Environment

Gov. Abiodun Promises Road Repair of Lagos-Ota Expressway

By Web News 550

By Abimbola Bamgbose

An end is about to come to the hardship motorists go through on the Lagos- Ota-Abeokuta Expressway.

This is as the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has promised to commence the constitution of the road soon

The governor also disclosed that the Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, powered Mass Transit Buses would be launched next week Monday, 30th October.

Speaking at this year’s Odun Omo Owu celebration with the theme “A New Dawn” held at Oba Adeleye Park, Sokori, Abeokuta North Local Government Area, Governor Abiodun equally said his administration had commenced the construction of a Dry Port at Kajola whose multiplying effects would further open up the State for investments.

Governor Abiodun who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, said the conversation of the mass buses to CNG, was part of the palliative measures taken to lessen the effects of fuel subsidy removal, saying Ogun State was the first in the country to record such achievement.

While highlighting the creation of the Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency, OGUNIPA, and the establishment of the Ogun State Business Environment Council OGBEC, as some of the steps taken to boost investments and eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, Governor Abiodun declared that the State is the third in Internally Generated Revenue and the third largest economy in the country.

The governor who described the theme of the festival as apt, said the nation has witnessed a new dawn with the recent judgement of the Supreme Court that reaffirmed the election of President Bola Tinubu, noting that the nation would soon take her rightful position in the comity of nations as a result of the various policies introduced to reshaping the nation’s economy.

Abiodun who described the Odun Omo Owu celebration as a veritable platform to showcase the rich culture of the Owu people, noted that in Yoruba history, they have demonstrated bravery, strength of character and cognitive capacity, adding that the kingdom has produced notable Nigerians who have made meaningful impact locally and internationally 

In his remarks, the Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola, commended Governor Abiodun for his love for culture and tradition, calling for the quick resolution of conflicts amongst sons and daughters of Owu for the rapid development of Egbaland, Ogun State and the country as a whole.

Politics

Obi Promises Meaningful Life for Nigerians

By Web News 592

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi has promised to provide adequate security of lives and property, unite Nigerians and create enabling environment devoid of ethnicity.

Mr Obi made the promise during his presidential campaign at Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

He also pledged to create jobs for Nigerian youths, make Nigeria a production country and ensure agriculture development for export.

Mr  Obi who had earlier paid homage to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mahood Balogun and inaugurated Obi-Datti Campaign office at Oke-Ado, Ibadan said the glorious pacing setting status of the city would be restored and Lagos to become the financial hub of Africa if he is elected president come 2023.

 The National Chairman of, the Labour Party, Mr Julius Abure called on the people of South West, Nigeria to use their democratic power to change government wisely, stressing that his party has human beings at the centre of its welfare programmes.

Labour Party chairman of Oyo state, Mr Sadiq Atayese said the current Nigerian situation required a different thinking approach and urged Nigerians to desist from voting trading.

Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in Oyo state, Alhaji Tawfiq Akinwale urged Yoruba people to vote for Peter Obi for his detribalized nature.

A leader of the socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo explained that there was a need for voters to choose leaders based on competence and ability to ensure true federalism and not on ethnic sentiments.

The Spokesperson for Peter Obi presidential Campaign Council, PCC, Dr Yunusa Tanko explained that Mr  Obi and the Labour Party symbolized the hope and happiness Nigerians are yearning for.

Highlights of the campaign rally which had Labour Party supporters across the six Southwest states in attendance were the presentation of the party flag to the Oyo state governorship candidate of the party, Alhaji Tawfiq Akinwale for campaign coordination, goodwill messages from students and coalition groups.

Sherifdeen Nasirdeen

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Foreign

Russia Promises Belarus Iskander-M, Nuclear-Capable Missiles

By Web News 471

Russian  President, Vladimir Putin says, the country will send nuclear capable short-range missile systems to its ally Belarus in the coming months.

He said Iskander-M systems “can fire ballistic and cruise missiles, both conventional and nuclear types”.

The systems have a range of up to 500km (310 miles).

Report says, tensions between Russia and the West have escalated, following President Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine on 24 February.

Mr Putin has made several references to nuclear weapons since then, which some have interpreted as a warning to Western countries not to intervene.

Speaking in St Petersburg, Mr Putin said Russia would help to modify Belarusian SU-25 warplanes so that they could carry nuclear weapons, in response to a query from Mr Lukashenko.

Meanwhile several explosions were reported in Kyiv on Sunday morning, the city’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

“Ambulances and rescuers are on site. In two buildings, the rescue and evacuation of residents is under way,” he added.

According to report, a residential complex in the city had been hit.

Taking the city means Russia now controls nearly all of Luhansk region and much of neighbouring Donetsk – the two regions that form the vast industrial Donbas.

In his video address late on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged to take back “all our cities” occupied by Russia.

But he said the war with Russia had entered an emotionally difficult stage and he did not know how many more blows and losses there would be.

On Friday night Russia launched a barrage of missiles at targets in the north and west of Ukraine. At least three people were killed and more may be buried under rubble in the town of Sarny west of Kyiv, a local official said.

Some of the rockets were fired from Belarus, Ukraine said. Belarus has provided logistical support to Russia but its army is not officially taking part in the conflict.

Ukraine’s intelligence service said the missile strikes were part of Kremlin efforts to draw Belarus into the war.

Russia’s capture of Severodonetsk comes ahead of a week of Western diplomacy, with US President Joe Biden flying to Germany for a G7 summit followed by Nato talks.

In recent months, the Western alliance has shown signs of strain and fatigue but on Saturday UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Ukraine could win its battle with Russia.

“Now is not the time to give up on Ukraine,” he said.

On Sunday Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who is due to attend the G7, said he would urge the Ukrainian and Russian leaders to restart dialogue.

“War has to stop and global food chains need to be reactivated,” he said.

At Saturday’s televised meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko in St Petersburg, Mr Putin said: “We have made a decision: within the next few months we will hand over to Belarus the Iskander-M tactical missile systems.”

He said all the details of the transfer would be worked out by the ministries of defence of the two countries.

Iskander missiles have already been deployed in Kaliningrad, a small Russian Baltic exclave between Nato members Lithuania and Poland.

The Belarusian leader said Lithuania’s move was “a sort of declaration of war” and “unacceptable”.

Steel and some other Russian goods come under the EU sanctions imposed over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Lithuania says its measures affect only 1% of the normal Russian goods transit on the route, dismissing Russian talk of a “blockade” of Kaliningrad.

BBC /Taiwo Akinola

Health

“We’ll Continue To Curtail The Spread Of Lassa Fever” – Oyo Govt

By Web News 574

Oyo State government on Thursday reiterated its continuous efforts at curtailing the spread of the outbreak of Lassa fever since the first case in January 2022.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bode Ladipo, in a statement, available to Journalists in Ibadan on Thursday said that Four (4) health workers were confirmed positive for Lassa fever, while three out of them consisted of two (2) Doctors and another hospital staff died despite all efforts at caring for them by experts.

He explained that the state has recorded Nineteen (19) confirmed cases, noting that resources have been deployed to designated health facilities to forestall the spread of this disease across the State.

Ladipo maintained that the Surveillance activities have been heightened at the grassroots across the State, adding that access to care has been provided to all individuals at risk of this disease.

He enjoined individuals having symptoms such as fever, sore throat, vomiting, general body weakness, chest pain, back pain, cough, diarrhea, swollen face, eyes or neck, stomach pain or bleeding from ear, eyes, nose, mouth or any other body openings to report promptly to the nearest health facility or call the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on 08095394000 or 08095863000.

He implored all residents of the State to avoid contact with rats, contaminated of food items by rat feces, urine, and other body fluid while maintaining strict personal and environmental hygiene, noting that the virus causing this disease is transmitted from infected rats to humans or an infected human to other humans.

Ladipo charged all health facilities across the State to maintain a high index of suspicion and report all suspected cases to the LGA or State Health Authorities, adding that the provision of qualitative health care is a joint responsibility of all.

“I am here today to address the unfortunate incidence of the death of health workers of a private health facility in the State from Lassa fever. Four (4) health workers were admitted into the treatment center in the early days of the week. Upon diagnostic investigations, all four (4) were confirmed positive for Lassa fever. Unfortunately, three (3) of them died despite all efforts at caring for them by experts.”

“Oyo State Ministry of Health has continued to make frantic efforts at curtailing the spread of the outbreak of Lassa fever since the first case in January 2022. Nineteen (19) confirmed cases and four (4) deaths have been recorded so far. Surveillance activities have been heightened at the grassroots across the State. Access to care has been provided to all individuals at risk of this disease. Resources have also been deployed to designated health facilities to forestall the spread of this disease across the State.”

“The public is therefore admonished to remain calm while ensuring adherence to strict preventive measures. Individuals having symptoms such as fever, sore throat, vomiting, generalized body weakness, chest pain, back pain, cough, diarrhea, swollen face, eyes or neck, stomach pain or bleeding from ear, eyes, nose, mouth, or any other body openings should report promptly to the nearest health facility or call the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on 08095394000 or 08095863000.”

“It is important to note that the virus causing this disease is transmitted from infected rats to humans or an infected human to other humans. The Ministry hereby implores all residents of the State to avoid contact with rats, contaminated food items by rat feces, urine, and other body fluid while maintaining strict personal and environmental hygiene. “

“We implore all health facilities across the State to maintain a high index of suspicion and report all suspected cases to the LGA or State Health Authorities.
Let me at this juncture note that the provision of qualitative health care is a joint responsibility of all. Together we can curb the spread of Lassa fever in Oyo State.”

Adewumi Faniran /PR

Health

Gov. Makinde Promises To Prioritise Eye Care

By Web News 643

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is taking proactive steps in the prevention of visual impairment and treatment of other eye challenges.

The new Commissioner For Health in the State, Dr. Taiwo Ladipo, made the disclosure at a news conference held in ibadan, the state capital in commemoration of the 2021 world sight day, with the theme “love your eyes”.

The Programme was also used to flag off-world sight day walk and free screening, with the provision of glasses for civil servants, in collaboration with the ophthalmological society of Nigeria, lions club international district 404b, Rotary Club International, and global vision support international.

According to Dr. Ladipo, ‘the present administration is working to ensure all citizens across the state enjoys good health. We should all note that we all need to join hands in reducing the global burden of people living with eye defects. Getting involved in world sight day is by making a commitment to “love your eyes” pledge to have a sight test or care for your eyes and encourage others to do the same by making a pledge too.’

He stated that in a bid to address the bigger picture of eye health in Nigeria and the global level, ‘there is need to encourage awareness of eye health, get a sight test, and recommend others to do same. Other involvements include being involved in encouraging elders, children, friends, and family members about getting eye checks, sponsor an eye check and glasses donations for employees, which the government of Oyo State is doing today.

Dr. Ladipo, who noted that billions of people around the globe are functionally blind because they don’t have access to eye examination and care, stated that if the population of Nigeria is 180 million, it means 1.8million people are functionally blind based on the international acceptable percentage.

He explained that Governor Makinde had supported a series of free eye screening and treatment across different local government areas in collaboration with different partners, saying ‘free eye surgeries were carried out at ring road state hospital and different local government areas. ‘Today, we are here to help create awareness on prevention of visual impairment and treatment of other eye challenges.’

Radio Nigeria gathered that at least 360 persons have benefitted from free cataract operations in 2021 alone, under the Omituntun free health mission of Governor Makinde, apart from the distribution of more than 3,000 eyeglasses, and eye treatment for more than 1,000 persons with the provision of free medications.

Nafiu Busari