News

Owo Church Attack: Govt. Constitutes Donations Oversight Committee

By Web News 452

The Ondo State Government has constituted a 5-member committee to oversee the judicious management of donations by spirited individuals and organizations for the victims of the June 5 terror attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo.

The committee is headed by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa while members are Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Adebunmi Osadahun ;  the Special Adviser on Union Matters, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye and the Parish Priest of St. Francis Church

According to the Commissioner, the Council approved that a bank account is opened to manage the donations by spirited persons and organizations to assist the victims. 

Mr. Akinterinwa said the Council acknowledged and appreciated the prompt response of  Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to the unfortunate incident by setting up and coordinating the State Emergency Response team led by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka.

The Commissioner disclosed that the Government had also created a website www.owomemorial.com for interested members of the public to obtain authentic information on the attack.

Mr Akinterinwa informed that the council reiterated the need for amendment of relevant constitutional provisions and laws in the country towards safeguarding the lives and property of the citizens.

He said that the council also frowned at the inappropriate collection of multiple fees at the Akure Airport and subsequently set up a committee headed by the Deputy Lucky Aiyedatiwa to liaise with the management of the Airport Authority and address the issue.

Isaac Afolabi

Agriculture

Southwest Has What It Takes For Massive Rice Production – Stakeholders

By Web News 613

The ban on the importation of rice by the federal government is opening up ways for large scale production of rice in Ondo State.

In an attempt worth describing as Back To Land, the Ondo State government and stakeholders in rice cultivation are beginning to explore mass rice production.

Correspondent Oye Agunbiade in this report examines this efforts and the future of rice cultivation in the state.

Oye Agunbiade

Education

COVID-19: Ondo Approves Reopening of Schools

By Web News 854

The Ondo State Government has approved the reopening of public and private secondary schools for the purpose of writing SSCE by affected students.

In a circular made available to Radio Nigeria , the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology gave conditions for the reopening of schools.

Read the circular:

RE-OPENING OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ONDO STATE FOR THE CONDUCT OF SENIOR SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS

Sequel to the release of a comprehensive schedule for the conduct of the various National Examinations by the Federal Government after the series of meetings with the Chief Executives of examination bodies in the country, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ondo State wishes to notify you about the approval to re-open all the public and private secondary schools in the State on 4’“ August, 2020, for the students in SSS 3 class only for the purpose of writing the Senior School Certificate Examinations (WAEC and NECO). Please note that the approved dates for the conduct of the examinations are as stated below: ‘

(i) WAEC SSCE : 17th August till 18th  September. 2020

(ii) NECO SSCE : 5th October till 18th November, 2020

As a way of preventing the spread of the COVID-l9 pandemic among the

3. students, the following conditions must be satisfied by schools:

(i) Schools are to open From 8 am to 2 pm, Mondays to Fridays.

(ii) Disinfection and mmigation of all facilities must be carried out at least a week before resumption

(iii) Hand washing spots should be provided, to guarantee regular washing of hands by learners and teachers.

PR

Health

Ondo Govt. Enhances Immunisation against Child Killer Diseases

By Web News 780

Ondo State Government says it has increased number of days and duration for immunization against child killer diseases.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro made this known in Akure at a one day media sensitisation workshop on measles. 

Dr Adegbenro said the step became necessary as all attention had now shifted to the prevention and treatment of the rampaging coronavirus at the detriment of other vaccine preventable diseases such polio, measles among others.

He said immunisation days in government hospitals across Ondo State had been increased from three to five days while it was now three days in maternity centres as against the initial one day.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr Francis Akanbiemu had urged mothers in the state to present their children for immunisation as the health facilities had been adequately protected against Covid-19 infection.

Dr Akanbiemu, who hinted that Ondo State had achieved eighty five percent immunisation against measles, said there were enough vaccines for all child killer diseases.

The sensitisation workshop which attracted journalists in the state was organised by the Primary Healthcare Board in collaboration with UNICEF.

Bukola Bardi

News

We Will Pick Children Hawking on the Streets – Ondo Govt.

By Web News 663

The Ondo State Government says it will start picking children found hawking on the street at this period to juvenile detention.

Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Dr. Doyin Odebowale made this known in an interview with Radio Nigeria in Akure.

Dr. Odebowale said schools were closed to allow the children to stay at home and be safe from the spread of coronavirus.

He however expressed displeasure with parents who sent the children to the streets to hawk without considering the fact that the virus was easily transmissible

Dr. Odebowale advised residents to continue to observe all measures put in place by government to avoid coronavirus as the pandemic was not over yet.

Aderibigbe/Okinedo

News Analysis

Examining the Efforts of Ondo State Government at Preventing Coronavirus

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Coronavirus, also known as Covid-19 is one disease that is currently ravaging the world with so many deaths recorded and new cases reported by the day.

Nigeria happens to be one of the countries of the world facing the challenge of coronavirus as it was imported into the country in February by an Italian national who has now recovered from the disease.

The entry of Covid-19 into Nigeria no doubt sent shivers down the spines of every Nigerian for the fact that it has no cure for now and that it is highly infectious, killing people by the day especially In Asia, Europe and America.

Since the emergence of this disease in Nigeria, the federal government has deployed all necessary measures to contain its spread while ensuring that victims get the best of medical care to prevent death from coronavirus.

Governors of states where confirmed cases of coronavirus have been announced have also put in place various safety measures to stem the tide of the viral disease.

It is noteworthy that even states where a single case of Covid-19 infection has not been recorded, are not leaving anything to chance in ensuring that the disease does not catch them unawares.

One of such states is Ondo, where the government wasted no time in announcing some safety measures towards preventing the entry of coronavirus into the state and also contain it in case of any eventuality. 

The first step was to embark massive media awareness campaign sensitizing people on the dangers of Coronavirus and the need to increase both environmental and personal hygiene especially regular hand washing with soap and running water to keep it away.

Another step being taken by the Ondo State Government against Covid-19 is the activation of its rapid response mechanism, mounting of surveillance on all border towns, ban on interstate travels, the closure of schools, markets, and worship centres.

Besides, the government has also directed workers on grade level one to twelve to work from home while Governor Akeredolu has also cancelled all official activities for two weeks, all in the bid to reduce the chance of contracting the disease.

Other safety measures are the ban on political gathering, social gathering and the convergence of more than fifty people at a time.

The government has also set up a task force to ensure total compliance with the shutting of markets, worship centres.

To cap it all, Governor Akeredolu directed all members of the state executive council to proceed to their local government areas to sensitise the people on the deadly virus.

An awareness video post by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

These steps have no doubt helped Ondo State in keeping coronavirus away thus becoming the only state in the Southwest of Nigeria that has not recorded any confirmed case of Covid-19.

While the government, through the Ministries of Health and Information has promised to introduce more precautionary measures against the disease as the days go by, residents are also calling on the government to sustain the tempo to help Ondo state remain coronavirus-free.

Stakeholders believe that if this is done, more people will live beyond the pandemic.

Adebukola Bardi

Security

Police to Begin Enforcement of Ondo Government Orders

By Web News 666

Police in Ondo State is to begin the enforcement government’s orders to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the state.

The Police Commissioner, Mr Undie Adie made this known during a joint briefing with Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in Akure the state capital.

Mr Undie expressed worry that some residents were still flouting government directives put in place to check the deadly virus.

The commissioner reemphasized that only those selling medicine, water and food items would be allowed to continue to render such services.

Earlier, Governor Akeredolu reaffirmed the ban on markets, shops, bars, clubs as well as religious and social gatherings.

The governor reiterated the administration’s resolve to try as much as possible to keep the state free of Covid-19.

Olorunferanmi Odofin