COVID-19: Osun alerts residents on safety precautions amid delta variant

Following reports of the third wave of Covid-19 pandemic with the arrival of a new Delta variant which has also been found in Nigeria, the Government of the State of Osun has warned its residents and citizens of the consequences of disregard for safety protocols and non-pharmaceutical guidelines against the disease.

Recall that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced last Friday that it had confirmed a case of the SARS-CoV-2, known as the Delta variant in Nigeria, adding that the variant had been recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a variant of concern.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode, on Wednesday, Osun government enjoined citizens to continue to take personal responsibility for their own safety, adding that non-adherence to safety protocols among citizens may produce unpleasant outcomes.

The statement read in part: “The government of the State of Osun is advising its residents not to let down their guard or be lured into a false sense of security that the world is totally out of the grips of Covid-19.

“The arrival of the new Delta variant is a signal to us that we cannot let down our guards. It has ushered in a third wave in other parts of the world, and its strain has been found in Nigeria – as a matter of fact, in Oyo state.

“Therefore, we cannot pretend that Osun is an island considering our people engage in trade and social activities with this neighbouring state.

“We should also be aware that the new variant has a high rate of mutation and it is deadlier. The worse part is that it does not have exactly the same symptoms like the variants experienced in the first and second wave. It presents just as body ache, devoid of dry cough and fever. So we need to be mindful of the symptoms and go to the hospital when we feel unwell.

“Those who have taken the two jabs of the vaccine should note that the vaccine reduces their susceptibility but doesn’t rule out their chances of contracting and infecting others who have not been vaccinated.

“Everyone should protect himself at all times by putting on a face mask in public places, avoid crowded spaces, disinfect hands and surfaces with alcohol-based sanitizer”, the statement read.

Osun’s debt stands at N39b, says commissioner

Osun State Commissioner for Finance, Budget Development and Economic Planning Dr. Wale Bolorunduro has said the state’s debt stands at N39 billion.
Bolorunduro, who spoke with journalists yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, said the Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration had paid N1.2 billion from the N4 billion pension arrears inherited from the past administration.
He said the state debt was not as alarming as it was being claimed by the opposition parties.
His words: “The total debt of the state is N39 billion, including the bond which has defrayed for two years now and the money owed contractors handling various ongoing projects in the state. The recent payment of salary, pension and gratuity to people was not a panic measure and not because of the coming election, but mainly on prudent management of the state’s lean resources.
‘’The opposition, mainly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has nothing to say than to lie about the finance of the state. The party is known for causing confusion, so the motive of its crying. The Debt Management Office is a Federal Government agency and it has come out openly to clear Osun State of having debt beyond its capacity.
“The total debt of the state was not beyond redemption and the state is buoyant to carry out its day-to-day duties to all citizens. The philosophy of the present administration is based on the welfare and good living standard of the people and unlike in the past where the treasury of the state were looted and did not follow due process for seven years under the PDP.
“Despite challenges posed by the dwindling revenue to the state from the Federal Government, the state government has paid a total sum of N23.5 billion to pensioners as pension and gratuity to retired workers.
“The administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has paid to the state’s pensioners the sum of N24.3billion as pension and gratuity, while the local government staff, including teaching staff of primary schools and non-teaching staff of the local governments had received N13.6 billion.”

PHOTO NEWS: Osun Parents Teachers Association Endorse Aregbesola For Second Term

PHOTO NEWS: Osun Parents Teachers Association Endorse Aregbesola For Second Term

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (4th left); Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prince Felix Awofisayo (5th left); Chairman, Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Osun Chapter, Dr Ademola Ekundayo (3rd left) and others, during the Governor's Endorsement for Second Term in office and Inauguration of Public Schools PTA Executives at Technical College, Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 21-07-2014

From left, Member, National Assembly representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Senator Babafemi Ojudu; Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; his State of Osun counterpart, Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prince Felix Awofisayo and Chairman, Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Osun Chapter, Dr Ademola Ekundayo, during Aregbesola's Endorsement for Second Term in office and Inauguration of Public Schools PTA Executives at Technical College, Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 21-07-2014

From left, Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; his State of Osun counterpart, Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Chairman, Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Osun Chapter, Dr Ademola Ekundayo; Principal, Imesi Ile High School, Mr Moses Omogeshinde and other Principals, during the Governor's Endorsement for Second Term in office and Inauguration of Public Schools PTA Executives at Technical College, Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 21-07-2014

From left, Chairman, Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Osun Chapter, Dr Ademola Ekundayo; Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; his State of Osun counterpart, Governor Rauf Aregbesola; One of the Outstanding Teachers of Middle/High Schools, Mr Ifatumo Akinkunmi and others, during the Governor's Endorsement for Second Term in office and Inauguration of Public Schools PTA Executives at Technical College, Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 21-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from members and executives of National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) Osun Chapter, during his Endorsement for Second Term in office and Inauguration of Public Schools Parents Teachers Association (PTA) Executives at Technical College, Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 21-07-2014

How SSS almost stopped my London trip- Ezekwesili

Former Education Minister and leader of the Bringbackourgirls campaign, Dr Oby Ezekwesili almost missed her flight to London Monday morning to appear on a BBC Hard Talk programme following the temporary seizure of her passport by men of the State Security Service (SSS) at the Abuja International Airport.

Ezekwesili whose passport was later released tweeted about her encounter with the SSS.

Her tweets on her handle @obyezeks are reproduced below :

7.37am

IS THIS A DEMOCRACY? I am being detained by the SSS @ Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport . The SSS has REFUSED to GIVE MY PASSPORT TO ME.

7.41am

On my way to London this morning for my @BBCHARDtalk appearance billed for TOMORROW and the SSS has DETAINED me by WITHHOLDING my PASSPORT

8.03am

SSS has RELEASED IT. Just barely made the BA flight. Last to board @ 7.55 for an 8.00 am flight that is now taxiing. IS THIS A DEMOCRACY

8.04am

No ONE can SEIZE my DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS. I REFUSED to let the SSS GET AWAY with TRAMPLING on my CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

Al Shabaab claims responsibility for Kenya attack

Somalia’s al Shabaab insurgents claimed responsibility on Saturday for an attack on a bus on Kenya’s northern coast that killed seven.

Gunmen blocked the bus with their car late on Friday and sprayed it with bullets. They also attacked two lorries carrying mangos near Witu, a town in Lamu County which borders Somalia.

“The attack was in response to Kenya’s claim that it deployed more troops in the coast and thus tightened security,” Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, spokesman for al Shabaab’s military operations told Reuters.

“Kenya also lied by saying it destroyed al Shabaab bases there – that is propaganda.”

Al Shabaab has vowed to carry out a campaign of attacks to punish Kenya for sending its troops into Somalia, where Kenyan soldiers are fighting the militants as part of an African Union peacekeeping force.

Gunmen have killed about 100 people on Kenya’s coast since mid-June. Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for many of the attacks but the government, including President Uhuru Kenyatta, has suggested local politicians were behind the incidents.

Kenya Red Cross, which has set up camps for residents who have fled the area, said on its Twitter account that seven people were killed in the attacks.

Israel bombs Syrian posts over attack on its troops

The Israeli military said it attacked several Syrian military posts on Wednesday in retaliation for a roadside bombing that wounded four of its troops on the occupied Golan Heights on Tuesday.

The Israeli military said in Jerusalem that its targets included a Syrian military headquarter, a training facility and military facilities on the Syrian-held side of the Golan.

Lt-Col. Peter Lerner, Israeli military spokesman, said an aircraft carried out the overnight strikes.

Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said in a statement that the Syrian army had aided and abetted Tuesday’s attack.

He said Assad regime was held responsible for what happens in its territory.

He warned that if it continued to collaborate with terrorists striving to hurt Israel, then government would keep on exacting a heavy price from it and make it regret its actions.

EU to deploy troops to Central Africa mission

The European Union (EU) on Wednesday drew up plans to send 800 to 1,000 soldiers to Central African Republic to join 6,000 African and 2,000 French troops by the end of April.

Gen. Philippe Ponties, Head of EU military operation in the CAR (EUFOR), said in Paris that this became imperative because there was a link between the problems facing the CAR force and the political crisis in Ukraine.

“Given the humanitarian and security situation in CAR, it is urgent that we deploy to support the African Union and French mission and to ease the humanitarian task,’’ he said.

This was coming after France accused the EU of shirking its responsibility for international security after a plan to send up to 1,000 troops to Central African Republic this week seemed set to collapse.

Ponties said so far two brigades of about 300 soldiers as well as Special Forces and police units had been committed to the EUFOR mission.

He stressed that the mission still lacked around 100 men and key logistical support before it could be deployed.

“The launch still needs logistical support of about 100 soldiers, ranging from medical to transport needs,’’ he said.

Ponties said France, Georgia, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Portugal and Spain had agreed to contribute to the mission.

“This will be a transition mission that will last six months which would be a bridge between the current situation and a multinational force that should be strengthened by year end,’’ he added.

Ponties said the goal of the EU force would be to provide security in the capital, Bangui, and at Bangui airport where about 70,000 people who fled the violence were living in dire conditions.

He said the EU had so far held four conferences at which member states as well as some countries outside the 28-nation bloc offered troops and equipment for the operation.

Ponties said failure to send the force to Africa would be an embarrassment for the EU which has been trying to burnish its credentials as a security organisation, and a setback for France which has sought more European support for its efforts in CAR.

NIS tragedy: Jonathan gives job slots to families of dead job seekers

Jonathan

*All injured job seekers to get automatic employment

Following the public outcry that trailed the death of about 19 job seekers during last Saturdays’ NigeriaImmigration Service (NIS), the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved three vacancy slot for the family of each of the 19 job seekers that died during the exercise.

But one of the three slots must be a female.

The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of FEC presided over by President Good luck Jonathan.

According to him, all the injured job seekers are also to be given automatic job in the immigration service.

He said that the last Saturday recruitment exercise has been cancelled while a fresh one will be conducted under the Chairmanship of the Federal Civil Service Commission with an inter-ministerial panel.

The Government, he said, has also stopped all government agencies, apart from Army and Police, from carrying out such physical recruitment exercise.

Details later

Japan imposes sanctions on Russia over Crimea crisis

•Putin

Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday announced sanctions on Russia over crisis related to Crimea.

This is contained in a statement released by the ministry.

“The Japanese government does not recognise Crimean referendum which said over 95 per cent of voters wanted the region to join Russia,’’ Kishida said.

Kishida announced the suspension of negotiation with Russia on relaxing visa regulations, and talks on agreements covering investment, outer-space and prevention of dangerous military movement.

A report says that the Crimean parliament adopted a resolution on the independence of the territory, and asked Russia to admit it as its new constituent member.

However, it added that Russian President Vladimir Putin had signed a decree to recognise Crimea as a sovereign and independent state.

Confab will find solution to Nigeria’s problems – Labour Party

The National Chairman, Labour Party (LP), Mr Dan Nwanyanwu has expressed confidence in the ability ofNational Conference to offer solutions to the various challenges confronting Nigeria.

Nwanyanwu said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that his confidence was anchored on the calibre of the people selected for the conference saying that it was an indication of Federal Government’s commitment to national advancement.

The LP boss also expressed delight over the number of political parties, including LP that heeded the call by the president to be part of the conference

“The invited parties have embraced the conference, it does not matter if one party did not send its delegates,” he said.

On the forthcoming governorship polls in Ekiti, slated for June 21, Nwanyanwu expressed optimism that his party would win the election.

He said that his optimism was “because politicians from other major parities in the state are joining the LP as a better option.”

The national chairman, however, urged INEC to ensure that the poll is not only hitch-free but also free, fair and transparent.

He said by doing so, the commission would have restored the confidence of the electorate in the electoral process.

“Many people expect INEC to have gone beyond its shortcomings in the Anambra governorship election, to better its performance in other elections.’’

The chairman added that the Ekiti polls and subsequently Osun would enhance people’s trust in INEC to conduct the 2015 general elections.

ECOWAS mourns former Sierra Leonean President

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr Kadré Ouédraogo has commiserated with the government and people of Sierra Leone on the passing away of their former President, Mr Ahmad Kabbah.

“On behalf of the community, I wish convey our sincere condolences to the family, the government and people of Sierra Leone as they mourn a great son of West Africa,’’ Ouédraogo said.

A statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the ECOWAS spokesman, Mr Sunny Ugoh, said that Kabbah died at the age of 82.

Ouédraogo said that the former President would be fondly remembered for successfully leading the country at a very delicate period in its history.

“He deployed his vast experiences in the UN system in managing the country’s economic challenges and political upheaval,’’ it said.

The statement quoted him as also saying that the region recalled how he guided the nation through the process of national reconciliation and recovery after a devastating civil war.

Ouédraogo urged the people of Sierra Leone to build on the legacy of the late President.

Al-Shabaab attacks hotel used by Somali, AU soldiers

The radical Islamist group al-Shabaab on Monday night attacked a hotel being used by Somali and African Union troops, in the north of Somalia, military officials said.

They said on Tuesday in Mogadishu that many al-Shabaab fighters, including at least two suicide bombers, attacked the hotel in Bulabarde, 185 kilometres north of Mogadishu.

Officials said explosions were heard outside and inside the hotel.

They said the Somali soldiers responded with machine guns and grenades, in a battle that lasted several hours until midnight.

Officials in Mogadishu said all the al-Shabaab attackers were killed, but there has been no official death toll

EU adopts strategy on Gulf of Guinea

The European Union (EU) has adopted a blueprint to support Gulf of Guinea countries to address various challenges in maritime insecurity and organised crime.

The EU foreign ministers at the end of their meeting on Monday said the strategy on the Gulf of Guinea was comprehensive and a  and long-standing approach of the 28-member bloc to support West and Central African countries’ efforts to overcome poverty and attain lasting stability and prosperity.

They said that piracy, armed robbery at sea, organised crime and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Gulf of Guinea posed serious challenges to human security, human rights, economic activity and trade both at sea and on land.

They also recognised the need to protect both the populations in the Gulf of Guinea region and European citizens from the threats that emanate from the region.

The strategy was scheduled to be presented to the EU/Africa Summit in April

Missing plane: Pilot’s last recorded words gave no hint of danger

The last recorded words by the pilot of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 gave no hint that anything was wrong with the jetliner that disappeared from radar, a recent report said.

An air traffic controller told the pilot, “we have to hand you over to Ho Chi Minh City,’’ a Malaysian Civil Air Department representative said, referring to air traffic control in Vietnam.

The pilot responded, “All right, good night’’.

The Malaysian authorities revealed that exchange in a briefing for Chinese media, and the Chinese press relayed that information.

The source said Flight MH370 never made contact with air traffic control in Ho Chi Minh City and what happened to the plane and its 239 passengers has baffled searchers.

The conversation details emerged as officials announced they are expanding the search to cover 27,000 nautical miles over two separate areas, 14,440 square nautical miles in the South China Sea on the plane’s designated route as well as 12,425 square nautical miles in the Strait of Malacca, which is hundreds of miles to the west of the plane’s flight path.

Authorities ran down another lead this week, but came up empty.

Also the report says that a New Zealand man working on an oil rig had emailed authorities after he said he spotted a burning object in the water east of Vietnam on Saturday morning, the day the plane disappeared.

Vietnamese officials reportedly sent a plane to the area to investigate the man’s claims, but the search was fruitless, naval officer Le Minh Thanh told journalists.

Malaysia’s Acting Transport Minister, Hishammuddin Hussein, said in a media briefing on Wednesday that the search now includes 42 ships and 39 aircraft.

“We will never give up hope,’’ he said.

Malaysia is seeking to bring in more experts, officials from the plane’s manufacturer Boeing, the U.S.Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board and Rolls Royce, which built the plane’s engines to analyse civil and military data.

The search now includes 12 countries – India, Japan and Brunei

Hussein defended the rescue efforts against rising complaints of confusion, calling the search strategy “very consistent’’.

“It’s only confusion if you want it to be seen as confusion,” he said.

Five days into the search, authorities have not ruled out any possible cause, including mechanical failure, pilot error, sabotage or terrorism.

“Until wreckage or debris is found and examined, it will be very hard to say what happened.

Vietnam had, however, scaled down its search to a “less intensive” format, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told journalists at a recent media briefing.

Update: Military repels Boko Haram attack in Maiduguri

Five sect members arrested, female student of University of Maiduguri shot.

Two hours after the first triple assault on Giwa barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State capital by suspected insurgents, gun shots are still being heard from a distance from the GRA police station.

Fighter planes of the Nigerian air force which responded with record speed according to one security personnel seem to be dropping bombs in a staccato manner returning back to base after the operation.

The varying sounds indicate different types of weapons used by both soldiers and insurgents said residents of the state hotel who have witnessed such encounters in recently.

Meanwhile five members of the sect have been caught close to the University of Maiduguri where they have been said to have stormed the town very close to the University simultaneously.

Students living around Barma road said a stray bullet hit a female student who was going to school about the same time when the others stormed the town from the University side.

Although no death figure has been confirmed by the University, a mass communications student Mayum Etim told The Nation on phone that ” It was correct that the insurgents stormed an area close to our school but they did not enter the campus. ”

” A female student was said to have received bullet wounds on her shoulder just above her breast but she has gone for treatment to stop the bleeding at the teaching hospital where services were still on going since they have soldiers keeping on guard.

“They did not enter our campus. It is however deserted by students who took off for their lives when the shots started booming opposite the campus. Soldiers have completely cordoned the place and the usual 7th division trucks are patrolling our streets from the Konjuga end of the University to Customs area which has porous areas where they dared to enter having being repelled from the Giwa barracks axis.

“The civilian JTF guys are doing a great job as they have been fishing out the determined insurgents who are bent on destabilizing the town. As a matter of fact, they have just caught five fleeing members of the sect near our home outside the Campos. They have been handed over to the men of the 7th division.

Meanwhile the daring seige on Maiduguri from about three fronts of the town continues. Fire Service vehicles were seen being escorted by soldiers to an unknown destination to put off fire on buildings that may have been set on fire by the insurgents from the Giwa barracks end of the town.

Insurgency: Shehu of Borno declares 3-day fasting

 

The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn-Garbai, has directed residents of the state to embark on a three-day fasting “for divine intervention over the Boko Haram insurgency in the state.’’

The directive is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Maiduguri.

The statement quoted the monarch as asking residents to start the fasting on Tuesday.

He said “I am appealing to all residents of the state to observe a three-day fasting to seek Allah’s mercy toward ending the crisis facing us.

“I believe we should continue to seek for Allah’s help toward restoring peace in the state.’’

Ibn-Garbai added that the renewed violence by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect had led to massive destruction of lives and property.

The Shehu noted that it was time to seek God’s intervention to the problem and urged residents to start the fasting on Tuesday and end it on Thursday.

He also directed that special prayers be held in Mosques and Churches to seek God’s help and urged residents to remain prayerful even after the fasting.

Photonews: Governor Aregbesola; wife obtains Permanent Voter Cards

Photonews: Governor Aregbesola; wife obtains Permanent Voter Cards

From left, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his wife, Sherifat; Chairman, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Rufus Akeju and others, during the collection of their Permanent Voter cards at Ward 8, Ilesa East Local Government, Ilesa, State of Osun on Friday 07-03-2014

From left, Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; wife of the Governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola; Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Chairman, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Rufus Akeju and others, during the collection of their Permanent Voter cards at Ward 8, Ilesa East Local Government, Ilesa, State of Osun on Friday 07-03-2014

N17bn required for 2016 national census – NPC boss

The National Population Commission (NPC) will require N17 billion to successfully conduct the 2016 nationalcensus, its chairman Mr. Eze Duru-Iheoma, has said.

Duru-Iheoma said this on Thursday in Abuja when he appeared before the House of Representativescommittee on Population to defend the 2014 budget of the commission.

He said that the commission requested for N34.56 billion as capital allocation in the 2014 budget to out of which the Budget Office approved N6.2 billion.

He said that amount approved by the Budget Office was inadequate to carry out activities for the successful conduct of the 2016 census.

He said that construction of ICT centres across the 36 states of the federation would gulp N5.7 billion.

He said that the Budget Office allocated only N203 million for the ICT centres.

He said that there was need to refurbish and equip NPC offices across the states.

He appealed to the committee to intervene, adding that the N203 million allocated by the Budget Office would not be enough to construct the ICT centres.

Rep. Abdulrazaq Zaki (PDP, Bauchi) the acting chairman of the committee said the committee would intervene where necessary and demanded to know what the commission was doing to complete its head office in Abuja.

N17bn required for 2016 national census – NPC boss

The National Population Commission (NPC) will require N17 billion to successfully conduct the 2016 nationalcensus, its chairman Mr. Eze Duru-Iheoma, has said.

Duru-Iheoma said this on Thursday in Abuja when he appeared before the House of Representativescommittee on Population to defend the 2014 budget of the commission.

He said that the commission requested for N34.56 billion as capital allocation in the 2014 budget to out of which the Budget Office approved N6.2 billion.

He said that amount approved by the Budget Office was inadequate to carry out activities for the successful conduct of the 2016 census.

He said that construction of ICT centres across the 36 states of the federation would gulp N5.7 billion.

He said that the Budget Office allocated only N203 million for the ICT centres.

He said that there was need to refurbish and equip NPC offices across the states.

He appealed to the committee to intervene, adding that the N203 million allocated by the Budget Office would not be enough to construct the ICT centres.

Rep. Abdulrazaq Zaki (PDP, Bauchi) the acting chairman of the committee said the committee would intervene where necessary and demanded to know what the commission was doing to complete its head office in Abuja.

Obama warns Russia over Ukraine

United States President, Barack Obama, has warned Russia there will be “costs” for any military intervention in Ukraine.
He said he was deeply concerned by reports of Russian military movements inside the country.
The BBC reports that Ukraine’s acting president has accused Russia of deploying troops to Crimea and trying to provoke Kiev into “armed conflict.”
Russia’s United Nations ambassador said any troop movements in Crimea were within an existing arrangement with Ukraine.
Speaking from the White House, President Obama commended Ukraine’s interim government for its “restraint.”
“Any violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would be deeply destabilising, which is not in the interests of Ukraine, Russia or Europe,” he said.
“It would represent a profound interference in matters that must be determined by the Ukrainian people. It would be a clear violation of Russia’s commitment to respect the independence and sovereignty and borders of Ukraine – and of international laws.”
He added: “Just days after the world came to Russia for the Olympic games, it would invite the condemnation of nations around the world. And, indeed, the United States will stand with the international community in affirming that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine.”