News
Coronavirus: Kwara not taking chances, says health commissioner
By Steve Oni, Ilorin
Kwara State Government on Tuesday said it has activated all relevant preventive measures to guide against outbreak of Corona Virus and Lassa Fever in the state, calling on residents to increase their personal hygiene and report any illness in the nearest health centre.
Health Commissioner Dr Raji Razaq told a news briefing in Ilorin, the state capital, that the state has beefed up preparedness and capabilities since the first confirmation of the case in China and would use all the resources available to the state to ensure that COVID-19 is prevented in Kwara State.
Razaq said the state has adopted a multi sectoral approach to prevent any outbreak of the disease comprising various ministries and agencies of the State and Federal Government, especially the Port Health Services and the Nigerian Immigration Services to ensure effective surveillance at all points of entry at the borders.
He appealed to people to report any suspicious cases and to up their own personal hygiene.
Razaq also debunked claims on social media that the state has recorded some cases of Lassa fever, clarifying that the cases so reported were in a neighbouring community in Benin Republic which shares borders with Kwara’s Baruten Local Government.
Underscoring the proactiveness of the state, the commissioner said Kwara has identified and is monitoring 16 persons suspected to have had some contacts with the four Beninoise who had come to work in the area but later tested positive to Lassa fever after they had returned to the Francophone country. One of the four persons later died in Benin Republic.
“The 16 persons (who are Nigerians) are currently asymptomatic (not showing any signs of illness) and we are following up on them. All Kwarans should be calm and take necessary precautionary measures to protect them and others by ensuring regular and thorough washing of the hands with soap and running water, regular use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers, staying at home if you feel unwell with symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing,” Razaq said.
Early on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Education flagged off a statewide sensitisation campaign against COVID-2019 across the states.
“It is important that our students imbibe the culture of washing of hands properly with water, soap and sanitiser. We are getting the materials across all our schools,” Ahmed said at the flag off of the sensitisation programme held at the Sheikh Abdulsalam Junior Secondary School and United Secondary School, Taiwo Isale, Ilorin.
Ahmed explained that the government was being proactive against CODIV-19 ravaging the world, urging the students to ensure that they keep themselves and the environment safe at all times.
She said the government has procured gloves, sanitizers and other materials needed to guarantee hygiene and same are being distributed to schools across the sixteen local government areas.
“To avoid the spread of the disease, we have to prevent it and the only way to prevent it is to take the campaign to schools. We want our students to take personal hygiene very important,” Ahmed said.
The commissioner appealed to head teachers and principals in all schools to step up sanitation exercise and promote personal hygiene among the pupils and students to avert COVID-2019 and outbreak of other diseases.
The Principal, Sheikh Abdulsalam Junior Secondary School, Hajia Zuwerat Aluko, assured the commissioner that the materials would be put to proper use and encourage the students to adhere strictly to the instruction of constant hand washing before entering their classrooms.
News
EXPOSED: Group Raises Alarm Over Alleged 2027 Power Deal Linking Akume, Atiku, Ortom and Aondoakaa
ABUJA — A fresh political controversy has erupted ahead of the 2027 general elections as the International Centre for Transparency Nigeria (ICTN) alleges the existence of a high-level political arrangement involving key opposition figures and influential actors within Benue State politics.
The group, during a press conference held at the prestigious Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, and addressed by its National Leader, Prof. Joseph Vershima, alleged that a strategic alliance is being negotiated to reshape the political landscape of Benue State ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to ICTN, the alleged arrangement involves the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Mike Kaase Aondoakaa.
The group claimed that the alleged political deal is designed to influence both the presidential and governorship contests in Benue State, warning that it could have far-reaching consequences for the electoral fortunes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the state.
Alleged “Benue Political Deal”
ICTN alleged that elements within the Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have entered into an understanding to support the presidential ambition of Atiku Abubakar ahead of 2027.
The group further alleged that Chief Mike Kaase Aondoakaa, whom it described as a long-standing political associate of Atiku Abubakar, has played a key role in building a bridge between former Governor Ortom’s political structure and a faction of the APC allegedly loyal to Senator George Akume.
According to the organization, part of the alleged arrangement is that Atiku Abubakar would provide financial support for the PDP governorship candidate in Benue State, while Senator George Akume’s political structure and elements within the PDP would support and mobilize for Atiku’s presidential campaign.
The group questioned the political implications of such an arrangement, asking whether those involved would ultimately prioritize the interest of the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or pursue a separate political agenda ahead of 2027.
Warning To President Tinubu
The pressure group warned that any alleged collaboration aimed at weakening the APC’s support base in Benue could directly affect President Tinubu’s chances of retaining the state during the 2027 presidential election.
“Beyond the governorship contest, this development has implications for the presidential election because Benue remains a strategic state in the North Central,” the group stated.
ICTN urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC to pay close attention to internal political dynamics, alleging that unresolved alliances and conflicting interests within the party could pose challenges during the election.
Echoes Of 2007 Political Realignment
The organization also drew parallels with the 2007 presidential election, alleging that Senator George Akume’s political decisions at the time favoured Atiku Abubakar’s presidential bid against the preferred candidate of the ruling establishment.
It questioned whether a similar political realignment could emerge again in 2027, stating that history must not be allowed to repeat itself.
Awaiting Responses
As of the time of filing this report, Senator George Akume, former Governor Samuel Ortom, Chief Mike Kaase Aondoakaa, and representatives of Atiku Abubakar had not publicly responded to the allegations.
This publication has not independently verified the claims made by ICTN and continues to seek documentary evidence and responses from all parties mentioned.
However, the allegations have added a new dimension to the unfolding political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Benue State increasingly becoming a focal point in Nigeria’s emerging political contest.
News
OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER ON A FALSE, MALICIOUS AND UNVERIFIED PUBLICATION AGAINST DR. PIUS UKEYIMA AKUTAH
Our attention has been drawn to a false, malicious, and unverified publication by an anonymous online platform alleging that Dr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah is involved in secret talks concerning the Benue State PDP Governorship; we categorically reject the report as a baseless fabrication published without any attempt to verify the claims with Dr. Akutah or his office. We therefore urge the public to disregard the publication entirely, as Dr. Akutah remains a loyal and committed member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and truth, professionalism, and responsible journalism will always prevail over misinformation and political propaganda.
Sign
Comrade Atir Solomon Faeren Principal Private Adviser to Dr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah MON — with Comr Asan Doosuun Samuel and 15 others.
Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodinma, has distanced himself from comments critical of popular singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, insisting that the artiste “remains my son.”
Uzodinma, who also chairs the All Progressives Congress (APC) Osun Governorship Campaign Council, said he did not authorise Ambrose Nwogwugwu or any other individual to speak on his behalf regarding the singer.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Oguwike Nwachuku.
The statement followed remarks reportedly made by Nwogwugwu after Davido appealed for the August 15 Osun State governorship election to be conducted in a peaceful, free and fair manner.
Davido, who is a nephew of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, had called on Uzodinma to ensure that the election is credible and violence-free.
Reacting to the controversy, Uzodinma said the comments attributed to Nwogwugwu were his personal opinions and should not be interpreted as representing his views or those of the APC Osun Governorship Campaign Council.
“Davido remains my son,” the governor stated, reaffirming his relationship with the award-winning musician.
Uzodinma also clarified that while he is actively campaigning for the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, he is not a registered voter in Osun State and is only participating in the campaign in support of the party.
He reiterated the APC’s commitment to a peaceful, free, fair and credible governorship election, adding that it is common in democratic systems for party leaders to campaign for candidates outside the states where they are registered to vote.
The governor urged Davido, residents of Osun State and the general public to disregard the comments credited to Nwogwugwu, saying the clarification was necessary to prevent misunderstanding ahead of the election.
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