Governor Ademola Adeleke has felicitated with His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr) Michael Odunayo Ajayi JP, Arowotawaya II, the Elerinmo of Erinmo Land on the occasion of his birthday.

The ancient town of Ilesa and its environs were on Tuesday deserted as the 7-day lockdown order imposed on the four local government areas of Ijesaland by the state government commenced.

The enforcement team of the lockdown has described the observance of the lockdown as “impressive”.

The state government had last Saturday ordered  a total lockdown of Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Atakumosa East and Atakunmosa West as part of efforts to contain the community transmission of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic within the axis. 

The affected four councils are parts of the six local government areas that make up Ijesa-South and Ijesa-North Federal Constituencies of Osun East Senatorial District.

The State’s enforcement team on COVID-19, on Tuesday morning stormed the affected local government areas to enforce the lockdown measures ordered by the government.

The team, led by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Adebayo Adeleke, said members of the team were on ground to enforce the government’s directives and assess the level of compliance.

The enforcement team in company with officers of Osun Joint Task Force and Osun Joint Security Network comprises the Police, Nigeria Civil Defense Corps, Department of State Services, Nigerian Army and Volunteers of Amotekun Corps, took to the major streets and communities in the affected areas to tighten-up the road blocks and barricades mounted in the major entries and strategic places as part of efforts to prevent vehicular and needless movement of residents.

Speaking on the level of compliance, the leader of the enforcement team, said it was encouraging and impressive. 

“The lockdown is expected to last seven days. This is the first day. This is impressive. We are happy with what we have seen so far, I hope and pray this level of compliance is maintained. But if it is not, like the governor warned, it will be extended,” Adeleke said. 

It will be recalled that the government had in a statement lamented the surge in the number of confirmed Coronavirus cases  in the State in the last one month and said there was need to take measures to arrest the trend. 

Osun has recorded a total of 178 confirmed cases  so far, out of which it had successfully treated and discharged 84 patients. The State currently has a total of 87 active cases and it has recorded seven deaths since the outbreak of the virus. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu, who also spoke during the week, noted that medical analysis revealed that many of the recent cases of COVID-19 recorded in the State were from Ilesa axis and its environs, hence the need for government to impose a total lockdown to curb community transmission of the pandemic.

The State Government of Osun has restated its warning that private hospitals in the State are not allowed to admit and treat suspected or confirmed Coronavirus patients. 

The State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode who gave the warning via a public announcement on Thursday, stated that non-adherence to the directive would attract prosecution by the State Government.

Egbemode disclosed the State government has accredited health facilities with required personnel to treat suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients in the State. 

“The State Government of Osun has reiterated that private hospitals across the State are NOT ALLOWED to treat COVID-19 patients, whether suspected or confirmed. 

“The State has recognised, accredited and adequate Government facilities with the required personnel to take care of patients, whether suspected or confirmed, at its Isolation and Care Centres. Testing and treatment are free in all government facilities,” she said.  The Commissioner noted that attempt to treat COVID-19 patients in private facilities would only open the State to community infections and negate all the sacrifices people of Osun had made so far.

The Honourable Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Hon. (Dr.) Olawale Babatunde Olumide in his effort towards Covid-19 sensitization has directed all Directors in the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology to report at the State Emergency Call Center today 27^th of March 2020. This exercise was aimed at assisting the Call Agents in attending to numerous calls bombarding the center via 293.

It was recalled that Hon. (Dr.) Olawale Babatunde Olumide visited the call center earlier this week, and observed that the center has been a great instrument of awareness, as people call from different locations across the country to make enquiries on Covid-19 Pandemic, its symptoms and prevention via the State of Osun Emergency Toll-free line 293. As well as reporting suspected cases.

“As it has been known that the deadly Covid-19 Pandemic has no cure when it goes severe, the only way to help people to be safe is to get them informed,” He said.

One of the Call agent representative, beseech the government to help them in recruiting more staffs so as to enhance the operation. He also emphasized on the need to upgrade the center in other to improve the quality of service delivery and identify opportunities of revenue generation.  The Honourable Commissioner promised to forward their request to the state government, and also enjoined them to be proactive in their duties.

The government of the State of Osun, on Thursday announced the closure of major markets with effect from Friday, March 27, while also limiting the boarding capacity of vehicles operating within the State as part of the ongoing measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the State.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, the government announced that all markets in the State, including Orisumbare, Ajegunle spare part market and Ayegbaju market will be shut with effect from tomorrow, Friday.

The statement further announced that all shopping malls will also be shut, except for their pharmaceutical, foods and medical needs outlets.

Speaking on transportation within the State, the SSG said: “all motorcycles henceforth will carry only one passenger, while all mini buses will carry only four passengers with one passenger in front, one in the middle and two at the back seat”.

The statement also announced the closure of the land borders into the State with effect from Saturday, 28th March. In another development, the government advised all returnees from the United Kingdom, the United States of America and other countries marked as high risk countries, who returned to the State of Osun in the last two weeks, to call the State’s emergency number – 293 – for instructions on how to stay safe.