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We’ll explore local solutions to address COVID-19 pandemic—Makinde
Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, said on Wednesday that the State will explore home-grown solutions towards the prevention and cure of COVID-19.
He stated that the State was not ruling out local solutions to cure the virus, adding that since Nigerians have always had their ways of dealing with flu, catarrh and cough, in ways different from the Western world, the state would explore avenues and find a cure.
He said that he was convinced that Nigerians have the capacity and intellect to look at things that work locally, stating that theState will encourage that.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying these on Wednesday, during a briefing after a meeting of the State’s COVID-19 Task Force, held at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
The governor maintained that as part of measures to contain the spread of Coronavirus in Oyo State, the government was already working on the passage of laws that would compel the use of face masks.
He added that the state was also considering rapid and mass testing of residents with efforts to create two additional testing centres already underway.
The governor, who stated that from his experience of the virus, boosting of immunity had an important part to play in overcoming it, said that while the State is seeking home-grown solution, it would continue to defer to experts’ opinions.
Governor Makinde said: “We are looking at local solutions. I know that a lot of people have been calling me all sorts of names on the social media but, from my experience, one thing that I know you have to do to conquer the virus is that you have to boost your immunity. We do have local solutions and, of course, we have to defer to experts’ opinion as part of the home-grown solution to deal with COVID-19.
“People may ask if we have been funding the research institutes very well. They may even ask if we are in a position to bring any kind of solution to the world. My answer is yes. Even chewing something like bitter-cola. When the Western world is having flu season, they have flu shots. But here, we have things like catarrh. When we are crossing over from dry season to rainy season, people almost always fall sick. Cold, cough, catarrh, we have ways of dealing with all of these locally.
“So, except a solution comes from the Western or Eastern world, I won’t say that we cannot deal with it. I believe we have the capacity. We have the intellect to look at things that work locally and we will keep encouraging that. We have the capacity to also validate some of the results that we are going to be getting.
“They did clinical trials for chloroquine and some other medications but these are things we take normally here. So, we are not ruling out local solution to this pandemic.”
The governor, who commended the members of the Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force for its hard work, explained that the isolation process for the two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 had already been initiated and that contact tracing and collection of samples have commenced.
He said: “We have made arrangement to decontaminate the Oyo State Secretariat and this will take place next week; between Monday, April 13th and Wednesday, April 15th. Thereafter, the secretariat will be opened on Monday, April 20th.
“The team in charge of the decontamination are sending letters to religious leaders, traditional rulers, private organisations to decontaminate their facilities, using standardised contaminants. “We are also considering rapid testing, two additional centres to enable us map behaviour of the virus as far as the state is concerned.
“The NCDC protocol is being followed at the approved virology laboratory in UCH. For those two additional centres, they discussed a protocol to be followed and I believe the experts are working on that. Once we have alignment on the protocol to be followed, we will roll this out, and our aspiration to test up to 10,000 people in Oyo State within the shortest possible time will be realized. The modelling of the state epidemiologist will help us decide the next step regarding the curfew and reopening of schools.”
While addressing the issue of palliatives for the vulnerable in the State, Governor Makinde maintained that the State would begin the distribution of palliatives within the next one week, stating, however, that the palliatives will target the poorest of the poor.
The governor said: “We will roll out palliatives for the poorest of the poor within the next one week.
“We are also working on a law to make the wearing of mask in public compulsory as one of the measures to slow down the spread of the virus. I know that, sometimes, it may not be comfortable but if we have to go through the discomfort to slow down the virus from spreading, we will make laws to ensure this is done.”
Governor Makinde also used the opportunity to appreciate corporate organisations and individuals who have been donating to the state’s COVID-19 Endowment Fund, stating that the state has already realised close to N200 million.
“I will like to appreciate all those who have donated to the state’s Endowment Fund for COVID-19. We were told in the meeting by the Commissioner for Finance that we have realised close to 200 million Naira and people are still donating. We have gone round this afternoon to check on the food items that have been donated.
“So, I want to use this opportunity to thank everyone that has given us support and pitched in to help us fight this pandemic. And for those who are yet to donate or support us, this is an opportunity to do so.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Oyo State, I say thank you once again. And I also thank those who are thinking about it and yet to bring their support, because I know they will eventually do the needful,” he said.
The family of the late veteran actor and scholar, Chief (Prof.) Adekola “Kola” Oyewo, has expressed deep appreciation to Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, among other Nigerians, for their messages of condolence and support following the death of their patriarch.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Dr. Adewale Oyewo on behalf of the family, the bereaved household said the overwhelming show of sympathy, prayers, visits and acts of kindness from across Nigeria and beyond had served as a strong pillar of comfort in their period of grief.
The family described the late Oyewo as a respected community leader, accomplished academic, devoted family man, and traditional title holder whose life was defined by service, integrity, and unwavering commitment to societal development.
According to the statement, the tributes received in his honour reflect the far-reaching impact he made on students, colleagues, cultural practitioners and the wider society.
The family particularly appreciated Governor Ademola Adeleke for his condolence message and prayers, noting that his support had been deeply comforting.
It also expressed gratitude to the Ooni of Ife, whose words of encouragement were described as uplifting and consoling during the mourning period.
The statement further acknowledged the Oloba of Oba-Ile, Oba (Prof.) Adekunle Ashamu Oyeyemi (Tewogbade I), the Oloba-in-Council, and other traditional institutions for their fatherly support and solidarity.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was also commended for his message of sympathy, which the family said brought reassurance in their moment of loss.
The family extended appreciation to professional bodies including the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) and the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), as well as academic communities of Obafemi Awolowo University, Redeemer’s University, Ekiti State University, and Elizade University, where the deceased served.
They also thanked friends, associates and well-wishers who stood by them with prayers and support.
“As we continue preparations to honour the life and legacy of our beloved patriarch, we humbly seek continued prayers and support,” the statement added, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has appointed Anietie Iniedu as the new Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, succeeding Anthony Placid, who was appointed to the position barely three months ago.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Friday by Placid, who described his successor as a seasoned police officer with extensive experience in public communication, operational policing, intelligence management, institutional accountability and administration.
An indigene of Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Iniedu holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pure Chemistry from the University of Uyo and has attended several professional courses in investigative interviewing, crime scene management, intelligence analysis, strategic communication and human rights-based policing.
Before his latest appointment, Iniedu headed the Complaint Response Unit at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, where he coordinated the management of public complaints and drove initiatives aimed at deepening transparency, accountability and public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.
He also served as Public Relations Officer of the Police College of Information Technology, Kobape, Ogun State, in addition to holding several operational and administrative positions across the country.
His previous postings include Operations Officer at the Maisandari Division in Yobe State, Area Crime Officer at the Umuahia Area Command in Abia State, Staff Officer at the IGP Secretariat, Force Headquarters, Second-in-Command of the 50 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Kubwa, and Officer-in-Charge of the Force Headquarters Situation Room, where he coordinated the dissemination of crime and security information nationwide.
The statement quoted the Inspector-General as expressing confidence in Iniedu’s capacity to lead the Force Public Relations Department, noting that his wealth of experience and professional background would further strengthen the police’s strategic communication architecture and enhance engagement with members of the public.
Insist state policing must align with federalism, citizens’ rights as governors deepen talks on constitutional review, energy transition, agriculture, social protection
The 36 state governors under the umbrella of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum have renewed their support for the establishment of state police and sweeping reforms in Nigeria’s power sector, signalling fresh momentum for key constitutional and economic restructuring efforts.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Forum’s second meeting held on Wednesday, where the governors deliberated on security, energy, nutrition, agriculture and development partnerships affecting the country.
According to the communiqué, the governors engaged in extensive consultations with Attorneys-General across the states to review proposed constitutional amendments relating to state policing and other governance reforms.
They stressed that any framework for state police must be “constitutionally sound, consistent with federalism, and protective of citizens’ rights,” adding that ongoing legal consultations would help shape a unified and stronger position for the states ahead of national engagement.
The Forum noted that the collaborative review process with legal advisers was already producing inputs expected to strengthen the collective stance of states on security restructuring in the country.
On social development, the governors received a presentation from the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning on progress under the National Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative, aimed at tackling malnutrition at the grassroots.
They reaffirmed their commitment to improving nutrition outcomes across Nigeria, particularly in reducing child malnutrition, and expressed support for the ongoing consideration of the National Nutrition Bill.
The governors also called for sustained engagement with stakeholders to strengthen the legal and institutional framework guiding nutrition governance nationwide.
In another briefing, the Forum was updated by the World Bank Country Office on the proposed Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Nigeria (FY2026–2032), alongside the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW) Programme.
The AGROW initiative is designed to boost agricultural productivity, strengthen value chains, attract private sector investment, improve food security, and support early childhood development interventions across participating states.
The governors expressed support for continued collaboration with the Federal Government, the World Bank and development partners, while endorsing state-specific interventions aimed at ensuring effective implementation and measurable impact.
They further urged stronger inter-sectoral coordination in health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, and social protection systems to improve outcomes for citizens.
On energy reform, the Forum considered the National Solar Super-Grid (NSSG) Initiative, a plan to expand electricity access through decentralised solar generation integrated into a national transmission backbone.
The governors noted the initiative’s potential to improve energy security, deepen industrialisation, strengthen state electricity markets and accelerate economic growth across the federation.
Reaffirming their commitment to power sector reforms, the governors pledged sustained collaboration with stakeholders to expand access to reliable and affordable electricity, describing energy reform as central to job creation, productivity and national development.
The meeting ended with a renewed resolve by the governors to deepen cooperation on reforms seen as critical to economic stability, security restructuring and improved welfare for Nigerians.
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