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Oyo ranked second in open defecation index

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The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has said Oyo state, is the second in the open defecation index.

Oyo state governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde confirmed this on Thursday.

According to Governor Makinde, the state realised that the development was bad and hence, partnered with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), to put an end to it.

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Bayo Lawal at the launching of the Open Defecation Free (ODF) Roadmap for the State and the Clean Nigeria Campaign, also declared an emergency in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector.

The governor hinted that the Open Defecation Bill that was passed by the Oyo State House Assembly, will soon be assented to, adding that the bill will take care of not only environmental cleanliness but also deal with those that will run foul of government policies.

“Statistically, by ranking, UNICEF said Oyo State is second in the open defecation index. That is too bad for us and I think the purpose of this gathering is to create awareness so that we will know where we stand on things of this nature. I want to say that, as a government, we embrace this challenge frontally.

“The Honourable Commissioner for Environment is here. one key thing is, that for the environment to sprout, germinate and grow, it requires the effort of all of us.

“Within the metropolis, we are facing a lot of challenges as we empty our refuse. The Ministry of Environment, Waste Management Board, and the rest are doing their best to ensure that refuse is cleaned regularly. But we need a lot more to do in terms of creating awareness and I think that engagement is ongoing as we speak.

“The other point that I want to touch on has to do with the office of UNICEF. Oyo State is singled out as a pilot state for UNICEF projects around the Western states. Now, if that is the case, we will need their presence in Oyo State very strongly. I understand that they have an office in a particular state in the South-West but their activities are more in Oyo State. Common sense, logic, and reasoning demand that your office must be situated in Oyo State”, Governor Makinde said.

He continued, “Now, I have listened to my friend, Jane. You have a pilot scheme at Ona-Ara Local Government. I think we will plead with UNICEF to spread the kind of pilot project that is ongoing at Ona-Ara to all Local Governments in Oyo State. “As the  Olubadan said, we need more of such pilot projects in the rural areas than in the cities. So, we plead with you to look into how you can spread your pilot projects to cover many more local governments.

“Finally, I need also to add that as the Deputy Speaker indicated, legislation is key to driving whatever policies government puts in place. We will ensure that sooner than later, the bills that are being worked upon will be looked into by the government and the State House of Assembly, to formulate, correct, and put in adequate legislation that will take care of not only environmental cleanliness but even those who will run foul of whatever policies government puts in place.

“We pledge as a state that we will continue to cooperate and collaborate with all agencies that relate to poverty reduction, by providing a clean and open defecation-free society.”

Also commenting, the former governor of Oyo State, Chief Rasheed Ladoja, lauded UNICEF and the Federal Government for partnering with the state government in keeping the people safe, and to be able to live longer than they are now living.

Ladoja said, “It is a welcome development that the UNICEF and the federal development partners are supporting us to keep our people safe and to be able to live longer than we are now living”.

Earlier, the Chairman, Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (OYORUWASSA), Engr. Najeem Omirinde noted that the Clean Nigeria Campaign is a transgenerational action-packed programme aimed at mobilising the populace towards imbibing the culture of safe and sustainable sanitation.

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Trump cleared for office, doctor orders weight loss ahead of 80th birthday

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United States President Donald Trump has been declared medically fit to continue in office, with his physician describing him as being in “excellent health” while recommending weight loss and increased physical activity weeks before his 80th birthday.

The White House disclosed on Friday that Trump underwent his annual medical and dental examination on Tuesday at Walter Reed Military Hospital near Washington, amid growing scrutiny over his health and fitness for office.

In a three-page medical memo released by the White House, Trump’s physician, US Navy Captain Sean Barbabella, said the president demonstrated strong overall physical and mental capacity.

“President Trump remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function,” Barbabella stated, adding that the president was “fully fit to carry out all duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State.”

However, the physician advised Trump to adopt healthier lifestyle measures, including dietary adjustments, increased physical activity, continued weight loss and low-dose aspirin therapy for cardiovascular prevention.

According to the report, Trump, who will turn 80 on June 14, stands at 6ft 3in tall and weighs 238 pounds (108 kilograms), about 14 pounds more than he weighed during his last full annual medical check-up in April last year.

Despite concerns surrounding his age, the report noted that Trump’s cardiac health reflected an estimated age roughly 14 years younger than his chronological age.

The president also reportedly scored a perfect “30 out of 30” in a cognitive assessment, a result Trump has repeatedly cited in public while contrasting himself with his Democratic predecessor, former President Joe Biden.

The medical report further addressed concerns over bruising frequently seen on Trump’s right hand, attributing it to “minor soft tissue irritation” caused by repeated handshaking and aspirin use.

The memo also referenced scarring on Trump’s right ear linked to the assassination attempt against him during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024, when a gunman opened fire, killing a supporter and slightly wounding the president.

Trump’s latest health evaluation comes amid public concerns after he was occasionally seen appearing drowsy during White House meetings and events. He had also previously been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that affects blood circulation in the veins and can lead to swelling in the legs.

Reacting shortly after Tuesday’s examination, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the medical exercise had gone “PERFECTLY,” while the White House later shared his photograph online with the caption, “PERFECT BILL OF HEALTH!”

The release of the report also sparked debate in the United States after the White House initially delayed making the medical details public, breaking with the traditional practice of releasing presidential health summaries shortly after such examinations.

Trump has long faced criticism over transparency regarding his health records, with questions also raised over the scheduling and description of his medical evaluations since returning to office.

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Oyo confirms Lassa fever death in Ibadan, activates emergency response, traces contacts

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The Oyo State Government has confirmed a Lassa fever case at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, where a 44-year-old woman died, prompting the activation of emergency response measures and immediate contact tracing to contain the disease.

The state Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying, “The patient died on April 11, 2026, while receiving treatment, while laboratory confirmation of Lassa fever was received on April 13.”

She added that the Ministry of Health had swiftly activated its emergency response system, including the establishment of an Incident Management System to coordinate response activities across the state.

According to her, “All identified contacts of the deceased are being closely monitored, while necessary measures have been taken to ensure a safe and dignified burial in line with public health protocols.”

Ajetunmobi urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding, chest pain or difficulty breathing.

She stressed, “Early presentation at health facilities significantly improves the chances of survival.”

The commissioner explained that Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by urine or faeces of infected rodents.

“It can also spread from person to person through contact with bodily fluids, especially in healthcare settings where infection prevention measures are not strictly observed,” she said.

She advised residents to maintain strict environmental hygiene, including proper waste disposal, safe storage of food in rodent-proof containers and avoiding drying food items on bare ground or roadsides.

Ajetunmobi also urged households to seal holes and entry points to prevent rodent access, while emphasising regular handwashing and good personal hygiene.

Residents, she said, should report suspected cases through designated emergency lines, while health workers must strictly adhere to infection prevention and control protocols.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the commissioner said surveillance had been intensified across the state, with all health facilities placed on alert.

“There is no cause for panic. The situation is under control, and Lassa fever is both preventable and treatable when detected early,” she assured.

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Rep Oseni Backs Ajimobi Widow’s Cancer Fight, Vows More Health Projects

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The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, has pledged to support the breast cancer awareness programme of the ABC Foundation founded by former Oyo First Lady, Dr. Florence Ajimobi.

Oseni, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), made the commitment on Thursday in Ibadan at the flag-off of Pink Month 2025, an initiative of the foundation.

Contained in a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker described the campaign as a “lifesaving mission” given the rising burden of breast cancer in Nigeria, with over 28,000 new cases and thousands of deaths reported annually.

The APC chieftain said the free screening of 1,000 women planned by the foundation was timely, stressing that early detection remained the strongest weapon in the fight against cancer.

Hon. Aderemi Oseni exchanging pleasantries with former Oyo State First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi, at the event.

“Health is life. Only this June, I moved a motion at the National Assembly which led to the Federal Government subsidising dialysis treatment nationwide. Today, dialysis is either free or heavily discounted in federal health facilities,” Oseni said.

He listed his personal interventions to include funding hospital bills of indigent patients, construction of hospitals in Ido and Ibarapa East, establishment of primary health centres, and organisation of medical outreaches. He also disclosed plans to deploy mobile clinics to rural areas.

Commending Mrs. Ajimobi for sustaining her late husband’s legacy through humanitarian service, Oseni assured of partnership with the foundation, saying women’s wellbeing and empowerment remained central to his vision for Oyo State.

In her remarks, Mrs. Ajimobi said the foundation had offered medical care to over 85,000 patients and conducted more than 100,000 investigations since its inception. She added that the campaign was not just corporate social responsibility but “a moral duty and sacred trust.”

The former first lady, who lost her daughter Abisola to breast cancer earlier this year, said the experience had strengthened her resolve to save other families from such tragedy. She appealed to women to take advantage of the free screening and called on partners and development agencies to support the fight.

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