Health

Ogun state government and the management of the Federal Medical Center FMC, Abeokuta, are partnering on further strategies to contain Covid-19 pandemic in the state.

The meeting which had in attendance the Ogun state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, Chief Medical Director of FMC, Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu and the center’s Head of Clinical Service, Dr. Fidelis Ojebilenu was held within the premises of FMC in Abeokuta.

Speaking after the meeting, Dr. Coker said that the purpose was to forge a way forward on how to tackle the pandemic headlong in the state and assured that the collaborative efforts will help the fight against COVID-19.

The Commissioner who pointed out that the pandemic required strategic planning, execution and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, expressed optimism that the COVID-19 scourge will in no time be contained throughout the length and breadth of the state.

The CMD of the FMC, Prof. Musa-Olomu while speaking, appreciated the leadership of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) for their generous and prompt donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the hospital and commended the efforts of the state government against the pandemic.

Wale Oluokun

Crime

Ogun State Police Command says it has launched an investigation into the abduction of a police officer and the killing of a commercial motorcycle rider along Abeokuta-Ayetoro road by suspected herdsmen.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the command, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi made this known while reacting to the Save-Our-Souls letter written by the lawmaker representing Egbado North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency of the State, Mr. Olaifa Aremu over the incidents in his constituency.

The police spokesman said investigation had already commenced on the incidents

The lawmaker had in the letter described that attack as a dastardly act on residents of his constituency.

Mr. Olaifa called on security agencies in the state to device more proactive measure to end the herdsmen attack in the communities.

He also pleaded with Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene on the attacks in the area by reconstructing the roads and deploy security agencies to the communities.

Wale Oluokun

Agriculture

Ogun state Joint Technical Task Team on movement of food and agricultural inputs have been told to be proactive in resolving issues related to making food available to the populace from the farms.

The state coordinator of Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Ganiyu Oseni gave the advice at state headquarters of the Nigeria Police, Eleweran, Abeokuta during the inauguration of the committee.

The state coordinator said the task team was set up to mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19 on the agricultural sector.

Mr. Oseni hinted that the committee was to ensure the removal of bottlenecks encountered by farmers in moving their agricultural products including inputs from one location to the other considering the increased check points occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The committee named the Joint Task Team on emergency response to COVID-19 on challenges of movement of food and agricultural inputs in the country has the representative of the Nigeria Police as the Chairman, and members drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp, NSCDC, All Farmers Association, National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, while the representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is to serve as the Secretary.

The Joint Technical Task Team has four terms of reference including issuance of clear instructions to all security personnel and propagation of adequate information clarifying the controlled movement of food stuffs, livestock and agricultural inputs to achieve food sufficiency, during the ongoing fight against COVID-19 pandemic and afterwards.

Health

The Ogun state government has condemned reckless filming of a dying person claimed to be the video of a 25-year old young man who died in an isolation center.

A statement by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker made available in Abeokuta said that there is no 25-year-old Male admitted into any of the isolation centers in Ogun state.

The statement said the arrangement in the state isolation wards are spacious to meet with the social distancing regulation stipulated by World Health Organization, WHO, contrary to the space displayed in the propaganda video.

Dr. Coker said that the bank logo on the cabinet also showed that it was donated by the said bank which is a sign that the place in question is not an Ogun state isolation center, as Ogun state government did not receive relief material from the bank. 

The Commissioner said that none of Ogun state isolation centers is painted in the color also shown in the footage.

Dr. Coker said it was inappropriate for a hospital environment meant for taking care of the sick, to be turned into a place where such frivolous video would be recorded.

She described the action as disheartening.

Wale Oluokun

Agriculture

This year’s planting season and distribution of farm inputs to first batch of three thousand five hundred cassava farmers have been unveiled by the Ogun state government as part of efforts to alleviate poverty and boost food security in the state. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony held at farmers’ market Asero Abeokuta, Governor Dapo Abiodun said his administration was poised to use agriculture, especially cassava farming to boost job creation for the youths.

Our correspondent Bolanle Adesida completes the story.

“Addressing the gathering, Governor Dapo Abiodun explained that the three thousand five hundred cassava farmers drawn from twenty local government areas of the state through the Anchor Borrowers Programme, ABP, had been funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN. 

Governor Abiodun who said the beneficiaries were also provided with inputs, including fertilizers, herbicides and disease resistant cassava cuttings said extension agents had been deployed at the three thousand five hundred cassava farms for hitch free inputs distribution and cultivation. 

The governor pointed out that additional two thousand five hundred hectares of land had been cleared in 16 locations for another batch of cassava farmers registered under the ABP, with the assurance that the CBN had earmarked five hundred and thirty million naira for the project. 

Governor Abiodun said sixty thousand people had been registered for seven commodities under the Anchor Borrowers Programme and urged investors to partner the government. 

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture Dr. Adeola Odedina had explained that necessary measures had been put in place for the successful implementation of the programme. 

Dr. Odedina who commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for the ongoing agricultural revolution said the state was committed to boosting the economic status of the people through the agriculture”.

Bolanle Adesida

Health

Resident Doctors at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, are to embark on a three-day warning strike from Monday 4th of May.

The doctors in a notice letter to the state government made available to newsmen in Abeokuta said the strike followed the refusal of the State government to yield to their agitations on the need for better welfare package.

The doctors through the letter accused the government of insensitivity to their plights.

The doctors said they decided to go on strike because of the noncommittal response to several letters written to the government and bemoaned the attitude of the government to the previous warning letters written to the government.

They however, exempted their members working at the COVID-19 Isolation center in the hospital from partaking in the strike.

The strike notice letter was jointly signed leaders of the resident doctors of the OOUTH, Dr. Popoola Mutiu and Dr. Osundara Tope.

Wale Oluokun

Environment

Ogun State government has called on corporate organisations including banks, industries, large and small scale enterprises in the state to decontaminate their premises ahead of resumption of skeletal activities.

The Commissioner of Environment, Mr. Abiodun Abudu-Balogun made the call in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta.

He said the measure was desirable due to the large volume of customers visiting their premises for transactions and the need to complementing the state government’s efforts at flattening the curve of the coronavirus pandemic in the state.

Mr. Abudu-Balogun said the corporate bodies would complete the circle of war against Covid-19 by decontaminating their premises to help stop the spread of the pandemic.

The commissioner also urged them to enforce government directives on the pandemic through wearing of face masks by their workers and visitors, keep social distancing and provision of hand washing materials with sanitizers.

He also advised the companies to contact the Ministry of Environment for assistance in decontaminating their premises and general environment when the need arise.

Wale Oluokun

Health

Health workers at the Ogun State COVID-19 Testing Centres have commenced the use of protective glass box instead of the usual disposable Personal Protective Equipment, PPEs, while collecting samples for screening. 

The State Ministry of Health, had recently announced that the unique Protective Glass Box was more reliable against infection compared with the PPE which could expose the user to risk at the point of removal. 

The Ministry said in a statement in Abeokuta that health workers operating behind the glass box only had to extend their arms through the built-in hand gloves compartment to take samples of persons at the other side of the box. 

It noted that trained hygienists would ensure the disinfection of hand gloves compartment after each use to enhance the safety of health officers collecting samples for screening. 

The statement indicated that a number of suspected patients who presented themselves for testing at the centre on reasonable grounds were given their results promptly. 

It added that a state government delegation led by the Deputy Governor, Engineer Noimot Salako-Oyedele and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker had recently visited the newly unveiled Walk-in and Drive-through Testing Centre at the Ijamido Town Hall, Ota for assessment.

Oluremi Olugbenro

Economy

Roads and market stalls in Abeokuta the Ogun state capital are deserted with few persons on essential duties moving while the markets are empty following the lockdown been observed twenty-four hours to the commencement of the Ramadan fast.

However, some dignitaries including former governor Ibikunle Amosun have started another round of empowerment to assist Muslims and other residents to cope with the harsh economic situation caused by the lockdown to combat COVID-19.

Correspondent Wale Oluokun has the details.

Wale Oluokun

Judiciary

Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu has ordered the immediate release of two hundred and forty nine inmates from five Correctional centers across the state.

The Chief Judge in a statement made available in Abeokuta said the release of the inmates was based on the Federal government’s decision to decongest Correctional centers to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Justice Dipeolu disclosed that those released were men and women with minor cases of stealing, burglary, assault among others.

She explained that forty eight inmates were freed in Ijebu-Ode, forty one in Sagamu, seven in Ago Iwoye farm settlement, fifty four were released in Ibara, thirty two in New Oba Prison, while sixty seven inmates were released at Ilaro Correctional centers.

The Chief Judge hinted that the decongestion would improve social distancing measures which would reduce the spread of the virus at the Correctional centers.

She advised the released inmates to go back to the society and be useful for the entire nation and refrain from criminal acts.

Justice Dipeolu added that those being considered where those having little years to complete their jail terms, old ages, those that have not meet up with fines, those that have spent 50 percent of their jail terms and those on medical related matters.

She further explained that some inmates awaiting trial, ought not to remain in custody, where matters for which they were charged for was not murder or armed robbery were also considered.

Justice Dipeolu said that cases discovered that the prosecution were moving at slow pace or not heard at all, were also pardoned.

The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Akingbolahan Adeniran, in a reaction, hinted that the federal government’s directive to decongest the centers, led to granting the unconditional pardon and clemency to the convicts serving various terms in the Correctional centers across the state.

He said, the governor approved the exercise in line with federal government’s directive to decongest the prisons, following the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus disease, currently ravaging the entire world.

Economy News

In a bid to soften the harsh effects of the lingering lockdown on vulnerable members of the society, wife of the Ogun state governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun has offered support to widows and children in the state through the provision of basic materials for their use. 

Mrs Abiodun while giving out the palliatives, including food items, snacks and educational materials said the gesture was necessary as incentives to help the vulnerable groups to cope with the prevailing economic condition. 

The wife of the governor who was represented by the wife of the Permanent secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Omolola Osota distributed the relief items to widow groups registered with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

A director in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Bolanle Fadairo who received the relief items on behalf of the commissioner noted that the efforts of the governor’s wife would help to ameliorate the hardships faced by women, particularly widows in the state. 

Some representatives of the groups, including Pillar of Life Widows Foundation and NASFAT Widows Foundation, Abeokuta Branch also applauded Mrs. Abiodun for reaching out to them at this critical period of the lockdown.

In the spirit of Easter celebration, the representative of the governor’s wife also visited many homes to present gifts to pupils, including an eleven year old Segun Olutokun in Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta, a ten year old Modupe Kayode, in Ilisan, Ikenne Local Government Area and eleven year old Ilerioluwa Sosanya, in Isara, in Remo North Local Government Area of the state. 

According to a statement by the Press Officer, office of the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Kemi Oyeleye, and appreciable quantity of the relief materials had also been allocated to the wives of chairmen across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state for distribution to children in their council areas.

Oluremi Olugbenro

Security

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, is engaging residents of riverine communities along the Nigerian – Benin Republic border towards enforcing the restriction of movement on the creeks and waterways.
Ogun State Commandant of Corps, Mr Hameed Abodunrin who made this known to Radio Nigeria in Abeokuta said 570 officers and men of the Corps had been deployed at strategic locations to ensure the total lockdown directed by President Muhammadu Buhari against the spread of covid-19.
Mr Abodunrin said personnel from the marine section and disaster management unit of the state command were detailed to riverine communities around the international borderline to monitor identified creeks and waterways for compliance.
He maintained that the Corps had adopted non custodian arrest approach in handling violators of the lockdown by delaying them for about one hour before allowing them to go back home.
The NSCDC State Commandant said the community leaders, led by Chief Ezekiel Tundonu from Whekan town in Ipokia Local Government area of Ogun State and youth groups in the border communities had been trained to enlighten others on the need to adopt precautionary measures against the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Oluremi Olugbenro

Health

Residents of communities in Ogun Central and Ogun West senatorial districts of the state have benefited from the distribution of relief materials by the wife of the Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun.

Mrs Abiodun who spoke with journalists after the distribution said the gesture was to assist the less privileged especially the vulnerable during the stay at home order by both the Federal and Ogun state governments.

Represented by the wife of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs Omolola Osota, the wife of Ogun State Governor maintained that it was crucial for the aged and the vulnerable to be catered for particularly at this period when the young ones who could cater for their needs would also be indoors.

Mrs Abiodun advised the people to continue to observe all the precautionary measures and directives laid down by the government, promising to further extend the gesture to other parts of the state.

Olusegun Folarin

Crime

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Ogun State Command, Area One says the death of a passerby at Agosasa, Ipokia Local Government Area of the state was due to the villagers’ connivance with smugglers to attack the officers with petrol bombs and other weapons during an operation.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada while speaking with Radio Nigeria on the incident said only two persons were injured during the face-off between smugglers and the customs men.

Mr Maiwada stated that smugglers have continued to defy various means to continue their economic sabotage noting that the command will not relent at enforcing the ban on smuggling.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Police Command, Alhaji Abimbola Oyeyemi while also confirming the incident on phone said he was awaiting the brief on the incident from the Divisional Police Officer in Ipokia.

Wale Oluokun

Health

The Ogun State enforcement task force on non-gathering for Prevention of covid-19 has dispersed some residents of Abeokuta for violation of the state government order against gatherings above twenty persons and above.

More than twenty-five Muslim faithful had converged on Najomo Mosques at car wash Area in Adatan to observe the jumat prayers against the warnings of the league of Imams and Alfas and the state Government to avoid such gathering.

The Imam of the Mosque who is also a lawyer, Alhaji Moshood Taiwo told the task force that they were only fifteen in the mosque when he commenced sermon.

The Wakheel of Muslims in Yorubaland, Edo and Delta State, Alhaji Iskeel Lawal who was with the enforcement team described the Imam’s action as clear violation of the law and the Islamic faith.

The commander of the task force, Chief Superintendent of Police, Mr. Toyin Afolaogun, after dispersing the congregation said no stone would be left unturned to ensure the health of the public is secured.

Wale Oloukun

Health

Ogun State government has blamed the prevalence of tuberculosis in the society to poor access to healthcare services especially among the less privileged.

Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun made this known in a statement in Abeokuta through her media aide, Kemi Oyeleye to commemorate the 2020 World Tuberculosis Day.

Mrs Abiodun who described tuberculosis as one of the major causes of death in Nigeria said there was the need for stakeholders to work together to ensure people have access to quality healthcare services in the state.

The wife of Ogun State governor explained that the celebration of the World Tuberculosis Day with the theme “It’s Time” was to the draw attention of relevant stakeholders on the need to reduce stigma and discrimination as well as to build accountability.  

She pointed out that Ogun State has 306 DOTS sites for TB services which increased from 216 DOTS sites in 2018 across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state while TB diagnosis remained free to patients. 

Mrs Abiodun said eighty-three per cent of a total of three thousand, one hundred and two cases managed in 2019 were successfully treated.

Olusegun Folarin

Health

As of 09:45 am on 23rd March, (Source: @NCDCgov ) the number of Covid-19 cases in Nigeria is thirty-six with thirty-three active ones, a total of two people discharged with one person dead.

Lagos has twenty-five cases, the Federal Capital Territory, F.C.T, with six, Ogun State has two cases, Ekiti, Oyo and Edo states with one case each.

The first Covid-19 case in Nigeria was reported in Lagos on the twenty-ninth of last month.

Some of the preventive measures to prevent the disease are frequent washing of hands with soap using running water as well as the use of hand sanitizer.

Most of the banks and corporate offices visited in the Ibadan metropolis had sanitizers at their entrances for use by their customers.

Some residents who spoke with Radio Nigeria emphasised that they had been conscious of their level of personal hygiene.

However, there were no precautionary measures in markets as the traders were more concerned about their sales.

Some of them lamented the low level of patronage as most people were indoors.

They, however, called on the government to put mechanisms in place to control the spread of the Covid-19.

Titilayo Kupoliyi

Sport

Ogun State Government has promised to provide a system that can be used to develop athletes that will compete for laurels for the state and Nigeria at large.

The State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun stated this while receiving the Torch of Unity of the 20th National Sports Festival tagged Edo 2020 at the forecourt of the Governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. 

Governor Abiodun who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele explained that the national sports festival was an opportunity to bring the youth together, develop and discover new talents.

The governor admonished the state’s contingent to be of good conduct by following instructions of health and security personnel in order to achieve success at the festival. 

In a chat with newsmen at the event, Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Dr Oluwadare Kehinde expressed optimism that team Ogun would do the state proud at the festival.

The Director of Sports, Ogun State Sports Council, Mr Adesola Faleti who said the state would participate in thirty-two sports, added that all the state’s athletes have resumed camping ahead of the festival.

Olusegun Folarin

News

Forty contacts of the index case of coronavirus in Nigeria under quarantine have been reunited with their families after they tested negative to the virus.

Ogun state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker who made this known in Abeokuta while giving update on management of the index case said those reunited with their families include the second positive case that has now tested negative. 


The Commissioner thanked the people of Ogun state for their vigilance and urged them not to relent by continuing to observe their high level of personal and respiratory hygiene.

Dr. Coker thanked the Federal Government and collaborating agencies for their support and response to contain the outbreak of coronavirus in the country.

She assured that Ogun state government would continue to deploy technology to the remote areas for surveillance and risk evaluation and management to keep the people safe.

Wale Oloukun

Crime

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office, on Thursday arrested 48 suspected internet fraudsters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The suspects, many of whom claimed to be undergraduates, range between the ages of 18 and 28 years.

They were apprehended at locations around Alabata area of the ancient town, following actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet-related crimes.

Among the suspects are: Anwinilomo Tomisin, Ayeni Ifedapo, Melojuekun Oluwatobi, Adeyemo Stephen, Gideon Achuka, David Mulero, Owolabi Abraham, Toheeb OlabanjiTe Teslim Kasali, Jide Abiodun Emmanuel, Alli Emmanuel Oluwaseun, Adeniyi Sultan, Ejiro Daniel, Chima Emmanuel, Adejare Oyebajo, Dike Chukwuebuka, Emeka Ikegbunam, Daniyi Tobiloba, Tomiwa Ibironke, Daniel Onnorom, Quadri Ayaniyi, Victor Solomon, Ayeni Oluwatosin, Adegbenro Emmanuel, Abdulrauf Adam, Daniel Praise, Biyi Adegbamigbe, Adeyinka Ibrahim, Sadiq Sanni, and Ibikunle Ajibola.

Others are: Stephen Matthew, Ayoola Ifekolade, Dapo Shobayo, Idowu Familusi, Ayodamola Fagoroye, Segun Raheem, Fuhad Arowolo, Favour Ekeh, Akinlabi Royal, Kolade Nwachukwu, Kayinde Ajibike, Kunle Adejumo, Matthew Adedotun, Adewunmi Samuel, Olusoji Fiyin, Olanrewaju Michael, Ola Ayomide and Dairo Emmanuel.

The early morning raid also led to recovery of valuable items, including three exotic cars, mobile phones, laptops, and SIM cards, from the suspects.

The suspects will soon be arraigned in court.

Sunday Ogunyemi

News

A lecture to commemorate the 2020 International Women’s Day has been held in Abeokuta, Ogun state, with a call for increased sensitization to policies that will involve women in policy making in the country.

The lecture which was organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, women committee, Ogun state wing, held at NLC Secretariat, Leme, Abeokuta. 

Oluwatoyin Adegoke

Yoruba

Ajo eleto ilera agbaye, WHO, ti gbe ipolongo lori a ti dena arun Korona laarin awon omo ileyi, gba odo awon olori esin lo ni ipinle Ogun.

Ilaniloye lori ati dena arun naa ni won se fun awon Lemomu ati Alufa ninu Mosalasi Ilu Egba, to wa ni Kobiti, nilu Abeokuta.

Akoroyin wa j’abo iroyin wipe awon akopa ninu ipolongo ilaniloye naa ni won kojopo lati awon Mosalasi  ati legbelegbe ijo Musulumi kaakiri ijoba ibile to wa nipinle Ogun.

Wale Oluokun

Health

World Health Organisation, WHO, has taken the sensitization for the prevention of Coronavirus among Nigerians to religious leaders in Ogun State.

The sensitization workshop for the League of Imams and Dawah workers was held at the Egba Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta.

Radio Nigeria reports that the participants were drawn from Mosques and Muslim Organisations from the twenty local government areas of the state.

Wale Oluokun

Yoruba

Ìjọba Ìpínlẹ̀ Ogun ti gbé àwọn ilé isẹ méjìlá kan tipa lágbègbè Ogijo ńipinle náà, nítorí titipa sofin atìlànà toromo biba àyíká jẹ.

Alákoso foro àyíká ńipinle náà, ogbeni Abiodun Abudu-Balogun tó lé waju ìkórè nidi ètò itopinpin náà, ṣàlàyé pé, àwọn gbé àwọn ilé isẹ náà tipa nítorí báwọn nkan ti pèsè bayika dọ́gba, pẹ̀lú àfikún pé, ìjọba kọ́ni sí àwọn ilé isẹ náà, afìgbà tiwọn bá s’afihàn ọ̀nà tiwọn fegbegba láti fòpin sí biba àyíká.

Alákoso náà tẹnumo pé, ìjọba tó wà lóde báyìí ti ṣetán láti gbé ilé isẹ yòówù tó bá ń kó ìnira báwọn èèyàn agbègbè ibi tó wà tipa laifi bose tóbi tó tàbí igbanisise, Ogbeni Abudu-Balogun wá gbawon ilé isẹ yòókù tó wà nìpínlè Ogun táwọn ko ti fowokan níyànjú láti sọ abo àyíká dore wọn, kí wọ́n tótó rẹ sije akọmona, nítorí pé ìjọba kọ́ni faaye gba àyíká bibaje àtàwọn ìwà kòtò min-ín sayika.

Dada Yemisi/Ogunkola Kemi