Wife divorces husband for allegedly stealing her pant for rituals in Ibadan

A Nigerian woman identified as Sadia Abass has divorced her husband over alleged claims that he stole her pant for rituals. Sadia who is a trader had petitioned the Court to dissolve her marriage to her husband, Azeez, on Wednesday at the Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan.

Speaking to the president of the court, Sadia said that she feared that her life might be in perpetual danger if she continued to live under the same roof with a man planning to use her for something diabolic.

Sadia added that her husband’s attitude had made the marriage miserable and unattractive to her.

In her words “When the ill-treatment reached its peak, I discovered that my underwear suddenly got missing. I checked everywhere but did not see it. He also denied ever seeing it. Three days later, the missing underwear resurfaced where I had checked over and over and I made him realise his evil intention toward me.”

Sharing his own side of the story, Azeez said “Only God knows what would have happened or might still happen to me because I have made it clear to him that I will not continue with the relationship. Every now and then, she nags and packs in and out of the house”

The judge however concluded that there was no more love between the duo and pronounced the marriage dissolved in the interest of peace and harmony. Adding that mother should be the custodian of their child and the defendant must pay N5,000 monthly for the child’s feeding and also to be responsible for his education and basic welfare.

Oyo APC Crisis Deepens As Stalwarts Shun Akala-Led Peace Parley

Alao-Akala

The crisis rocking the Oyo State chapter of the APC took another dimension on penultimate Saturday when some stalwarts of the party ignored a peace meeting convened by a former governor of the state, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala.

A 16-man reconciliation committee led by Alao-Akala was inaugurated by the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi to reconcile aggrieved members of the party.

This committee invited some members to peace meeting in Ibadan, the state capital.

The chairman of the committee, Chief Alao-Akala and secretary, Prince Gbade Lana, in a bid to reconcile the aggrieved members, called a peace meeting at the Bodija house of the former governor to settle the crisis in the party.

Our correspondent, however, observed that some strong stakeholders among whom were both former and current ministers, commissioners, lawmakers and other stalwarts of the party were either not invited or shunned the meeting.

Those who distanced themselves from the Alao-Akala peace meeting included, Minister for Youth and Sport, Mr Sunday Dare, immediate past deputy governor, Moses Alake-Adeyemo, immediate past minister of Communications, Barr. Adebayo Shittu and a former chief of staff to late Ajimobi, Professor Adeolu Akande.

Others were former deputy governor to former Governor Lamidi Adesina, Barr Iyiola Oladokun, Hon. Yunus Akintunde, Fatai Ibikunle, Bayo Adewusi, Sen. Adesoji Akanbi, and Sen. Ayo Adeseun.

Also on the list were, Asiwaju Rotimi Ajanaku, Hon. Dapo Lam-Adesina, Abiodun Olasupo, Hon. Taiwo Michael Akintola, Hon. Sunbo Olugbemi, Hon. Sunday Adepoju, Akeem Agbaje, Ayodeji Kareem, Isiaka Alimi, Ajiboye Omodewu, Goke Oyetunji and other prominent members of the party.

Speaking through his media aide, Adebowale Adeoye in Ibadan at the weekend, Asiwaju Rotimi Ajanaku said he was surprised a meeting was held penultimate Saturday without extending invitation to all aggrieved members.

In a similar development, one of the members who preferred not to be mentioned said the so-called Akala’s meeting was dominated by those who benefitted from the impunity in the last party primaries.

Man stages lone protest in Ibadan against increase in fuel price, electricity tariff

A man on Thursday August 3, staged a lone protest against the recent increase in fuel price and electricity tariffs in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

The man was reportedly spotted opposite the University of Ibadan carrying a placard that read “I can’t take this anymore, increased petrol price and Electricity tariff”

A Twitter user, Boogyman (@Tobbsticks) , who witnessed the one-man protest wrote on Twitter:

“Saw this one-man Protest opposite the University of Ibadan. ” I can’t take this anymore, increased petrol price and Electricity tariff”

It will be recalled that barely two days after electricity tariff was increased by about 300 per cent, oil marketers on Wednesday August 2, fixed the pump price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol at N162 a litre.

Oyo state government cancels curfew

The Oyo State government has announced the cancellation of the 10pm to 4am curfew earlier imposed on the state as part of measures to contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

A statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde,Taiwo Adisa, on Thursday September 3, says the state government decided to abolish the curfew after series of reviews.

According to the statement, the decision to abolish the curfew was premised on the need to reduce the burden on business owners in the state who have been adversely affected by the curfew.

The government noted that statistics show that COVID-19 cases were declining in the state. It, however, warned residents of the state not to jettison the guidelines on the prevention of the virus, including washing of hands, social distancing and use of nose masks.

The statement adds that the governor has approved the conversion of the Aawe Isolation Centre to a Level 3 Primary Health Care Centre (PHC), directing that the facility should be decontaminated and handed over to the Hospital Management Board. Other isolation centres in the state aides the Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo, Ibadan, are to be converted to Level 3 PHCs.

Seyi Makinde Upholds Yoruba Culture As He Prostrates To Greet Olubadan (See Photos)

On Tuesday, the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde and top members of his government visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Olasupo Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso 1 to give him presents on the Monarch's 92nd birthday.

In pictures released on the Governor's social media handles, he could be seen prostrating himself to greet the revered Monarch.

Ideally, this is a sign of respect among the Yorubas but civilisation has almost eroded this beautiful culture; it is now believed that political power is more relevant than traditions.

Governors appoint kings and as such, seen as the most powerful in their states. Despite being aware of this, Seyi Makinde still bowed respectfully to greet Oba Saliu.

For the latter part of his tenure, late Abiola Ajimobi was at loggerheads with the King over some alterations made to the Ibadan kingship system by the government. At a point, Ajimobi reminded the King that he could dethrone him. The fight culminated into the devastating loss of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polls in the last general elections.

It would also be recalled that former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala also had issues with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi which also took negative effect on the reelection bid of the former in 2011.

However, it seems Seyi Makinde has been managing his relationship with the royal fathers well by according them the respect they deserve. One can only wish for this rare level of humility from the billionaire Governor.

Farmer arrested for allegedly killing herdsman whose cow grazed on his farm in Oyo (photo)

A 27-year-old farmer in Ogbomoso, Abraham Alamu, has been apprehended by the police for allegedly killing a herdsman called Shuaib Adamu.

Reports have it that Alamu launched a brutal attack on Adamu of Elega village in Oriire local government area of the state, on August 21, after he caught his cattle grazing on his farmland.

Confirming the incident to newsmen, spokesperson of the Public Relations Officer, Oyo State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, Oluwole Olusegun, stated that Alamu had been handed over to the Oyo state police command for investigations into the suspected murder.

Items recovered from the suspect include carpenter working tools: Scissors, hammer, saw, nail remover, mosquito net, three ATM cards, two apprentice identification cards, cloth, bible, toothbrush, and purse.

Alamu was said to have evaded arrest on August 21 and escaped to an unknown destination before Agro Rangers squad of the NSCDC stationed at Ogbomoso tracked him down on Friday, August 28, and apprehended him.

Police confirm killing of a teenager in Ibadan

Oyo State Police Command, on Monday, confirmed the killing of another teenager in Ibadan, the State capital.

It was gathered that a teenager identified as Mary Daramola was last week raped and subsequently killed.

The killing of Miss Daramola is coming a few months after the killing of some women, including an 18-year old Barakat Bello in Akinyele local government area of Ibadan.

The killing of Daramola was said to have been carried out by her alleged boyfriend.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi confirmed the killing of Daramola.

Fadeyi said that Daramola was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend, identified as Toheeb Ganiyu.

He said that the unfortunate incident occurred in the Alabata area of Ibadan.

Fadeyi maintained that the suspect, Ganiyu has been arrested by the command.

The PRO in the statement issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joe Enwonwu said that, “The attention of the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command CP Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu, psc has been drawn to a sensational story trending on the social media and some of the respected online newspapers with the caption “Another lady raped, killed in Ibadan community.

“The CP wishes to state that this is not another ritual killing in Akinyele Local Government community as widely reported. Information received from the Divisional Police Officer, DPO Moniya revealed that, on Monday 24/08/2020 at about 2000hrs, one Toheeb Ganiyu ‘m’ of Alabata town in Akinyele Local Government Area of Ibadan was alleged to have taken one Daramola Mary ‘f’ 18years, his supposed girlfriend to his house and fed her with trophy beer before having carnal knowledge of her.

“Consequent upon this, Mary was later met dead with traces of semen on her private part and blood stain on her mouth. The suspect was later arrested and preliminary investigation was carried out at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Moniya where his statement was obtained under caution before being transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department, CID Iyaganku Ibadan for discreet investigation where he is presently under custody.

“The CP wishes to further reiterates that, it was not a case of ritual killing as widely publicized on the social media, but a case of suspected murder that occurred between two lovers that later eventually turned sour thereafter. He further seizes this opportunity to appeal to parents/guardians to monitor their children/wards movement and where they visit to prevent this type of ugly occurrence in our society. Likewise, youths/teenagers are advised to be actively involved in positive activities to enable them gain skills, knowledge, self esteem and thereby shone acts that are capable of causing breakdown of law and order.

“Consequently, the command still remains committed to the protection of lives and properties of the good citizens of Oyo State. The CP further assures that adequate security measures have been placed in nooks and crannies of Ibadan metropolis and the entire Oyo State as a whole as we approach the ember months and beyond”.

Many People Injured As Farmers, Herders Clash In Oyo State

Many residents of Ikoyi-Ile, Orire Local Government, Oyo State, were on Saturday injured in a clash between them and herdsmen in the area.

The residents, most of them farmers, had threatened to resort to further self-help if the Oyo State government failed to protect them from suspected herdsmen they alleged had been terrorising their community.

The farmers alleged the herders had killed one of them, raped their minors, destroyed their farmlands and had been terrorizing their community, giving them sleepless nights.

A chieftaincy title holder in the local government, the Babalaje (chief trader) of Agbe, Chief Joseph Oyekola, told our correspondent that the herdsmen were “seriously disturbing” the farmers in the community and urged he state government to intervene.

Oyekola said, “We don’t know what to do. If we take any step to revenge, it might lead to bloodshed. We want the government to take the necessary steps. Our king, who is supposed to defend us, has failed in his duties; he is now supporting the herdsmen against us.

“Herdsmen cut off the hands of one of our workers on the farm. They destroyed our farm produce. Another farmer was macheted on the head and some others were injured, while two of our minors were raped.”

A farmer, Usman Daudu, alleged that herdsmen destroyed 20 hectares of his farmland on which he planted maize, yam and tomato, adding they also injured him on the head with cutlasses as he attempted to chase them away.

Another farmer, Dominic Gbegbi, said the herdsmen destroyed his produce and macheted him 14 times when they invaded his farm with their cows.

The Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ile, Oba Abdul-Yekeen Atilola Oladipupo, however, said that he had been making efforts to initiate peaceful co-existence between the farmers and herders in the area.

Oba Oladipupo said, “We have tried to resolve the issue many times because it’s difficult to separate farmers from herders. We have been living together for a while. I have taken a lot of steps on the matter to find a lasting solution to it, but it seems my efforts are not enough, so we need government’s intervention.

“I’ve had series of meetings with all the Baales (local chiefs) around me to find a permanent solution to the issue. In fact, I even had meetings with the Assistant Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police and they assured me they would come to our aid.”

Oyo shifts common entrance, placement exams dates

Oyo State Government, yesterday, announced a shift in the date for common entrance examination into its Schools of Science from August 19 to September 1, 2020.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, said in a statement that the shift was due to a clash of the examination date with the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

He said the students were expected to write Economics and Agricultural Science in the WASSCE timetable at the initial date slated for the common entrance examination.

Olaleye said the date for the screening test for placement of pupils in terminal classes in public and private primary schools into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) in Oyo State had also been shifted.

He said the new date would be from August 20 to 22 due to another clash of date of the exercise with another WASSCE subject  and advised guardians to note the changes

Makinde vows to retrieve N96bn stolen during Ajimobi’s tenure

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, said on Wednesday, that his administration was ready to retrieve the billions of the state’s funds looted by officials of the previous administration. Abiola Ajimobi was the governor of the state from 2011 till 2019.

The governor, who made the vow while kickstarting the construction of the 21km Ajia-Airport-New Ife Expressway road, in Ajia town, said that his administration was ready to put measures in place to retrieve all looted funds to develop the state’s infrastructure.

The 21-kilometre Airport-Ajia-New Ife Express Road, with spur to Amuloko, was awarded to Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd, at a total cost of Eight Billion, Five Hundred and Twenty Million, Nine Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Six Naira, Forty-One Kobo (N8,520,919,776.41).

According to the governor, unlike the previous government, which, he said, preoccupied itself with how to corner state’s funds on a daily basis, his administration would drastically reduce the infrastructure deficit in the state within the shortest possible time.

He added that it’s only in doing so that the state can be positioned on the path of economic growth.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that the 21-kilometre road construction being launched was a product of the administration’s strategic way of reducing the state’s infrastructure deficit, which is known as the Alternative Project Funding Approach (APFA).

He said: “Our administration means business. We will drastically reduce the infrastructure deficit in Oyo State in the shortest possible time. And this is how economies work: investors will only go where they can be assured of profits.

“If we do not develop basic infrastructure like roads, it will affect the cost of production which, in turn, means less profit for investors. So, we cannot be seriously discussing attracting investments into Oyo State when a majority of roads and other infrastructure are in a state of disrepair.

“In order to achieve this, we must strategize on how to increase our spending on infrastructure, because what we collect from Abuja every month from federal allocation is not even enough to pay the salaries. So, the new strategies on how to increase our spending on infrastructure is what we are doing here in Oyo State.”

While explaining the reason the Airport-Ajia road costs more per kilometre than the 65 kilometre Moniya-Iseyin road, the governor said there are more hydraulic structures on the Airport-Ajia road than the Moniya-Iseyin road, and that a lot of expansion and rehabilitation will be done on those bridges.

The governor also used the opportunity to explain the APFA approach through which he said many projects will be executed in the state, stating that it is the administration’s way of funding some infrastructural projects in the state, by having the contractors fund the projects with their own money while the state repays them over a period of time.

“What this entails is that the contractor carries the projects’ risk. At the same time, we get quality delivery and quick completion of projects. They will be bearing the risk of getting this project done in a timely manner, while we pay them over the next twenty-nine months. That comes down to roughly N300 million a month. So, while they will complete the project in one year, we have the option to repay in over twice the time.

“We will continue to actualise capital projects through budgetary allocations and have the additional option of carrying out other infrastructural projects outside of the budget, using the Alternative Project Funding Approach. So, you can look forward to other projects under this approach.

“Let me state that even when we are forced to look outside Oyo State for persons to execute the projects under APFA, we still put the interests of our people first. For example, Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd has agreed that the construction labour will come from Oyo State, and we are holding them to that agreement.”

He added: “So, for projects under the APFA, because of the nature of spending on the projects, we decided that it would be best to open up the bidding process a little more so that contractors outside of Oyo State can bid as well.

“We reached this decision because we are looking for private entities who have the wherewithal to complete the projects on schedule, while at the same time, passing the tests of quality assurance.

“When we approved this project at EXCO, social media became agog with all sorts of insinuations. Those ones that you rejected during the last general elections were saying Seyi Makinde promised that he would give contracts to those within Oyo state. Indeed, I made that promise that Oyo state money must remain in Oyo state.

“Some have said the company we awarded the contract to is from Asaba in Niger Delta and that we want to take Oyo State’s money to my wife’s state. First, let me put it on record that my wife is not from Delta but from Rivers State.

“Second, the representative of the company we awarded the project to, Engr Abel Adeleke, has spoken here today. He is from Osun State and they are using their money to start this project.

“We also opened the opportunity for all. Even if they had approached us and brought the money they stole while in government to fund this project, we will allow them. We all know there are certain construction works that their expertise may not be with a local contractor. If we want to construct a bridge and it is awarded to Julius Berger, they will also say Julius Berger is not from Oyo State. So, that is to tell you they have nothing to do.

“One thing I know is, if we build this road the way we are supposed to, on time and on budget, what concerns the people going to the airport, whether Julius Berger constructed the road or whether the contractor is from Osun or Oyo? Our major concern is that the road is constructed.”

Addressing the criticisms trailing the announcement of N100 billion bond issuance by the state, the governor stated: “I heard somebody criticizing us on radio concerning the N100 billion bond and was of the opinion that this administration wants to put the state in debt.

“I think our people need to start telling them that Governor Makinde is not like that.

“For the period of eight years they spent in office, they were only preoccupied with how to corner N1 Billion monthly into their private pockets everyday they went to the office.

“They spent 96 months in office, that means they have Oyo States N96 billion with them. We will retrieve every fund that belongs to Oyo people for the purpose of infrastructure development.

“So, tell them that the EFCC of Oyo State is coming for them. I want to assure you that we will retrieve the stolen money of the state from them and use the funds to build infrastructure like this.”

The special adviser on media to the former governor, Bolaji Tunji said he won’t join issue with governor Seyi Makinde because Thursday makes it 40 days the former governor was laid to rest.

He said: “I would not react to this statement because I would not like to display insensitivity. Tomorrow  makes it exactly 40th day that my boss, HE, Senator Abiola Ajimobi was laid to rest. For us and the Family, it is still a period of mourning. Suffice to say that such attack is expected having laid bare the fallacy behind the N100billion bond.”

Oyo State Release Calendar for Schools Resumption And Examination For Terminal Classes

Press Release

Oyo State Calendar for Schools Resumption And Examination For Terminal Classes

The Oyo State Executive Council at its meeting today 21st of July 2020 has approved the academic calendar to guide resumption of schools and other associated educational activities in the State.

According to the approved calendar, Third Term 2019/2020 session has been cancelled and promotion of students, for all affected classes, will now be determined by First and Second Term Continuous Assessment.

Pry 6, JSS 3 and SSS 3 will proceed on holiday from 30th of July and resume for their Examination as follows;

Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE)- 10th to 18th August 2020

Competitive Entrance Examination into the Schools of Science- 19th August 2020

Placement/Screening Test to JSS1- 20th August 2020

Placement Test into Technical Colleges- 28th August 2020

The SSS 3 will resume for their Examination as soon as WAEC announce the date.

The 2020/21 academic session, according to the calendar approved by the State Council is as follows;

First Term- 21th September to 18th December 2020

Second Term- 11th January to 9th April 2021

Third Term- 3rd May to 30th July 2021

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology enjoins all stakeholders and members of the public to take note of the details of the academic calendar.

Signed

Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology

Oyo State government disclosed yesterday that it was ready to present students in the state for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC)

Oyo State government disclosed yesterday that it was ready to present students in the state for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) as well as other external examinations as the world had prepared for post-COVID-19 realities.

This was disclosed in Ibadan by the Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran, while leading members of the board and management of SUBEB to Islamic Mission Schools 1& II, Bode and UMC Demonstration Basic Schools I, II &III, Molete, Ibadan to warn owners of shanties and illegal structures around the schools’ environments.

According to him, judging from the readiness of the State through the preparation of students in  all terminal classes, students in the State would face any external examinations, including WAEC and the Joint Admission Matriculation Examination (JAMB).

Adeniran said: “Earlier, the federal government said they cancelled WAEC but we  thank God that they have reversed themselves.

WAEC is conducted by a regional body comprising many countries, Nigeria inclusive and the Covid-19 pandemic is global, so whatever the body says should be the final, not what Nigeria thinks should happen.

Oyo begins recruitment for Amotekun

Security operatives under the newly established Western Nigeria Security Network (AMOTEKUN), during the official launch by some state governors of the South-West at the Oyo State Governor’s Office in Ibadan.

The Oyo State Government has commenced recruitment into the southwest security network codenamed, Amotekun.

The security outfit, which was officially launched by Governors of the South-West geo-political zone in January 9, this year, was designed to network all the security agencies in the region.

The registration is opened online but the Civil Service Commission in the state has not given details on the deadline for the application and the number of persons that will be recruited into the special security outfit.

Information obtained from the official website of the security outfit indicates that the programme is being chaired in the state by a former Director of Military Intelligence and former Deputy Director-General of the State Security Service, Gen Ajibola Toogun(retd).

It also has as commandant, a former Assistant Director, British Military Advisory Training Team, Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Col Olayanju Olayinka (retd).

We are ready to reopen schools – South-West Governors

The six South-West states have signified readiness to reopen schools for pupils to sit for the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination amid the coronavirus pandemic.

This was part of the resolutions reached by the state governments at the end of a virtual meeting initiated on Tuesday by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria otherwise called DAWN Commission in collaboration with the forum of South-West education commissioners, special advisers on education and the State Universal Basic Education Board chairmen.

The Federal Government had on July 8 reversed its earlier decision authorising schools’ reopening for Junior Secondary School 3 and Senior Secondary School 3 students, who are expected to participate in the Junior Secondary School Certificate and the Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations respectively.

According to the statement made available to journalists, on Wednesday, by the Director-General of the Commission, Seye Oyeleye, the statement read in parts, “The Forum, after careful deliberations, considering peculiarities of each state and options available reached a consensus on the subject matters and are expresses thus: On WAEC examinations; State Commissioners for Education have signified readiness to sit students for the 2019/2020 WAEC examinations.

“At the least, August 3rd, resumption for final year SSS3 students, states should approach the Federal Government at the first instance seeking the postponement of the WAEC exam by at least three weeks from proposed resumption. At the second instance states should directly approach WAEC to seek for an extension of the WAEC Examinations to week commencing August 24.

“All schools, when reopening should have in place incident managers and classroom wardens for every school and every classroom. The designation of the Quality Assurance Department for each state to issue a Safety Compliance Certificate to each school before reopening.”

The state governments also urged WAEC to encourage the administering the use of Computer-Based Tests while each state should deliberately intensify efforts and invest more in education technology.

Oyo State Civil Service Commission Vacancies: Apply and share.

Oyo State Civil Service Commission Vacancies

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for appointment into the posts of State Counsels and Senior State Counsels in the Ministry of Justice, Oyo State.

Requirements and qualifications

Post: State Counsels, GL. 09

Qualifications:

By direct appointment of a candidate who is legally qualified to pract1ce as a Barrister and Solicitor in Nigeria.

Post: Senior State Counsel, GL. 10

Qualification:

By direct appointment of a candidate possessing the qualification specified for State Counsel, GL.09 above plus at least a year post-call cognate experience.

Conditions of Service

Each of the posts is pensionable and in case of new entrants into Public service, their appointment will be on probation for a period of two (2) years. Other conditions of service will be as prescribed, for the time being, for officers of equivalent grades in the Civil Service of Oyo State of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, it is to be noted that the Oyo State Civil Service Commission reserves the right for final selection as deemed fit

Method of Application

Interested candidates should visit the Oyo State Government website jobportal.oyostate.gov.ng to complete the application forms and submit the same as appropriate.

Closing: Application and submission will close on Friday, 10th July 2020.

Makinde denied insinuations that it is responsible for the delay in burying Abiola Ajumobi

Seyi Makinde has denied in a press release by his Chief Press Secretary, that they are not in any way responsible for the delay of Ajimobi's burial.

The Press Release 

Ajimobi's burial: This wicked lie must stop

Seyi Makinde has strongly denied insinuations that it is responsible for the delay in burying the immediate past governor of the state, Abiola Ajimobi, who died on Thursday.

A statement was released by the Chief Press Secretary to Seyi Makinde, Mr Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the insinuations can be tag as a wicked lie.

The statement in the press release read: "In view of the intense enquiries from news media organisations regarding the perceived delay in burying the late former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Oyo State Government wishes to place on record that there is no truth in the rumour making the rounds that the burial is being delayed by the state government.

"The rumour, which is being deliberately spread to give the state government a bad name and to play undue politics with the dead, initially came by the way of social media gossip, which gained traction to attract the attention of traditional media outfits.

"Several media outfits reached out to the Media Office of the Governor of Oyo State to make enquiries on this barefaced lie on Saturday.

"Let it be stated clearly that the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has played no role at all in causing any delay whatsoever regarding the burial of his immediate predecessor, Senator Ajimobi.

"The truth of the matter is that the family, through a proxy, approached the state government and sought approval to bury the late governor on a plot of land at Agodi GRA, which is currently under litigation.

"Incidentally, it was the same former Governor Ajimobi who instituted the legal action.

"Governor Seyi Makinde had no choice than to state the facts as they are to the emissaries and turn down the request.

"Governor Makinde, however, against the established land use rule in Oyo State, gave approval that the family can bury the late governor in his Oluyole Estate residence. 

"It is to be noted that the rules guiding land use in Government Reservation Areas (GRA) forbid the burial of bodies in such locations as Oluyole Estate and Agodi GRA.

"Let us also put on record that whereas the family did not follow the laid down protocols in passing information on the sickness and eventual demise of Senator Ajimobi, Governor Makinde overlooked all that and directed the full cooperation of the government with the family on this matter. 

"It can only amount to a wicked lie to insinuate that the incumbent government in Oyo State attempted to obstruct the burial of the immediate past governor."

Signed

Taiwo Adisa.

Exposed! How Ajimobi was Scammed N50m While Lying on Sick Bed

A Nigerian guy has scammed Senator Abiola Ajimobi of N50,000,000 while he was lying critically on the sickbed.

The last days' Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who died on Thursday at First Cardiology Hospital in Lagos following Coronavirus complications, were devoid of peace as he was defrauded of N50million right on his sickbed.

Recall that Ajimobi was rushed to the hospital weeks ago after his health deteriorated significantly and soon slipped into a deep coma he never recovered from until he passed away on Thursday.

The doctors were battling to save his life at the Lagos hospital during his illness, family members are desperate to keep him alive reached out to a some of Nigerians they knew abroad to help get the quantity of Remivir to be administered on him.

The drug was manufactured in Bangladesh, the antiviral drug was previously tested in humans with Ebola virus disease and has shown promise in treating severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by Coronavirus, according to United States National Institutes of Health.

First, the task for the search for the drug was given to a Nigerian in Texas, United States, to see if he could help get it.

After days of contacting several trusted persons for the ‘project’, he gave up the search as the tight monitoring of the drug by the US government made it almost impossible for it to be moved out of hospitals.

The $50,000 paid was refunded after another search for the drug in a hospital in Los Angeles, California, did not yield.

The hospitals contacted had an only limited dose of the drugs, which is closely controlled by the US governments desperate to stop the rising number of deaths related to Coronavirus in the country.

The United States has 2.5 million Coronavirus cases and 126,785 reported deaths in the country.

After failing to get the drug in the US, members of Ajimobi circle turned attention to Bangladesh where it is being manufactured.

A Nigerian in Bangladesh guaranteed them of getting the needed dose of Remivir to administer on Ajumobi and help save his life.

Thereafter, a jet and N50m was sent to the Asian country for the purchase and delivery but unfortunately, the drugs procured by the Nigerian man was all fake.

He took a large sum of the money and left Ajumobi to battle for his life at the Lagos hospital where for at least one week he was on a life support machine before he finally died.

A close family member said “All our guys here in the United States couldn’t risk it because of the war act invoked by President Donald Trump that the drug should not get out of America.

“It is something I was involved in from the beginning. In fact, we gave $50,000 to one of our Nigerian guy who is a doctor in Los Angeles but he returned the money. He said the hospital had only 100 doses and everything was monitored on how it is used.

“But one Nigerian guy defrauded them after claiming he could get it in Bangladesh.

“They sent a flight and paid about N50m but the drug they got from him was fake,” one of those privies to the search for the drugs, he said.

It was gathered that the disappointment from that development further added to the pain of those close to the former governor, who passed away at the age of 70 on Thursday.

COVID-19: Ex-UCH CMD reveals how patients were treated in Oyo

Eleven COVID-19 patients at the Olodo Infectious Disease Centre, Ibadan, were on Friday, discharged after testing negative twice.

The released persons comprise three females and eight males.

The decision to free the 11 persons, according to Coordinator of isolation and treatment centres in the state, Professor Temitope Alonge was because the released persons had twice tested negative for COVID-19.

Alonge certified that the released persons were fit to reunite with their family members and be reintegrated into the society.

For the two weeks they stayed at the centre, Alonge noted that most treatment efforts were hinged on boosting the immunity of the former patients.

He noted that the COVID-19 patients were treated to zinc, vitamin C and chloroquine, while some were given cough syrup and antibiotics.

“They had zinc on a daily basis, vitamin C 2g (1g each for morning and night), and they also had Chloroquine 500m, and 50m daily for another three days.

“In between this, some of them had a cough and of course those ones we put them on cough syrup and antibiotic cover, the reason being that with the viral infection they are prone to develop other infection.

“We are not only looking at their symptoms, there is something that we also check which is the viral load. We also check what we call CT but the value of the CT has a correlation with the value of the viral load, the higher the viral load the lower the CT value,” Alonge said.

He disclosed that about 32 COVID-19 patients were still at the centre and in stable condition, adding that efforts were being geared towards facilitating their speedy release.

31 Staff Test Positive For COVID-19 In Oyo Company

Thirty-one staff of the same company in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have tested positive to Coronavirus Disease.

This was revealed by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday.

Makinde, in a tweet on his Twitter handle, said the company has been shut down, while contact tracing had begun.

He tweeted: “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.

“We urge members of the public to remain calm as the situation is under control.

“Intensified contact tracing has already commenced.

“We will give an update on any additional measures that may need to be taken.

“The remaining one case is from Egbeda Local Government Area.

“So, the total number of confirmed cases in Oyo State as at 8 PM on Saturday, is 107.”

Oyo Govt Set To Install Solar Powered Lights At Palaces, Hospitals And Major Markets

Oyo State Government has revealed that it is set to install All-in-One Solar Powered lights at palaces, hospitals and major markets across the geopolitical zones in the State. This, it said would further tighten security in the nooks and crannies of the State and develop its infrastructures.

This was revealed by the State’s Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Prof. Raphael Afonja, yesterday in Ibadan, while addressing pressmen.

“With a view to further expand the security network of the State and consolidate on this administration’s recorded achievement in this sector, it has therefore, become highly imperative and urgent to provide adequate security through provision of streetlights for our esteemed traditional rulers who have recently become targets for kidnappers in the recent times”, he said.

Afonja added that this initiative is aimed at addressing socio-economic challenges in the State, such as incessant and perpetual hoodlum attacks on traders in major markets and hindrance to medical services delivery at nights, due to poor illumination of hospitals premises.

He explained further that the illumination of major markets places will give room for night transactions which will boost the socio-economic status of the citizenry, and consequently improve the State’s IGR.

Prof. Afonja alluded that the illumination project in palaces, major markets and hospitals, would efficiently complement the ongoing ‘Operation light up Oyo State’ project.