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Tag: Lagos State

  • JUST IN: Test result of sick Chinese national suspected of Coronavirus out

    JUST IN: Test result of sick Chinese national suspected of Coronavirus out

    The Lagos State Government has said the Chinese citizen who presented at the Reddington Hospital, Ikeja sick on Wednesday and suspected to have Coronavirus, codenamed Covid-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO), has tested negative to the disease.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Commissioner for Health of Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who made this known through a press statement noted that the likelihood of Coronavirus infection in this particular patient was very low and that the conclusion of investigations and sophisticated testing confirms that there is no case of Covid-19 in Lagos as of now.

    “I would like to reassure Lagosians that our vigilance levels are very high and we are putting more measures in place to safeguard the State,” Prof. Abayomi said.

    While giving details of the investigation, the Lagos Health Commissioner explained that the Ministry of Health’s attention was drawn to the suspected Covid-19 case early enough.

    “From our investigation, we gathered that a Chinese citizen who arrived in Nigeria from China 7 weeks ago presented at the Hospital yesterday complaining about fever.

    “The hospital in keeping with the advisory we earlier issued, correctly maintained a high index of suspicion, isolated the patient and reported the case to Lagos State Ministry of Health.

    “We took up the case, transferred the patient to the State Isolation Unit at the Mainland Hospital, which is our specialised infectious disease hospital. His blood samples were taken to the Virology laboratory for analysis and it came out negative,” the Commissioner said.

    The test result of the blood samples of the Chinese national taken came out negative, dousing Coronavirus scare in the State.

  • Coronavirus scare: Lagos health ministry opens up on sick Chinese national

    Coronavirus scare: Lagos health ministry opens up on sick Chinese national

    The Lagos State Ministry of Health has said the Chinese national who presented Reddington Hospital Ikeja sick has been isolated at Mainland Hospital, and that result of blood samples taken for investigation is being awaited.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports a Chinese national (names withheld), who arrived in Nigeria from China seven weeks ago presented to Reddington Hospital, Ikeja complaining of fever in the early hours of Wednesday, sparking Coronavirus scare.

    Following the incident, the Lagos State Ministry of Health assured that vigilance levels are high, and that more measures are being put in place to safeguard the State to forestall outbreak of the Coronavirus disease.

    “We are currently investigating. Patient Isolated at Mainland Hospital. Blood samples taken for investigation. We await result… there is no confirmed case of Coronavirus in Lagos as at today.

    “We would like to reassure Lagosians that our vigilance levels are high and we are putting more measures in place to safe guard our State,” the Lagos State Ministry of Health tweeted.

    Meanwhile, Group Medical Director of Reddington Hospital Group, Dr Olutunde Lalude had said standard operating procedure for potential coronavirus patients was maintained in isolating the Chinese national.

    Dr. Lalude, who assured that there has been no confirmed case of coronavirus at any of the branches of the Reddington hospital as of today 26 February 2020, said the Chinese national was immediately isolated as a precautionary measure.

    “In the early hours of Wednesday 26 February 2020, a Chinese national presented to Reddington Hospital, Ikeja complaining of fever.

    “Following standard protocol it was ascertained that he had arrived in Nigeria from China seven weeks ago and had not been in contact with anyone else who might have coronavirus.

    “As a precautionary measure, staff immediately isolated him in accordance with the hospital’s standard operating procedure for potential coronavirus patients,” he said.

    According to the medical director, the State public health authorities were promptly informed and involved.

    “Despite the risk being assessed to be relatively low according to the currently available science regarding incubation period, blood samples were taken using full prescribed precautions,” Lalude said.

    He said the blood samples were sent to the Lagos State authorised virology laboratory for analysis and diagnosis.

    “The results of the tests will be available tomorrow. The patient has been transferred to the Infections Disease Hospital while the results are awaited.

    “It is to be emphasised that the risk is thought to be low and so far patient has not been diagnosed with Coronavirus disease,” Lalude said.

    He stressed that the Reddington team acted in a highly professional manner and in absolute compliance with international standards.

  • JUST IN: Coronavirus scare hits Lagos State

    JUST IN: Coronavirus scare hits Lagos State

    A Chinese national (names withheld), who arrived in Nigeria from China seven weeks ago, has presented sick to a hospital in Lagos State, sparking Coronavirus scare.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Chinese national presented to Reddington Hospital, Ikeja complaining of fever in the early hours of Wednesday.

    https://twitter.com/TheStellaMorah/status/1232708023166132224?s=19

    https://twitter.com/thou_jhoe/status/1232682551132684291?s=19

    According to Dr Olutunde Lalude, Group Medical Director, Reddington Hospital Group, the Chinese national was immediately isolated in accordance with the hospital’s standard operating procedure for potential coronavirus patients as a precautionary measure.

    Dr. Lalude assured that there has been no confirmed case of coronavirus at any of the branches of the Reddington hospital as of today 26 February 2020.

    “In the early hours of Wednesday 26 February 2020, a Chinese national presented to Reddington Hospital, Ikeja complaining of fever.

    “Following standard protocol it was ascertained that he had arrived in Nigeria from China seven weeks ago and had not been in contact with anyone else who might have coronavirus.

    “As a precautionary measure, staff immediately isolated him in accordance with the hospital’s standard operating procedure for potential coronavirus patients,” he said.

    According to the medical director, the State public health authorities were promptly informed and involved.

    “Despite the risk being assessed to be relatively low according to the currently available science regarding incubation period, blood samples were taken using full prescribed precautions,” Lalude said.

    He said the blood samples were sent to the Lagos State authorised virology laboratory for analysis and diagnosis.

    “The results of the tests will be available tomorrow. The patient has been transferred to the Infections Disease Hospital while the results are awaited.

    “It is to be emphasised that the risk is thought to be low and so far patient has not been diagnosed with Coronavirus disease,” Lalude said.

    He stressed that the Reddington team acted in a highly professional manner and in absolute compliance with international standards.

  • Lagos ‘big boy’ absconds after ordering N400k drinks at nightclub; woman in court for refusing to clear bills

    Lagos ‘big boy’ absconds after ordering N400k drinks at nightclub; woman in court for refusing to clear bills

    A 25-year-old woman, Ayisat Haruna is in for it, after an unidentified Lagos ‘big boy’ ordered drinks and smoke amounting to over N400,000.00 at a nightclub in Surulere, and thereafter absconded.

    Haruna was apprehended by the operators of the nightclub, and after she was unable to clear the bills, she was handed over to the police.

    She was charged to a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Surulere, Lagos on Tuesday. The police charged Haruna with two counts of conspiracy and theft. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Prosecution Counsel, Sgt. Rukayat Ogundeji told the court that the defendant committed the offence on January 1 at Club 38, No. 67, Bode Thomas, Surulere, Lagos.

    Ogundeji alleged that Haruna and her accomplice ordered for a bottle of Hennessy worth N40,000, two bottles of Pepsi pet for N1000, a packet of Benson switch for N700 and 10 bottles of Moet Nectar Imperial for N400,000.

    The prosecutor submitted that Haruna, who was in the company of the Lagos ‘big boy’, an unidentified man, now at large, consumed the drinks.

    Ogundeji said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 287 (5) (e) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Magistrate Oluwalase Abayomi admitted Haruna to bail in the sum of N50,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.

    Abayomi, who ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, adjourned the case until March 17 for substantive trial.

  • Ban on motorcycles will cripple cargo clearance in Lagos ports – Association

    The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA) has said that the ban on motorcycles and tricycles in some parts of Lagos State will cripple cargo clearance at the Lagos ports.

    The Vice-President of the association, Mr Collins Farinto, said this on Wednesday in Lagos.

    Farinto told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that most agents used to ride on commercial motorcycles to the port to clear their cargoes.

    According to him, agents perform 99 per cent of their ports’ operations by patronising commercial motorcycles.

    He said that they used them when processing the documents meant to clear their goods within a short period of time from one port to another to avoid incurring demurrage.

    “Everybody can testify to it that all the activities relating to getting cargo documents processed have been made easy due to the availability of commercial motorcycles.

    “About 99 per cent of our job is done by transporting ourselves on motorcycles.

    “If we have any consignment to clear at the Tin-Can port or Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, one has to trek now or drive through the bad roads.

    “ Banning of motorcycles will have adverse effects on the economy of the state.

    “This is not what the Lagos State Governor promised us during his electioneering.

    “He promised to review and protect the operations of motorcycles in the state,” Farinto said.

    He pleaded with the state government to reconsider the operations of motorcycles within the ports area to enable the clearing agents meet up with deadlines.

    NAN reports that the Lagos State Government last week announced that it would commence enforcement of the extant Transport Sector Reform Law 2018 which banned the operation of Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) in some Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) with effect from Feb. 1.

    They include: Apapa LGA, Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LG, Yaba LCDA, Surulere LGA, Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda LCDAs, Ikeja LGA, Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs, Eti-Osa LGA, Ikoyi-Obalende and Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs, Lagos Island LGA and Lagos Island East LCDA.

    The state government also listed the highways, bridges and roads where the law also banned motorcycles and tricycles from operating in the state.

  • Choked roads: Uber targets Lagos with boat service

    Uber has said it is in talks with Lagos state regulators about providing a transport system on the city’s waterways as a way of bypassing its choked roads.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Uber’s Chief Business Officer, Brooks Entwistle made this known on Thursday during an interview.

    “We are looking at the waterways here, which are very interesting to us as it relates to a potential service.

    “We did launch Uber Boat in Mumbai and we have watched the product develop. It’s in its early stages and we think there is high relevance here,” Entwistle said.

    Uber began operations in Nigeria in July 2014, beginning with the commercial capital Lagos, a megacity of around 20 million inhabitants built on a lagoon, that is beset by heavy traffic congestion.

    The Uber executive, who described Lagos as “one of the great growth opportunity cities in the world”, said the company has held discussions with regulators in the city, and also with a bus firm, adding that discussions were at an early stage.

    He said the talks were in line with a global push by the company to develop products that can work alongside public transit systems.

    Entwistle said the combination of population growth and congestion made Lagos attractive.

    The United Nations predicts that Nigeria’s population will more than double to 400 million by 2050, which would make it the third most populous country in the world after China and India.

    Uber faces stiff competition in Nigeria from Estonian ride-hailing firm Bolt, which until early 2019 was called Taxify.

    Bolt has grabbed business largely by taking a smaller cut from drivers using its app.

    A number of motorcycle ride-hailing firms, including Gokada, have also targeted Lagos state in the last few months.

  • Sanwo-Olu swears in SSG, Chief of Staff, others

    Sanwo-Olu swears in SSG, Chief of Staff, others

    Gov. Babjide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Thursday swore in Mrs Folasade Jaji, as Secretary to the State Government as well as Mr Tayo Ayinde as Chief of Staff.

    Sanwo-Olu also swore in Gboyega Soyannwo as Deputy Chief of Staff and charged the appointees to hit the ground running to justify the trust reposed in them.

    He reminded them that their appointments were a call to service and an acknowledgement of their exemplary track records in their various fields of specialisation.

    “This appointment is necessary and also critical for a smooth take off of this administration which is barely one week old.

    “You have been brought on board to assist the administration for effective actualisation of the visions and agenda of the APC, our state and the people,” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu advised them to be innovative and receptive to new ideas that would continue to make the state a centre of excellence.

    The governor also swore in six new Permanent Secretaries, including Dr Ademuyiwa Eniayewun, Medical Director Lagos Island Maternity and Mr Olumide Erinle, Principal, Apapa Senior High School, Education District IV.

    Also sworn in were Mrs Oludara Okelola, Principal, Babs Fafunwa Millenium Senior Grammar School, Education District VI and Mr Wasiu Akewusola, General Manager, New Town Development Authority.

    Others were Mrs Yewande Falugba, Director, Admin and Human Resource, Ministry of Youth and Social Development; and Mr Mustapha Osi-Efa, Director Admin and Human Resource, Ministry of Home Affairs.

    Sanwo-Olu charged them not to be complacent in performing their duties but continue to strive for excellence.

    He urged them to ensure delivery of services in tune with the demands of 21st century economy and provide leadership to other levels of staff.

    The governor said that the portfolios of the appointees would be announced soon.

    Responding on behalf of the appointees, Jaji, who thanked the governor for giving them the privilege to serve, promised to justify the confidence reposed in them.

  • No plans to increase cost of road worthiness certificates – LASG

    The Directorate of the Lagos Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) has dismissed rumors of price increase for the issuance of Road Worthiness Certificate.

    In a statement on Tuesday, the Director of the VIS, Abdul-Hafeez Gbolahan Toriola, told motorists not to nurse any fears over rumoured increment.

    Such fears, he said, are unfounded and without any substance, reiterating the stance of the government to ensuring that Lagosians are able to process Road Worthiness Certificates (RWC) seamlessly.

    According to him, in spite of the cost of invested substantially in establishing 10 computerized centres across the state, the government is not considering increasing the price for the processing of Road Worthiness Certificate.

    Toriola however enjoined motorists wishing to process their RWC to shun touts and visit any of the 45 VIS work stations or the 10 Lagos Computerized Vehicle Inspection Service (LACVIS) centers.

    The Director equally urged motorists who processed their RWC in VIS Zonal offices without a computerized centre are to visit any of the LACVIS centers across the state with their referral note for a free computerized inspection.

    He stated after the inspection, they will be issued an Inspection Report.

    He assured motorists that officers of VIS and LACVIS have been trained and positioned to attend to customers’ enquiries and concerns in a professional manner.

    The Director equally stated that the CIV will also help vehicle buyers from buying imported vehicles with mechanical faults which are usually hidden by unscrupulous sellers.

    According to him, a valid safety check is required before a vehicle can be registered.

    These tests, which include the automobile vehicle inspection number (Autovin), are carried out at the LACVIS centres to know the history of the vehicle and all the modifications and alterations done on the vehicle, if any.

    He also called on all insurance companies, vehicle documents processing agencies, car dealers/ importers and all safety agencies to cooperate with the government to actualize the objectives of total safety on the roads by insisting that the Autovin exercise is carried out before vehicle purchase and registration is completed.

     

  • Nollywood star wins Lagos State Assembly seat

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Nollywood star, Desmond Elliot, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as winner of the Surulere 1 state Constituency election in Lagos State.

    The Returning Officer, Dr Bolajoko Dixon-Ogbechi from the University of Lagos, made the declaration on Sunday, at the Surulere Local Government Collation Centre in Lagos.

    She said Elliot emerged winner with 15,357 votes, while Mr Benjamin Olasunkanmi, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came second with 3,628 votes.

    ”That Desmond Olusola Elliot of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared winner and is returned elected. ”

    According to her, Mr Shitta-Bey Oluwarotimi of Alliance for Democracy (AD) came third with 116 votes; Mr Dawodu Oluwaseyi of Accord Party came fourth with 65 votes while Mr Makanjuola Olaseni of YP came fifth with 59 votes.

    Dixon-Ogbechi said that the total number of registered voters in the constituency was 134939, accredited voters were 20340.

    Valid votes – 19357 while the total number of rejected votes was 973.

    “The total number of votes cast is 20330 while the results of six units at Igbaja/Stadium with RA number 06 were cancelled due to over voting.

    ” So, the total number of votes cancelled in the affected areas were 4091, ” she said.

  • Election: Catholic church dedicates Feb. 23 to God, prays for unity

    Election: Catholic church dedicates Feb. 23 to God, prays for unity

    Worshippers at the Saints Peter and Saint Paul Catholic Church, Tedi, Lagos on Sunday dedicated Feb. 23 to God for a successful general election.

    The Church had previously consecrated Feb. 16 before the postponement of the elections.

    Rev. Father Ben Alozie who anchored the prayer session described Feb. 23 as an important day in the country and therefore it should be consecrated for a successful poll.

    “As a church, we are first Nigerians before being members of our congregation; therefore, we need to take that which is of concern to our country to God in the same way we take our individual needs to God for a solution.

    “Saturday’s elections will determine to a large extent the fate of our dear country in the next four years; so, no amount of supplication is enough to God in order for us to have a peaceful country after the polls.”

    The priest advised the worshippers not to be discouraged by the shift in date and charged them to come out and partake in the election.

    He added that with the rain of prayer for the election by most Nigerians and the chain prayer made for Saturday, the country would have a successful election.

    Mr Jude Ukachukwu, one of the Coordinators of the church appealed to the electoral body to allay the fears of the electorate by ensuring the conduct of the elections on the new dates.