By Oluwakemi Ishola

Oyo State on Tuesday recorded 11 fresh cases of coronavirus to take the state’s confirmed cases to 398. Despite the spike, the state retains its 7th position on the national COVID-19 log.

The new active cases were revealed in the routine update released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) late Tuesday. The Pacesetter Newsunderstands that the iSON Xperiences, which is the epicenter of the novel coronavirus in Oyo State has lion share of the fresh cases.

Till date, 13464 cases have been confirmed, 4206 cases have been discharged and 365 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory

Here is the breakdown of 663 new cases of #COVID19;

The 663 new cases are reported from 26 states- Lagos (170), Ogun (108), Bauchi (69), Ebonyi (49), Edo (33), Rivers (30), FCT (26), Jigawa (26), Delta (20), Anambra (17), Gombe (16), Kano (16), Imo (15), Abia (14), Borno (11), Oyo (11), Plateau (8), Kebbi (6), Kaduna (6), Ondo (4), Niger (2), Katsina (2), Osun (1), Ekiti (1), Kwara (1), Nasarawa (1)

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Chairman, All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Chief Akin Oke has lamented the death of his predecessor and one of the eminent leaders of the APC, Pa Samuel Farinu, as a great loss to the Progressive family of polical players across the nation.

Speaking on Tuesday at the home of the deceased in Oke Oroki Quarters, Oyo, Chief Oke, who led a delegation of the Party’s State Executive Committee, described late Chief Farinu as a strong pillar of progressivism who was not only loyal to the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, but also worked with others to facilitate good governance which had always been the hallmark of the reign of political parties with progressive ideology.

“We received the news of the death of Baba Farinu with a great shock because we would have loved to continue deriving maximum benefits from his wealth of experience, wisdom and guidance as a thorough-bred progressive politician, referred leader and patriot. But we found succour in the fact that he died a fulfilled man at the ripe age of 93 years.

“Chief Farinu took us through the thick and thin as progressive politicians in those years when some anti democratic forces confined us to the dustbin of opposition in the state and the country at large. He held sway until 2010 when I emerged his successor and after then, he never abandoned the Progressive family. He was always there for consultation and support up till the moment he breathed his last.

“But for the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, we would have been here in multitude from across the state to underscore the fact Baba Farinu is valued as our father and leader even in death. We come with a special condolence message from our principal and leader, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who is unavoidably absent in the state at the moment.

“It is our sincere prayer that by the time the final burial would take place, the global pandemic would have been over completely so as to afford us the opportunity to be part of the befitting burial programme which Baba deserves. However, we pray God almighty to grant him eternal rest and also give the families (including all of us in the APC) the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.” Chief Oke said.

In her response, the widow, Mrs Adetola Farinu, who spoke through Mrs Bola Ekundayo, thanked the delegation for the condolence visit and promised to reach out on the comprehensive burial programme for the deceased as soon as the family met and decided on it.

The delegation later visited the homes of Chief Akin Ojebode and High Chief S. M Akindele to register the Party’s condolences. The team comprised of the Deputy State Chairman, Chief ‘Lekan Adeyemo, State Secretary, Hon. Mojeed Olaoya, Prince Adefisoye Adekanye, Alh. AbdulRasaq Arikewuyo, Alh. Moruff Lamolo, Mrs. Mabel Williams (state woman leader), Barr. K. O Makinde, Hon. Ajibola Areokuta, Hon. Taiwo Ige, Mrs. Abiola Olaniran and Hon. John Fatona.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Former Asia State Governor and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Tuesday, returned to the Senate after spending six months in jail on allegations of corruption.

Senator Orji arrived at the National Assembly on Tuesday and is attending plenary.

Speaking to journalists before entering the Senate Chamber, the Senator said he was glad to be back to work and that he needs to hit the ground running to cover up for the loss of time to provide quality representation for his constituents in Abia North.

The former governor who was sentenced for a 12-year imprisonment, was released on June 2, 2020, from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja following an order by the Federal High court.

Senator Kalu, a two-term former governor of Abia State, had urged the court to set aside his conviction on December 5, 2019, by Justice Mohammed Idris. He explained that this became necessary since the Supreme Court, in its verdict delivered on May 8, 2020, held that Justice Idris gave the judgment without jurisdiction.

He was convicted for embezzling N7.65 billion belonging to the Abia state government. However, the Supreme Court nullified his conviction and ordered a retrial.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Hon Akinwole Akinwale , Wolekanle, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo state has doled out cash gift and pilgrimage slots to Mecca and Jesuralem to commemorate the 25th Year remembrance of his late father, Emmanuel Akinsami Akinwale

The late legal practitioner was a chief Magistrate in Oyo state during his life time.

Hon Akinwole who is also the initiator of “Ajilete Carnival and proprietor of Ogbomoso United said the decision to hold a low key remembrance for his late father was buoyed by the need to obey social distancing of COVID-19.

“My Dad meant a lot to me and I will continue to celebrate him, despite his short time on earth, his impacts and contributions to humanity cannot be erased and we children have vowed to continue to uphold his legacies”

At the prayer sesion of the late Akinwumi Akinwole’s grave, Wolekanle said;
“My father’s is a principled man but he took delight in making people happy, he is a cheerful giver who doesn’t discriminate or attached conditions before giving, all this we are trying to emulate”

“Though he died 25 year ago but his memory still lingers and we will forever remember him for the eventful and impactful life which he lived and contribution to the legal world especially in Oyo state and Nigeria in particular”

We are relaunching a foundation in his name very soon and the Non Governmental Organization will cater for the less privileged and aged people in the society,.Part of the program will also include educational support programme for the youths and others.

“To commermorate
the demise of my dad, Alfa Sakariyau Issa Alijafariya of Ward 3 Aguodo Masifa will go to the Holy Land of Mecca for Pilgrimage(Hajji) while Alagba Gokus of Osupa Ward 9 will also go to Jerusalem for Prilgrimage’.

Mr Sayo Alagbe, the first clerk that worked with the late Magistrate in his tribute said “Today is exactly 25 years that my former boss, late Emmanuel Akínsanmí Akínwálé, a Lawyer, notary public, Magistrate and bonafide father of a culture personified, football enthusiast and unsparing giver, Akínwálé Akínwálé shed off the toga of immortality for mortality’.

“May his gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace while l pray that God Almighty continue to uphold and bless Wolekanle and other children he left behind”.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has tested positive for coronavirus. He has directed his deputy to act on his behalf pending his recovery.

The state Commissioner for Information, John Kalu, made this known in a statement made to journalists on Monday. He said the governor has since gone into isolation as required by the protocols of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

According to the statement, “Recall that on Saturday, 30th May, 2020, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu volunteered his sample for COVID-19 test and subsequently directed members of the state Executive Council and those of the inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19 to submit themselves for the same test”

“On Tuesday, 2nd June, 2020, the result of Governor Ikpeazu’s test returned negative.

“On Thursday, 4th June, 2020, the governor submitted another sample at the Nigeria Center For Disease Control laboratory for confirmation and the result returned positive.

“As a result, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has gone into isolation, as required by relevant NCDC protocols, and he is being managed by a competent team of medical practitioners with a view to nursing him back to good health.”

Kalu added that the governor has directed his Deputy, Ude Chukwu, to act on his behalf pending his recovery and resumption of duties.