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It’s dangerous to relax stay-at-home order – Bishop Onuoha warns
Dr Sunday Onuoha, has warned that Nigeria may lose the gains achieved in the past few weeks in the fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19), if states relaxed the stay-at-home order in their domains.The Methodist Church Bishop and Executive Director of Nigeria Interfaith Action Association (NIFAA), who gave the warning on Friday, also cautioned political and religious leaders against throwing caution into the winds in the fight against the pandemic.
The Cleric specifically warned state governors, who directed the relax of the stay-at-home order, to learn from the South Korean experience.
He recalled that the deadly Coronavirus spread like wildfire in South Korea following a crusade held in that country against the warning of relevant authorities.
Onuoha, therefore, underscored the need to sustain the tempo recorded in preventing the spread of the virus.
He noted that there is nothing wrong in congregating because God acknowledges the gathering of men, but emphasised that such gathering should be done in line with laid down directives.
The Bishop, who commended the federal government for its efforts at preventing the spread of the covid-19 so far, said that actions should be taken against any move to frustrate the feat.
“We cannot just throw away the successes we have achieved in these past weeks in a twinkle of an eye,” he stressed.
He enjoined the federal and state governments to make food available to the people while the lockdown lasts, noting that people would be ready to comply if their basic needs were met.
The clergy urged Nigerians to maintain physical distancing, wash hands regularly with soap, use hands sanitiser, wear face mask and hand gloves, among other safety measures.
He said that the measures were necessary especially as the stay-at-home order had been relaxed in some parts of the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalls that as parts of measures to check the spread of coronavirus, many states banned large gatherings and restricted movements.
In spite of the restrictions, the disease has spread to 17 states with 305 confirmed cases, 58 recoveries and seven deaths, a situation that keeps analysts wondering why some states had relaxed the measures ahead of Easter.
Specifically, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo has approved the request of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), to observe the Easter Sunday worship in various Churches.
Similarly, Gov. Nyisom Wike of Rivers directed Muslim faithful to hold Juma’at prayers and Churches to hold Easter service accross the state with full congregations.
Ebonyi state government has also relaxed the ban on burials by giving those in the state between April 9 and April 20 to bury their dead.
Worshippers in the state are expected to attend their normal service only on Sunday for Christians and Friday for Muslims, with effect from April 12.
Similarly, Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has directed that the ban on religious gathering be lifted to allow for normal worship and services.
In Katsina State, Gov. Aminu Masari directed that Muslim faithful would be allowed to observe their Juma’at prayers under strict health and security guidelines.
Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has similarly relaxed interstate boundary closure, citing the need to allow the movement of food, drugs and vehicles conveying personnel on essential duty.
Breaking
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah dies at 52
The Senator representing Anambra South in the National Assembly, Ifeanyi Ubah, is dead.
Ubah, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil, was said to have died in a hotel in London, the United Kingdom, on Saturday.
He would have been 53 on September 3.
Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed Ubah’s death to our correspondent on Saturday.
He said, “It’s confirmed, but I am sending an official statement soon.”
Ubah, who was re-elected into the 10th Senate under the Young Peoples Party, had last year defected to the All Progressive Congress.
In September 2022, Ubah escaped assassination when he was attacked by gunmen on his way to Nnewi in Enugwu-Ukwu in Anambra State.
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JUST IN: Edo state Assembly impeaches Deputy Governor Shaibu
The Edo State House of Assembly, on Monday, impeached the state’s Deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu.
The impeachment followed the adoption of the report of the seven-man investigative panel set up by the Assembly to probe allegations of misconduct against Shaibu.
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JUST IN: Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun joins ancestors at 81
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun has joined his ancestors after a brief illness.
He joined his ancestors at the age of 81.
It was gathered that the late monarch was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning having stayed indoor throughout Tuesday on account of slight malaria fever, though, he was hail and hearty on Monday during which he personally received few guests that paid him congratulatory visits on his second year anniversary on that day.
Making this announcement was the Baba-Kekere Olubadan and his younger brother, Dr Kola Balogun in a statement by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the late monarch, Oladele Ogunsola.
According to the statement, Dr. Balogun disclosed that Oba Balogun would be buried at his Aliiwo ancestral home by 4.00pm on Friday according to Islamic rites just as he said that the State Governor Seyi Makinde, though already verbally informed, would be formally notified early in the morning.
The late Olubadan was the first most educated to have emerged as Ibadan monarch, a British trained P.hd holder, a former university lecturer, former member of management staff of Shell British Petroleum, former gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party, NPP, former Senator and a successful business man.
His last official outing was the Olubadan Advisory Council’s meeting which he presided over last Saturday where the decision to derobed Mogaji Akinsola, Olawale Oladoja was taken.
He however, on Tuesday instructed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade to midwife a small committee to deliberate on last Friday’s decision on what should be the position of Ibadan Zone in the proposed newly reconstituted Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
The decision of the small committee was earlier on Thursday ratified by the Olubadan Advisory Council at a meeting presided over by Otun Olubadan and the former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja and was to be taken to the late Oba Balogun for his signature Friday morning so as to meet the deadline for submission to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later in the day.
The late Olubadan is survived by wives, children and grandchildren.
Announcing the passage of the monarch, Governor Makinde, in a statement, stated that Olubadan, who joined his ancestors late Thursday evening at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, described him as an epitome of royal excellence and a great achiever, who made great marks on Ibadanland in just a little over two years of his reign.
He expressed his condolences to the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State, praying to God to grant repose to the soul of the deceased monarch.
Makinde said: “With total submission to the will of God, I announce the passing unto glory of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“A mighty Iroko has fallen; Oba Dr. Balogun has joined the ancestors.
“In Kabiyesi, Ibadanland had a cosmopolitan and well-experienced Olubadan, who made indelible marks on the sands of history and achieved greatly within a short while.
“On behalf of the Government and good People of Oyo State, I condole with the immediate family of the Oba Dr. Balogun, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland.
“It is my prayer that God grants repose to the soul of our late monarch.”
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