Sport

AFCON 2023: Bring the trophy back home – Minister charges Super Eagles

By Web News 424

By Olawale Asake

As Nigeria’s Super Eagles prepare to take on the rest of the continent at the African Cup of Nations, AFCON, the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan-Enoh has charged the team to imbibe the spirit of resilience and togetherness to bring the trophy back to the country.

In an address during the team’s farewell dinner, Senator Owan-Enoh emphasized the importance of wearing the Nigerian badge with patriotism at the tournament, urging the team to play for Nigeria and millions of football lovers at home.

“With over 200 million Nigerians eagerly watching and supporting, your performance holds the hopes and dreams of our entire nation,”  Senator Owan-Enoh stated, highlighting the immense significance of the team’s representation on the continental stage.

Acknowledging the comprehensive support provided by President Bola Tinubu in ensuring the team’s readiness, the minister urged the Super Eagles to use every opportunity from the very first game and keep progressing in the tournament.

“Take the fight to your opponents and show the Naija Spirit that you carry”, he charged.

Senator Owan-Enoh pledged his presence in Ivory Coast to offer on-ground support and work closely with the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to maintain focus and motivation within the team. 

“I assure you of undistracted support and endeavor to secure all that is rightfully yours, ensuring your representation of the fatherland is marked by your commitment.” the minister said.

In attendance at the dinner include, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu who hosted the dinner, the Super Eagles players, Coach and technical team members, the NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau and members of the board, and past president of the NFF, Mr Amaju Pinnick.

Nigeria is hunting for its fourth continental glory, after the triumphs of 1980, 1994, and 2013.

The Super Eagles will battle against Equatorial Guinea in its first game on Sunday, January 14th, before wrestling against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire four days later while their last group game will be against the Wild Dogs of Guinea Bissau on January 22nd.

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Lifestyle

Sanwo-Olu Condoles With Train Accident Victims

By Web News 588

Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sympathised with the victims of the train accident that occurred between a train and BRT Bus on Thursday morning.

Two people were confirmed dead while an unspecified number of people were injured after a passenger train crushed a Lagos State Government staff bus on its way from Ikotun en-route Alausa, the state secretariat, at the PWD area of the state.

In a message on his Twitter account, Governor Sanwo-Olu prayed for the families of the victims and appreciated the efforts of the rescue team.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the train/bus accident. The vehicle was conveying staff of the Lagos State Government, our staff who serve the state in different capacities. Let’s say a prayer for the families and a prayer of mercy and protection for our state.

“My thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. A big thank you to well-meaning Lagosians who immediately joined in rescue efforts. Our first responders and emergency services are on the ground and we will share more information shortly,” he tweeted.

Punch/Maxwell Oyekunle

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Health

Consider Malaria-Like Symptoms As COVID-19 Until Proven Otherwise – LASG

By Web News 668

The governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu wants medical workers and residents to consider malaria-like symptoms as COVID-19 until test proves otherwise.

He gave the advice while addressing a news conference at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

Emphasising that the second wave of the COVID-19 virus infection which spreads faster has proven to be more dangerous than the first wave, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged health workers and residents to maintain a high level of suspicion especially while treating malaria-like symptoms.

“Any malaria-like symptoms should be considered as COVID-19 virus infection unless and until otherwise proven. Any affected individual with COVID-like symptoms should proceed to any of our public health facilities and/or laboratories to get tested for free. The responsibility of fighting and defeating this Virus belongs to each and every one of us, and we must take this responsibility very seriously” He said 

The governor described the decision to reopen schools amidst the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as a tough but necessary choice as findings show that over twenty-four thousand pupils are yet to return to School after the first wave of the COVID -19 pandemic, hence the recent decision to open schools after due consultations with key stakeholders. 

While schools management have been mandated to adhere to all COVID-19 protocols, the governor promised that officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Education and Office of Education Quality Assurance would intensify monitoring to ensure full compliance and warned that the State Taskforce and Safety Commission would also continue with individual and corporate enforcement.  

The governor said: “I want to enjoin parents to ensure that the protocols of safety are adhered to in their homes and that they model responsible behaviour to their children at all times, in and out of the home. The Lagos State Government will deploy effective messaging and education while rigorously enforcing all guidelines through the respective State agencies. We will continue to clamp down on all persons and organisations who flout the protocols and guidelines we have established and we will not hesitate to bring defaulters to book”

Governor Sanwo-Olu renewed the appeal on Lagosians to mask up, observe social distancing and not to discriminate against those who are infected, and reassured them that pending the availability of vaccine, a robust testing, oxygen and home-based-care strategy have been put in place, even as more isolation centres are been reopened as a significant increase in bed occupancy from four per cent last year to seventy percent, this year is currently been witnessed.

He said so far, about five thousand COVID-19 cases have been managed under the home care strategy by @EkoTeleMed and advised anyone who has tested positive to access the service through the toll-free line: 08000EKOMED that is 08000356633.

“The telemedicine service is manned by professional medical personnel to help nurse infected individuals back to health. They also have the ability to assess the severity of patients’ conditions and facilitate the evacuation of worsening cases, if need be. The virus is not a death sentence, in most cases. Seeking help early and quickly significantly improves the chances of survival for severe to critical cases” He said.

Omolara Omosanya