Ogun State Governor Abolishes N25,000 Compulsory COVID-19 Test For Students

Ogun State Governor has rescended its earlier directive that all returning SS3 boarding students to pay N25,000 for COVID-19 test. 

The order has been condemned by Nigerians including the former President Olusegun Obasanjo 

This is the statement issued by the Governor 

OGUN MAKES COVID-19 TEST FREE FOR ALL RETURNING SS3 BOARDING STUDENTS

The State has been very apprehensive about the issue of school opening even for exit students. Data from other countries, where schools have resumed show that community transmission in school environments is a major concern. Even countries with strongerhealth care facilities than ours are being very cautious.

In line with the Federal Ministry of Education recommendation and WASSCE timetable, we decided to open our schools on the 4thAugust 2020 for SS3 students only. We put in place guidelines that would ensure that our students resume in a safe environment.

In our pre-opening engagements with stakeholders, opening of boarding houses was discussed. Our State has one of the largest population of boarding students in the country, coming from all over the Country. After consultations with health professionals, we concluded that testing the children for COVID-19 before admittance will reduce the risk of community transmission. This is to reassure parents and even teachers of the safety of everybody concerned.

The State planned and provided testing, free of charge, for boarding students in our public schools and allowed for the management and parents of private schools to make their arrangements to get COVID tests. The two Ogun State run laboratories have a capacity for about 500 tests a day and conduct free tests for traced contacts or symptomatic patients. To meet the additional demand for the expected number of boarding students, the statement from the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology listed some private test centers which set up sampling points in some of our Health facilities.

These private laboratories have been accredited by NCDC and Lagos State Government for walk-in tests and charge N50,400 per test but I understand that the Ministries of Health and Education negotiated this to N25,000 for boarding students in private schools that may wish to use them. There is no financial benefit to the State Government.

After reviewing these developments, I have today immediately directed that the Government Laboratories carry out test for all returning SS3 boarding students at no cost. I have also directed that all those who have paid for tests be refunded. 

The health of our children remains our utmost priority, however in view of the total number of boarding students to be tested (5,340private and 500 public), and bearing in mind the limitation of our installed testing capacity of 500 tests per day, it may not be feasible for all boarding students to get tested and get their results prior to resumption or even exams which commence on 17th August 2020. 

Consequently the State Government has therefore stepped down the COVID-19 test as a mandatory requirement for returning students in our exit classes. We therefore enjoin Private School owners to exercise their duty of care to their pupils. The admittance of students into boarding house in private secondary schools will be at the discretion of the management and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of such private schools. 

Ogun State Government recommends that students who do not have to stay in the boarding house should attend school from home, especially those with underlying health conditions. 

I have also directed the provision of face masks to all students in both private and public schools.

The inconvenience and confusion experienced yesterday is highly regrettable and my sincere apologies to the parents and students so affected.

The quality and standard of education and well being of our children are issues that are very dear to my heart.

I appreciate the cooperation, support, resilience and understanding of all the people of Ogun State towards flattening the curve of COVID-19 in Ogun State. It is my prayer that this phase will end soonest.

Igbega Ipinle Ogun, ajose gbogbo wa ni o.

Read More

N40bn Fraud Allegations : UBA Chairman Tony Elumelu Issues Senator 7 Day Notice To Retract Statement

Africa's global bank UBA Plc has reacted to claims made by  the chairman  Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions Senator Ayo Akinyelure alleging the bank’s involvement and the indictment of its chairman Tony Elumelu in a N41 billion fraud at the liquidated NITEL

The Bank and its Chairman through its  lawyers demanded a public apology and retraction of the claim within seven days of receipt of the letter or face legal action.

Senator Akinyelure alleged the amount was withdrawn “systematically from NITEL for nine years” under the leadership of the UBA.

According to the lawyers

“Our Client is shocked by this false, baseless, and mischievous allegation as neither him nor any of the organisations associated with him has ever been involved in or indicted for any fraud as was falsely alleged by Senator Ayo Akinyelure,” the letter by Elumelu’s lawyers read.

“Our Client is also alarmed and appalled by this deliberate peddling of falsehood and misinformation against an unblemished personal and business reputation, painstakingly built by our Client over several decades with great personal sacrifice and unquestionable integrity.

“Our Client has instructed us to, and we have demanded an immediate open, public and unreserved retraction of the said statements credited to Senator Akinyelure and an apology from Senator Akinyelure for this false allegation and defamation of our Client,”

The Senator is yet to react to the ultimatum to the allegations.

UBA stated that the case in question is currently before the Supreme Court of Nigeria and wonders why the Senator is bent as passing judgement on a case before the apex court

Read More

Shoprite Denies Report Of De-investing In Nigeria

ShopRite Nigeria has debunked the story making the rounds that it intends to close shop in Nigeria.

The Country Director for Chastex Consult, Ini Archibong, in a telephone conversation said: “Shoprite is not leaving Nigeria.

“We have only just opened to Nigerian investors which we have also been talking to just before now. 

We are not leaving, who leaves over a $30billion investment and close shop?

 It doesn’t sound right.

“We only just given this opportunity to Nigeria investors to come in and also help drive our expansion plan in Nigeria. So we are not leaving.

“I have tried to say this as too many people as I can. There should be no panic at all and all of that. There is no truth in that report.”

Recall that reports have been circulating that the retail outlet has started a formal process to consider the potential sale of all or a majority of stake in its supermarkets in Nigeria

Read More

Breaking :Police IRT Team Arrests Notorious Armed Robbers Behind Bullion Van Robbery, Killing Of 4 Policemen In Ebonyi State ( Pictures Of Suspects, Bombs, Arms))

Sequel to the attack on a Bullion van in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State on 29th July 2020, by Bank Robbers which led to the death of four (4) police officers, leaving others injured. During serious Manhunt by IRT Detectives with technical Intelligence Support from TIU arrested one ALFRED ROBINSON’M’ 45 yrs of age , IJAW by tribe and a native of GELEGELE TOWN IN OVIA NORTH LGA OF EDO STATE on 1/8/2020 in Asaba Delta state and subsequently recovered the undermentioned items viz:-  

1)TOYOTA 4 RUNNER JEEP with Reg no AAA 561 FV ( NASSARAWA STATE )snatched alongside others for the purpose of this operation  containing :- 

2) •••ONE GPMG RIFFLE WITH ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THREE (153) ROUNDS OF LIVES AMMUNITIONS.

3) •••FIVE (5) AK 47 RIFFLES WITH ONE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED AND TWO(1402) ROUNDS OF LIVES AMMUNITIONS 

4) •••ONE K2 RIFFLE WITH LOADED MAGAZINE 

5) •••FIFTY ONE (51) AK 47 MAGAZINES 

6) •••The Rifles S/Numbers  

are as FOLLOWS:- 

K2.....      07013647

AK 47....  402701

AK 47..... 60740

AK 47......35-6835

AK 47......21149

AND 

ONE AK47 WITHOUT NUMBER.

During intensive Follow Up 6 more Gangmembers were  arrested by IRT Detectives within 24hrs. The Gangmembers arrested in the follow-up are as follow: 

2) ••••SUNDAY SOYEMU AKA SUNNY ‘M’ , 46YRS OF AGE . AN IJAW BY TRIBE AND A NATIVE OF ALEGNENE IN EKEREMOR LGA OF BAYELSA STATE.

3) •••03NA/53/088 SGT AYENI SAMUEL ‘M’ 43YRS A SERVING SOLDIER CURRENTLY ATTACHED TO COMMAND DAY SEC SCH NIGERIA ARMY CANTONMENT IKEJA LAGOS.

A NATIVE OF ILESHA TOWN IN ILESHA SOUTH LGA OF OSUN STATE.

4) •••03NA / 53 CPL EMEKA HARRISON ‘M’ .33YRS , A DISMISSED SOLDIER WHO UNTIL HIS DISMISSAL WAS ATTACHED TO 7 DIV  GARRISON, MAIDUGURI BORNO STATE. HE’S A NATIVE OF NSUKKA IN NSUKKA EAST LGA OF ENUGU STATE. DISMISSED IN THE YEAR 2015.

5) •••EMEKA ILLO ‘M’ 37YRS . ( THE SPONSOR) . A NATIVE OF IGWACHI COMMUNITY IN ORJI RIVER LGA OF ENUGU STATE.

RESIDENT AT FH  ESTATE , KUBWA FCT.

6) •••ABUCHI ELIJAH AKA “ CHIME D MOSQUITO” ‘M’ . 27YRS, ( INFORMANT TO THE ABAKALIKI / AWKA RECHARGE CARD ROBBERY ). A NATIVE OF NSALANGWA IN NSALANGWA LGA OF ABIA STATE. RESIDENT AT BONSAC AREA OF ASABA DELTA STATE and 

7) •••IBANIFIROI EKIENE ‘M’ , 38YRS , AN IJAW BY TRIBE, A NATIVE OF TOMBIA COMMUNITY IN DEDEMA LGA OF RIVERS STATE.

Recovered from the 6 hoodlums arrested on 2/8/20202 who came from various axis of the south- south / south east with intent to perfect a planned intended bank robbery in Asaba this week include :- A LEXUS 350 JEEP with REG NO  AGL 267 FN ( LAGOS ) containing the following items :-

•••ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY SIX (136)ROUNDS OF K2 AMMUNITIONS 

•••FIVE (5) K2 MAGAZINES

•••TWELVE (12) LOCALLY MADE BOMB (UNEXPLODED)

•••ONE KPT POWER TOOL 230MM  ANGLE GRINDER

•••ONE (1) BIGG HAMMER 

•••ONE (1) SMALL HAMMER 

•••ONE (1) BIGG CUTTER 

•••FOUR (4) DUFFERENT PREPARED CHARMS.

All suspects upon interrogation confessed to the Bullion Van Robbery in Ebonyi State where 4 police men were killed with Many other Armed Robberies/Kidnappings across the South east and south South. Suspects Also Confessed that 4 out of the Rifles recovered belongs to the Police men they killed during the Bullion Van Robbery in Ebonyi State. 

Suspects are assisting police to arrest their remaining gang members

Read More

Breaking :Retail Giant Shoprite Announces Decision To Leave Nigeria (See Full Statement)

South African retail giant Shoprite has announced it is leaving Nigeria 15 years after it began operation in Africa’s most populous country.

In a statement on Monday, the Cape Town-based retailer said it has commenced a formal process to consider the potential sale of all or a majority stake in its supermarkets in Nigeria.

The company said the results for the year do not reflect any of their operations in Nigeria as it will be classified as discontinued operation.

“Following approaches from various potential investors, and in line with our re-evaluation of the group’s operating model in Nigeria, the board has decided to initiate a formal process to consider the potential sale of all, or a majority stake, in Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Shoprite International Limited. As such, Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited may be classified a discontinued operation when Shoprite reports its result for the year,” the statement read.

International supermarkets (excluding Nigeria) contributed 11.6 per cent to group sales, and reported 1.4 per cent decline in sales from 2018.

South African operations contributed 78 per cent of overall sales and saw 8.7 per cent rise for the year.

Due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, customer visits declined 7.4 per cent but the average basket spend increased by 18.4 per cent.

South African retailers have struggled in the Nigerian market and most recently Mr Price exited the market after Woolworths did the same six years ago

Read More

Domestic Violence :Man Cries Out Over Incessant Beatings By Wife

A carpenter lamented before a local court in Ndola, Zambia that his, wife, Bridget Kabwe, had the habit of tying up his manhood with a piece of wire after beating him severely each time they differed.

According to The Zambian Observer, Jackson Sichamba, 45, made this revelation during hearing in a divorce case initiated by his wife, Bridget Kabwe.

Bridget, 33, brought the matter before Kabushi Local Court to dissolve their marriage of 14 years.

Jackson said he and Bridget had lived well when they got married but problems started when she started stopping him from going out to drink.

He said whenever he got paid, his wife would grab his entire salary leaving him with nothing.

Jackson complained that each time he went against his wife’s advice not to drink, she would beat him mercilessly and tie wires around his manhood.

He told the court that each time she tied up his manhood with a strand of wire, he would experience excruciating pain.

“My wife is a violent women, Each time I  come back from drinking, she used to beat me and tie my manhood with wires.”

But Bridget testified that Jackson had a habit of misusing money.

According to her, each time he got paid,  he would disappear and only return home after he had squandered all the pay on beer.

She told the court that they married in 2005 and had two children and that Jackson had paid K30 dowry.

She said her husband used to insult her the whole night causing neighbours to complain because they could not sleep.

Bridget said whenever she reported Sichamba to his relatives, her mother-in-law would instead blame her for his ill-behaviour.

Bridget told the court they moved to Lusaka in 2014 to live with her husband’s sister until 2017 when they found their own house.

“Whenever he got paid, he would disappear for more than a month leaving the children and me to starve. He would only return home after all his money is finished, ” she said.

She said one time he disappeared from home and when she called him the following day, he told her he had been arrested for loitering.

However, when she went to check on him at the police station he was not there. Instead, she found him drinking beer with his friends.

“When I approached him, he was furious and started insulting me and telling my child that I was a prostitute and that the other child was not his son,” she said.

Bridget said while they were still in Lusaka, Jackson sold their fridge, abandoned the family and left to live in Ndola.

She stated that she managed to raise some money and sold some things in the house and followed him to Ndola because she could not manage to pay rent and look after their children alone.

In passing judgment, the court dissolved their marriage on grounds that the wife had lost interest in it.

The court also observed that the man did not respect his wife and that there was no transparency in their marriage

It ordered  Jackson to compensate Bridget with K7,000 with the first payment of K1,000, thereafter K300 monthly and to pay K300 per month for child maintenance.

Read More

COVID-19: Ekiti Govt Shuts Down Hotel For Hosting Wedding Party

Operatives of the Ekiti State Task Force on COVID-19 have shut down a popular hotel in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital Delight Hotel and Suites for operating against government’s regulations to contain the spread of the virus.

As parts of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Ekiti, the state government directed that social gatherings like weddings, burials and other parties must not exceed 20 persons in attendance.

It also insisted that such gatherings must comply with 6-feet social distancing, wearing of face masks and handwashing facilities must be made available at such events.

An elaborate wedding party attended by a large crowd of guests in which physical distancing was not observed landed the hotel in trouble.

The hotel, located on Ilawe Road in the state capital, was also sealed off for breaching government’s order on lockdown during weekends.

The unexpected swoop on the hotel by the Task Force brought the wedding to an abrupt end as some of the guests fled on sighting security men on the team.

The hotel has since become desolate as the two main gates leading to the complex and its glass doors leading to its reception were still firmly locked at the time our correspondent visited on Sunday.


The Coordinator of Ekiti State COVID-19 Task Force, Professor Bolaji Aluko, said the operatives acted on a tip-off that the hotel contravened government’s regulations of gathering more than 20 persons.

He warned residents of the state especially owners of relaxation centres against violating the COVID-19 regulations noting that government won’t relax in enforcing the regulations to safeguard public health.

Aluko said: “We got a report that a wide and an elaborate wedding party was held at Delight Hotel and Suites on Ilawe Road and we swung into action to know the veracity of the claim.

“Then we discovered that the hotel actually broke the COVID-19 protocols.
We sent security operatives to go there and check and when the team went to check, they saw a large crowd of people in the hotel eating and drinking.”

Aluko, however, declined to reveal whether arrests were made during the raid stressing that the task force closed down the hotel for violation of COVID-19 regulations.

Efforts to speak with the hotel manager were unsuccessful as his mobile phone remained switched off as of press time.

Read More