By Ayodeji Alabi

Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has condoled with the family of Tosin Ogunbodede, his Chief of Protocol (COP), who died on Saturday, Jan.2, after an auto crash on Ilesa-Akure Road.

Mr Donald Ojogo, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, said this in a statement on Sunday in Akure.

Ojogo said that Ogunbodede, who was a lawyer by profession, died shortly after a visit to an uncle in Ibadan, Prof. Benjamin Ogunbodede, who has been ill.

“The remains of the Chief of Protocol will arrive Owo Local Government Area, his hometown today.

“This is necessary in order to commence preparations for his burial without further delay.

“Ogunbodede discharged his assigned duties with utmost attention and responsibility.

“Until his untimely death, he had been a very loyal political lieutenant of Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, over the years. For the governor, this is a personal loss.

“It becomes more emotional when it’s recalled that the loyal and dedicated Tosin stopped by at the governor’s law hub, Ibadan, to greet his principal while returning to Akure from his uncle’s residence,” he said.

Ojogo said that the State Government would unveil his burial plans after consultations with the family.

By Abbas Bamalli

The sudden outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which originated from the city of Wuhan, China, has become a major public health challenge for countries all over the world.

The pandemic led to the total lockdown of most of the human activities in various parts of the world, which also destablised academic activities in most parts of the world, including Nigeria.

The spread of the COVID-19 initially spared Nigeria, like many other African countries, with zero recorded cases as of Jan. 2020.

This luck, however, did not last. By the 28th of February, Nigeria reported its first case, and nearly two months later, 343 confirmed cases, 91 recoveries and 10 deaths were recorded.

The closure of schools, colleges, and universities by the Federal and State governments was an urgent need which prevailed in most States in Nigeria.

Nigerian Government started taking preventive decisions on COVID-19 just after the World Health Organisation (WHO) recognised it as a pandemic disease.

However, the shutdown of most schools and colleges in some states, including the FCT and Kano, in which the academic year was interrupted, had a tremendous effect on the academic syllabus.

Schools had to concentrate on scheduling their final exams before the lockdown commenced. The affected schools and institutions had to cancel or reschedule examination dates, and other school activities, so as to curtail the spread of the virus.

There is no doubt that the interference of the coronavirus pandemic has caused so many challenges in the Nigerian education system, which Kano State was not left behind.

In April 2020, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), with support from the World Bank, launched the COVID-19 National Longitudinal Phone Survey (NLPS); a monthly survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,950 households to monitor the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic and other shocks

Summary of the survey revealed that School attendance in October 2020 was substantially lower than in January/February 2019.

Among household members, aged 5-18 years, 59 per cent were attending school in October 2020 compared to 74 per cent in January/February 2019.

Following the outbreak, a total lockdown was declared in Kano also, to contain the spread of the disease after the mysterious deaths recorded within a short period.

The deaths have raised fears that the coronavirus pandemic could have spread far more than anyone expected in Africa’s most populous city.

Following the lockdown, all academic activities in the State were suspended, which also affected the academic calendars of schools, especially primary and secondary schools in the state.

Alhaji Abubakar Musa, a father of five children in one of the Public schools in Kano, described the situation occasioned by the pandemic as a great setback to the education sector.

According to him, the long stay at home by the students was terrible and it has really affected not only the children, but also the teachers and parents.

“The impact was more severe for disadvantaged children and their families, causing interrupted learning, compromised nutrition, childcare problems, and consequent economic cost to families who could not work.

“The lack of student to teacher interaction also led our children to feel less passionate about the integrity of their work.” he added.

Hajiya Halima Muhammad, another parent, said the closure of schools has exposed so many teachers, especially those teaching in private schools into a serious hardship which she said many of them have not recovered from yet.

“If you could remember, for over seven months, schools were closed, and parents were not paying school fees. With that situation, many private schools were not able to pay their teachers.

“It got to an extent where many good teachers lost their jobs because the school managements can not afford to pay them. This is also a setback to the education of the pupils,” she said.

After the lockdown, and schools were opened, the state government ordered private schools in the state to reduce their third-term school fees by 25 per cent.

Mohammed Sanusi-Kiru, the Commissioner of Education, who announced this, said the decision was necessary to reduce the economic challenges parents experienced due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

The state government has remained silent on the enforcement committee set up to ensure the 25 per cent reduction in the third time school fees.

Kiru explained that the State government has the right and power to enforce the directive on any private school, but choose to negotiate with stakeholders.

“I want to inform you that we have 99 actions that can be taken on any private school owner that failed to comply with the directive. Even though over 80 per cent of them have complied.

“We set up an enforcement committee to go round all the private schools to ensure that they comply with our directive. We wanted to be fair to all, but some are trying to be stubborn.

“Even the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the states have cancelled the third-term session, therefore we also have the right to do the same,” he said.

Also, the Deputy President, Association of Private Schools Owners of Nigeria, (APSON), Hajiya Maryam Magaji, said they have accepted the directive, designed to comply with the government directives for the reduction of school fees.

She said, “With a view to cushioning the effects of the economic hardship suffered because of the COVID-19 pandemic by parents in the state, the directive given to the proprietors for the reduction of the school fees was not intended by the Government to hurt anybody, but rather done in the best interest of the educational development of the state.”

However, another faction of the association, Joint Committee of Private and Voluntary Schools Association (JCPVSA), issued a statement saying they will not accept the government’s decision to reduce school fees.

By Chukwuemeka Opara

The Ebele and Anyi Chuks Foundation, a non-governmental organisation says it seeks to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor with its humanitarian activities.

Dr Ifeanyichukwu Odii, founder of the foundation made the disclosure at Isu, his hometown while distributing food items, cash among others to the people of the area to celebrate the Christmas and New Year.

Odii said that there was much gap between the rich and poor in the country, which has created inequality and discontent among the people.

“The foundation has been assisting the needy and empowering people for over 15 years and was motivated by God’s selflessness in sacrificing his only son to save mankind.

“We have built 77 houses for indigent persons, six churches to assist in propagating God’s word and a palace for the tradition ruler of the area.

“I have added another 23 houses to the 77 houses we built and they would soon be handed over to the beneficiaries,” he said.

The foundation’s founder said that he built the houses with the same quality he used in building his house in Lagos and this was to give the beneficiaries a sense of belonging.

“This is to make the children of the beneficiaries appreciate God’s kindness on them and make them offer nothing less when they want to assist others.

“Nigerians always offer leftovers to others, but at the Ebele and Anyi Chuks Foundation, we selflessly offer all we have with the fear of God,” he said.

He noted that the foundation’s activities do not have political undertones as the United Nations has always identified with its ideals.

“Everyone cannot be in the forefront of politics and there would be people who would operate at the home front to organise things.

“We pray for God’ continuous guidance and capacity to impact positively on the society and once such grace continues, our efforts would be relentless,” he said.

Odii said that the foundation’s activities extend beyond the frontiers of Ebonyi and Nigeria as it has supported people with empowerment packages, scholarships among others.

“We constructed over 2.2km of asphalted road with drainages in Magodo Estate Lagos, while distributing COVID-19 palliatives to people in 11 states of the country,” he said.

Mr Christian Onu, The foundation’s Coordinator in Ebonyi said that its staff were motivated by the zeal shown by the founder and his wife Ebele, to assist humanity.

“We are presently distributing over 15, 000 bags of rice, over 2000 bales of wrapper, cash running into millions of naira and also empowering youths to be self- dependent during this exercise,” he said.

He said that the foundation strictly observed COVID-19 protocols: use of face masks, hand washing and use of sanitisers during the distribution while restricting the number of attendees.

Sen. Amah Nnachi (PDP-Ebonyi South) commended the foundation for its philanthropy to people in his senatorial zone, noting that its gestures do not have political undertones.

“Dr Odii has done the senatorial zone proud and his actions should be emulated by all especially those involved in politics,” he said.

Mrs Vivian Nwaje, one of the beneficiaries thanked the foundation for the gesture and prayed that God gives it the enablement to sustain good works.

By Oboh Linus

Apostle Theophilus Ebonyi, the Senior Pastor, Faith on the Rock Ministry International, has admonished Nigerians to seek God through prayer for the country to  overcome any demonic agenda against it in 2021.

Ebonyi gave the admonition in an interview with newsmen after a programme titled “Prayer for the Nation,’’ to mark his 43rd birthday and prophetic release for 2021 on Saturday in Karu, Nasarawa State.

The cleric said that going back to God genuinely was the only answer to the challenges confronting the country and the sure way to overcome its daunting challenges.

Reflecting on the 2020, the cleric said it was a turbulent year, full of battles ranging from lockdown, insecurity, insurgency and #EndSARS saga, saying God brought Nigerians into 2021 for a purpose.

He said that 2021 was a year of the Lord, where God himself would humble some demonic powers, forces and satanic agenda that had been bedeviling the nation.

The cleric disclosed that God revealed to him in the place of prayer, the full assurance of His blessings and intervention in the affairs of the country.

Ebonyi, however, said that the 2021 needed sincere prayer of everyone especially for the North and the governments at all levels.

“We have to pray for the governments and Nigerians, God loves this nation dearly but the kingdom of darkness has come out fully against it.

“If we call on God genuinely he will still deliver us as he delivered Israelites out of Egypt,” he said.

Speaking on his 43rd birthday, Ebonyi expressed grateful to God for adding another year to him in spite of the battles he went through in 2020.

He said that he dedicated his 43rd birthday to step up the mandate that God gave him to wipe away the tears of people through touching of lives with his resources.

He noted that what always gave him joy was to see humanity happy and liberated.(NAN)

By Ruth Oketunde

Mr Wilson Atumeyi, Founder, Water with Development (WaterWide), a non-profit organisation, has bagged the 2020 Africa Youth Awards.

Atumeyi, who is Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) advocate, was selected among 10 nominees including men and women across different African countries, as the winner in the Advocate of the Year category.

With strong representation from South Africa and Ghana on the nominees list, the award also featured 18 Nigerians, 14 Kenyans and 9 Ugandan and Tanzanian nominees,

The awards shortlisted nominees comprised of 45 females, 65 males and 18 Organisations.

The Award ceremony which was held virtually, had no fewer than 129 young Africans and organisations nominated for the 2020 Pan African Awards Scheme.

The award is aimed at honouring young Africans who are championing the development of the continent in diverse fields.

In a statement on Saturday, Atumeyi explained that the awards scheme was inspired by the lack of recognition for young Africans who have selflessly dedicated their lives to making sure the future of Africa was guaranteed.

He added that “the award brings together like-minded young people who are passionate about the development and progress of Africa.

“The advocate of the year category is designated to award a young African who has adopted legal means to represent the voice of the marginalised in their community.

“They must exhibit courage, leadership and passion in championing their causes which must bring change to their community,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atumeyi’s WaterWide, is an organisation that tracks government spending for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for improved access to safe water in rural communities.

Atumeyi, through his organisation has provided access to safe water in communities in Nigeria and provided hand hygiene materials for over 430 households to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

He has also trained no fewer than 1,000 Nigerians on budget analysis and project tracking for water, sanitation and hygiene. (NAN)

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Chiedu Ebie, on his 50th birth anniversary on Saturday.

The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika on Saturday in Asaba, thanked Ebie for his outstanding contributions to governance in the state.

He said that Ebie’s contributions had remained commendable as Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, and now, SSG.

He said that the SSG, an astute lawyer, had brought to bear in the governance of the state, his experience from his distinguished career in the private sector as an entrepreneur and oil and gas executive.

The governor urged him to sustain his contributions to state and humanity by enunciating more ideas and strategies that would lead to the efficiency and effectiveness of governance and sustainable development of the state.

He also acknowledged Ebie’s sound knowledge of governance with his core competence in strong leadership and execution skills.

According to him, Ebie has brought his wealth of experience to bear by providing leadership towards the attainment of the Stronger Delta Agenda of our administration.

“Over the years, your sound and unblemished leadership style as an industry player has endeared you to many people in Delta and Nigerians.

“As Secretary to State Government, you have exhibited absolute knowledge of your core responsibilities with your robust coordination of government in the state.

“We appreciate your role in the revamping of schools sports through the Zenith Bank Delta Principal’s and Headmaster’s Cup under your tenure as Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate you, my dear brother and friend, Mr Chiedu Ebie, on the occasion of your 50th birth anniversary.

“As you turn 50, your family and indeed, political and business associates and admirers, have cause to be grateful to Almighty God for having granted you a life of wonderful milestones”.

By David Adeoye

The Oyo State Government has warned purveyors of fake news to leave the state or risk sanctions.

Mr Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Seyi Makinde, said this in a statement issued in Ibadan on Saturday.

The statement was a reaction to some online publications speculating that the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) was burgled last week.

The state government however described the report as fake news, stressing that there was no iota of truth to the claim in the story.

It admonished newsmen to always seek clarifications from relevant authorities to avoid the allure of fake news.

“Checks with all arms of security at the secretariat confirmed that the story was fake, unfounded and indeed an outright lie.

“Indeed, the original publisher of the story, Mega Icon, was so mischievous that he didn’t crosscheck the purported story with any government official.

“He only added a line debunking the story after an official of the SSG had questioned the veracity of the fake report.

“He had claimed to an official of the government that he had to publish the fake news because he was once shunned by officials of the Ministry of Agriculture.

“Surprisingly, Sahara Reporters lapped up the fake news, an indication that the integrity of the media houses is at stake.

“The story not only failed the simplest tests that newsmen worth their onion subject news stories to, it raised all the red flags of fake news, as it claimed that no arrest had been made without stating which police station the alleged burglary was reported to and by whom.

“The fake news had also gone ahead to state that imaginary valuables were carted away without stating what and what was stolen.

“Sadly, the purveyors of the fake news have also let down their readers by not being able to provide further details days after publishing the initial lie,” the statement read in part.

The state government further advised information carriers to always ensure professionalism in the discharge of their duties, stressing that responsible and ethical journalism espouses truth and the sanctity of facts above fiction.

It threatened that anyone who deliberately publishes fake and concocted report would be made to face the wrath of the law.

“There are constitutional stipulations that guide against publication of falsehood.

“We find it appalling that a media house worth its name would publish a story that has no basis and is not in any way close to reality.

“In fact, we can no longer doubt the fact that the purveyors of this fake news are out to blackmail the government in an attempt to rubbish the initiatives of the administration in the security sector.

“We want to, however, state categorically that the state will ensure no offender goes unpunished, as there are constitutional provisions against the publication of falsehood by the press despite the fundamental freedom of expression,” it emphasised.

The statement said the administration can no longer condone the excesses of mischief makers. (NAN)