forgotten final year students in these institutions. Let’s hope this is not a case of government being carried away by the ongoing strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, and inadvertently thinking that the whole university system has been paralysed. Otherwise, final year students of private institutions should also be taken into consideration in government’s resumption schedule. Agreed, many of these students are on e-learning platforms, the complete efficiency of these platforms have been in doubt. There are problems of poor connectivity, huge data consumption and poor power supply among others. Some students have even said that their schools deliver lecture notes via Whatsapp. Such students will definitely benefit from classroom experience if they are allowed to go back to school under strict observance of COVID-19 protocols. There are also students that need to make use of laboratories, workshops, clinics and other facilities that can only be accessed on campus due to the nature of their courses. Take for example, medical, engineering, and science students-these students do a lot of practical that online platforms may not be able to offer. E-platforms have their own limitations and their levels of delivery are dependent on what is programmed into them. I mean, how much of help can an ordinary Whatsapp platform offer. But then in Nigeria, it is also seen as e-learning platform. Again, there are students that still require the input of their supervisors in their final year thesis. Allowing such students to return to school will help them. Government may now advise schools that could effectively use online platforms to prepare their students for graduation to go ahead and do so as a way of controlling crowd on many campuses. While I do not support situations that make students spend five years for a four-year course in our public universities due to different forms of strikes, such elongation is at government’s expense because the schools are more or less tuition free. That is not the case in private institutions. Many parents are making enormous sacrifices to keep their children there. Some of them would have probably preferred to put their children in tuition-free public universities but for the stiff competition for space that has made getting admission there a case of the survival of the fittest. So, government will be doing these parents a great disservice if after making a huge sacrifice to keep their children in these institutions, the industrial dispute between it and ASUU would still elongate the years these children spend in school. Fortunately, the private schools are not as crowded as the public institutions. They also have basic amenities and infrastructures that are lacking in many government-owned tertiary institutions. One can indeed confidently say that they are more capable of observing the COVID-19 Guidelines protocols that their colleagues in public universities due to their functional system and safe environment. In terms of discipline, many of these universities enforce discipline more than the public institutions. In most cases, their staff members and students live on campus. So, the risk of infection is minimised. In essence, the point being made is that these students are fewer in number, could be easily instructed, are more disciplined, live on campus, and do not have to take public transport to school. From all indication, private universities are better equipped to comply with safety procedures that have been put in place by the PTF. We should also remember that the students we are referring to here are in their final year. They are older than the pupils sitting the WASSCE and thus expected to behave responsibly. Beyond this, these students need to exit their classes before the new students can be admitted. The Federal Government should not forget that these institutions have commenced admission for the 2020/2021 academic session already. Besides, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has concluded the admission process for this academic year and looking forward to administering the 2021/2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). We can’t afford any form of vacuum. These are issues that should be diligently examined with a view to taking a workable decision. Government should go beyond being sentimental. It should begin to put the whole education sector into perspective. We cannot afford to pile up admission seekers in a country that does not have enough capacity to absorb students willing to go for tertiary education. Every year, less than a quarter of the candidates seeking university education get admitted. Of course, many factors determine who gets university admission in Nigeria, but the fact remains that many candidates that would have loved to be in universities don’t get there at the end of the day. And sadly, these candidates are far more than the few that are privileged to gain admission. Finally, considering the fact that there are state universities that do not have problem with being paid through the contentious IPPIS, I think government should ask every institution whose students are in the second semester of their final year to return to school. Those in solidarity with ASUU can decide not to obey government’s directive, but at least, the ones that are ready to work will have the opportunity to do so.
Olabisi Deji-Folutile is the Editor-in-Chief of Franktalknow.com and member, Nigerian Guild of Editors. Email: bisideji@yahoo.co.uk
A former senator and leader of Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Ayo Fasanmi, is dead. The 94-year-old died on Wednesday night in Osogbo, Osun State, after a brief illness. Confirming the development, son of the deceased, Afolabi, in a statement said, “With gratitude to the Almighty God for a life well spent, we wish to announce the demise of our father, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, at the ripe age of 94 years.”
Local Hunters Kill Bank Robbers In Okeho, Oyo State
FOUR suspected robbers who attacked a first generation bank at Okeho in Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State were reportedly killed by local hunters in a gun duel. PurpleWorld also gathered that one of the security men who confronted them was killed in the process. According to information gathered, the gun-totting robbers first attacked a police station opposite the bank before they went into operation. The source further hinted that the robbers who were seven in number blew off the security door outside the bank with dynamite.
The information reportedly got to the local hunters who confronted the robbers. Three of the robbers were said to have been killed and set ablaze by the angry mob who besieged the scene. When Today Splash called the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Gbenga Fadeyi, he confirmed the robbery attack. He was preparing a statement at the time of filing this report.
RUSSIA PRESIDENT, Vladimir Putin Says: Africa Is A Cemetery For Africans
“When an African becomes rich, his bank accounts are in Switzerland. He travels to France for Medical treatment. He invests in Germany. He buys from Dubai. He consumes Chinese. He prays in Rome or Mecca. His children study in Europe. He travels to Canada, USA, Europe for tourism. If he die, he will be buried in his native country of Africa. Africa is just a cemetery for Africans. How could a cemetery be developed?” ~Putin Asks
Coalition For Revolution Calls For National Day Of Action On August 5, Demands Better Governance From Nigerian Leaders
The Coalition for Revolution has called on Nigerians to rise up and demand better governance from the country’s political leaders by participating in its National Day of Action on August 5. The event is in commemoration of the first anniversary of the #RevolutionNow campaign, which saw people across different parts of Nigeria on August 5, 2019 taking to the streets in peaceful demonstrations to ask for better leadership from the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. While stating that the plight of ordinary Nigerians were worse than it was last year, CORE said that the people could no longer watch and be oppressed by the country’ political leaders. In a statement, Co-conveners of the group, Baba Aye and Gbenga Komolafe, said that the time for action was now. The statement reads, “The situation in the country for poor people keeps getting worse. While poverty continues to increase for the many, the rate of stealing of monies that could be used to improve lives and livelihoods keeps accelerating, on a daily basis. Repression follows in tow, to stop questions being asked. And those who actually work, waged workers are underpaid and overworked. “The masses are fed up. This is the time to rise up and fight to break our chains. On 5 August, 2020, Coalition for Revolution will organise a national day of action in commemoration and continuation of its #RevolutionNow campaign.
“The situation of the country for poor working people was terrible when we flagged off the campaign last year. But now it is even worse. Every opportunity is used or created to loot. Agencies supposedly meant to assuage the lives of marginalised people like the NDDC for the poor people of the Niger Delta have become conduit pipes for billions of naira. “Rulers in government bend the law and create companies like Mr Bola Tinubu’s Alpha Beta to steal billions of naira from states and federal governments in the name of providing services. Even agencies supposedly meant to apprehend those stealing us blind like the EFCC have themselves turned into means of fraudulent enrichment for a few. “While governors and legislators in every state of the federation receive humungous amounts as salaries and allowances without taking their illegitimate self-enrichment into consideration, workers in at least a dozen states are yet to be paid the national minimum wage. And even some that pay the minimum wage either fail to put upward reviews of salaries generally in place, or have even gone further to slash wages, claiming these are contributions into COVID-19 funds. “Meanwhile, houses and workplaces of poor workers in the informal economy are pulled down with impunity. Tens of thousands have been rendered homeless and without means of livelihood as their workplaces are destroyed. Poor working people are not covered by social protection, while billions of naira disappear into several social intervention plans, which are actually “jobs for the boys”. “Enough is enough. We cannot let this situation continue. We cannot allow a few persons to throw the 99 per cent of the population of the cliff into the abyss of starvation and destruction. We will fight until victory, starting with the national day of action on 5 August.”
[BREAKING News] FG fixes date for NECO, NABTEB Examinations
The Nigerian Government has fixed the examination date for the National Examination Council (NECO) and the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB). In a statement on Wednesday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, the Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, NECO will commence on October 5 and end on November 18, 2020, while NABTEB will start on September 21 and end by October 15, 2020. He said the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajuiba, announced the dates at the end of a two-day meeting with Chief Executives of examination bodies in the country. Goong added that the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) into Unity Colleges will hold on October 17, 2020. He also said the Basic Education Certificate Examinations, (BECE) for JSS 3 pupils also conducted by NECO, will start on August 24 and end on September 7, 2020. The statement said registration for the NECO (SSCE), which is on-going, will end on the 10 of September 2020 with no option of extension.
Lagos Governor, Jide Sanwo-Olu To Meet Little Boy Who Asked His Mom To “Calm Down” In Viral Video
Governor of Lagos State, Jide Sanwo-Olu has expressed his desire to meet the young boy who was seen in a viral video, asking his mom to ‘calm down’ after offending her. He commended the young lad for his sobriety and urged Lagosians to emulate and demonstrate his sense of self-restraint at this time the world is combating the scourge of COVID-19. In his words; “I saw a video of one charming young boy online asking his mom to ‘calm down’ as she was set to punish him for his misdemeanour. I was moved by his sobriety, which reflected in his promise of “last chance”, when confronted with the fact that he is a regular offender. The exchange was indeed funny, but it depicts the efforts parents put in moulding children into responsible adults. I want to assume that his mom indeed calmed down because the appeal was moving enough to make anyone change their mind. Interestingly, the video inspired this special message to the good people of Lagos State because of the deeper meaning it conveys. Fellow Lagosians, we need to ‘calm down’ as we enjoy the coming holiday and festivity. It is a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s heart of sacrifice and faith in Allah. We need to emulate and demonstrate his sense of self-restraint at this time the world is combating the scourge of COVID-19. We need to be moderate in our celebration and also observe prescribed protocols towards defeating the deadly coronavirus, which are, maintaining social distancing, washing and sanitizing our hands, and using our face masks. The world needs responsibility and commitment of its people to oust coronavirus. I urge every Lagosian to ‘calm down’ and not get carried away by the ‘excitement of the moment’. Like the rest of the world, we are still in the middle of a pandemic and need to remain extremely careful to keep the gains of the sacrifices we have all made in the past months. Let’s calm down! Meanwhile, I would like to meet the young boy since we both have exclusive right to the phrasal verb ‘calm down”.
There Is A Cure For Coronavirus, No Body Deserves To Die —Donald Trump Insists
He said this during a press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on July 28, 2020 in Washington, DC, PEN reported. “It’s a recommendation of many other people, including doctors. Many doctors think it is extremely successful, the hydroxychloroquine. Coupled with the zinc and azithromycin. I happen to have taken it for 14-day period and I’m here. I happen to think it works in the early stages. Frontline medical people believe that too, some, many. So we’ll take a look at it. One thing we know it’s been out a long time, that particular formula and that’s essentially what it is, the pill, it’s been for malaria, lupus and other things. “It’s safe. It doesn’t cause problems. I had no problem. I had absolutely no problem. Felt no different. Didn’t feel good, bad or indifferent and I tested. As you know, it didn’t get me. And it’s not going to hopefully hurt anybody. So we know from that stand — because it’s been so many years, from a safety standpoint it’s safe. “I happen to think, based on what I read, I read a lot about hydroxychloroquine, I happen to think it has an impact especially in early years. There was very good tests, Ford. The doctor from Yale came up with a very, very strong testament to it. There was a large group yesterday that were put on the internet, for some reason the internet wanted to take them off. I guess Twitter took them off. I think Facebook took them off. I don’t know why. I think they’re very respected doctors.
Private universities are ready to reopen – Pro-Chancellors
The pro -chancellors of private universities have decried the continued shutdown of the country’ s ivory towers by the Federal Government since the outbreak of COVID -19, saying failure to reopen them will have adverse effect on the continued viability of the institutions. The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Private Universities urged the Federal Government to approve the reopening of private universities in August following sustained efforts to comply with the guidelines for reopening “ in view of the contributions that private universities have continued to make in the manpower training and development in Nigeria . ” “ Private universities are ready to reopen, having put in place all the necessary requirements and protocols specified by the Presidential Task Force on COVID -19 to ensure safe and secure campuses . We are prepared to open in phases , first with the graduating students , and probably with the first year students , ” the committee stated . A statement by the Head , Corporate Affairs Unit, Afe Babalola University, Tunde Olofintila , titled: ‘ CPCPU urges FG to reopen private universities’ , said the pro-chancellors made their position known in a communiqué signed by a former Minister of Education and ABUAD Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, at the end of an emergency online meeting of the CPCPU, which held on Saturday, July 25, 2020. The communiqué stated, “ Our universities have resolved to mobilise relevant resources in our universities across the country to undertake researches that address the challenges of the pandemic for the wider benefit of the Nigerian populace and the world as a whole . “ Indeed , further closure of our universities will be sounding a death knell to the continued viability of our institutions. In particular , the demise of private universities will increasingly become imminent and gravely undermine their role in assisting government in the provision of jobs , education for the populace and overall civil security . ” This, the pro -chancellors said , was in view of the fact that “ private universities rely solely on student enrolment and fees , which are only realisable if the universities are open . ” “ It is globally acknowledged that prompt solutions to economic, medical and scientific problems are best secured through the active participation of universities as knowledge workers through the performance of their teaching and research functions, ” the communiqué added . The pro -chancellors affirmed the need for special grants from the Central Bank of Nigeria and Tertiary Education Trust Fund to cushion the effect of COVID -19 pandemic and the request submitted to the CBN for dedicated fund as palliatives to private universities to facilitate their efforts in reopening their institutions.
“ Private universities remain fully committed to producing competent graduates in a timely manner through our ethical standards and settings , building credible leadership and followership for a better Nigeria . Thus , we seek the full support of government as is the case in advanced countries of the world , ” the communiqué stated. While faulting the lingering discrimination against private institutions in the various interventions by TETFUND , which are currently being enjoyed solely by public institutions, the pro -chancellors said , “ The plea is that the government should address this situation as the law setting up TETFUND expects it to intervene in all tertiary institutions without discrimination . “ Towards this end , and as a starter , the government should fund scholarships to support aspiring but indigent private university candidates as well as provide special grants towards enabling private universities reduce , if not eliminate , tuition fees across the board for their students . ”
PurpleWorld 