Education

Schools Resume in Ogun on 18th January

By Web News 667

Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has announced that all Primary, Secondary schools and Technical Colleges in the state would resume on Monday 18th January 2021.

In a statement in Abeokuta, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology Professor Abayomi Arigbabu urged parents, guardians, teachers, schools administrators and other stakeholders to ensure full compliance with all COVID-19 protocols.

Professor Arigbabu said with the emergence of the second wave of COVID 19, social and physical distancing should be maintained while large gathering such as assembly should be discouraged.

He also said that Isolation room, health clinic and bay already established in the schools should be functional and regularly maintained towards curbing the spread of the pandemic.

Bolanle Adesida

Security

Lagos CP Tasks Area Commanders, DPOs on Enforcement of Covid-19 Protocols

By Web News 517

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered the Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers in the state to enforce all COVID-19 protocols as highlighted by the Presidential Taskforce and Lagos State Government.

The police boss gave the ordered on Wednesday 30th December, 2020 while addressing the Area Commanders and DPOs at the POWA Hall, Oduduwa, Ikeja, amidst COVID-19 protocols.

The Commissioner of Police reiterated that they must enforce the use of face mask regularly at public places (markets/malls), social distancing, total closure of night clubs, Bars, lounges, event centres, no social party, street carnivals, use of infra-red thermometer to check body temperature, sanitizers and enforcement of the imposed curfew between 12 midnight and 4am.

He further ordered that all Area Commanders and DPOs must ensure such due enforcement in their various offices across the command; noting that COVID-19 was real and that everything possible within reach must be done to halt its spread.  

In the same vein, CP Hakeem Odumosu warned the Area Commanders and DPOs to adequately supervise their men for good service delivery and kick against incivility, drunkenness, excessive or misuse of power, accidental discharge, extortion and other inappropriate behaviours, as such will not be tolerated in anyway. “Anyone found wanting will be heavily sanctioned within the ambit of the law”. 

In the spirit of the season, the police boss admonished the general public to be law-abiding, support security agencies for effective policing of the state and stay safe at all times. 

E-SIGNED

SP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI(mnipr)

POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER 

LAGOS STATE COMMAND 

DATED 31ST DEC., 2020

Religion

Yuletide: Be mindful of COVID-19 protocols – Gov. Abiodun

By Web News 599

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has called on Nigerians to celebrate Yuletide with moderation in view of the astronomical increase in the number of COVID 19 cases in the country.

Governor Abiodun, who made the call  while speaking at the Christmas Carol and Service of Nine Lessons held at June 12 Cultural Centre Kuto Abeokuta, said the festivities could increase people’s risk of exposure to the virus. 

While pointing out that the second wave of COVID 19 was surpassing the level reached during the lockdown, Governor Abiodun urged Nigerians to take responsibility.

In his Christmas message, the National President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Reuben Olu-Oke, who explained that Jesus Christ came to the world for people to have life more abundantly, urged Nigerians to rededicate their lives to God.

Bishop Olu-Oke, while pointing out that Jesus Christ had paid the price of salvation for mankind, urged the people to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

The event, which was organized under strict rules for COVID19 safety procedures, had the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, royal fathers, political leaders, government functionaries and other dignitaries in attendance. 

Bolanle Adesida

Health

Covid-19: Oyo Surveillance Team Hails FRCN Ibadan’s Compliance

By Web News 732

The surveillance pillar of the Emergency Operation Centre on Covid-19 in Oyo State has expressed satisfaction over the compliance of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, to various safety protocols to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The surveillance team led by Mr Ojo Olaleye while on an assessment tour to the Broadcasting House of the corporation in Ibadan said Radio Nigeria had made adequate arrangement towards preventing the spread of the disease.

Mr Olaleye who appealed to management of FRCN Ibadan Zonal Station to sustain its efforts towards taming the disease from further spread, said Covid-19 patients in Oyo State have been responding positively to treatment of the disease.

Reacting, the Zonal Director, FRCN Ibadan Zonal Station, Alhaji Muhammed Bello represented by the Deputy Director Marketing, Mrs Bolanle Owoyemi said the station being the vanguard against the spread of coronavirus cannot but comply with Covid-19 safety protocols to serve as an example to others in the state.

Alhaji Bello said the station would continue to sensitize members of the public to adhere to various precautionary measures to contain the spread of the virus.

Rotimi Famakin

Environment

Nineteen thousand designated senior secondary exam centres will be disinfected – Minister of Environment

By Web News 659

Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar says the Ministry will disinfect all Nineteen Thousand designated Senior Secondary Examination Centers and also mount surveillance desks to monitor compliance to the Covid-19 protocols.

He stated this in Kaduna while briefing newsmen on the planned decontamination of schools by the Ministry.

Dr. Mohammad Mahmood AbubaKar explained that the ministry in collaboration with that of Education intend to disinfect of schools nationwide to protect the health of learners and caregivers.

He said the exercise which entails the use of environmental friendly and globally acceptable formulations will be administered by environmental health officers both at federal and states level.

The Minister maintained that when the need arises, the ministry will embarked massive decontamination in states to prevent dangers posed by the disease. 

In his contributions, Acting Registerer Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria, Dr. Yakubu Baba Mohammed said there enough manpower and skills to successfully carry out the task. 

Shindong Bala

Politics

Oyo Deputy Governor “Bounced” at Ajimobi’s 8th Day Fidau Prayers

By Web News 866

…Ajimobi family clarifies situation

A delegation of Oyo State Government led by the deputy governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan were turned back from entering the Oluyole residence of late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, venue of the 8th day Fidau prayer for the deceased.

Reports say security details attached to the venue resisted efforts of the delegation in entering the venue of Ajimobi’s Fidau, as they almost engaged in open confrontation with security details attached to the Oyo deputy governor.

Engineer Olaniyan was said to have left after making frantic calls to people believed to be close to the family.

Also on the delegation were the Head of Service, Alhaja Amidat Agboola and Commissioner for Lands, Barrister Abiodun Abdul-Raheem.

In a swift reaction, the spokesperson to late Governor Abiola Ajimobi; Mr. Bolaji Tunji, has clarified that Ajimobi’s family was not aware the Oyo deputy governor was going to attend the Fidau prayers, as neither the advanced team nor the protocol of the deputy governor informed them.

Mr Tunji in a statement said the Deputy Governor arrived after the prayer had started and that the event which was strictly a family affair was held in compliance with COVID-19 social distancing protocols with not more than 30 people in a place and seats arranged, accordingly.

“Through a serving Senator and a former Attorney General we tried to get in touch with the Deputy Governor that it was not to slight him and he could sit in a private sitting room provided by the family. Unfortunately, he had left. We however apologise to his Excellency,” the statement said.

Vanguard

News Analysis

Imperative of Schools’ Compliance with Covid-19 Protocols on Resumption

By Web News 808

As schools resume for another academic session, it is important for them to put in place necessary safety measures as stipulated by the Federal Ministry of Education.

The federal government last week approved what it called “Safe reopening of schools nationwide” as part of the next phase of the gradual easing of lockdown ordered to curtail further spread of Covid-19.

Though, only graduating students in primary 6, junior secondary school 3 and senior secondary school 3 will resume, higher institutions, daycare centres and other classes in primary and secondary schools, apart from final classes, will remain closed until further evaluation.

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, disclosed these at the daily briefing of the task force in Abuja.

Mr Mustapha said the reopening of schools was meant to allow pupils in graduating classes resume preparation for examinations.

However, the Federal Ministry of Education had issued guidelines for reopening which include use of distant learning centres and temporary shelters, disinfection and fumigation of facilities including hostel accommodation, with particular attention on those used as temporary isolation and treatment centres as well as use of infrared thermometers for temperature check.

It also wants schools to sensitise, train and build the capacity of teachers, administrators, and other education personnel to effectively use and comply with the school Covid-19 referral system and protocols for safe distancing and hygiene in schools.

The government has also lifted the ban placed on interstate travels with effect from July 1, provided such journeys are made outside curfew hours.

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force, P.T.F, on Covid-19 said President Muhammadu Buhari approved the extension of the Phase II of the lockdown by another four weeks with effect from Tuesday, June 30, 2020 through midnight of Monday, 27 July, 2020.

Similarly, Presidential Task Force Coordinator, Dr Sani Aliyu pointed out that the government had approved the safe resumption of domestic flights in the country and domestic aviation services while restrictions on mass gatherings and sporting activities remains.

While stressing that transporters must adhere to guidelines that will be released by the Federal Ministry of Transportation, passengers must maintain physical distancing, as well as temperature checks.

Dr. Aliyu added that state governments would inspect facilities and confirm compliance as a pre-condition for resumption of interstate operations by transporters.

As some students resume, it is of utmost importance that schools adhere strictly to the Covid-19 protocols of providing running water with soap, hand sanitizers, physical distancing and regular nose covering.

Parents should ensure they pay attention to the health of their children while at home by providing them with nose masks, hand sanitizers and regular hand-washing under running water.

Titilayo Kupoliyi