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Tag: Oyo

  • BREAKING: Oyo Gov. Seyi Makinde recovers from COVID-19

    BREAKING: Oyo Gov. Seyi Makinde recovers from COVID-19

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has announced his recovery from COVID-19 after testing negative to the virus two times.

    Makinde made the announcement on his official Twitter handle a few minutes ago.

    “I am deeply moved by your prayers and support throughout this period. I am so thankful. This evening, I received my second negative test result for COVID-19.

    I especially thank Prof Temitope Alonge, who acted in my stead as Head of the Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force.” He said.

  • COVID-19: Why I am reluctant to declare total lock down in Oyo – Makinde

    COVID-19: Why I am reluctant to declare total lock down in Oyo – Makinde

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has explained that a total lockdown of the state has no benefit for now despite the rising cases of confirmed Coronavirus.

    He spoke during a programme on Fresh FM in Ibadan.

    The governor said he opted for curfew as a form of partial lockdown, which will still allow millions of people who earn daily income to go about their normal businesses while observing World Health Organisation (WHO) precautions on COVID-19.

    He said: “When we spoke last Saturday about everything that could be done to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Oyo State, I said we would continue to assess the situation and take additional measures where necessary.

    “But remember also that my own background is engineering and I kept saying to people that as an engineer, you take decisions that are based on logic and fact. It’s an uncharted territory. We kept on interacting with the experts to find out what are the facts emerging.

    Yes, Lagos can be on lockdown, Ogun can be on lockdown, Oyo State, yes, people have been saying have a total lockdown and then I have been asking them questions. What will be the benefits here? Are there alternative courses of action for us to take? If you ask people not to come out, you lock down the markets, there are people who what they sell today – the profit from today’s activities is what they will eat tomorrow.

    There are many people like that within our environment. So, are there alternatives available to us. Can we do selective lockdowns? That’s why I imposed the curfew, to say limit interactions.

    “I think, everything is on the table, but it has to follow a logical pattern and it will need the input of experts. We are not just going to lock down because everyone is locking down.

    “I have been watching CNN and the most successful place right now in containing this is the Czech Republic. And one of the things they brought out is that they made a law that if you must leave your house, you must wear a mask. It may be that route for us to go.

    I have asked them to start evaluating that. If we must make that law and say everybody that must go out must wear a mask, then, how about those who cannot afford it. Can we make masks locally? Can we get our artisans and our tailors to commit to that with the government supporting? So, these are the type of solutions we are looking for.”

    Makinde said contact tracing and tests have been carried out on aides and others, who interacted with him during the period.

    He said: “Yes, I can confirm to you that I took the test the same time as the Secretary to the State Government and when the result came out, they said one tested positive and the other, negative and it turned out to be that I came out positive and she came out negative.

    “So, everyone that has had contact with me, we are asking them to go into self-isolation and as soon as any of them shows any symptoms, then they get tested.”

    Giving update on his COVID-19 case, the governor said: “Well, I still don’t have any symptom. As I am talking to you, I can take my body temperature, I have a thermometer and it will read it out to you (temperature is read out by the thermometer as 36.5 degrees Celsius).

    “But the fact that I have no symptoms is why I have been insisting that people should maintain social distancing, follow hygienic practices and stay at home. Because we don’t know who you are interacting with. It may be someone with COVID-19 without even knowing it. So, even a gathering of 10, the maximum that I allow in Oyo State, may still expose you to COVID-19.

    “So, the bottom line is; first, this thing is real. Two, we have to halt the way we interact with ourselves, at least, until we have a handle on the disease itself.”

  • COVID-19: Oyo releases index case from isolation centre

    COVID-19: Oyo releases index case from isolation centre

    The Oyo state’s index case in the COVID-19 has been released from isolation centre.

    According to a statement issued on Monday in Ibadan by Mr Taiwo Adisa, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Seyi Makinde, the release of the patient was consequent upon the completion of his treatment at the Agbami Chest Hospital isolation centre, Ibadan.

    “The American returnee had initially tested negative only for the second test to read positive.

    “The index case had been on self-isolation at a private residence in Ibadan until he was transferred to the Isolation centre at Agbami, Jericho area of Ibadan on March 23.

    “The index case was released after two consecutive negative tests,’’ the statement read.

    The statement also quoted Dr Taiwo Ladipo, the State’s Incident Manager, as saying that the confirmed case spent six days in the isolation centre and had two negative tests.

    “Ladipo said the released patient is well and very stable and is now back to his house.

    “He posited that the infectious disease specialist would be reviewing the patient for follow up action,” the statement read.

    On the COVID 19 confirmation test result of Gov. Makinde that was positive, the CPS disclosed that the test result was delivered to the governor at about 5.30p.m.

    The statement recalled that Makinde was one of the governors who attended the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, penultimate week, “where he met with a number of colleagues.

    “The Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF) had after the meeting advised its members who attended the Abuja meeting to go into self- isolation or undergo COVID-19 tests.”

    The statement further reminded the general public that the dusk-to-dawn curfew (7 p.m. to 6 a.m.) has taken effect from Monday; “no gatherings of more than 10 people should be held anywhere in Oyo State, also all markets closed except those selling perishable food items.

    “Also, inter-state transportation in and out of the state has been suspended, except vehicles carrying food items, medical, pharmaceutical and petroleum products, all measures will be reviewed on a weekly basis,’’ he said.

    The general public are advised to stay safe by following the proper hygienic practices, washing their hands regularly or using an alcohol-based sanitiser and also practicising social distancing.

  • COVID-19 : Why I’m in self-isolation – Makinde

    COVID-19 : Why I’m in self-isolation – Makinde

    Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says he is on self-isolation based on the advice by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to governors who attended the last National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

    In a live tweet chat monitored in Ibadan on Saturday, Makinde said that governors who attended the NEC meeting came in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.

    “We were all advised to self-isolate and go for test. I have been in self-isolation since then.” he tweeted.

    On compliance with all directives aimed at curbing the spread of the disease in the state; the governor said: “We have an enforcement team which will ensure compliance.

    “If there is a gathering of more than 10 people, for instance, they will be dispersed. If it is a nightclub, we seal it, until the ban is lifted.”

    The governor said that the state’s testing capacity was limited, but it improved by setting up two diagnostic centres in collaboration with the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.

    According go him, more people can be be tested once NCDC certifies the facilities.

    “Setting up testing centres will enable us to test more people which means that those showing symptoms can get tested regardless of their travel history,” he said.

    On efforts toward public sensitisation; Makinde tweeted, “We are stepping up both enlightenment campaigns and enforcement measures.

    “We have disease durveillance and notification ifficers in all the 33 LGAs and 35 LCDAs.

    “Also, local government caretaker chairpersons are involved in enlightenment campaigns and implementation of directives.

    “Of course, if we have sustained community transmission, we will have to implement cluster lockdowns which are more effective than general lockdowns.”

    He said that the order placed against social and religious gatherings was not targeted at any religion or social group.

    On the number of isolation centres in the state, the governor tweeted that the state had a four-bed isolation unit in Ogbomoso, 10 at Jericho, four in the University of Ibadan and 100 at Olodo to be ready soon.

    ” Also, Tristate Hospital, Ibadan, has offered a 40-bed capacity unit including eight Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds with ventilators,” he said.

    Makinde added that additional four had been ordered for.

    “The ICU beds in the state currently have ventilators. We are also collaborating with private hospitals.

    “As I stated earlier, Tristate Hospital has offered its facilities which include ventilators.

  • Coronavirus: Makinde imposes curfew in Oyo, shuts markets

    Coronavirus: Makinde imposes curfew in Oyo, shuts markets

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew as part of stringent measures to halt the spread of coronavirus pandemic in the state.

    The governor has also ordered the closure of markets except those selling perishable food items as Oyo State now has three confirmed cases of the new coronavirus.

    “As a result of this, I have directed that the following additional measures be put in place: a dusk to dawn curfew (7 PM to 6 AM); no gatherings of more than ten people should be held anywhere in Oyo State,” Makinde said on Friday in a series of tweets.

    “From Sunday night, March 29, 2020, all markets will be closed except those selling perishable food items.”

    The Governor also suspended inter-state transportation, incoming and outgoing, except for vehicles carrying food items, medical, pharmaceutical and petroleum products.

    “This takes effect from Sunday night, March 29, 2020,” Makinde said. “All measures will be reviewed on a weekly basis.”

    According to the Governor, 84 other suspected cases have been identified in the state as contact tracing and collection of samples commence.

    “The state’s diagnostic centre set up in collaboration with the University College Hospital is now ready,” Makinde said. “The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) certification is still pending but the Director-General of NCDC has made a pre-statement about the molecular laboratory in Oyo State.”

    He noted that the state’s “index case remains stable and is still under observation in the isolation unit at Agbami Chest Centre, Jericho.”

  • Makinde prohibits gathering of more than 30 persons over COVID-19

    Makinde prohibits gathering of more than 30 persons over COVID-19

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has declared the ban on social gatherings including religious services, weddings, parties, and burial ceremonies, saying such gatherings should be limited to 30 persons or less.

    He also directed nightclubs to remain closed. He said the new measures will be reviewed in two weeks.

    The Governor made the announcements during a late Monday night broadcast at the state owned broadcasting outfit, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), a repeat of which was done on Tuesday morning.

    Makinde said, he understands how this pandemic will affect the people socially, economically and spiritually, but that the measures are the sacrifices that must be made to preserve and protect the people.

    He also gave the efforts made so far in combating the pandemic while reassuring the people of the efforts been made to contain the spread.

    Makinde said in the broadcast, “My dear good people of Oyo State, on Saturday, 21st March 2020, the first case of the novel Coronavirus Disease was confirmed in Oyo State.

    “This new development calls for stepping up even further, the measures that our administration is taking to prevent, contain and control the spread of this illness.

    “This is the time to come together as a people to fight a common enemy, COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus.

    “Since the identification of the Ekiti case on the 18th of March, 2020, the Oyo State Government has ramped up its preparedness for any possible outbreak of the pandemic. We set up a COVID-19 Task Force which I am heading. We have activated the Disease Surveillance and Notification System Officers in the 33 Local Government Areas and the 35 Local Council Development Areas.

    “We are collaborating with the College of Medicine to set up two Diagnostic Centres at the University College Hospital, Ibadan which will begin operations by the end of the week. Both are awaiting the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s validation. We are also awaiting reagents for testing which have been ordered.

    “We have also set up an additional isolation centre by redesignating the Maternal and Health Centre at Olodo as the Oyo State Infectious Disease Centre with a capacity for over 100 cases. Rehabilitation of the isolation centre is ongoing.

    “As a result of the newly designated isolation centre at Olodo, we have now reduced the previous five isolation centres to three. They are:

    “Ten-bed isolation centre at Jericho Chest Hospital, Ibadan

    “Four-bed isolation centre at University College Hospital, Ibadan

    “Four-bed isolation centre at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso

    “We have purchased and are presently refitting two dedicated ambulances for conveying critical cases to the isolation centres, while emergency personal protective gears have been provided for health workers with more already ordered.

    “Also, the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) has been set up and is now operational with an Incidence Manager, Dr. Taiwo Ladipo of the Ministry of Health. In addition, a five-member committee of experts has been approved to act as sub-committee for the EOC. We have provided numbers to call in case of emergencies.

    “I have already directed that all public and private schools in Oyo State should be closed until after Easter. The ongoing workers’ verification exercise has been suspended. The Free Health Mission has also been suspended.

    “All returning expatriate staffers in the state are presently in isolation and are being monitored.

    “However, with the confirmation of the first case and a clear understanding of how this disease can be transmitted, it cannot remain business as usual. We have postponed the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Summit, indefinitely. We have also postponed the Agribusiness Summit, indefinitely.

    “Therefore, I am obligated to place a ban on gatherings such as religious services, weddings, parties, burial ceremonies and so on, gatherings should be limited to 30 persons or less. Nightclubs will have to remain closed. These measures will be reviewed in two weeks.

    “I want to make it clear that I understand how this pandemic will affect us socially, economically and spiritually, but these are the sacrifices we need to make to preserve and protect our loved ones.

    “Remember, some people among us can be asymptomatic. They can be carriers of the virus without showing any physical symptoms. This is why proper hygienic practices, social distancing and staying at home are very important.

    “In times of anxiety, people want to come together physically and draw strength from the presence of others, but the advice on how to contain this virus is that we should do the exact opposite.

    “This disease, this virus is disrupting our lives in ways that we never imagined any disease would. But we can conquer it. We have seen the number of new cases drop in other places around the world and we have to copy all they did, as far as our local circumstances can permit, to keep the numbers here in manageable proportions.

    “Again, I enjoin everyone to work with us and do everything in their power to practice social distancing. With commitment and the grace of God we shall conquer this.”

     

  • Coronavirus: Atiku clears air on son attending Makinde’s PDP rally, Abuja night club

    Coronavirus: Atiku clears air on son attending Makinde’s PDP rally, Abuja night club

    Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to reports that his son refused to isolate himself upon return.

    Atiku had on Sunday revealed that his son tested positive for the deadly disease.

    He said he has been moved to Gwagwalada specialist hospital.

    But reports on Monday emerged that Atiku’s son attended a popular club in Abuja, as well as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s rally that was held in Ibadan.

    But reacting Atiku in a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe debunked the reports.

    Describing the reports as a ‘false narrative,’ Atiku said his son returned to the country on 17th March via Switzerland from some business engagements in France and Switzerland and isolated himself when he returned to Abuja.

    He urged Nigerians to disregard the ‘perfidious information that his son accessed open location.

    The statement reads, “The clinical case attended a private meeting of six (6) persons same day in Lagos, stayed in his private house for the night and took an Aero 5.20pm flight to Abuja on the 18th.

    “The case did not travel with his family or any other but travelled alone by Emirates Airline.
    The case wore face mask as a precautionary measure since his arrival in Nigeria.

    “The case did not show symptoms of infection and voluntarily placed a call to NCDC on arrival in Abuja late on the 18th to inform them he had returned from COVID-19 prone country and desired to be tested.

    “On the 19th, NCDC took his blood sample which result came positive on the 20th. He subsequently went into self-isolation to protect his family within his own house.

    “Meantime his son has since tested negative while his wife’s result is being awaited. The two persons are currently in self-isolation.

    “We urge members of the public to disregard the perfidious information that the case accessed open location. He was not at Play Lounge nor any other club in Abuja as being mischievously bandied about.

    “The case neither attended the Friday Jumu’a prayers nor any social gathering until his evacuation to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital on the 20th where he is being treated and managed.

    “We thank Nigerians for their prayers and support through this difficult time. Once again, it needs to be restated that the risk and danger of #COVID19 is real.”

  • BREAKING: Oyo records first case of coronavirus, 3 new cases detected in Lagos

    BREAKING: Oyo records first case of coronavirus, 3 new cases detected in Lagos

    THe number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Nigeria has risen to 26.

    In Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has confirmed the first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.

    “The COVID-19 confirmation test for the suspected case at Bodija has come back POSITIVE,” Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, said in a statement on Sunday morning.

    In Lagos, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed three new cases of coronavirus in Lagos, Nigeria taking total number to 26.

    Befre the Oyo report, the NCDC said as at 06:45am on the 22nd of March, there are 25 confirmed cases of COVID-19 recorded in Nigeria.

    The disease control centre said of the 25 confirmed cases, two have been discharged, with no death.

    “All three cases were reported in Lagos State and have travel history to high-risk countries in the last seven days.

    “We are working closely with Lagos State Ministry of Health to identify and follow up with contacts,” NCDC said.

    The Center added that, “If you have returned to Nigeria from any country in the last 14 days, please stay in self-isolation.”

    This brings the tally of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in Nigeria at this time, to 26.

    There are 19 patients in Lagos; one in Ekiti; two in Ogun, one in Oyo, and three in the federal capital territory (FCT).

  • Gunmen abduct two sisters in Oyo, demand N100m ransom

    Police yesterday confirmed abduction of two sisters – Pastor Omobola Adepoju and Mrs. Abiola Olukotun – on a farm in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    The sisters, who were abducted on Monday, are daughters of the late Chief Emiola Adesina, former Director of Sports, Western Region, who was also the proprietor of Subuola Memorial Nursery/ Primary School, Ibadan. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the abduction.

    He said: “They were kidnapped yesterday (Monday) on a farm near Badeku in Ibadan. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Shina Olukolu, gave a matching order to burst the crime. “As we speak, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), the Special Tactical Team, the Police Tactical Team, Operation Puff Adder, the IGP Tactical Team and the Federal SARS have all been deployed to the area. “They have cordoned off the area as we speak.

    They are carrying out a massive manhunt for the kidnappers in order to secure their release. I spoke with the OC/Anti-Kidnapping and he said they were combing the bush and the adjoining communities in an effort to secure their release.”

    A family source said one of the sisters came from the United States. “Omobola came in from Atlanta and was with her sister on her farm on Ife Road in Ibadan where they were both kidnapped on Monday. The kidnappers have called the family to ask for N100 million,” the source said. Husband of one of the victims, Mr. Kitolu Olukotun, said the abductors were six and that three of them were Fulani herders. He said: “My wife and sister-in-law went to the farm in the afternoon on Monday.

    Suddenly, the kidnappers emerged from the bush. According to one of my boys on the farm, they were six in number. “Three of them are Fulani while the remaining three are Yoruba. One of them was carrying an AK47 rifle which they shot sporadically in the air. They shot at the tyre of the vehicle and also fired a shot at the driver of our customers. “They ransacked the vehicle probably looking for something.

    After that, they marched my wife and the sister-in-law through the bush path. When they called me, they demanded N100 million. But, I told them I don’t have such money; I told them to accept N1 million but they disagreed saying, where? They then refused to speak with me.

    They have been threatening my wife. They insisted they would not take anything less than N20 million.” Meanwhile, in a statement yesterday, the police warned against the indiscriminate construction of unmanned community gates and careless patronage of suspicious commercial motorcyclists by residents in view of the growing spate of insecurity. The Police Commissioner, Olukolu, advised all and sundry to be circumspect in the construction and installation of unmanned security gates in their environment.

  • Oyo govt screens 10 persons for coronavirus

    Oyo govt screens 10 persons for coronavirus

    The Oyo State Epidemiologist, Dr Akinfemi Akinyode, says no fewer than 10 cases have been investigated and screened for coronavirus in the state since the outbreak of the disease in the country.

    Akinyode disclosed this on the sidelines of a special Continuing Medical Education (CME), held on Wednesday in Ibadan by the state branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was entitled: “Coronavirus Outbreak in Nigeria: Emergency Preparedness and Response.”

    He said that all the cases investigated and screened within the state were negative.

    Akinyode said that the state was alerted to those cases based on surveillance, anonymous tips and directives from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ogun and Lagos states.

    “We have had several alerts that have been investigated for coronavirus since the index case was recorded in the country.

    “However, none of these met the case definition for suspected case,” he said.

    The epidemiologist said that some of the alerts received on the cases were as a result of the coordination with other states like Lagos and Ogun.

    “They called us to alert us of people coming in from countries with confirmed and ongoing community transmission of COVID-19 or close contact with a confirmed case.

    “We investigated and followed up on these cases until we were sure that they were not infected with the virus,” he said.

    Akinyode said that mobilisation and vigilance of health teams had remained at the highest level within the state.

    He said that the state had 81 disease surveillance and notification officers and assistants across the 33 local government areas of the state.

    “The state has also trained 334 surveillance focal persons and 1,755 community informants.

    “Responsible information sharing is key to combating the spread of coronavirus, and we have excellent relationship and coordination with other states,” he said.

    NAN reports that the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, had, on Monday, confirmed the second case of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

    The index case imported by an Italian was recorded on Feb. 27.