Oyo Lawmaker Walks Out Journalists From COVID-19 Probe
Rep. Adedeji Stanley Olajide representing Ibadan Southwest and Northwest Constituency of Oyo State, on Friday, pounced on and chased out journalists from a public hearing on COVID-19, held at the National Assembly. The Oyo lawmaker went berserk at the public hearing, organised by the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on COVID-19 on the need to investigate medical research in the fight against COVID-19 and other diseases in Nigeria. The event was attended by the minister of health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, minister of state for health, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, the director-general of NCDC, Dr. Chike Ihekweazu and other heads of agencies in the ministry of health. The fracas began when the event was ongoing. A member of the ad hoc committee had observed that the meeting room was crowded and sought the permission of the Chairman of the committee, Rep. Haruna Mshelia (APC-Borno) to cut the number of attendants. Consequently, Rep. Mshelia said that no more persons should be allowed into the hall, so as to maintain social distancing. “Please, we have the minister of health with us here and we have to adhere strictly to the PTF social distancing recommendations. So, Sergeant at arms, please, open the doors but don’t allow any more people to come in.
Ogun Extends weekend Lockdown by two weeks, Schools, Worship Centres Remained Shut
Ogun State Government will continue to be deliberate, cautious, focused and balanced in its approach and place highest priority on public safety over and above any other consideration in its efforts to flatten the curveof the dreaded COVID-19 virus in the State. The government’s position was contained in a Press Release issued on Friday in Abeokuta by Kunle Somorin, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun. The Statement noted that available data and opinions of experts continue to indicate that the fight against the virus is far from being won. To date, a total number of 4,072 people have been tested out of which 898 tested positive. Amongst the positive cases, 609 have been successfully treated and discharged. Sadly, there have been a total of 19 deaths with 270 active cases. One of our border Local Governments is one of the Local Governments with the highest number of cases in the country because of the level of testing. This high level of prevalence may also be obtainable in other Local Governments as we ramp up testing. All this emphasises the need for us to exercise high level of restraint as the State can neither afford more fatalities or allow the rate of sickness to outnumber the capacity to manage the sick. Consequently, we are extending our current Phase of eased restrictions for another two weeks. As usual, we will continuously review and modify the guidelines in response to data from the field and expert opinions. While noting the recent lifting of the ban on interstate travels by the federal government, the State will monitor this development to determine its impact on the COVID-19 situation and will not hesitate to make appropriate adjustment, in consultation with the federal government. Schools are to remain shut. A committee has been set up to engage all stakeholders – public and private school owners – and develop Guidelines for a safe reopening of our schools, especially to allow certificate classes to resume and write their examinations. The government reiterates that the following restrictions will remain in place. All 5 working days in the week (Monday to Friday) are still open for businesses and other economic transactions with only Saturday and Sunday as lockdown days; Commercial activities are not permitted on weekends Churches and mosques activities will remain closed; Observation of dusk-to-dawn curfew as directed by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) i.e. between 10.00pm and 4.00am daily; Wearing of face masks in the public is still mandatory; Only one passenger is still allowed for motorcycles and two passengers only for tricycles. Taxi cabs and buses still have 60% limitation on their carrying capacity and the measure to arrest and impound any driver that contravenes this in our State is still in force; The COVID-19 Task Force in markets must continue to ensure physical distancing, availability of hand washing facilities, and use of gloves and facemasks for traders; Decontamination will continue in our markets and other public places; Limitation of all gatherings to a maximum number of 20, is still in effect; Gyms, event centres, cinemas, arcades, bars, casinos, nightclubs, swimming pools, barber-shops, spas, beauty Salons, and all public parks, including those in private residential estates, are still not allowed to operate; Restaurants are permitted to provide only take-away services and should also ensure that there are no more than 10-15 customers at a time with physical distancing measures in place. Guidelines for eat-in services are still being fine-tuned; All industries in Ogun State must continue to comply with the “Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for Workplaces in Ogun State to Combat COVID-19” as issued by the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments. Therefore, testing of staff for COVID-19 in all industries in the State must be sustained; The Task Force set up to conduct random spot checks on the premises of the industries, restaurants and other business enterprises to confirm compliance is still in operation. Other precautionary measures still in force in Ogun State are: Funerals and wedding gatherings should not be more than 20 persons, including family members and officiating ministers/priests; There will still be restriction on sports and recreational activities; Bank/Financial Institutions are to continue their normal operations as allowed in Phase two; The Governor appreciates the understandingand cooperation of the people of the State and emphasises that despite all the restrictions and government efforts, each individual taking personal responsibility is at the heart of this joint effort to combat a common enemy. “We are confronted with tough choices in this fight with an invisible enemy. Our Administration will always err on the side of safety and security of our people without whom there cannot be a future not to talk of Building Our Future Together Agenda. The inconveniences imposed by the pandemic are regrettable but are smaller prices to pay than the safety and health of our people”, the Statement concluded.
Credit: Kunle Somorin Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ogun State.
Former Lagos state Governor,Ambode to replace Late Senator Osinowo in the Senate
Former Lagos state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has won the poll to replace Late Senator Osinowo in the Senate, representing Lagos East Senatorial District. 13 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State were reportedly indicated interest in contesting for the by-election to fill the position at the Senate. The former occupant of the position, Bayo Osinowo, died on June 15, 2020 after a brief illness said to be connected with COVID-19. According to the Punch, leading candidates for the position in the APC were Akinwunmi Ambode; a former occupant of the position, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, a former House of Representatives member, Dayo Alebiosu-Bush, a former Lagos commissioner, Tola Kasali; and the Director General of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri. For the PDP, the leading candidates include a former governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party, Babatunde Gbadamosi; the last PDP flag bearer for the position, Princess Abiodun Oyefusi; and a public relations expert, Adedipe Shobajo.
COVID-19: Goodluck Jonathan donates palliatives to 20 States
Nigeria’s former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has donated COVID-19 palliatives such as rice, beans, sanitizers and other sanitary materials to Internally Displaced Persons Camps (IDPs) in the FCT and 20 other states which includes Anambra, Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Bayelsa, Cross River and Delta States. Others are Edo, Ekiti, Kebbi, Taraba, Zamfara, Sokoto, Oyo, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers and Akwa Ibom.
Hushpuppi wanted by 47 countries as he lists crime partners – Kemi Olunloyo
Hushpuppi wanted by 47 countries as he lists crime partners – Kemi Olunloyo More troubles seem too loom ahead for the Nigerian Dubai-based big boy, Hushpuppi as 47 countries allegedly fight for his custody. This was revealed by Nigerian self acclaimed investigative Journalist, Kemi Olunloyo on Thursday evening, July 2, 2020. It should be recalled that Kemi broke the news of Hushpuppi’s arrest before it went viral hours later. She also revealed days ago that Hushpuppi and his accomplices have been extradited to the US which was later confirmed today by the Dubai Police. The investigative journalist who claims to have reliable sources in the InterPol and FBI has now said that 47 countries of the world are currently fighting for Hushpuppi’s custody. She also revealed that Hushpuppi has named several crime partners he has been laundering money for. Kemi then revealed the following names without surnames; “Linda”, “Dino”, “Bukola” as some of the persons Hushpuppi admitted to have laundered money for, with “huge percentage cuts” The journalist revealed that Covid-19 pandemic is what is delaying their arrest for the mean time.
Lagos JSS3, SSS3 students to resume from August 3rd
The Lagos State Government has reopened schools for students in “ transitional classes ” from August 3. The Lagos State Governor , Babajide Sanwo- Olu, made this known in a televised press briefing on Friday. He , however , clarified that though schools would be reopened for the transitional classes on August 3, students in Senior Secondary School three and Technical School three would resume first . He added that pupils in Junior Secondary School three students would resume in a week or two weeks after the SSS 3 students ’ resumption. The governor asked school authorities in the transitional classes to ensure adequate preparation for resumption ahead of August 3. He said , “ Tertiary institutions will remain closed . We continue to support online teaching during this period . However, students in the transitional classes who have mandatory public examinations ahead of them will be permitted to resume for revision classes and examinations. The commencement date for this opening will be from August 3, 2020. “ All education establishments are to follow established public health guidelines and protocol for re -opening the schools for these categories of students . ”
While making further clarification, the governor added , “ SSS three and TEC three students are to start ; for JSS3 we will wait for another one week or two before resumption. This permitted opening will for only day schooling. No boarding activities are permitted during this time . “ School Authorities are expected to spend the period between now and the day of re -opening to put in place infrastructure, protocols , and essential items required to comply with all hygiene , safety, and physical distancing requirements. ” The governor also noted that Primary Six pupils would be graded by their already recorded Continuous Assessment to pass over to secondary schools.
Lagos state govt seals 10 private schools for reopening
The Lagos state government has sealed ten private schools in the state for flouting the closure directive from the Federal and state governments on schools in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was revealed by the Lagos State Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, on Friday, July 3. Seriki-Ayeni who leads the Monitoring and Investigation team of the office, disclosed this during the second and third phase of the massive monitoring of private schools’ compliance to the directive to curb the spread of the pandemic in the country and the world at large. According to her, a large number of private schools visited across the state were found to have complied while the non-compliant schools were sealed. The DG did not, however, mention the names and locations of the defaulting schools. “No doubt, COVID-19 has had a negative effect on our schools but we want students to come out stronger and better. We want to make sure schools are closed. We also want to make sure schools are adhering to the closure directive since the number of COVID-19 infections has increased dramatically over time. This is a unique time in the entire world, therefore, it is only the living that learns.” she said Seriki-Ayeni warned of the danger inherent in the exposure and clustering of students in a class in the name of tutorials. She reiterated that any school found operating, while trying to beat government scrutiny without concern for the health and safety of pupils would be sealed.
Tens of thousands of Sudanese took to the streets demanding for justice
Sudanese demonstrators gesture as they chant during a protest on Sixty street in the east of the capital Khartoum, on June 30, 2020. Tens of thousands of Sudanese took to the streets in several cities and the capital calling for reforms and demanding justice for those killed in anti-government demonstrations that ousted president Omar al-Bashir last year. The protests went ahead with security forces deployed in force and despite a tight curfew since April designed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Leaders Of Tomorrow Are Youths Whose Action Thought And Will Show A Remarkable Growth- By Seyi Oyetunbi
Prof. Soyinka, Mr. Falana, SAN, Dr. Joe Igbokwe, Pastor Bakare, Mr. Mabiaku, Aisha Yusufu and others were out, fiercely protesting just a day after the hike in petrol price. These concerned individuals occupied Nigeria on the 2nd of January, 2012, following the removal of subsidy which came in as a warrisome New Year gift. Many of those who led and participated in the Occupy Nigeria mass action are now old, tired and deserve to ceremoniously retire from aluta and its activities.
Sadly, 8years after, things have become more worst. We’ve seen and felt 10times of every atom of malgovenance and maladministraion of the Jonathanian administration that prompted the mass action, tagged occupy Nigeria. Funnily enough, many of us, youths in the age bracket of 20 – 40 still want and expect the protestors of 8years ago to lead another. It is not only disappointing, it is shameful and mortifying.
A good number of the 2012 fighters of good governance paid through their noses for the democracy we have today. Its sustenance and timely critique should not be a thing for them to shoulder; not at their age. What are we doing, in all honesty, for our today and the today-of-our-children (our tomorrow)? With a numerical strength, an alarming number of youths amounts to laziness wrapped up in filthy selfishness and cowardice. The youths often run away to come again another day to meet the battered Nigeria in the hands of the plonkers sitting at the helm of affairs as they (rulers) have perfected the art of dissuading the naive youth of doing that which matters.
We can’t continue to mind our non-existing businesses, pretending not to be part of the failing Nigeria. The lifeline the Buhari led administration has enjoyed so far is the illogical acceptance of the governed to be ruled, subjugated and dragooned into the depth of poverty through their troubling silence. Right before our noses the unskilled 774,000 job creation is stalled over an obvious selfish agenda. The feigned disagreement between the parties involved in the job creation is yet another crystal clear testimony that we only have a government who creates problem for every problem, and as usual the masses (mostly youths) suffer for it. This is just a bit of the mammoth failure we’ve experienced since over 5years of this administration.
We don’t need Mr. Falana, Prof. Soyinka and others for a protest. Comrade Sowore is just a leg into 50, hence we don’t need him to beat the drum of revolution that should be hung on our necks. What we need as youths of a failed state or nation state is to muster our anger, frustration and determination just as it has happened in Sudan, China, Algeria and many other countries, and put an end to this misrule in its entirety.
Paul Wellstone opined that “politics is not predictions and politics is not observations. Politics is what we do. Politics is what we do, politics is what we create, by what we work for, by what we hope for and what we dare to imagine.” Our silence is accelerating the destruction of what we call nation. And these rulers don’t care, as much as we we don’t care either. The youths need to be up for a mass action frightening than Occupy Nigeria and the aborted Revolution Now, to say ‘enough is enough’
President Muhammadu Buhari, who received portions of the drug from Guinea Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, had said the drug would go through the verification process which other remedies for COVID-19 are being subjected to. The herb, called COVID-Organics, is a plant-based remedy produced in Madagascar and touted to cure the coronavirus disease. “The plantation is still there, but the process has not gone that much further. “We are looking into seeing what has held it up, but the plant is here; it was intended for producing anti-malarial, and the type we have here has a very high yield of artemisinin, which is the active ingredient. “The species we have here have been tested and they have a very high concentration of artemisinin. “To see whether it works against the coronavirus disease is what further research will have to bring.” The herbal remedy, a drink largely derived from artemisia which is a plant with proven efficacy in malaria treatment, was received in Nigeria in May. Further research on its efficacy will be conducted when the grants for the research are approved. “The so-called Madagascar herb is one component of the malaria treatment medicine. “Some years ago, the government imported this plant and has a plantation of it in trying to develop its production of the artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Speaking during the presidential task force COVID-19 briefing on Thursday, Ehanire said the government had imported the plant (artemisia) while trying to develop the production of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for anti-malaria some years ago. He said the Madagascar herb is a component for the making of malaria drugs. He, however, said the process has not made much progress, adding that further research would be carried out on the plant to check its effectiveness in treating COVID-19. “Preliminary results of the analysis of the so-called Madagascar herbs or organics done by the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) shows that it is the same as the plant called Artemisia anua, which is grown in the NIPRD farm in Abuja,” he said.
PurpleWorld 