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COVID-19: Our pupils’ lives matter, Oyo ALGON advises Makinde over reopening schools

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Oyo state chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has advised Governor Seyi Makinde on his government’s plan to reopen schools in the state for resumption of pupils, specifically students in Primary 6, Junior Secondary School Class 3 and Senior Secondary School Class 3.

Oyo ALGON also noted that reopening of schools may be the wish of many parents guardians, teachers and students because of the long time closure and academic time loss due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, adding that
this could have been a reason the governor, was eager to reopen the schools on June 29, 2020 for students to prepare for their examinations.

ALGON further advised Governor Makinde to apply great caution in rushing to reopen the schools following  the sudden increase in cases of Covid-19 in Oyo State and many other states coupled with high casualty figures

The association in a statement signed by its Chairman, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye on Sunday in Ibadan and made available to Mega Icon Magazine said, “On the face of it, the Governor’s action looks good and responsive to the people’s wish and anxiety. But we hasten to add that wishes and anxiety need to be measured carefully against coordinated verifiable medical scientific deductions in public health emergency like in the case of Covid-19 pandemic with its uncertainty, and projection at finding a cure for the global disease.

“As the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC severally declared, the nation is yet to flatten the curve and we are now at the inceasing rate of community transfer of the disease. The sudden increase in cases of Covid-19 in Oyo State and many other states coupled with high casualty figures is a pointer to the validation of NCDC position.

“Hence, the State Government should apply great caution in rushing to reopen the schools.
As it is now, Oyo State Covid-19 random testing capacity is still very low relative to its huge population and the jump in reported cases of Covid-19 creates more anxiety than the eagerness to be back to school.

“ALGON hereby calls for a review of the Governor’s order for the safety and lives of our dear children. Life comes before certificate, only the living graduate. Our Pupils Lives Matter. Taking the risk of school reopening without 100 percent (not less because they are young) medical assurance of protection and safety of lives of our pupils may be counter productive.

“Your Excellency, please tarry a bit. May Oyo State not lose any of our pupils, our future, to covid-19 pandemic and may we not witness another round of upsurge of the disease”, the statement added.

In another development, ALGON described the intention of Governor Makinde to renew the tenure of the Local Government Caretaker Committees he appointed in the state despite a subsisting case he filed at the Appeal Court which ordered for status quo remain, as his continuous affront to rule of law, judicial authority and threat to democratic governance.

According to Aleshinloye, “Executive lawlessness has become literally an epidemic in the pacesetter state and this lawlessness is a daily ritual and acceptable norm of governance now hence the increase in insecurity and violence in the State. Where rule of law is sacrificed and the court is treated with contempt anarchy reigns supreme.

“May the peace and understanding that Oyo State enjoyed in the past not be totally sacrificed because of lawlessness and crude arrogance of the Governor and his desperate cheerleaders”, ALGON boss continued.

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Iran War Disrupts Oil Supply, Global Loss Hits $50bn

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The global oil market has recorded losses exceeding $50bn following massive supply disruptions triggered by the ongoing Iran war, which has now stretched to nearly 50 days.

Data from energy analytics firm Kpler showed that more than 500 million barrels of crude oil and condensate have been wiped off the global market since the crisis began in late February, making it the largest energy supply disruption in modern history.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, on Friday said the Strait of Hormuz had been reopened after a ceasefire agreement reached in Lebanon.

However, tensions escalated again on Saturday as Tehran warned it could shut the strategic waterway if the United States sustains its blockade of Iranian ports.

Also, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a deal to end the conflict could be reached “soon,” although he did not provide a definite timeline.

Analysts warned that the scale of disruption could have prolonged effects on global energy stability, with shocks expected to linger for months or even years.

Providing context, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, Iain Mowat, said the 500 million barrels lost is equivalent to grounding global aviation demand for 10 weeks, halting all road transport worldwide for 11 days, or shutting down the entire global oil supply for five days.

Further estimates showed that the lost volume is nearly equal to one month of oil demand in the United States or more than a month’s supply for Europe. It also represents about six years of fuel consumption by the U.S. military and could power global shipping activities for approximately four months.

The crisis has significantly affected oil-producing nations in the Gulf, with output losses reaching about eight million barrels per day in March—roughly equivalent to the combined production of two of the world’s largest oil companies.

Jet fuel exports from major producers, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, dropped sharply from 19.6 million barrels in February to just 4.1 million barrels recorded across March and April combined. Analysts said the shortfall could have powered about 20,000 round-trip international flights.

With crude prices averaging around $100 per barrel since the onset of the conflict, the lost volumes translate to an estimated $50bn in revenue. Experts noted that this figure is equivalent to about one per cent of Germany’s annual Gross Domestic Product, or roughly the size of the economies of smaller European countries.

Meanwhile, global onshore crude inventories have declined by about 45 million barrels in April alone, while total production outages have risen to approximately 12 million barrels per day since late March.

Industry experts cautioned that unless a lasting resolution is reached, the disruption could intensify volatility in global oil markets, worsen inflationary pressures, and further strain fragile economies worldwide.

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Oseni Secures Prestigious City People Political Award Nomination

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A member of the House of Representatives representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Aderemi Oseni, has been nominated for a Special Award in Politics at the 2026 City People Political Awards.

The nomination was conveyed in a letter dated April 13, 2026, signed by the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of City People Magazine, Seye Kehinde.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Oseni’s media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday.

According to the statement, the lawmaker earned the nomination in recognition of his “outstanding contributions to politics in Oyo State, particularly in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency.”

The organisers noted that Oseni emerged as a nominee following a comprehensive review of performances across sectors by the award’s selection committee.

Part of the letter read, “Having performed creditably well in your sector last year, the Organising Committee presented you as a nominee in your sector.”

The award ceremony is scheduled to hold on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Etal Hall, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, at 4pm.

The City People Awards is an annual event that recognises individuals who have distinguished themselves in governance, public service and other sectors of national development.

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Kaduna Electric to prosecute, expose attackers of staff

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The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has announced a crackdown on individuals who assault its staff, warning that offenders will face prosecution and public exposure.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the company expressed concern over what it described as a “disturbing surge” in attacks on its field workers and third-party partners.

It noted that the affected personnel were mainly engaged in meter installation, revenue collection and maintenance of electricity infrastructure.

According to the firm, the increasing cases of harassment, physical assault and unlawful detention of its workers pose a serious threat to employee safety and the stability of electricity service delivery across its franchise areas.

The Deputy Managing Director, Abubakar Mohammed, said the company would no longer tolerate any form of aggression against its workforce.

“Let this serve as a clear warning to anyone who engages in the assault of our staff. Kaduna Electric will pursue every case to its logical conclusion,” he said.

“We will work closely with security agencies to ensure offenders are brought to justice and face the full weight of the law,” Mohammed added.

He further disclosed that the company would publicly reveal the identities of individuals found culpable.

According to him, names, photographs and other details of offenders would be published on the company’s official platforms as well as in national and local media.

“This measure is intended to ensure accountability and serve as a strong deterrent. Anyone who chooses to attack our personnel should be prepared not only to face prosecution but also public exposure,” he added.

The company stressed that assaults on utility workers attract serious legal and financial consequences, noting that offenders risk criminal charges that may lead to fines or imprisonment.

It added that perpetrators could also face civil liabilities, including compensation for medical treatment, psychological trauma and loss of work hours.
While condemning the attacks, Kaduna Electric urged customers to adopt peaceful and lawful means of resolving disputes.

It advised aggrieved customers to channel complaints through its customer service units or appropriate regulatory bodies.

The management reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its workforce and partners, stressing that a safe working environment is essential for delivering reliable and efficient electricity services.

Although disputes between electricity providers and consumers are often linked to billing issues, metering challenges and service delivery concerns, the company maintained that such matters must be resolved through dialogue, insisting that violence against its staff will no longer be tolerated.

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