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BREAKING: UK Govt Set Date for Return of Premier League

By
Peter Ayoade
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As part of an official roadmap, the UK government have announced that sporting events may return behind closed doors from June 1, with fans only being allowed back in ‘significantly later’.

The government and UK’s top football police officer have suggested that games should be played in neutral venues but that plan was opposed by many relegation-threatened clubs.

In his reaction, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters says it is the preference of all of clubs to play at home and away if possible.

“It’s clear to see that some clubs feel more strongly about that than others. It is an ongoing dialogue and we’ve been talking to the authorities about the conditions in which we could get the Premier League back up and running and taking all that advice on board.

“We are working flat out to create a responsible, safe, and deliverable model to complete the season.

“No decisions will be made until after we have talked to players and managers and those meetings are scheduled for later this week” Masters said.

Elite football in Britain has been suspended since March 13, with Leicester’s 4-0 win over Aston Villa on March 9 the last Premier League fixture played and Liverpool’s Champions League exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid on March 11 the most recent elite fixture in England.

Four injured in two-vehicle collision in Ogbomoso

By
Peter Ayoade
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Four passengers were injured in a collision between a commencial bus with plate number AA 71 KMB and a mini truck at Ibapon village along Oyo-Ogbomoso, earlier today. 

An eyewitness who confirmed the incident to the Pacesetter News said the driver lost control of the bus and veered into the opposite lane before colliding with the oncoming truck.

“Four victims were trapped inside the mangled bus. They have been rescued and taken to an hospital in Ogbomoso” he said.

Nigeria Sets to Receive Madagascar’s COVID-19 Cure

By
Peter Ayoade
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•NAFDAC under Pressures to Carry out analysis on the COVID-19-Organics before clinical testing. 

Barely two weeks after the secretary to the government of the federation and Chairman of the presidential task force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said Nigeria would request for a plane load of “herbal solutions” to treat COVID-19 from Madagascar, Nigeria is set to take a delivery of her consignment.

According to Madagascar President, Mr. Andry Rajoelina, “consignments for Nigeria and other 14 member countries of ECOWAS have been sent to Equatorial Guinea”.

The Pacesetter News reliably gathered that Nigerian government is making preparations to airlift her consignment to Abuja.

On his Instagram page, Rajoelina said the “herbal medicine” would be availed to all coronavirus patients in all friendly countries across the African continent and around the world. Madagascar and its African brothers are united in the response to the coronavirus. It is with honor that we send these CVO herbal teas to the 15 member countries of ECOWAS through Guinea Bissau.”

Information obtained by the Pacesetter News from Worldometers, a real-time statistics website, shows Madagascar have so far registered 193 cases of the novel coronavirus as of Sunday, May 10, with zero deaths. Out of the total confirmed cases, 101 of them have fully recovered and discharged from hospitals.

However, there are mounting pressures on the Federal Government by different medical and scientific organizations to allow the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to subject the drug to further analysis. Some others are pushing for clinical trial of Covid Organics before being used in the country.

The Federal Government was yet to take a position as of weekend because the AU has mandated its Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to review the scientific data gathered so far on the safety and efficacy of the COVID Organics.

Oyo Speaker in the Eye of the Storm

By
Peter Ayoade
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WALE AKINSELURE of NIGERIAN TRIBUNE, in this report, looks at the issues around the purported plan to impeach the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin

IN recent weeks, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, has been in the eye of the storm. Just as the nation began battling COVID-19, so did some caucuses in the Assembly began to scheme against the leadership of the state legislative for alleged lack of transparency in running affairs of the Assembly and indecisiveness in canvassing for the general desires of lawmakers from the state governor, Seyi Makinde. Indeed, the brewing storm was not only targeted at sweeping Ogundoyin off his seat, but also most of the principal officers.

The plot against the Speaker was reportedly hatched by members of his initial inner caucus, who felt they were beginning to be sidelined in the running of the Assembly. At the emergence of the Speaker, on June 9, 2019, members like Chairman, Parliamentary, Honourable Ayo Fatokun; Chief Whip, Honourable Hakeem Adedibu and former Chairman, House Committee on Works and Transport, Honourable Olamide Akinajo, were said to have struck an atonal chord to be members of his kitchen cabinet. However, as Ogundoyin began to see the responsibilities on his shoulders, he decided to bring in more cooks into the kitchen. The move did not go down well with the initial members of the kitchen. They reportedly feared that, with the accommodation of more people, their influence on the Speaker’s decision may begin to wane. Consequently, they were said to have begun to lobby more lawmakers into an alleged impeachment agenda.

At the mention of possible impeachment of the Speaker, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, including Governor Seyi Makinde; Chairman, Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Hosea Agboola and the Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal, convened meetings with the lawmakers to calm frayed nerves and have members express their grievances. Pointed questions were asked those alleged to be behind the brewing crisis, including Honourable Akinajo, Honourable Ayo Fatokun and Honourable Hakeem Adedibu, all of who denied the plot.

The lid over the seemingly calmed crisis appeared reopened when Ogundoyin, at last Tuesday’s sitting, announced the removal of Honourable Akinajo as the chairman of the House Committee on Works and Transport, with Honourable Kehinde Olatunde named as his replacement. As the head of the Committee on Works and Transport, Akinajo had asked to know how much was spent on the recent renovation of the lodge of the Speaker and deputy speaker. With Akinajo recently becoming a mogaji, there also grew fears that he may be backed by some forces from the outside to destabilise the Assembly and get at the governor. The decision to remove Akinajo as the chairman of the committee was therefore perceived to be targeted at curtailing his growing influence.

It was however gathered that at the parliamentary caucus held the day before the sitting when the removal was announced, members had been made to understand that there would be reshuffling of House committees. While a part of the principal officers said they were consulted before the speaker made the Akinajo announcement, some other principal officers alleged that they were not carried along in the decision.

However, Akinajo described as blackmail and politics those touting his name as being behind any plan to impeach the Speaker. He held that the members had been notified of a reshuffling of committees and that he never considered anything ulterior behind the decision of the Speaker to begin the reshuffling from his committee. “There is nothing big in being removed as the chairman of the Works Committee. We discussed on Monday, that is, the day before the announcement, that there will be a shake up in all committees but they were contemplating on where to start from. I was consulted that it will start from my committee and I said no problem. I have no contrary opinion. I was not shocked that the reshuffling started from my committee,” Akinajo said

He also rubbished notions of being interested in the speakership post, adding that the political calculation did not favour such emergence. Akinajo, who represents Ibadan North East 1, argued that it was impossible for both the speaker and the governor to emerge from the same zone. “Can the Speaker and the governor come from the same local government? That is not possible. I am not interested in such. There is no rancour in the Assembly. We are all on the same page. Mr Speaker is my friend and all other members. There is nothing like eyeing post. It has never been on my mind and it will never be on my mind. This is politics and there is blackmail here and there. Mr Speaker is my friend and I will always work towards his success, not his downfall,” Akinajo said.

Another lawmaker alleged to be behind the crisis, Honourable Fatokun, said consultations were ongoing among members to resolve brewing issues in the Assembly. He stated that there was nothing spectacular in Akinajo being removed as the chairman of the works and transport committee since there was a planned reshuffling of all committees. “We are doing our own consultation with members within the House. Our consultation is in good faith and all is well,” Fatokun said.

Interestingly, the crisis has had little to do with the opposition parties in the Assembly but more with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers. Meanwhile, there are those who want to take advantage of the crisis in the Assembly to promote their own agenda. Questions have been raised about the disposition and assertiveness of the Speaker to handling issues. They alleged that he has not been assertive enough to get the governor to yield to their demands for better welfare of the members, like payment of constituency allowance.

Lobbyists for a change in the House leadership argue that they want a leadership that has negotiating power; that has its destiny in its own hands and in the hands of the governor and that can push hard on issues bedeviling the running of the state down to the local government system. As part of their grouse with the Speaker, the lawmakers had weeks ago, frowned against the usual afternoon/evening commencement of plenary, usually called “European time,” warning that they will return home once plenary does not commence before 11am. Perceiving that there was fire on the mountain, the Speaker and, indeed, the House leadership adjusted on time with the last two sittings commencing before 11am, as agreed.

Meanwhile, the purported plan to impeach the state governor and his deputy by the Assembly has only been described as a ruse. Amid the crisis, the Speaker has continued to hold various meetings in a bid to reach out to aggrieved parties. Section 92 (2c) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) stipulates that the Speaker shall vacate his office by a resolution of House of Assembly by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of the members of the House. This is in addition to the fact that the Speaker must have been deemed to have committed impeachable crime(s) as stipulated in the constitution and House Rule. For the Speaker to be impeached, 22 out of 32 members are constitutionally expected to vote in favour of such removal. Simply put, the ruling PDP with 26 seats in the Assembly has the fate of the current House leadership in its hands as the opposition only has six seats.

Indeed, threats of impeachment or actual impeachment are not new in the history of the state House of Assembly. Chairman of the PDP caucus in the House, Honourable Akintunde Olajide, described impeachment as a recurring issue in the lifespan of any Assembly but noted that the Assembly believed in the capability of the speaker to galvanise it aright. Noting that the current impeachment threat would fizzle out, Olajide avowed that the Speaker continued to command the support of majority in the Assembly and was in firm control.

Meanwhile, the disposition of the leadership of the ruling party, led by Governor Makinde, towards the current House leadership will be crucial. The coming days will tell whether the Speaker will effectively settle various interests and efficiently calm those frayed nerves in the Assembly or he will be at the receiving end of the House politicking.

WALE AKINSELURE
May 11, 2020

SERAP asks FG to Publish Details of Suppliers, Sites, Budget for ‘Home Feeding Programme’

By
Peter Ayoade
-

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent a Freedom of Information (FoI) request to the Federal Government, asking “the authorities to urgently publish details of the suppliers and contractors, the procurement rules, including bidding processes, the total budget, and all designated voucher distribution and collection sites for the implementation of the school feeding programme at home.”

SERAP is also seeking “information on the number of states to be covered during the COVID-19 crisis, the projected spending per state, details of the mechanisms and logistics that have been put in place to carry out the programme, as well as the role expected to be played by the World Food Programme.”

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development, Ms Sadia Umar-Farouk had on Wednesday announced that the government would start feeding school children in their homes during the COVID-19 crisis, starting from Ogun and Lagos states, and Abuja.

In the FoI request dated 9 May, 2020 and sent to Ms Sadia Umar-Farouk, SERAP is asking the government to: “urgently invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to monitor the implementation of the programme.”

The FoI request signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, read in part: “Publishing the details requested is in the public interest. This would help to address public scepticism regarding the ability of the government to satisfactorily implement the programme, promote openness, and allow Nigerians to track its implementation and to hold suppliers and contractors to account.”

“SERAP notes that the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party requires the government to set the highest standards of transparency, accountability and probity in programmes that it oversees.”

“The government has a responsibility to ensure that these requirements and other anti-corruption controls are fully implemented and monitored, and to ensure that the programme benefits the children and families who need it the most.”

“Publishing the details of suppliers and contractors and the procurement rules being implemented for executing the school feeding programme at home would also remove the risks of conflicts of interest and politicisation of the programme, as well as promote transparency and accountability.”

“We urge you to also establish online national database for all suppliers and contractors responsible for carrying out the programme to feed school children in their homes, which is expected to cover over three million households in Lagos and Ogun states, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

“We would be grateful if the requested information is provided to us within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, the Registered Trustees of SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions under the Freedom of Information Act to compel you to comply with our request.”

“According to our information, the Federal Government through your Ministry is set to partners with states, Federal Capital Territory, and World Food Programme to implement the school feeding programme at home during the lockdown. This home feeding programme reportedly followed the directive in March, 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari to your Ministry to identify modalities and continuation of the school feeding programme during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Procurement and contracting are high-risk areas for mismanagement and corruption. By Section 1 (1) of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act 2011, SERAP is entitled as of right to request for or gain access to information, including information on details of suppliers and contractors that have been hired to implement the school feeding programme at home.”

“By Section 4 (a) of the FoI Act, when a person makes a request for information from a public official, institution or agency, the public official, institution or urgency to whom the application is directed is under a binding legal obligation to provide the applicant with the information requested for, except as otherwise provided by the Act, within 7 days after the application is received.”

“By Sections 2(3)(d)(V) & (4) of the FoI Act, there is a binding legal duty to ensure that documents containing information relating to including information on details of suppliers and contractors that have been hired to implement the school feeding programme at home are widely disseminated and made readily available to members of the public through various means.”

“The information being requested does not come within the purview of the types of information exempted from disclosure by the provisions of the FoI Act. The information requested for as indicated above, apart from not being exempted from disclosure under the FoI Act, bothers on an issue of national interest, public concern, interest of human rights, social justice, good governance, transparency and accountability.”

COVID-19: Oyo Records No Case, as NCDC Declares 248 New Cases

By
Peter Ayoade
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Oyo State recorded no new case of COVID-19 on Sunday as Nigeria’s tally rose to 4399 from 4151, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) disclosed this via its Twitter handle @NCDCgov.

Below is the breakdown 248 new cases of #COVID19;

81-Lagos

35-Jigawa

26-Borno

26-Kano

20-Bauchi

13-FCT

12-Edo

10-Sokoto

7-Zamfara

4-Kwara

4-Kebbi

2-Gombe

2-Taraba

2-Ogun

2-Ekiti

1-Osun

1-Bayelsa

 

4399 cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria

Discharged: 778

Deaths: 143

Meanwhile, Oyo State maintains her 14th position on the Nigeria COVID-19 log with 64 confirmed cases.

COVID-19: CACOVID, NCDC to support Oyo with N350 million

By
Peter Ayoade
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▪︎State, UI collaborate over cure for Coronavirus
▪︎As state wraps up 320-bed Isolation centres  
The Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are set to donate the combined sum of N350 million to support Oyo State’s containment efforts against COVID-19.
The State’s Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinola Ojo and a member of the COVID-19 Task Force, Professor Temitope Alonge, told a meeting of the Task Force presided over by Governor Seyi Makinde that while CACOVID was supporting the State  with N30 million cash for rehabilitation of Isolation Centres, it will also gave equipment worth N220 million.
The NCDC, according to the Task Force members, will also support the state with N100 million.
This development was coming on the heels of collaborations between the state government, authorities of the University of Ibadan, scientists and traditional herbal medicine practitioners in a bid to find a home-grown cure for COVID-19.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, also indicated that the state was wrapping up its Isolation Centres to 320- bed capacity.
“The government of Oyo State is receiving a donation of N250 million from the CACOVID team. The sum of N220 million is reserved for equipment and N30 million for renovation of the facilities at the isolation centres,” the statement said.
The statement also indicated that while the state had completed work on the Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo, Ibadan, which has 100-bed capacity, it is also working on a 100-bed Isolation Centre in Saki, 40-beds isolation centre in Ogbomoso, 40-bed isolation centre in Igboora, 10-bed centre in Agbami, Jericho and  another 24-bed centre in Aawe near Oyo town.
The statement read: “Excluding the IDH at Olodo (100 beds), the full capacity of the isolation centres in the State are Saki (100 beds), Aawe (24 beds), Igbo-Ora (40 beds), Agbami (8 beds), UCH (4 beds) and Ogbomoso (40 beds).”
This was as the government of Oyo State and the University of Ibadan have unveiled an effort aimed at discovering a home-grown cure for the novel Coronavirus.
The collaboration, according to the Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Administration, Rev. Idowu Ogedengbe, who represented the state government, was aimed at midwifing a town and gown approach that would lead to a sustainable cure for COVID-19.
The statement quoted Ogedengbe as telling newsmen at the second meeting of the committee, which held at the Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan, that effort to discover a home-grown solution to COVID-19 was in top gear.
The governor’s aide stated that Oyo State was ready to midwife a scientific validation that would be globally acceptable as solutions to novel Coronavirus.
He said: “We want to start, we already know people that have the products, samples, mixtures and solutions but we don’t just want to take it on the surface and start promoting them.
“We want to first subject the products to scientific validation, so that by the time our virologists, botanists and other professionals in the University community look at those solutions, we will come up with something that the global community would benefit from. We want to really set the pace for others to emulate.”
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, also said that the initiative was the best approach since it is an embodiment of people from different strata such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC),, which represents the Federal Government, representative of the State Government, the Academia, private sector and the Traditional Medicine Practitioners.
 According to him, there have been lots of mistrust over the years but as a conventional institution, he expressed confidence that the partnership with UI would be able to come up with a solution.
The VC said: “We also want to thank Oyo State government for facilitating this process. This is the second meeting we have held. We know there will be a solution soon. We are even going to go beyond the progress that has been made in Madagascar. You would have heard that Madagascar is trying to collaborate with South Africa.
“In Science, if you say you have a cure to something, you have to let the whole world know the protocol you have followed and, if possible, you can publish it in a scientific journal so that people can see the steps you have taken for replication.
“So, we know our people are up to the task with support from government both at the state and federal level. I am also happy that even NAFDAC is here with us.”
A representative of NAFDAC, Mrs. Edo Priye, told the meeting that the agency was ready to collaborate with all the herbal producers to ensure that the pandemic comes to an end.
The statement also quoted the Baale of Ekotedo, Ibadan, Chief Taiye Ayorinde, who spoke on behalf of the traditional herbal practitioners, as saying that herbal medicine was the most realistic solution for the treatment of COVID-19.

Ibadan North, Egbeda, Ibadan South West LGs Top Endemic Coronavirus Areas in Oyo

By
Peter Ayoade
-

With 64 confirmed coronavirus cases in Oyo State, Ibadan North local government is still leading the council areas where the dreaded virus otherwise called Covid-19 was endemic.

Egbeda with 8 cases and Ibadan South West local governments with 7 cases followed the unenviable status of Ibadan North.

The above was from the Map Representation of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Oyo State obtained by the Pacesetter News over the weekend.

Dated May 9th, other council areas with confirmed cases are Oriire (5); Ibadan South East (3); Oluyole (3); Akinyele (2); Ido (2); Surulere (2); Ibadan North West (1); Ibadan North East (1); Lagelu (1) Olorunsogo (1) Ona Ara (1) and Oyo East (1).

Gov. Makinde Commiserates with Arewa Community over Chief Imam’s Death

By
Peter Ayoade
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The Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has expressed condolences to members of the Arewa community in Ibadan over the demise of the Chief Imam of the Central Mosque, Sabo, Alhaji Ahamed Rufai Hussain.
Makinde communicated his condolence message through a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Print Media, Moses Alao, describing the passage of Alhaji Hussain, at the weekend, as a huge loss to the community.
He described Alhaji Hussain as an amiable individual who always took interest in the development of the community and the wellbeing of others, praying Allah to grant his soul eternal rest.
The governor said: “I received the news of the passage of the revered Chief Imam of Sabo Central Mosque, Ibadan, Alhaji Ahamed Rufai Hussain with shock but we have to submit to the will of Allah.
“He was an amiable individual, who loved and worked for the interest of others and the growth of the Arewa community in Oyo State. I am sure his leadership and wisdom will be missed.
“I commiserate with the Seriki Hausawa, Alhaji Dahiru Ahmed Zungeru and the entire members of the Hausa community in the state, while also praying to Allah to grant rest to the departed Imam.”

Oyo Alaafin COVID-19: We’ve Identified Those in Contacts with the Patient – Council Boss

By
Peter Ayoade
-

The Caretaker Chairman of Oyo East Local Government Area of Oyo State, Hon. Arowosaye Saheed Adeyemi, has declared that most of the people that might have had physical contacts with the COVID-19 patient in his domain have been identified and asked to self-isolate for 14 days

The council boss gave the update via his official facebook account. He said,  “following the confirmation of first COVID-19 case in Oyo East Local Government, state officials in collaboration with the Health Department of the local government have began contact tracing. Most of the contacts have been identified and has been told to self-isolate and placed under supervision while efforts are ongoing to identify everyone who may have come in contact with the patient.

“Meanwhile, I visited the designated isolation centre for Oyo zone in Awe, with, Prince Ajibola Afonja, for inspection of the facility. I thanked him for his efforts in renovating the facility and I assured him that it will be put to proper use for the good of our people.”

“Also, I spoke with Prof. Temitope Alonge of the State’s COVID-19 Taskforce and he informed me that our dear Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has graciously approved medical equipment for the isolation centre and assured me that they will soon be dispatched to the centre so as to get it up and running. Once again, I thank our Governor and his team for their prompt response” the statement concluded.

Oyo State: UCH Records 11th COVID-19 Case

By
Peter Ayoade
-

The University College Hospital, Ibadan has recorded another confirmed case of coronavirus among the staff of the hospital’s surgical services.

In a press statement, UCH COVID-19 Media Team disclosed that the member of staff in question is in good health and is receiving the necessary support while the routine contact tracing and relevant infection control protocols instituted.

Part of the press statement reads, “Consequently as at 4pm, Friday, 8th May, 2020, we have one new case of COVID-19 confirmed. The total number of COVID-19 patients that the Hospital has attended to is now 11 (eleven). Out of these, 6 (six) patients were managed as in-patients in the isolation unit or other locations in the Hospital, 2 (two) of which were discharged after being declared free from the virus from results of investigations done. One patient was however transferred to Lagos for further treatment. Regrettably, 2 (two) deaths occurred”.

“Presently, there are 3 (three) active confirmed cases of COVID-19 being managed by staff of the Hospital. 1 (one) of these is on admission while the other two are being managed at home”.

The University College Hospital reiterated its commitment to continue to render excellent care and services to all their patients. The Hospital equally enjoined everyone to abide by the required infection prevention and control measures such as physical distancing, regular hand washing, use of hand sanitizers & face masks.

COVID-19: Physically Challenged Man Donates Customised School Bags to Oyo Govt

By
Peter Ayoade
-

During the weekend, a physically challenged man, Olajide Jonathan supported the ongoing Oyo State Government’s ‘learning-on-air’ broadcast for primary school pupils with some customized bags.

He said the bags are giveaways, to encourage pupils in the State to pay rapt attention to the radio broadcast put together by the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, (OYO SUBEB).

Mr. Jonathan, a resident of Ifo, Ogun State commended the State Government for taking learning to the door steps of pupils in the State. He however urged Government to put into cognisance pupils with Special needs during this stay at home period.

Jonathan, who expressed hope to meet the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board in person soon, said his support for the basic education sector was borne out of pure love for the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration in Oyo State.

Receiving the gifts, the Executive Chairman, OYOSUBEB, Dr. Nureni Adeniran said that the gifts are testimonies to the far reach of the broadcast, adding that they would go a long way to encourage Basic school pupils in the State.

He noted that, though the board initiated the idea of giveaways about two weeks ago, with cash prize for winners, complementing such with beautifully customized bags for pupils will be an added advantage for the lucky winners.

“As far as we are concerned, this is an immense contribution, coming from Mr. Olajide Jonathan. We never expected that someone who neither resides in the State nor comes from the State would pick this kind of keen interest in our on-air programme for pupils during this stay-at-home period”, he said.

Adeniran further commended the sacrifice and efforts of Olajide Jonathan who left other commitments to give to the State and its pupils such immense gifts.

Dr. Adeniran however, urged pupils and their parents to abide by precautionary advice prescribed by the State COVID-19 Task-force, so that the spread of the virus can be halted.

Oyo Alaafin Records first index case of COVID-19

By
Peter Ayoade
-

The ancient town of Oyo, yesterday, recorded first index case of coronavirus. 

This was announced yesternight by the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on his official facebook page. According to the infographic posted by the governor, the first index case was recorded in Oyo East local government area.

Of the 33 constitutionally recognised LGAs in Oyo State, 64 confirmed coronavirus cases have been recorded in 15 council areas. These include Ibadan North (26), Egbeda (8), Ibadan Southwest (7), Oriire (5), Ibadan Southeast (3), Oluyole (3), Akinyele (2), Ido (2), Surulere (2), Ibadan Northwest (1), Ibadan Northeast (1), Lagelu (1), Olorunsogo (1), Ona Ara (1) and Oyo East (1).

With the growing cases in the State, the Oyo State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Ademola Babalola, has urged the people of Oyo State to play their part by observing precautions outlined by the NCDC and state governments as well as relevant health authorities.

The number one journalist in the State further appealed to residents to obey the interstate restriction order, social distancing and other directives like the night curfew aimed at curbing the dangerous global spread of the virus.

Looming Food Scarcity: Rice to be Sold at N16,000 per bag in Kano

By
Peter Ayoade
-

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission has reached an agreement with the Rice Processors Association of Nigeria to sell a 50KG bag at N16,000.

According to the Chairman of the Kano State branch of the Rice Processors Association of Nigeria; Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar, the agreement was signed on Saturday 9th, May 2020 at the Commission’s headquarters after a meeting with the leadership of their Association.

He said under this agreement, the Association would be supplying 30 trucks of rice weekly to designated stores at the rate of N15,500 per bag and to be sold at a price not more than N16,000 per bag.

The deal also made it mandatory for a customer to acquire not more than 2 bags at a time at this designated centres.

In his words, the  Chairman of the PCACC; Barr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimigado said the meeting was not to infringe on the rights of the rice processors but for a more conducive business atmosphere for buyers and sellers of rice in the State.

He further explained that the effort is also geared towards ensuring that customers get value for their money so that hoarding of essential commodities becomes a thing of the past in the State.

Reacting to the news in a chat with the PacesetterNews correspondent, Mr. Sola Kolawole who is an agriculturist from Oyo State said the move is not sustainable.

According to him, “rice millers are under pressure to increase the price due to shortage in supply of paddy. The intervention of the Kano Anti-Graft Agency is a short term measure to cushion the effect of COVID 19 on the production of local rice. The danger ahead is that, we may have to reopen our borders to importation of foreign rice to mitigate starvation. Rice remains Nigeria’s number one staple food” Mr. Kolawole concluded.

Oyo Records 5 New Cases of COVID-19 in 4 LGAs. •Total Hits 64

By
Peter Ayoade
-

Oyo State on Saturday confirmed that 5 new cases of Coronavirus had been recorded in four local government areas of the state.

This was announced by Governor Seyi Makinde via his official facebook page. He said development had raised the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state to 64.

According to the governor, “the COVID-19 confirmation tests for five suspected cases came back POSITIVE. The cases are from the following Local Government Areas: Ibadan North (2), a foreigner in Surulere, Ibadan North East (1) and Ibadan South West (1). So, the total number of confirmed cases in Oyo State is sixty-four”.

He appealed to the people of Oyo State to call Oyo State COVID-19 Taskforce Emergency Operations Centre on 08095394000 | 08095863000 | 08078288999 | 08078288800, if they found travellers from other states arriving in their communities.

Oyo State is now 14th on the Nigeria COVID-19 Log while total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria stands at 4151, according to the Director General for Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

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