Breaking Lagos may discharge 6 coronavirus cases tomorrow

Breaking 

Lagos may discharge 6 coronavirus cases tomorrow

The Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Tunde Ajayi, has disclosed that six of the patients at the Infectious Disease Hospital have recovered.

Ajayi via his twitter handle, @thetundeajai, said the patients would be discharged soon.

“Six of our #COVID19 inpatients have recovered and will be discharged soon. There is something Lagos is doing right. Lagos takes the lead,” he wrote.

More Details later..

COVID 19 : GOVERNOR OYETOLA, WIFE TEST NEGATIVE AS OSUN GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS INDEX CASE

COVID 19 : GOVERNOR OYETOLA, WIFE TEST NEGATIVE AS OSUN GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS INDEX CASE

TEXT OF MR. GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING  ON THE CONFIRMATION OF FIRST CORONAVIRUS CASE IN THE STATE OF OSUN

My dear people of The State of Osun, recall that I addressed you about two days ago concerning the measures we had taken to wage the war against Coronavirus.

Sadly, I want to say that we have the first confirmed case of the novel Coronavirus in the State. It was confirmed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC.

The case is a returnee from the United Kingdom and is currently receiving treatment.

The sample was tested at NCDC accredited Testing Centre, which is the African Centre of Excellence in Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Ede, Osun and the result returned positive on Tuesday night.

However, this confirmed case is not the first one we will be subjecting to investigation. But so far all the others have tested negative.

The Government had contacted the family of the patient and has since commenced contact tracing to identify people who might have been in contact with the confirmed case.

Considering the fact that I was in Abuja for the better part of last week, as a way of leading by example, I have also subjected myself to test.  My wife, because of her recent travel history also subjected herself to test. Both came back negative.

To this end, I want to passionately encourage all returnees from UK, US, Europe, the West African Coast and indeed other high risk countries to self-isolate and submit themselves to test, so as to assist the government in containing the spread of the virus. The Emergency number to call is 293. Other numbers are: 08035025692, 08033908772 and 08056456250.

To further contain the spread, the following measures take immediate effect:

One, a Taskforce has been set up to man all the state land borders and conduct preliminary screening.

Two, all major markets will be shut down with effect from Friday, March 27. However, traders are allowed to sell food items in front of their houses. Pharmacies are also exempted from this ban.

Three, the ban on public gatherings, church services, Mosques, social events and political meetings among others remain in force.

Fellow citizens and residents of our dear State, do not to panic, the case, is under control.

I want to urge you all to continue to observe necessary precautionary measures by regularly washing your hands with water and soap and also maintain the prescribed social distance.

As part of our efforts to curb the spread of Coronavirus in the State, we have set up holding centres and the one in Asubiaro Specialist Hospital, Osogbo, is up and running, to isolate and treat suspected and reported cases of the virus in the State. 

Thank you and God Bless.

PRESIDENT BUHARI AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP TO THREE SCIENCE STUDENTS, SAYS FUTURE BELONGS TO NIGERIAN YOUTHS

PRESIDENT BUHARI AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP TO THREE SCIENCE STUDENTS, SAYS FUTURE BELONGS TO NIGERIAN YOUTHS

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Abuja granted full scholarship up to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree level to three secondary students who emerged winners at the year 2020 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award Competition.

The scholarship is in any science-related discipline of their choice at any university in the country.

Declaring open the 2020 Science, Technology and Innovation Expo with the theme ''Enhancing The Growth Of A Diversified Economy Through Science And Technology'', the President commended the creativity and competitive spirit of the three young scientists who emerged tops in the competition tagged 774 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award (774 YONSPA).

The students are Masters Akintade Abdullahi Akanbi of Osun State from Osogbo Government High School Osogbo, Osun State, who came first; while the second positions went to Uwakwe Nelson Kamsiyochukwu of Anambra State from British Spring College,  Awka and Aimofumhe Eshiobomhe Sigmus of FCT from the School of the Gifted, Gwagwalada, Abuja, respectively.

President Buhari noted that Nigeria’s greatest resource is its human capital, assuring that his administration would continue to support human resource development.

''This is richly embodied in our youth who make up tens of millions of incredibly talented persons, constantly pushing and striving towards greatness. The future of Nigeria belongs to our youth.

''This Administration will therefore continue to create the enabling environment for them to develop to the fullest, their potentials.

''We will harness their energy and their talents to make Nigeria achieve true greatness,'' he said.

The President reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to partner with the private sector on science, technology and innovation sector development towards ensuring that the sector plays the very important role in advancing the frontiers of knowledge for nation building.

''Government will continually support the creation of intervention funds to strengthen research and development, human capacity building programmes and collaboration with the organized private sector.

''We will continue to work towards the realisation of the National Research and Innovation Fund. I am aware, this Fund will help promote research activities in our country,'' he said.

The President, therefore, directed the ministers of science and technology to create the needed opportunities to ensure that Nigerian scientists work towards providing solutions to the nation's challenges of insecurity, unemployment, poverty, healthcare delivery and power, among others.

The President affirmed that if Nigerian potentials in the Science and Technology Sector are properly harnessed, with the enabling environment created, 100 million Nigerians will be taken out of poverty in the next ten years.

''This remains my aim for Nigerians,'' he stressed, noting that Nigerians at home and abroad have always demonstrated remarkable ingenuity and inventiveness and with the right environment, and policy framework, there is no limit to how far Nigerian innovation can go.

''A prime example of an outstanding Nigerian is Mal. Jelani Aliyu, who is now Director-General of the National Automatic Design and Development Council.

''Malam Jelani designed the General Motors of America’s leading auto brand the Chevrolet Volt. Now he is assuring Nigerians that all the cars that took part in Argungu Motor Rally were assembled in Nigeria,'' he said.

In his remarks, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu thanked the President for the many efforts in promoting STI, including recognizing the sector as being at the centre of all economic activities under the Economic Recovery and  Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020.

The Minister said in the last six months of the second term of President Buhari, the STI sector helped create over 900,000 jobs while data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that Nigeria saved over N1 trillion in the importation of raw materials in both 2017 and 2018.

''The data for 2019 is yet to be released. Patents from scientists and engineers, who passed through the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), an agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, have continued to increase.

''In 2015, the first year of the Buhari administration, it was only six. In 2016; it was 16, 50 in 2017, 55 in 2018 and 57 in 2019,'' he said.

As the Covid-19 crisis spreads across the globe, Dr Onu declared that what is happening around the world is a wake-up call to intensify efforts to manufacture goods locally and patronize made-in-Nigeria products.

''The Presidential Executive Order No. 5 and the National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Product Development in the country already passed by the Federal Executive Council will help in realizing this noble objective,'' he said.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
March 16, 2020

Best Nigerian Young Scientist: Oyetola appreciates Buhari.Congratulates Winner

Best Nigerian Young Scientist: Oyetola appreciates Buhari.Congratulates Winner

The Governor, State of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola has appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for awarding Master Akintade Abdullahi, a student of Osogbo Grammar School, a full scholarship up to PhD level for emerging the overall best Young Nigerian Scientist of the Year.

Abdullahi achieved the feat having won the 1st position in the National Examination of the 774 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award, organised by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

Governor Oyetola, who personally congratulated the winner and his parents, expressed his appreciation to President Buhari while fielding questions from journalists shortly after the presentation of the Presidential Awards to the young Abdullahi and two others on Monday at the Eagle Square, Abuja. The Governor was Guest of honour at the event.

He lauded the President "for putting measures in place to build the capacity of the youth through education as a way of preparing them for their role as the leaders of tomorrow."

He also commended the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology for instituting the 774 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award to develop the interest of young Nigerians in the sciences through competitive examinations.

According to him, this will enable Nigerian youths to compete internationally and become renowned laureates in the sciences.

The governor said he was elated and proud that a son of The State of Osun emerged the Overall Best Young Nigerian Scientist of the Year, noting that the feat was a testament to the quality of the public school system in the State.

"The emergence of Master Akintade Abdullahi Akanbi, from a humble background and a product of our public school system, Osogbo Grammar School, as the Best Young Nigerian Scientist of the Year is a testament to the quality of the public school system of the State of Osun.

"This award is a lesson to our youths that their background cannot and should not be a hindrance to their success in life. It is also a lesson that there is hope for the nation’s public school system if we muster the political will to make it qualitative and productive.

"For us in Osun, education is the bedrock and the driver of our Development Agenda. We are committed to providing adequate, qualitative, equitable and functional education for our children.

"I am proud to say that there are many Akintades in our public schools waiting to emerge. We shall continue to expose them to opportunities and offer them same so that our aim of using education as the driver of sustainable development would be attained," Oyetola added.

He also urged corporate organisations to complement the Federal Government’s efforts by instituting competitions and facilitating projects that will produce scientists for massive technological development.

NIOB commended Oyetola for ensuring an orderly built environment.

NIOB commended Oyetola for ensuring an orderly built environment.

The Nigeria Institute Of Building, NIOB, has commended the efforts of Governor Oyetola towards ensuring an orderly built environment by putting in place necessary measures to curtail the nefarious activities of quacks.

The NIOB disclosed this at the Governor's office, Abere, through their State Chairman, Bldr Ajao Olushola on a courtesy visit to Mr Governor to mark the year 2020 Builder's Day celebration on Thursday, March 13, 2020.

Bldr Ajao stated that NIOB is a professional association of Builders and a training institution for prospective builders. He commended Mr Governor for the honour and the privilege which is accorded in granting the courtesy visit as they mark year 2020 Builder's day.

"This year's Builder's day focuses on the need to raise public awareness aimed at curbing the menace of incessant building collapse and inter/intra professional rivalry and quackery in the Built Environment, culminating often into Building collapses / failure." The Chairman said.

In his address, Governor Oyetola who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Benedict Alabi congratulated NIOB on the year 2020 Builder's day. He said his administration has taken a giant stride towards ensuring compliance with the Nigerian National Building code aimed at promoting a safe building environment for the well being of Osun residents.

The Nigerian National Building code was made in 2006. The code clearly spelt out the duties and roles of all professionals in the Building production process. This will not only check quackery, but will ensure an orderly built environment.

Governor Oyetola charged the team to continue to seek knowledge beyond the soil and embrace innovative ideas that will assist the government in making Osun the best in terms of building construction and a safe environment.

He advised them to continue to display professionalism in the discharge of their duties to prevent the menace of incessant building collapse and activities of quackery in building construction.

While noting the builders contributions to education, Mr Governor revealed that four out of the Nine existing Vocational and Skills acquisition institutes in the state have been revamped to enhance vocational training in the State. These schools are to turn out experts in bricklaying, tiling, plumbing and others in the building industry.

"Our administration has put everything in place to make sure that we have the products that we can be proud of in educational sector in the state." Oyetola concluded.

CORONAVIRUS: FG WARNS AGAINST HANDSHAKE, HUGGING

CORONAVIRUS: FG WARNS AGAINST HANDSHAKE, HUGGING

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola In lieu of the coronavirus, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday warned Nigerians against handshake and hugging.

He gave the warning yesterday at the ground-breaking ceremony of a 3000-capacity custodial centre in Karshi, Abuja . “Don’t shake hands again, don’t hug for now except your family members, maintain three feet distance between you and the next person”, he warned.

The minister advised Nigerians to greet by bowing and touching their heart. Aregbesola said coronavirus had become a global emergency, stressing that all hands must be on deck to ensure “it doesn’t become a serious problem here. We must be cautious of coronavirus and work towards preventing it. We owe it to ourselves, our family, and community to be very vigilant.”

Osun: Oyetola Signs State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Bill into Law

Osun: Oyetola Signs State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Bill into Law

...says no breathing space for criminals in Osun, environs

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of The State of Osun on Friday, signed into law the State's Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps Establishment Bill.

The bill was transmitted to the governor by the Speaker of the State Assembly, Timothy Owoeye,  on Thursday evening.

The House had on March 3, 2020 passed the bill into law after a public hearing to seek stakeholders' contributions and suggestions on the bill.

Oyetola while signing the Bill at the Executive Council Lounge, Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, disclosed that the law signifies a declaration of war on criminals in the state and its environs, adding that the State "is prepared to go to any legitimate length to ensure that criminals in the state have no breathing space."

The Governor who noted that the Law shall complement the Constitution and other laws setting up the various security agencies in guaranteeing the safety and security of the people and their property, expressed confidence that the law would further enhance the profile of Osun as the most peaceful state and preferred investment destination in the country.

Oyetola clarified that before the idea of Amotekun for the South West was birthed in July, 2019, Osun had already concluded plans to unveil its own Security Taskforce owing to the government's desire to make the State commercial hub of the South West. He, however, said due to Osun's commitment  to the regional integration objective of the South-West, the State wasted no time in keying into the Amotetekun idea for regional security.

"Permit me to place on record that owing to our desire to make Osun the commercial hub of the region, we had as a government concluded plans to unveil our own Security Taskforce before the idea of Amotekun for the region was birthed in July last year. To show our commitment to the regional integration objective of the South-West, we wasted no time in keying into the Amotetekun idea for regional security," the governor explained.

Speaking further, Oyetola said the bill was a collective product of the people of Osun.
"The Bill that is due for signing today is the product of the collective will of the people of Osun acting both by themselves and through their elected representatives. This is a testament to the high premium we place on the security and welfare of the people as an Administration pursuant to the provisions of Section 14 (2) of the 1999 Constitution," the governor stated.

Governor Oyetola therefore, enjoined citizens and residents of the State to "adhere to the Spirit and Letter of the Law and respect the Amotekun personnel as they labour earnestly to protect us and the State.

"The economic and investment transformation that we promised the people of Osun can only be realised in a secured atmosphere," he added.

The governor appreciated the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, other principal officers and members of the House for "working tirelessly and expediting action on the Bill in the interest of safety and security of the State and the people."

He also thanked well-meaning sons and daughters of the State, who contributed to the final outcomes of the Bill at the Public Hearing.

Earlier while presenting the Bill to the Governor, Speaker Owoeye appreciated the Governor for the opportunity given to them to legislate on the bill.

"I believe that with your assent on this Bill, it will reduce drastically the security challenges facing our region and our State. On our part as legislature, we have done the necessity in considering the Bill letter to letter", Owoeye added.