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UPDATE: Lagos orders public, private schools to resume Jan 18

January 4, 2021Posted in EducationLeave a comment

The Lagos State Government has ordered all public and private schools in the state to reopen for the second term of 2020 / 21 academic session from Monday , January 18 , 2021 .

Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo , announced this in a statement by the Head, Public Affairs , Ministry of Education, Kayode Abayomi .

In the statement titled, ‘ All public and private schools in Lagos State to resume 18 th January 2021 ’ , schools were also asked to make virtual learning available .

She said this was in line with the Federal Government’ s directive coupled with the second wave of the COVID- 19 Pandemic .

“ All public and private schools below the tertiary level in Lagos State should be reopened for the second term 2020 /21 academic session from Monday , 18 th of January , 2021 .

“ Schools should have flexible plans where students and teachers who feel sick can teach or learn from home via available online platforms . Schools should also strive to avoid any COVID- 19 infection among all students and staff , ” the statement read in part.

She also asked “all schools to make efforts to comply with all the outlined COVID- 19 requirements for resumption of schools .

“ Not just for the improvement of overall school operations but for the safe reopening of academic activities to support the Lagos State Government’ s quest for a full return . ”

Punch

JUST IN: Abiodun suspends commissioner over alleged sexual harassment

January 3, 2021Posted in lifeLeave a comment

Ogun State Government says it has suspended the Commissioner for Environment , Abiodun Abudu -Balogun , from office for alleged sexual harassment of an underaged girl .

The government said the suspension will last pending the conclusion of an independent investigation into the allegation .

The Commissioner was alleged of sexual harassment by a 16 – year- old Barakat Melojuekun.

A statement issued in Abeokuta by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr . Tokunbo Talabi , said the suspension of the commissioner is to enable him to cooperate fully with the independent investigation being carried out by the Police .

The statement read “ whilst taking cognizance of the principle of a suspect being presumed innocent until proven guilty and the public statement issued by Hon. Abudu -Balogun denying the allegation , as a government with zero tolerance for gender – based violence and indeed any criminality , the suspension is a further demonstration of the commitment of Prince Dapo Abiodun Administration to fairness , equity, justice and the rule of law , no matter who is involved .

“ The government assures the public that it will do everything to ensure that justice is served in this case .

In the meantime, the suspended Commissioner has been directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Environment . ”

Punch

[UPDATE] Earned allowances: Fresh strike looms in varsities over sharing formula

January 3, 2021Posted in EducationLeave a comment

The National Association of Academic Technologists has issued a 14 – day strike notice to the Federal Government.

The university workers are protesting alleged disparity in sharing of the N40 billion earned allowances released to the four university unions.

They are also demanding the release of 50 per cent of the N71 billion accrued allowances being owed members of the union based on the 2009 agreement with the government .

The NAAT President , Ibeji Nwokoma, told journalists in Abuja on Saturday, that the association has written to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige , informing him of their planned industrial action .

He said , “We have written to the government that NAAT as a body ought to have been given a specified percentage of the N 40 bn. You must define it; you can ’ t just say ASUU 75 per cent and others 25 per cent. Let us know the specific percentage you are giving to NAAT as a union .

“ In the MoU we entered with the government on November 18 , in item number 2 b, we demanded that in sharing the N40 bn released , that government should clearly define what is going to be allocated to each union and government agreed to the genuineness of our demands and said NUC ( National Universities Commission ) and Federal Ministry of Education will work it out in conjunction with the union and what they have done negated completely the spirit of that MoU . ”

He said , “ We have given the government an ultimatum of 14 days . We wrote to government 30 th December and we have given 14 working days and if at the end of the 14 working days our demands are not met , we resume our suspended strike.

“ Definitely , we will close down the schools . If anybody thinks that ASUU has called off their strike and that schools will reopen , then let the person dare us . Let us know how effective or how possible it is for schools to reopen when technologists are on strike. ”

Punch

[COVID-19] Second wave: Lagos schools not reopening Monday -Ministry

January 3, 2021Posted in EducationLeave a comment

The Lagos State Government says a new date for public and private primary and secondary schools to resume in the state would be announced soon.

Head, Public Affairs , Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr Kayode Abayomi , made this known .

He explained that schools in the state are not reopening on Monday , January 4 , 2021 , as earlier announced .

According to him , the second wave of COVID- 19 would be a major determinant for the reopening of schools in the state .

He said , “Please , recall that the Ministry of Education earlier announced 4 th of January as resumption date for the second term 2020 /2021 academic session, but this has since been overtaken by the turn of events due to the recent waves of Covid – 19 pandemic .

“ As a result of the spike in Coronavirus pandemic , Mr . Governor announced the indefinite closure of all schools . To this end, kindly be informed that a new date of resumption will be announced as soon as possible . ”

Also , following the increase in recorded cases of coronavirus, Lagos State Governor, Mr . Babajide Sanwo -Olu has directed all State Public Servants on Grade Levels 14 and below to continue working from home till Monday , January 18 , 2021 .

Governor Sanwo- Olu who said the directive excludes essential duty staff , as well as first responders , enjoined all public servants to stay safe and keep adhering to all COVID- 19 protocols in order to rid the State of the pandemic in the shortest possible time .

Punch

INSECURITY: Police council may nominate new IGP February

January 3, 2021Posted in SecurityLeave a comment

There are indications that the Nigerian Police Council may nominate a new Inspector – General of Police by February.

It is unclear if the current Inspector -General of Police , Mohammed Adamu , will get a tenure extension but unconfirmed sources said his successor may be announced .

The council , which is chaired by the President , comprises the 36 state governors and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission .

Adamu , who is the 20 th indigenous police boss, is expected to retire next month when he would clock 35 years in service .

Sources said he had launched a vigorous lobby for tenure extension to enable him to conclude certain reforms in the police but it is still unclear if his bid to secure an extension additional was successful .

It was gathered that the race for the IGP ’ s successor has begun with some state governors , influential politicians and traditional rulers rooting for their candidates .

A senior official said intense lobby for the new IG has commenced with various interest groups pushing the candidacy of their protégés .

A handful out of about 20 Assistant Inspectors – General of Police are eligible for appointment as the next IG , newsmen gathered on Saturday.

A source stated, “ The police council always meets confidentially to decide the next IG but a lot of people are already pushing for their candidates ; the pressure is high but it is the President ’ s prerogative to select the IG .

“ We have about 20 AIGs but most of them do not qualify under the new Police Act , which stipulates that a candidate for the office of the IG must have at least five years of service .

Punch

[JUST IN] Crossover services: Lagos to fine defaulters N500,000

December 30, 2020Posted in Covid-19Leave a comment

The Lagos State Government, has warned residents of the state to comply with all restriction measures imposed by the authorities to curb the spread of coronavirus amid the second wave of the pandemic .

It said Lagosians who violate the 12 am to 4 am curfew imposed by the Federal Government and other protocols would be fined up to N500 , 000 when caught .

The government stressed that all churches in the state must respect the curfew in place and avoid physical crossover services and large gatherings on December 31 , 2020 .

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy , Mr Gbenga Omotoso, stated this in an interview with newsmen .

He said , “ If you flout any of these rules, you can be fined . You will be taken to court and the magistrate will decide on the sanction . The fine can be between N 20 , 000 and N 500 , 000 . It depends on the magistrate’ s discretion .

“ But it is not just about punishing people. People are being advised to take responsibility . The regulations were rolled out as an advisory and people have been obeying while people who have disobeyed have faced the consequences . ”

The commissioner, however , expressed optimism that religious leaders in the state would comply with the directive of the government on the crossover services.

Omotoso said , “ With what we have been seeing, I don ’ t think churches will flout the protocols. CAN ( Christian Association of Nigeria ) is in agreement with the government . Covid cases are going up and everybody is worried .

Some of the giant churches have also announced that they won ’ t be holding physical crossover services .

“ The Lagos State Government has also told them that there is a curfew by midnight to 4 am imposed by the Federal Government. Many of the churches have been adjusting their programmes . Churches are well -organised and we believe they will comply . ”

Punch

UPDATE: Oyo lifts curfew, okays crossover services

December 30, 2020Posted in Covid-19Leave a comment

The Oyo State Government has lifted the 12 am to 4 am curfew earlier imposed on states by the Federal Government.

A statement from Governor Seyi Makinde’ s Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa , also noted that the state government had permitted cross – over services in the state .

The statement read , “ Following a review of the pronouncement of the Technical Team of the Task Force on COVID- 19 in Oyo State on 29 th December 2020 , His Excellency , the Executive Governor , Engr . Seyi Makinde, FNSE, has magnanimously directed that the 12 midnight to 4 a . m . curfew be lifted .

“ The governor has also warned citizens and residents of Oyo State to ensure strict compliance with the guidelines, protocols and advisories as laid down by the OYO State COVID- 19 Task Force aimed at limiting the transmission of the disease in our communities .

“ Secondly, he has directed that enforcement of these guidelines and protocols in accordance with the law will be applied as appropriate , enjoining individuals and organizations to comply and by so doing ensure that we all spread the joy of this season and not the virus . ”

Punch

JUST IN: Argentine Senate passes abortion bill

December 30, 2020Posted in lifeLeave a comment

Argentina has became one of only a handful of South American nations to legalize abortion, after hours of debate in the Senate.

Hundreds of thousands of illegal abortions are carried out every year in the nation of 44 million, and pro-choice campaigners have long-urged authorities to put an end to dangerous backstreet terminations by legalizing the process.

“It becomes law,” said Senate president Cristina Kirchner, after more than twelve hours of debate.

Thousands of pro-choice activists cheered in the streets of the capital after the bill was approved 38 to 29, with one abstention.

It legalizes voluntary abortions at any stage up to 14 weeks of pregnancy.

Ahead of the vote, pro-choice and anti-abortion demonstrators had gathered outside parliament despite coronavirus fears.

“This fight was born in the streets,” Silvia Saravia, a pro-choice activist, told AFP.

The vote overturns a similar one in 2018 which, although also passed the lower house, ultimately foundered in the Senate by 38 votes to 31.

AFP/Punch

Cross-over: Oyo seeks CAN’s compliance with FG curfew

December 30, 2020Posted in Covid-19Leave a comment

Oyo State Government has called on the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria to ask churches in the state to end their cross – over services before 12 midnight on New Year eve to enable worshipers to comply with the existing 12 midnight to 4 am curfew imposed by the Federal Government.

The Coordinator of the Oyo State Task Force on COVID- 19 , Prof . Temitope Alonge , said this in Ibadan while briefing journalists on the latest developments on COVID- 19 .

He urged the Oyo State chapter of CAN to emulate their counterpart in Lagos State which had directed their members to end their cross – over services latest by 11 pm on Thursday .

He said street carnivals were banned in order to curb the spread of the virus while appealing to residents to obey COVID – 19 protocols.

Alonge said , “ I know that the Christian Association of Nigeria in Lagos State , after the release from the Lagos State government , had a meeting and directed that churches should in compliance with the national directive complete their services early enough to go home.

“ We are asking CAN in Oyo State to do the same, admonish and advice as many of their members to comply with the national directive .

“ It is not an Oyo State directive and we believe that was in the general good of everybody.

“ It is the responsibility of the individuals , families and corporate organisations to adhere to existing COVID- 19 guidelines and protocols such as the use of face masks in public places , physical distancing and regular hand washing . ”

Punch

UPDATE: January will be tough, spike in COVID-19 infections imminent – NCDC

December 30, 2020Posted in Covid-19Leave a comment

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has said that the nation’ s health system is struggling to cope with the increasing number of coronavirus infections daily .

The centre warned that the nation would pay in January for disregarding the health protocols.

Speaking at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 , the Director – General , NCDC , Dr Chikwe Iheakwazu said , “ We just faced the worst week since we started responding to this outbreak . We had more cases in Nigeria last week than in any other previous week since the beginning of the outbreak .

“ Pictures and videos from across the country paint a very disheartening situation because it appears that our messages , our appeals to Nigerians over the last few months have not been heeded and we have gone ahead with business as usual .

“ Events centres are full , social activities are full and so it is no surprises that cases are rising .

“ January will be a tough month , no doubt about it. So , we have to brace ourselves for the consequences of the activities that we have decided to carry out in December . ”

Punch