News
COVID-19: Isolation process initiated as two test positive in Oyo
The Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force has said that confirmation tests for two suspected cases of the disease have come out positive.
It stated that one of the two new cases was a 28-year-old woman who returned to Nigeria from the United Arab Emirate on March 22, 2020 while the other was a 42-year-old contact of an earlier confirmed case.
The task force made these known in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa.
The statement read: “The COVID-19 confirmation test for two suspected cases came back positive today. One of the new cases is a 28-year-old woman who returned to the country from the United Arab Emirates on March 22, 2020. The second case is a 42-year-old man who is a contact of an earlier confirmed COVID-19 case.
“The isolation process has been initiated, contact tracing and collection of samples have commenced. This brings the number of confirmed cases in Oyo State to eleven. Two cases have been discharged. So, there are nine active cases.
“Please, keep following the directives of the Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force: Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser regularly. Also, continue to maintain social distancing.”
In another development, the Oyo State Government said on Tuesday that it was on the verge of promulgating a law that would provide the legal framework to guide operations during the COVID-19 emergency.
The government, which made the position public after a meeting of the State Executive Council held via the e-governance platform, declared that the planned law would make orders for social distancing and other regulations on movement and the transport system within the state.
The State’s Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, said the bill would also checkmate the role of law enforcement agents as far as respect for human rights is concerned.
The statement read: “The Executive Council Meeting discussed the establishment of Oyo State Coronavirus Disease Emergency Prevention Regulations 2020. As we are all aware, starting from 27th of January, the Chinese government identified a new coronavirus and, of course, the United Nations confirmed it to be a pandemic and we all have witnessed its impact in Oyo State.
“In order to deal with it, there have been a lot of directives and orders made under extant laws, particularly the public health laws and the Quarantine Act at the federal level. So, it has become necessary for the state to specifically make a regulation to deal with the pandemic and, to that extent, we have gotten approval for the Oyo State Coronavirus Disease Emergency Prevention Regulations of 2020 to be passed into law.
“This will enable the state to have the legal framework for making the orders for social distancing and the regulation of movement of transport system within the state. It will also check law enforcement agents in the way they deal with people in a manner that we expect guarantees their constitutional rights.”
He added: “Moreover, it deals specifically with persons who have potential for infection for purposes of their quarantine and also for regulating markets, public places, restriction of movements and gathering in premises, and to deal with persons who have been found to have the virus, even in respect of their treatment and in the place of mortality.
“Of course, where there is a law, there must be enforcement. So, we have offences, which are created for dealing with it. These COVID-19 regulations will enable a legal framework to be established within the state and since there is a public health law under which it is being passed in the state, it is coming by way of regulation instead of coming by way of legislation. It will come into effect the moment the Governor signs it and passes it for the regulation to have the course of law.”
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
-
Politics6 days agoOyo Rep. Member, Akinmoyede Appoints Three More Aides
-
Crime & Court1 week ago
EFCC Chair Raises Alarm on Rampant Fraud in Nigeria’s Electricity Sector
-
Health6 days ago
Oyo: Tragedy As Bride-to-Be Among Four Dead in Suspected Lassa Fever Outbreak
-
Politics4 days ago
#OndoDecides2024: Rep Oseni Hails Aiyedatiwa’s Victory, Commends Residents for Peaceful Polls
