Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has urged members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to remain calm in the face of the ongoing crisis within the party at the national level describing it as a family affair.

The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has felicitated with Barrister Pelumi Olajengbesi on the auspicious occasion of his birthday, saluting him for his sustained effort in uplifting lives.

All is now set tomorrow morning for another edition of the monthly popular statewide live radio interactive programme between Gov.Ademola Adeleke led administration and the people of the state between 8 and 10 am .

Nigeria has recorded 4,035 new cases of the Covid-19 infections, its highest single daily tally since the outbreak of the virus in February 2020, according to the daily report of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Wednesday’s record of 4,035 infections from 15 states showed a 1,912 increase over the 2,123 infections recorded on Tuesday.

According to the NCDC figures, Lagos State, which remains the country’s epicentre of the infection, led the new infections table with 1,552 cases. It was followed by the Rivers state with 260 cases and Edo with 62 infections.

Others are: Akwa Ibom (42); Kaduna (39); Ekiti (38) and Oyo (38); Delta and Kano (31); Ogun State (30); Abia (26); Bauchi (15); Ondo (14); Enugu (9); Kwara (7) infections.

NCDC also announced that the country recorded two related deaths raising the mortality figure from 2,989 on Tuesday to 2,991 on Wednesday.

It stated also that Wednesday’s 4,035 infections took Nigeria’s tally to 231,413 out of which 211,853 persons were treated and discharged.

Nigeria has tested 3,751,696 samples since the virus was announced on February 27, 2020, it added.

…. NAFDAC warn Nigerians.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers imported from Mexico.

The Director-General, NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, who gave the warning explained that the US Food and Drug Agency (USFDA) had placed all alcohol-based hand sanitisers from Mexico on a countrywide import alert.

The NAFDAC BOSS said the products were labeled as containing ethanol but were found to have methanol contamination, which is toxic and could be life-threatening if absorbed through the skin into the body system.

She reiterated that USFDA said until it is able to review the products’ safety, it will be on its watchlist.

Information has it that this marks the first time the Agency was issuing a countrywide import alert for any category of drug product to further safeguard the healthy living of all.

NAFDAC said substantial methanol exposure could result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system, or death.

It also warned those in possession of such products to discontinue its usage in their own interest.

The Osun State Government said it has received doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the Federal Government.

The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode, disclosed this on Tuesday, following the receipt of the vaccines by a State government delegation at the Akure Airport.

Egbemode said the state government received the vaccines at about 7:11pm on Tuesday, adding that the government is prepared to both preserve and administer the vaccines, having trained about 300 health workers for the Vaccination exercise and installed storage facilities (cold chain) across the 332 wards in the State.

She assured residents of the State that the government would soon commence the vaccination in line with the scheduled guidelines laid down by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

She also advised citizens to shun the misinformation making the rounds about the vaccines, adding that the vaccines have been scientifically tested and certified fit for human use by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Egbemode added that in spite of the administration of the vaccines, citizens should continue to observe all Covid-19 protocols laid down by the government.

The Medical Team that received the doses of vaccine on behalf of Osun government include: Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu; Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Siji Olamiju; and the Chairman, Osun Primary Health Care Development Board, Mr. Leke Ogunsola.

The Osun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu, has insisted that the COVID-19 vaccines that is being distributed by the Federal Government is not a birth control measure by the government.

This followed rumours making the rounds that the government was planning to use the COVID-19 vaccine as a

a ploy to make Nigerians sterile in order to control the population.

Isamotu also maintained that notwithstanding the availability of the COVID-19 vaccines in the state, testing and isolation of infected persons will be intensified in Osun as the non-pharmaceutical safety measures remain the most proven strategy in reducing community transmission.

Isamotu, while featuring on Frank Talk on Rave FM, on Monday, called on citizens of Osun not to allow the rumours provoke fear in them, adding that the vaccines have no side effects that can adversely affect the human body.

He revealed that although no particular date has been set for the commencement of vaccination in Osun, the national distribution of the vaccines commences on Monday, and that the training of health workers will precede the administration of the vaccines in the state.

The Commissioner disclosed that the vaccines will be administered in two jabs, the second coming after about three months interval from the first.

Also cementing on the management of the vaccination in the State, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Oluwole Fabiyi, said Osun was prepared to receive the vaccines, as cold chains for storing them have been established in the state

He revealed that Osun has 332 solar freezers, which means each Ward has a storage facility.

Fabiyi added that since about 40,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses will be coming to the state, the vaccination will be done in four phases.

“The first phase will be for frontline and health workers. The second phase will be for the elderly and those that are morbidly ill and the last phase for those that are 15 years and above.

“For now, research has not shown that it can be administered on children. So, it is for people who are 15 years and above”, Fabiyi stated.

Osun, on Thursday, recorded 45 new Covid-19 infections, according to the daily report of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The new tally brings the State’s total number of confirmed cases to 2,371 out of which 1,804 cases have been successfully managed.

Meanwhile, 634 new confirmed cases and 6 deaths were recorded in Nigeria on Thursday from 22 States.

Lagos topped the day’s log with 259 confirmed cases, and followed by Osun with 45 cases.

Others include: Edo(38), Ogun (35), FCT (33), Anambra (26), Imo (24), Ondo (24), Akwa Ibom (20), Plateau (20), Abia (19), Kaduna (19), Ebonyi (17), Borno (10), Rivers (10), Kano (9), Delta (8), Kebbi (7), Nasarawa (4) Oyo (3), Enugu (2) and Ekiti (2).

Till date, 154476 cases have been confirmed, 131699 cases have been discharged and 1891 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

.… charges security operatives to enforce compliance, order

For the umpteenth time, the State Government of Osun on Sunday reiterated its new directives aimed at curbing the spread of the Coronavirus are still in force.

Specifically, the Government said there will be no countdown to New Year ceremonies and cross over nights under whatever guise by religious bodies during the New Year eve.

These are contained in a statement issued on behalf of the Osun Government by the Secretary to State Government, (SSG), Prince Wole Oyebamiji.

According to the statement, Government has directed the security operatives in the State to enforce the directives without exception.

The Government further said, ” The ban on youth carnivals still subsists. Also, all social clubs, hotels, departmental stores, supermarkets, event centers and allied centres are to henceforth operate at half of their capacities and observe Covid-19 protocols.

“Wearing of face Masks at public places is equally compulsory. 

“We want to appeal to all residents and citizens to cut down on social gatherings, including weddings, naming ceremonies and funeral ceremonies so as to reduce the spate of exposure and contact with possible carriers visiting the State during the Yuletide period.

“Also, all towns and cities are to put on hold the annual days through physical attendance and change such to the virtual version. “We assure all citizens and residents that Government is insisting on all these measures in their collective interest. Therefore, let’s all join hands with Government to keep Osun safe.”

…. Bans youth carnival, countdown to new year

As cases of Coronavirus continue to rise nationwide, the Government of the State of Osun has introduced new measures to curb spread of the infection in the State. 

The State Executive Council announced the new directives after its meeting held on Monday to discuss emerging national issues, including the management of the pandemic. 

The Council expressed worry over what it described as appalling and abysmally low level of compliance of residents of the State with the existing COVID-19 protocols. 

It has therefore issued new directives that groups, associations and residents of the State must comply with, to limit spread of the disease in the State. 

Part of the new directives is that all social clubs, hotels, departmental stores, supermarkets, event centers and allied centres are to henceforth operate at half of their capacities.

The Council appealed to the citizenry to cut down on social gatherings for weddings, naming ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and others to reduce the spate of exposure and contact with possible carriers visiting the State during the Yuletide period.

It also mandated religious organisations in the State to reintroduce the abandoned protocol regimes already put in place at the wake of the pandemic before the economy was unlocked for business activities.

Additionally, the Council directed its members to engage leadership of various religious groups to sensitise and enlighten their congregations on the need to comply with the Covid-19 protocols.

Towns and cities are to put on hold the annual days through physical attendance and change such to virtual version.

Council directed Local Governments and Local Council Development Authorities to form enforcement/suasion committees to save the situation and further spread of the pandemic.

Also the Executive Council directed the Citizenry to embrace the use of face masks in public places, washing of hands with soap and water, hand sanitisers and social distancing as compulsory steps to avoid infections.

The Council pleaded with the citizenry to continue to take their health seriously as their personal responsibility and enjoin all to adhere to the Covid-19 protocols.

The Council encouraged proper management and disposal of used face masks and other materials used daily in the prevention of the virus of the pandemic from spreading.

The Council did not leave out the need to sustain the ‘no mask, no entry’ at MDAs and public places across the State, including educational institutions.

The Council also directed that annual youth carnivals should be discouraged across the State with cancellation of countdown to the new year rallies and ceremonies.

Signed 

Prince Wole Oyebamiji 

SSG, State of Osun  December 22, 2020