As the Osun Judicial Panel of Inquiry on police brutality, human rights violations and related extra-judicial killings continues to look into the grievances of citizens on abuse by men of the police force, a petitioner has narrated how police officers killed his brother and failed to release his corpse to the family after four years.

Teslim Olakunle Ibitoye, a resident of Erin-Osun area of the State, who spoke during the sitting of the panel on Friday, added the officers whose bullets killed his brother were also responsible for the injury he sustained in his spinal cord.

Ibitoye, who described the incident as an offspring of some overzealous officers’ chase of suspected criminals, claimed that the killing of his brother, who he described as the breadwinner of the family, has left a strain on the family’s wellbeing.

“The event that led to our petition before this honourable panel happened on the 25th of April 2017. We were at our cousin’s place on a visit when suddenly I heard a gun shot. The last thing I remembered was that I stood up at the sound of the first gun shot.

“We were taken in a bus and driven to Osogbo. My brother was lying dead on the ground and I also was lying on my back because I couldn’t sit by myself again. I remember that when the Commissioner of Police at the time, CP Adeoye, came around, my cousin, Nureni Ibitoye, and the other suspects that were apprehended, kept repeating that myself and my brother had not done any wrong.

“On the basis of their testimonies, the Commissioner of Police ordered that I be taken to the Police Clinic for treatment. I was sneaked out of the Clinic on April 28 at about 2:00am and taken to Abuja. After some examinations in Abuja, one oga Abba Kyari ordered that I be taken to the hospital for treatment.

“I was taken to the General Hospital at Gwagalada, where I was admitted and discharged on August 1. From there, I was taken to the Police Cell again for two weeks. I was eventually released on August 15, and I have been trying to treat myself since then.

“It is unfortunate but that attack has ruined a lot of things around my family. My mother is still in shock, finding it hard to believe her son got shot.

“Other members of the family are still trying to recover from the trauma because my brother’s body has been withheld for four years despite the fact that all investigations show that he has not committed any crime. The killing of the breadwinner of the family has turned everything upside-down in the family.

“I am grateful for this Panel set up by the government, because my expectations are graduay being fulfilled. The Panel has just initiated the process for the release of my brother’s corpse. This is a positive development for us.

“That aside, I want to be treated. As I speak, I still have a bullet in my T4 (spinal cord) that I have been carrying around for four years. If there’s anywhere, I can be taken to get a proper treatment and for the bullet in my T4 to be removed, I will be most pleased.

“The effect on my health has been severe. Breathing for me has required extra efforts, and even despite the support, I don’t have the strength to stand.

“For the extent of the damage done to my family and to me, I am appealing for an order of adequate compensation to the tune of Fifty Million Naira Only (N 50,000,000)”, Ibitoye stated.

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As torrential rains began to wreak havoc in various parts of the State, the Special Adviser to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Osun State Signage, Hoarding and Advertisement Agency (O’Signage), Mrs Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo, has indicated the preparedness of the Agency to commence the enforcement of the signage law in the State.

Addressing newsmen in Osogbo, Mrs Ajayi- Gbadebo said that demand notices have been served to signage owners while removal notices have also been placed on illegal and wrongly placed signposts and billboards across the State.

She said removal notices placed on signages was intended to instil sanity, compel registration and make defaulters to settle approved bills to the coffers of the State Government.

She therefore called on individuals and corporate bodies with such notices to come to the Signage office to fulfill their obligations and get clearance.

The O’signage boss urged those who want to make payments to the Agency to do so directly to the Government account in various banks, saying that the Agency does not allow its staffers to collect cash payments.

According to Mrs Ajayi-Gbadebo, the State Government is most concerned about safety of lives, adding that vision blights do occur as a result of competitive location of several bill boards along roadsides and often results in accidents and loss of lives.

She pointed out that rainstorms are capable of forcefully removing not well erected billboards and signposts which can pose serious dangers to lives and property of innocent people.

The O’signage chief executive disclosed that the three core objectives that inform the activities of signage Agency are to standardize erection of boards and signage in an orderly manner; create environmental aesthetics; encourage and enhance commercial activities.

She explained further that activities of the Agency is devoid of political colouration.

Mrs Ajayi-Gbadebo said whether political or religious and any other type of poster or signage, the owners must register with Government properly and the Agency would guide them on the right way and appropriate places to paste posters or erect billboards.

She said the State could no longer tolerate the manner major streets have been defaced with posters, other signage as well as billboards and appealed to whoever wants to use public space for advertisement to come to the Agency for registration.

She added that any individual, religious organization, political party, company or business owner who attempts to use public space for advertisement without the authorization of the Signage Agency would not only forfeit such billboards but will also be arrested and prosecuted.

The O’Signage Boss warned that pasting of posters indiscriminately would no longer be allowed in any part of the State and that only those who register appropriately would be able to make use of the public space for advertisement purposes.

Soliciting the support of the citizens to the activities of the agency, Mrs Ajayi-Gbadebo disclosed that the Agency allows reasonable payment arrangements of annual dues, as well as the need to patronize professional advertisers.

The signage dues, according to her, is determined by sizes or location as well as the level of industrial concerns involved with the signage.

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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.

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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.

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The Osun State Police have secured the release of seven abductees kidnapped along Ibokun/Osogbo Road.

The commuters were kidnapped on Tuesday by an armed group, according to a statement by the Osun Police Spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola.

“The victims were released due to the pressure mounted on the abductors by the Police and other security agencies.

“The victims will soon be reunited with their families.

“The Commissioner of Police appeals to the good citizens of the State to collaborate with Police to get rid of all criminal elements from the State, while assuring the members of the public and commuters of their safety as security measures have been put in place to forestall future occurrence”, the statement read in part.

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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.

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.… 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.”

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…. 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

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…. says committee expresses readiness to distribute immediately on receipt

The leadership of the Osun Food and Relief Committee on Monday revealed that it is now ready to receive delivery of the 40, 332 units of 10kg bags of rice for onward distribution to the people of the State.

This is even as it expressed readiness to commence the distribution of the expected CACOVID rice on delivery.

The Committee also  debunked the insinuations making the rounds that the State government deliberately hoarded the food and relief materials donated by CACOVID, meant to cushion the effects of the ravaging coronavirus pandemic.

The Committee noted that contrary to speculations,  it has not received any rice component, just as it displayed the letter from CACOVID  which had absolved the State of any wrongdoing in the looted palliatives, before the journalists, while addressing a Press Conference, in Osogbo, on Monday. 

The Secretary to the Committee, Alhaji Adebayo Jimoh, disclosed these during the joint press briefing held at the Press Centre, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, Osogbo.

CACOVID is the Coalition Against Covid-19 established by the private sector task force in partnership with the Federal Government, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation with the sole aim of combating the effects  Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

Jimoh, who denounced the insinuations that the State deliberately hoarded the looted palliatives, said the letter from CACOVID was enough vindication to validate the State Government and the Committee’s earlier positions that they never hoarded the palliatives before they were looted.

He explained that the looted palliatives were not meant for distribution as at the time they were looted by miscreants who burgled the warehouse in Ede during the EndSARS protest.

“As a committee, we have no mandate to distribute the looted palliatives as at the time they were looted because we were awaiting the directive of the donors through the CACOVID committee.

“As you all know, the palliatives under our supervision were distributed accordingly during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, but for the CACOVID palliatives, the State was asked to wait for further instruction before flagging off the distribution.

“As at the time the food items were looted, the donors had not delivered the rice component which was part of the reasons we were directed not to distribute.

“There was a letter signed and dated 28th September, 2020 by the Commissioner for Commerce, Dr. Bode Olaonipekun, and my humble self to this effect, demanding the release and supply of the rice component of the palliatives”, Jimoh added.

He however said the State was now ready to take delivery and   distribute the expected rice component once supplied as modalities had been put in place to ensure smooth and equitable distribution to the beneficiaries throughout the State. 

Speaking on the proposed framework for the distribution of the expected rice component of the CACOVID palliatives, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industries, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Dr. Bode Olaonipekun, said the rice would be taken directly to the beneficiaries on delivery.

He said there would be no room for warehousing, adding that adequate security would be put in place to avoid the breakdown of law and order.

“We are not going to warehouse the expected rice component as strategy is going to take the form of direct supply for onward distribution.

“Each place of the distribution clusters will provide trucks for immediate takeoff of the rice and there will be a monitoring and evaluation team, which will include members of the CACOVID team, Civil Society Organisations; Youths and students, traditional rulers; religious leaders; and market women”, he added. The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Adeleke Adebayo and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ismail Omipidan, were also at the press briefing.

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