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COVID-19 UPDATE: Oyo Adds New Cases, Now 11th on the National Log

By
Peter Ayoade
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Oyo State has recorded eleven additional cases of coronavirus bringing the number of confirmed cases to 118. The state is now 11th on the Nigeria COVID-19 log.

The new active cases were revealed in the routine update of information released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) late Sunday night.

Also, the agency also 338 cases of the deadly virus were recorded on Sunday May 17, 2020, in FCT and seventeen states of the country.

Totak confirmed cases in Nigeria now stand at 5959 with 1594 patients discharged and 182 deaths.

Here is the breakdown of the new confirmed cases in Nigeria:

177-Lagos            64-Kano            21-FCT

16-Rivers              14-Plateagu        11-Oyo

9-Katsina               4-Jigawa          4-Kaduna

3-Abia                    3-Bauchi           3-Borno

2-Gombe               2-Akwa Ibom    2-Delta

1-Ondo                   1-Kebbi             1-Sokoto

BREAKING: Akeugbagold Twins Abductors Arrested by Police

By
Peter Ayoade
-

There is a strong indication that the abductors of the twins of the popular Ibadan-based Islamic scholar, Sheik Taofeek Akeugbagold, might have been arrested by officers Oyo State Command of Nigeria Police.

A short message made by the Sheik Akeugbagold on his official Facebook account, on Sunday night, points to that fact.

He wrote:

“Judas betrayed JESUS,YUSUF broths sold him off,Bn Ubay betrayed Muhamad(S.A.W)A judas beside me invites THEM .Up NIG police!”

“AKEUGBAGOLD TWINS,A TESTIMONY OF ALLAH’S LOVE.”ALUQURANI OSE RIFIN,ALUFA ODODO OSE DITE,BARENI TODITE..OTASIKO T’AYE AWO ESIN WON”

DETAILS SHORTLY….

There is a strong indication that the abductors of the Twin of the popular Ibadan-based Islamic scholar, Sheik Taofeek Akeugbagold might have been arrested by officers of the Oyo State Police Command.

A short message made by the Sheik Akeugbagold on his official Facebook account on Sunday night alludes.

He wrote:
“Judas betrayed JESUS,YUSUF brothers sold him off, Bn Ubay betrayed Muhamad(S.A.W). A Judas beside me invited THEM .Up NIG police!”

“AKEUGBAGOLD TWINS, A TESTIMONY OF ALLAH’S LOVE.”ALUQURANI OSE RIFIN,ALUFA ODODO OSE DITE,BARENI TODITE..OTASIKO T’AYE AWO ESIN WON”

Details shortly…..

Covid-Organics: Madagascar President, Buhari’s Minister attack W.H.O 

By
Peter Ayoade
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  • Say no country can stop ‘herbal formula’ 

The President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, believes the only reason the World Health Organization (WHO) and the western countries have refused to treat Madagascar’s herbal remedy for the novel coronavirus with sense of urgency and respect is that it comes from African continent.

The WHO and scientists from the west have consistently warned against the use of Madagascar’s Covid-Organics as the efficacy of the herbal product is unproven.

In response to the W.H.O’s concerns, Rajoelina in an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24 and RFI, said the drink is derived from artemisia – a plant with proven anti-malarial properties – and other indigenous herbs. He expressed his frustration over the West’s usual condescension toward Africans.

He said, “African scientists should not be underestimated. Our Covid-Organics is preventive and curative remedy. The proof of the herbal tonic is its efficacy in the “healing” of “our patients. What if this remedy had been discovered by a European country, instead of Madagascar? Would people doubt it so much? I don’t think so”.

“What is the problem with Covid-Organics, really? Could it be that this product comes from Africa? Could it be that it’s not OK for a country like Madagascar, which is the 63rd poorest country in the world… to have come up with (this formula) that can help save the world?” asked Rajoelina, who claims the infusion cures patients within ten days.

“No one will stop us from moving forward – not a country, not an organisation,” Rajoelina said in response to the discouraging remarks from the W.H.O and the western countries.

Reminding viewers that Madagascar has a long history of traditional medicine, Rajoelina pointed out that many pharmaceutical drugs authorised in the West have turned out to be harmful, such as the Mediator weight loss drug in France.

Information obtained by the Pacesetter News from Worldometer’s COVID-19 data shows that as at 17.30 GMT Sunday May 17, 2020, Madagascar has recorded 304 coronavirus cases. Only one death has been recorded with 114 patients fully recovered from the deadly disease.

According to the president, the patients who have healed have taken no other product than Covid-Organics.

In the same vein, President Buhari’s Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barr. Festus Keyamo, has joined the Malagasy President in the attack on the United Nations’s agency, W.H.O.

Keyamo via his verified Twitter account @fkeyamo wrote: I really don’t know why there’s so much fuss about the Madagascar recipe. Why heavily criticize what a country has discovered to make people recover NOW from the illness, whilst we continue to wait for the almighty vaccine from the @WHO? Or is it because it is an African country?

“Put in another way, why can’t we make do with what we have NOW, until we get what the world is waiting for?”

Despite the reservations, several African countries, including Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, DR Congo, Tanzania, Niger, Equatorial Guinea and Liberia, have taken deliveries of their consignments from Madagascar free of charge.

SERAP to Buhari: Emulate Namibia, Ban Car Perks for Presidency, MDAs

By
Peter Ayoade
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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to follow the good example of Namibian President, by issuing an Executive Order to ban purchase of new cars by the presidency and MDAs for the rest of his second term.

Namibia’s president, Hage Geingobon, had last week reportedly imposed a five-year ban on buying of new cars for top politicians and government officials in order to redirect the funds to fight COVID-19 in his country.

In an open letter dated 16 May 2020, and signed by its Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the urgent need for high-ranking public officials and politicians to demonstrate the constitutional oaths of absolute loyalty to the public interest and the common good. As trustees of Nigerians’ public funds, your government, the National Assembly and governors are accountable to the public for the use of those funds.”

“The expenditure of public funds requires the highest degree of public trust. It is the constitutional duty of every public official to protect and preserve the public interest in public spending. As the government prepares to finalise the proposed amendment to the 2020 budget, we urge you to immediately impose ban on the purchase of new cars by the presidency, and to encourage the National Assembly and the 36 state governors to do the same, and to ensure that public funds are used for the benefit of the public.”

“Copying the Namibia example will also show that public funds will be spent for the benefit of the people, and not as a prerogative for the advantage of the government or the benefit of public officials.”

“SERAP also urges you to consider banning spending on generators in the presidency, and cutting spending on items like furniture and fittings, refreshments, catering services and purchase of kitchen and household equipment.”

“SERAP remains concerned that several state governments are failing to pay workers’ salaries, and that the Federal Government is failing to pay pensioners’ entitlements. This is a clear violation of the right to work recognized under article 6 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which Nigeria is a state party. The right to work is essential for realizing other human rights and forms an inseparable and inherent part of human dignity.”

“According to reports, Namibia’s president Hage Geingobon on Thursday imposed a five-year ban on buying new cars for top politicians and government officials from buying new cars in order to redirect the funds to fight COVID-19 in his country.”

“This presidential directive is expected to save the country some 200 million Namibian dollars (US$10.7 million), which would then be directed to “to urgent priorities, specifically at a time when the country is dealing with the health and economic implications of COVID-19.”

“We hope that the aspects highlighted will help guide your actions in acting to ensure and promote the public interest and the common good in public spending.”

SERAP in the letter urged President Buhari to use the savings from the ban to support students of tertiary institutions across the country with a view to reducing the impact of COVID-19 and the lockdown on them and their parents, and to improve access to healthcare for all Nigerians.

JUST IN: Makinde Pays Condolence Visit to late Commissioner’s Family

By
Peter Ayoade
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The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Sunday afternoon paid a condolence visit to the immediate family of his late Commissioner Kehinde Ayoola in Ibadan.

Makinde, in the condolence register, described the late Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Ayoola, as a dedicated and loyal friend.

The Governor had on Thursday, in a statement, described late Ayoola as a dear friend and  colleague.

According to Makinde, he met late Rt. Honourable Ayoola in 2002, when they both worked together as members of the Fortune Group for the election of Senator Rasheed Ladoja.

“He also served as the Director General for my 2015 campaign and the Deputy Director General for my 2019 campaign. He was a loyal friend with a dedication to duty that cannot be questioned. He will be sorely missed for his great oratory skills and his love for the people of Oyo Town and Oyo State. May his soul rest in peace.”

Reminiscences of my Relationship with Kehinde Ayoola |By Prince Adetayo Adekunle

By
Peter Ayoade
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Thomas Campbell probably had Rt. Hon. Kehinde Ayoola in mind when he submitted that “to live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die”.

One may also not be wrong to have concluded that Hon. Ayoola imbibed the famous dictum of Albert Pike “what we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal” as his guiding principle.

In my tribute titled Kehinde Ayoola: Like a Candle in the Wind which was published by many media outlets on Friday May 15, 2020, I noted that it will be impossible to document what transpired between the late Kehinde Ayoola and I in a single writeup.

Now let’s go down the memory lane for some reminiscences.

When the Oyo State Government appointed me as Asoju Odo (Youth Representative) on May 7, 2014, I went to see him at Omi Titun Office immediately and showed him the appointment letter.

I informed him that on moral grounds, I won’t be able to join the Omi Titun campaign structure to work against Gov Abiola Ajimobi/APC who gave me the role. I submitted that such act would be morally reprehensible but I appealed that he shouldn’t allow that to draw a wedge in our relationship.

Hon. Ayoola’s response was that “this is a very bitter pill to swallow but I concur with your decision. May the Lord be with you”.

A few months after this development, I introduced a monarch who had financial challenges to him and pleaded for his kind assistance.

To cut the long story short, Rt. Hon. Kehinde Ayoola facilitated the gift of a Toyota Salon car and cash from Engineer Seyi Makinde for the distressed monarch.

That singular intervention was the icing on the cake for the embattled monarch.

Such was the kindheartedness of the deceased. Goodnight Uncle!

Prince Adetayo Adekunle, M.SC, MCPA is a an Ibadan-baded public affairs commentator

Condolence Visit: Much Ado About Nothing  by Omo-Iya Kunmi

By
Peter Ayoade
-

In barely 3 days after the death of the late former speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly and the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, some fellows have stirred up some controversies as to why the Governor of the state, Engr. Seyi Makinde, who had a very close relationship with the deceased and considering the deceased efforts during the governor’s bid for the seat, had not deemed it fit to visit the family of the late Commissioner.

Despite the fact that the state government delegated a team which included the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief Press Secretary and led by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan to pay a condolence visit to the family, yet some believed it was not enough.

One would have thought those who raised the concern did it genuinely, but its so appalling that the insitigators are not only being selfish but inconsiderate for choosing to play politics with the death of Rt. Hon. Kehinde Ayoola. They have gotten their hypocrisy wrapped in a cloth of pity all to incite the public’s emotions against the Governor.

Someone even went as far as writing an open letter to share his ‘sentiments’ about the governor not visiting the family. Cheap score! Mad crave for popularity, if you ask me!

Edakun, kini tiyin? Did the family of the late complain to you? Yeah, the governor had a close relationship with the deceased and that should tell you its possible the man is finding it difficult to come to terms with the death of his close ally.

Some time in 2016, I lost my school mother, aunty Lola. Until her death, we were so close. We spend weekends together in her fiance’s place in Ibadan, I sleep in her room and I had my copies of the keys of everything she owned that had locks. Thats to tell you how close we were.

When she died and her corpse was to be taken to Ibadan for the burial, I couldnt face it. I couldnt bring myself to look at her corpse. I didnt want anyone to console me. I instead asked my mom to come from Oyo to attend. I stayed back in my room crying and wasting away. It took me weeks to recover.

For those who have been there before, we should know that we react to grief differently. You can never speak for anyone on this issue. Let who ever chose to visit the family, do so in good faith. Visiting doesn’t mean you love him and not visiting does not prove he didnt mean anything to you. Abi whats the point in engaging in cheap eye service?

Do not allow the hypocrisy of individuals who reek of political sentiments and prejudice get to you.

Let the dead sleep in peace!

Omo-Iya Kunmi wrote from Oyo Alaafin

BREAKING: Oyo COVID-19 Confirmed Cases Hits 107. •Situation Under Control – Makinde

By
Peter Ayoade
-

Oyo State has recorded 31 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the state to 107. The State is now 12th position on the Nigeria COVID-19 log. 

The Executive Governor of Oyo State and Chairman Oyo State Taskforce on COVID-19 made this known via his official facebook page

According to Makinde, “the COVID-19 confirmation tests for thirty-one suspected cases came back POSITIVE. Thirty of these cases are members of staff of the same organisation based in Ibadan South West Local Government Area. The organisation has been shut down and will be decontaminated”

The governor urged members of the public to remain calm as the situation is under control. He said the state Taskforce has Intensified contact tracing.

“The remaining one case is from Egbeda Local Government Area. So, the total number of confirmed cases in Oyo State as at 8 PM today, is 107”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Control of Disease (NCDC) on Saturday 16th May 2020 has confirmed 176 new cases in the FCT and 13 other states.

According to NCDC via its Twitter handle, total confirmed cases in Nigeria now stand at 5621; 1472 have been discharged and 176 deaths have been recorded so far.

Here is the breakdown of the new confirmed cases of COVID-19:

95-Lagos      31-Oyo           11-FCT

8-Niger          8-Borno          6-Jigawa

4-Kaduna      3-Anambra     2-Edo

2-Rivers         2-Nasarawa    2-Bauchi

1-Benue         1-Zamfara

 

COVID-19: The Gimmicks of NCDC Plc

By
Peter Ayoade
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COVID-19: Between the Sickness and the Business (The Gimmicks of NCDC Plc)

By Stanley Ajileye

The 2019 Model/Edition of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) is real and it may have come to stay, as predicted by my General Overseer, Pastor E. A. Adeboye during the first week of this endemic.

The truth is however that, in the midst of this reality, is a subtle magnification of the potency of the disease for financial gain of some.
My mission here is not to delve into macro analysis of the political economy of Covid-19, on this, I retain my stand with Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, whose exposition about the disease being an alibi, created to cover-up the potential danger of the 5G Telecom invention, is being confirmed in latest developments.

My mission here is to examine the roles of the “Brother Jeros” committee called Naotiinal Commission for Disease Control (NCDC Plc).
One has continued to wonder at the contradiction that exist between the overwhelming campaign on the dreadfulness of the disease and the care-free attitude of NCDC when it comes to the aggregate sincerity in the actual management of the confirmed cases.

We have heard tales of woe from various commoners on isolation across the country; where they are served ‘Vitamin C’ as immune booster and nothing more. Some of them who are not as lucky, are made to call their people to buy them vitamin c or even paracetamol from home. We are all living witnesses to the protest from one of the isolation centres in the northern part of this country, where they matched out of isolation because of high level starvation.

Why is NCDC so bent on isolation of people, when they can as well remain at home and take vitamin C and several other medications that have proved relative success.

The truth is that, thousands of households may have contracted COVID-19 and got rid of it locally without NCDC knowing about it.

Honestly, with everything one have read about Covid-19, the pandemic (or endemic as we may soon discover) is not as sturbbon as Malaria or Typhoid fever which Nigerian has put under reasonable control.

Nigeria will not gain control over Covid-19, if our Brother Jeros at NCDC is allowed to continue on this smooth ride. They love to exaggerate the might of the pandemic, in orde to continue to enjoy financial patronage from donors.

One question that is begging for answer, is why NCDC is so secretive about the available medications? Why is the committee playing the cards so close to its chests?

If patients of Tuberculosis are not on isolation, if they can be treated in our local clinics, why not Covid-19?

Majority of people who were alleged to have died of Covid-19 today, may have been killed by other ailments they were managing, which our isolation centres were not concerned with. If such people still had access to their doctors, who are familiar with their medical history, they may live.

Now the whole economy of Nigeria is in convulsion while the ministry of Brother Jero is flourishing: Both international and local donors including churches and other corporate bodies, are falling on one another in palliative contest, yet, only our Brother Jeros are smiling to the banks.

For instance, there is this grapevine report making the rounds on social media. I have tried without success at confirming the veracity of the report that the nation within the first two weeks of the pandemic spent N100 billion on palliatives. I am sure no government official will say this. The total population of Nigeria is about 200 million. Everybody knows that the ridiculous palliatives were scattered around few places in selected cities; with some households in Lagos getting as little as a single sachet of tomato and less than 1kg measure of rice.

How such a huge figure of N100 billion came to be, remains a big question.

With Covid-19, it is business as usual for our Brother Jeros. While the nation was on lockdown, the bank accounts of our Jeros were ajar- the principal purpose for the unnecessary quarantine.

Their devious plan blindfolded them to the extent of inserting into the maiden Presidential broadcast, such clause as the continuation of “school feeding system” during the lockdown when no school is open. It is business as usual.

To come out straight, NCDC may not in the real sense of its operation, be anything more than a business outfit of some few individuals, decorated with togas of life-savers.

By their operations, safety of lives is the last thing on their mind. That explains why they hardly respond to distress calls from individuals that manifest symptoms of Covid-19. In most cases, the call lines were either non-functional or deactivated.

Their operations are secretive and underlaid with unpardonable lies. While the whole nations were forced to stay in door, the flew in Chinese Engineers to install 5G on our streets under pretexts that the men are health workers sent from China to assist us in the fight against Covid-19. I challenge top official of Federal government to come out and tell Nigerian that the whole lockdown foisted on Nigerians was not a conspiracy designed to satisfy the business interest of their foreign partners.

This is why I will give kudos to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and his Cross River State counterpart. Both have successfully demystified the pandemic and the lies of NCDC is exposed.

This of course is the first thing that makes me a proud citizen of Kogi State in the last four years.

That Kogi is totally free of Covid-19 today, is a sure proof that NCDC is the agent and distributor of Covid-19. Their lies will not be hidden for too long. The dew has come and the house they built with spittle will soon crumble.

Stanley Ajileye writes from Lokoja, Kogi State

OF THE GREATEST NIGERIAN STUDENTS! HOW DID WE GET HERE?

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Ogunwoye Samson Gbemiga

The epoch making aphorism of “Student’s Union in Exile” would jingle a bell in the mind of every individual that is familiar with the student’s struggle against military junta in the 1990s. No doubt, the activities of some student unionists in the said era made an epoch itself.

Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Dr. Beko Ransom Kuti, Mr. Femi Falana and others were all arraigned for treason by Military Junta of Ibrahim Babangida at Chief Gwagwalada Margistrate Court in 1993, in the spirit of solidarity, student’s leaders from the nascent University of Abuja mobilized themselves to the court, their apperance in the court was intimidating, that culminated to struggle of many years. Here we get our pride as students of prestigious University of Abuja, but I will leave that history for another day.

The point I was trying to make above is that Student’s Activism, specifically under the aegis of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has been a greater instrument for social movement and changes since it inception in 1956. Today, the departure part from the activism of the past is the obvious dearth of ideology and the voracious appetite for material gains.

Looking closely, it becomes lucid that most of the people that called themselves Student’s leaders today are bereaved of ideology and theory that begot activism from the onset, the crop of Student’s activists today have been totally detached from the noble background, they have lost their voice to the thin air and hunger, no wonder nobody takes student’s leaders serious again, Omoyele Sowore in his SaharaReporter blog did a great disservice by referring to NANS as National Association of Nigerian Scallywags.

Well, to revive our souls, let me illuminate the path of some younger “Comrades” on the heroic deeds of our progenitors in unionism. Apart from the obvious fact that all our foremost nationalists drank and were also baptized in the pool activism from their school days, in 1962 to be precise, Nigeria was to be made a military satellite state to erstwhile Colonial Master, this was proposed in the Anglo-Nigeria Defence Pact, most of our political leaders who were looking for favour from abroad had already signed the treaty until National Union Of Nigerian Students (NUNS), under the leadership of President Rasaki Solaja and Vice President Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi mobilized the students, most especially from University College of Ibadan to stand against it, they defeated the international conspiracy with their unwavering determination. Where is that spirit today?

The famous Ali Must Go movement of 1978 is still fresh in the memory of those that are familiar with the antecedents of Student’s movement in Nigeria. Under the leader of Olusegun Okeowo, the NUNS President, there was an uproar in all parts of the country because the then Minister of Education, Col. Ahmadu Ali increased feeding fees from N1.5 to N2, that was an increment of 50Kobo that led to national hullabaloo. Today, tuitions are increased arbitrarily without any explanation and nobody seems to care.

Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo ended the era of NUNS with Ali Must Go in 1978, that paved way for NANS in 1981. Here is the irony of life, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo that banned NUNS in 1978 was endorsed for Third Term by the NANS President, Kenneth Okurma Hembe in 2005. Has the labour of our past heroes not been in vain?

Accordingly, Emma Ezeazu and Salihu Lukman were two NANS Presidents that took a tough confrontational stance against Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and his Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) from 1986 to 1989. Although, they faced the carnivorous iron fist of IBB junta that almost crushed them, but history would always remember them for standing with Nigerian students and the general populace. Today, debt is piling up with different heinous policies from Government, but NANS is no longer a voice to reckon with.

In the beginning of my writing, I referred us to some of the activities of 1990s, we can’t exhaust all in this piece, but frankly, some NANS cadres bravely faced Abacha Junta and many Student’s leaders paid dearly for their actions. Abacha would go down in memory lane as the dark horse that splashed palm oil in the white garment of students Unionism. For the first time, NANS started having faction in 1994, Comfort Idika was the President of NANS that stood with the progressive pro-democratic elements while Baba Kasala presidency signaled the emergence of State capturing of Student’s Unionism, the pandemic that started gradually in 1994 has almost nailed the coffin of NANS today.

From 2000 till date, the experience with NANS has not been favourable to the populace of Nigerians. Today, almost every NANS Comrade belongs to one political party or the other, they are more loyal to the party than to our common consaguinity, the Government of the day dictates who get what, when and how in Student’s union. Director of State Security (DSS) is a major actor in every NANS Convention, they don’t intervene to provide security alone, they also meddle to help the power that be to enforce who gets what, when and how. How did we get here?

More worriedly, the present leadership of NANS that assumed office about two years ago has furthered aggravated the pathetic status of NANS, the incumbent NANS President has given about 7 ultimatums without succeeding in any of the struggle, probably he sold out or he lacked that ingredient called capacity, that will continue to trail his history.

Finally, our founding fathers would never imagined that a time would come that an office holder in NANS would accept a governmental appointment without relinquishing his position in NANS, presently, the Two Vice Presidents of NANS, the PRO, and the Treasurer have gotten appointments in line with their political parties, yet, everyone wants to us to be celebrating them without minding the provision of the Code of Conduct of NANS. How we got here still baffles every sane person! Probably everyone dances to the tune of his stomach. Shall we all continue to be sycophants and spell doom for futurity?. Thanks for following this trend as you await my next epistle “NANS: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?”.

Ogunwoye Samson Gbemiga
(OGUNSAMSON).
Master Student, University of Abuja.
ogunwoyesamson@gmail.com

COVID-19: NUJ asks Buhari to Rescue the media industry

By
Peter Ayoade
-

The National Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has appealed for financial bailout from President Muhammadu Buhari, in order to save the Nigeria media industry from total collapse, as a result of the economic downturn caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter, titled “Convulsions in the Media Industry ,” dated May 13th, signed by National President of council, Chris Isugizo and addressed to Buhari, the NUJ said “there can be no freedom of expression and freedom of the press where Journalists work under precarious situations and are exposed to poverty and fear.”

According to the letter, the media industry is instrumental to saving the COVID-19 crisis in the country from getting out of control.

The letter noted that the duty of the media in national development has become lucid and elaborate in the present time, more than ever, inspite of the “little funds available to them because of shrinking advertisements, and high cost of operations, media houses can no longer comfortably pay these costs and offset staff salaries and emoluments.”

The letter reads in full “We are constrained once again to write this letter to Mr President, appealing for urgent intervention to save the media industry from collapse.

“Sir, permit us to state that, the social duties of Journalists in Nigeria include the advancement of the right to freedom of expression, access to information, freedom of the press, media independence, conflict transformation and peace building. These are prerequisites for open governance and development, the fight against corruption among others, which ultimately serve the public interest.

“Your Excellency, there can be no freedom of expression and freedom of the press where Journalists work under precarious situations and are exposed to poverty and fear. Media organisations are daily being asphyxiated as a result of the economic downturn occasioned by the Covid 19 Pandemic.

“Your Excellency, it is pertinent to draw your attention to these ugly developments and request for the urgent intervention of the Federal Government to arrest this dangerous trend. Specifically, we appeal for financial bailout for the media industry through the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) and the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria for privately owned media organisations in the country.

“Sir, this is a crisis situation of monumental proportion and we plead for your urgent intervention to avert a catarostophe.”

OPINION: Osun Governance: Oyetola and Aregbesola are Specialists in Failure

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Akintunde Bello Sheriff

By 2022, the ruling party otherwise called party for the progressives would have spent clear 16 years in the office with 3 Governors covering 4 administrations. Separately the opposition party otherwise called the conservatives had only spent two aborted tenures with only 1 Governor totaling less than 8 years.

During the era of Oyinlola Olagunsoye as a Governor, the health sector was seriously alive with free drugs occupying government stores which were readily available at all health posts across the 332 Wards and the Area Office in Osun State. My Father is a pharmacy technician in those years and so I knew what it looked like. To be fair to the Alliance for Democracy era of Chief Bisi Akande, the health sector was never dead under him. I used to listen to the radio in 1999/2000 where the government would advertise its free surgical palliatives. It was the time that prostate issues in men was simple to treat like common headache. On labe odan – a radio feedbacks program that the Governor of the time devised, they called the surgical palliative Ipake. One thing was common to Oyinlola and Bisi Akande, they did their very best in the health sector.

As soon as Rauf Aregbesola became Governor, the gains in the health sector eluded our state. Things became stringently so much that illnesses are no longer reported because the drugs stores have become empty. What you get at government health centres is a commercial service where health attendants now sell drugs. In fact they sell exercise books with which prescription will be recorded. One sector where Aregbesola failed woefully is health. And this Oyetola current rule has sustained the continuity agenda along that failed curve in the health sector. Except that they are now building or has built some health posts which source of funding was through international grants, which was commenced by Aregbesola and now inherited by the Oyetola administration, the condition of service has not changed for better. Health workers are stranded on a stagnant point where they do not have promotion or in which their promotion do not fetch financial effect. The zeal to deliver is no longer there and the motivation is near zero. Lanterns and touch lights are used to supervise deliveries and many avoidable deaths are unfortunately the case till date.

In those years of Oyinlola Olagunsoye, capital and infrastructure developments littered everywhere and virtually all the councils. The artisans had every reason to appreciate God that the government has opened their businesses for patronages. Workers get paid regularly. Pensioners are not groaning in neglect as was the case during the immediate past administration which still subsists even till now. To be fair in my assessment, some will say that Aregbesola recorded some tangible scorecards in infrastructure. However what separates Bisi Akande and Oyinlola Olagunsoye from the later Governors namely Aregbesola and Oyetola is that debts did not pile up. May God bless the ingenuity of the first two democratic Governors between 1999 – 2010 since the scope of my discourse has been limited to only the fourth republic. We were casted and sold to slavery of debts under Aregbesola. Most of the acclaimed projects for which the debts were taken are still uncompleted till today despite drawing total money and no probes has been instituted. This is the CONTINUITY agenda according to Gboyega Oyetola, an agenda that has thrown hitherto breadwinners especially the retired civil servants to abject poverty stricken individuals because their entitlements are trapped with the government. God is not happy at the turn of events. The economy is now far worse hit. The supposed rich are crying too in Osun State.

In the education sector, much as Bisi Akande did not do well in that sector, Oyinlola Olagunsoye rebirth the sector evidently and there was tremendous improvement which translated in the pass rate of public schools pupils and students. Free education was declared. Free exercise books, free textbooks, regime of no form of payment, inter house sports competitions with adequate grants, free school feeding for pupils, motivation for the teachers which include improved cars and housing loans to the Staff in public education sector was the order of the day. When Aregbesola resumed office in 2010, most if not all of these palliatives are suspended and that remain in force till date. This was the story of how our glory as a State of the living spring fainted to oblivion gradually and nobody was concerned.

The traditional institution lived larger than life. It was glaring that despite constitutional barriers, the Obas are given a say in how governance was run. Some Obas even had cabinet slots such as Commissioners filled. They had their regular Obas council meetings and the local government system was viable to support them unlike now that the third tier of government now live in shadows in Osun State. The things we met are are nonexistent again. Where will help come from?

As things stand today in Osun State, the walk to true liberty and freedom may look herculean but it is not impossible. Citizens must therefore begin to be conscious and decide whether to remain in an imposed servitude or demand for a new lease of life by a way of change of guards.

If it was rotational, between a party that has been in the saddle for 20 years and another party which managed to be in control for less than 8 years, we know ourselves which deserve our cooperation. I implore Osun State people to think above mundane appetite, and start to embark on the journey that shall make our State great again. God knows I love Osun State and I am sad that almost everybody are now going low and low leaving only the opportunists to eke big status to the detriment of the downtrodden.

I pray for Osun State sake of this holy month for our breakthrough so as to live up to the dreams of our founding Fathers. Osun, the State of the Living Spring, you can not afford to die forever!!!

Com. Akintunde Bello Sheriff (ABS) is a socio-political analyst from Ede, Osun State

BREAKING: Buhari Receives Madagascar’s Covid-19 Cure, says it will be subjected to verification

By
Peter Ayoade
-

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday at the State House, Abuja, received a consignment of Madagascar’s Covid-Organics (CVO), a herbal tonic touted as a cure for COVID-19. Buhari reiterated that he will listen to science before allowing traditional or any new medicines to be administered on Nigerians.

At an audience meeting with President Umaro Embalo of Guinea Bissau who brought along with him the samples of the traditional medicine as shared to African nations by Madagascar, PMB said his position on all such herbal or traditional medicinal postulates had remained the same.

“We have our institutions, systems and processes in the country. Any such formulations should be sent to them for verification. I will not put it to use without the endorsement of our institutions,” said the Nigerian President.

On the main reason for his visit, President Embalo said having stabilized his country after the tussles that attended the general elections won by him, he had come to seek counsel from his “father,” President Buhari on his plan for a “government of national unity and a proposed war against corruption in his country.

He also said that his new government met a country beset with a number of issues and problems, the resolution of which would require tremendous assistance from the “big brother,” Nigeria.

“Problems of Guinea Bissau are problems of Nigeria. I have come to you as your son. I need your help and assistance to make the people happy. I will not let you down, neither will I put you in any difficult situation,” the visiting leader told President Buhari.

In response to these demands, the Nigerian leader commended “General“ Embalo on his confirmation as President and for stabilizing the country. “I commend your political dexterity in getting the opposition to join the proposed unity government,” he said.

President Buhari restated the determination of Nigeria to keep West Africa politically stable and promised to support the new government in Guinea Bissau. “I will cooperate and help in every way possible,” assured the Nigerian President.

President Buhari also used the opportunity of the visit to praise the good work that the President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou, who is the current Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is doing in the sub-region, and commended him for keeping him informed of all that is happening around.

Oyo Social Media Influencers Mourn Hon. Ayoola

By
Peter Ayoade
-

Social media influencers in Oyo State are mourning the loss of one of their own, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola who was Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources in Oyo State until his demise.

Under Ayoola’s watch as the Environment Commissioner, the Oyo State Government inaugurated four environmental tribunals for the enforcement of the state environmental laws.

The Ayoola graduated of Animal Science and Environmental Management and Control from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He was a member of Association of Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria. The late commissioner married to a Professor of Agronomy, Olukemi and left behind two sons.

Since his death on Thursday 14th May 2020, the social media is inundated with tributes, condolence messages and prayers. The PACESETTER NEWS collated reactions, tributes and condolence messages of some social media influencers from Oyo State.

READ:

Wasiu Olawale Sadare:

Hon. Kehinde Ayoola’s death is a personal loss to me… Intelligent, refined, committed, loving and charming. Oh, my God!

Is death worth being called a good angel? With no emotions, he pollutes emotions… What does he tell his victim after the strike?

*****************

Engr. Akeem Olatunji

For we brought nothing into this world and we shall take nothing from it. Please, be humble…

May your soul rest in perfect peace dear Honorable Commissioner Kehinde  Ayoola JP

*****************

Adeniyi Rotimi Johnson

I met Hon Ayoola in Jan 2000 & was my leader till yesterday when he led a journey no one would follow. RIP my Political Mentor.

*****************

Adetunbi Saheed Ige

When they say “Life is Vanity”

Now, I have a deeper understanding

Farewell Uncle Olatunji K Ayoola JP

You gave your best to humanity

A refined politician you were

A complete gentleman, highly cerebral, very resourceful.

Rest well my very good Egbon.

*****************

Queen Temmy

Igi to too…Ki pee n igbo.

Rest on Hon.kehinde Olatunji K Ayoola JP.Adieu!

😭

*****************

‘Funlola Adesina

“Kehinde Ayoola was the most recognized intellectual face of Makinde’s government whose experience, dynamism and charisma were to have galvanized the government he served which he also helped to bring on board.”

🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️

Sometime in 1999, I had the priviledge of listening to the inaugural/acceptance speech of Hon Kehinde Olatunji K Ayoola JP as the first speaker of the House of Assembly in the 4th Republic. He exhibited brilliance and eloquence that day and I said to myself that I would meet him one day.

Facebook provided the opportunity sometime around 2010 and since then he has remained my egbon indeed.

I really liked him.

Rest in peace, Uncle. We will keep holding the fort.

*****************

Ayantoye Christopher Ayanniyi

Rt. Hon. Kehinde Ayoola, why would a pretty bird fly away at a time there is more for her to do at home?

Rest on! So sad!!

*****************

Onike Rahaman

The sudden death of Hon.Kehinde Ayoola is a reminder that we came to the world in succession & we shall be leaving one after the other.It also shows the  nothingness of life.

Hon.Kehinde Ayoola will forever be remembered for indelible contributions to nation’s socio-economic & political development in his private & public life as politician and public intellectual.

*****************

Generalissimo For-Dmasses II

I have decided to be offline today but a sudden call came

Announcing the BAD NEWS

I STILL SHIVERING.

NO TELL ME IS A LIE

*****************

Ibikunle Titus Oloruntunmise

I could not hold my tears when I heard the news of your death. You mean so much to me and I always see the future in you. You should not have left at this time when we needed you most. You promised me last time you will always give in your best for the progress of Oyo state which I believe in you. But why? You should have  asked your creator to give  you more time to complete the task ahead of you. You did not do well JP, you did not do well at all.  You let tears rolls in my eyes  unexpectedly, but its unfortunate we did not have power over the creator. We shall continue to miss you forever. Continue to rest in peace Hon kehinde Olatunji K AyoolaJP

*****************

Aremu John Olatunji

DEATH no doubt is an inestimable end which must come when it will come. If it comes to a beloved one, the grief of all those affected as a result of the death can best be imagined, especially when it becomes very obvious that never again can such a fellow be seen or heard.

It was the same grief I fell into when I heard of your exit out of this planet earth,I was in hospital with my wife when your sudden death filtered the whole social media.

The last time we engaged ourselves was when we were debating on youth participation in Agriculture but today you are no more,which shows that we all have a limited time on this planet.

RT.HON. Kehinde Ayoola on behalf of ZENITH LABOUR PARTY (YOUTH WING) we commiserate with the governor of Oyo state and the entire cabinet members and most especially your family,we pray the Lord God will give them the fortitude to bear the great loss of a political icon in the state.

Continue to rest in peace till will meet again.

Prince John Oyetunji Aremu

ZLP YOUTH LEADER

*****************

Kola Adebiyi

Late Kehinde Ayoola was a good man; a very good man!

The only issue I had with him was that he was playing politics with Ajimobi’s administration.

I used to respect him a lot irrespective of our differences over political matters ( there was a 31st of December that I tagged him the most responsible man of the year in my post).

I stopped my regards for him when he blocked me on Facebook for no reason the day he became a commissioner.

It’s a pity he blocked me before his demise. I would have downloaded some of our conversations inbox.

Sometimes when I made posts against his party, he would inbox me and say, “Kólá, sé óle tóyen ni?”

I would reply him sometimes, “Sir, your people should not be spared because they had done worse than that”.

Then, we would have a long conversation even beyond politics. That happened several times.

Now that he is no more, and playing politics has ceased, my love for him shall be for eternity.

Take your greatness beyond, powerful Mr Speaker.

*****************

Adediran Kafilat Iyabode

I deliberately leave this picx in my archive to celebrate your next birthday not knowing that it will be used to mourn your death..😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Ooooooh my God!!!!.Who will now fulfil the promise you made to me during our last meeting????…😭😭😭😭😭😭..

***Rt. Hon.Kehinde Ayoola has gone to the journey of no return..😭😭😭
****A great asset is gone…
****My Adviser is gone…
**** A confidant is gone…

Ooooooh nooooooo…My heart is heavy😭😭😭😭

Late Commissioner Ayoola was my Political Soulmate – Ologburo

By
Peter Ayoade
-

A frontline businessman, political strategist and one of foremost associates of Honourable Kehinde Ayoola, the late Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources in Oyo State, Alhaji Babatunde Ologburo has said that the sudden death of Ayoola was a personal loss.

Ologburo who hails from same Oyo township with the deceased said in a press release personally signed by him on Saturday, 16 May, that the late commissioner was his ‘political soulmate,’ and news of his sudden death leaves him devastated.

He said: “We have been very close right from his entry into politics. Beyond the fact that we share the same passion for the development of OYO township where we both hailed, Honourable Ayoola at every point, allowed me access to make inputs into many of his political decisions and such was our relationship that we were constantly cross-checking perspectives on political strategy. He was such a wonderful political soulmate.

“Even when we had a brief disagreement along party lines, we never stopped our political relationship. His office was my second office. He was brilliant, intelligent, and precise with his political calculations.
“Kenny wore a look of pride – like anyone of Oyo origin – but his character was imbued in utmost humility.

“He was a patriotic Nigerian and a committed family man per excellence. He served his country and family dutifully, but his devotion to God was without compare. He lived an exceptionally good life and I believe that he has gone to meet the face of his creator.

“I pray for his bereaved family to find the fortitude to bear this huge loss and for the Almighty God to stand by and console his family and the large assembly of his associates.”

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