COVID-19:Lagos Health Commissioner, Abayomi Recovers

 Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi has recovered from coronavirus few days after testing positive for the infection.

His colleague in the Ministry Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho disclosed on Monday.

“It is with gratis use to God that I announce the recovery and subsequent negative test for COVID-19 of the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi.

Following the mandatory isolation, the Commissioner retook a COVID-19 PCR test which returned negative yesterday evening,” Omotosho tweeted.

Just In:Lagos Health Commissioner Contracts COVID-19

 Lagos Commissioner for Health Professor Akin Abayomi has tested positive for coronavirus.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso announced this on Monday via Twitter.

He said: “Subsequent to close contact with persons feeling unwell and testing positive for the COVID-19 infection, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, has tested positive for the virus. Professor Abayomi became aware of his status following the required testing protocol of contact tracing procedures.

“However, he is doing well with no symptoms.

Read Also: BREAKING: COVID-19 deaths shoot past 1,000 in Nigeria

“Adhering to the protocol of the home-based strategy in Lagos State, the Honorable Commissioner will be isolating in his home for the next 14 days but will continue to discharge his duties both as the Deputy Incident Commander of the Incident Command System for COVID-19 and most especially, as the Honorable Commissioner for Health.

“Our prayers are with him and his family during his period of isolation.”

Details shortly…

Just In:Lagos LG Boss, Oke, Dies Of COVID-19

 The Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Babatunde Oke, is dead.

According to available information, the LG boss died from coronavirus complications.
Oke died early in the early hours of Wednesday.
It was gathered that the former council boss has been sick for sometime but seemed to have recovered, only for the sickness to relapse late last week.
Oke was a second term council chairman and strong member of the All Progressives Congress.

Just In:Buhari Meets Northeast Govs, Security Chiefs Over Insecurity

 President Muhammadu Buhari has held a meeting with security chiefs and governors of North-Eastern states in the country over rising insecurity.

The meeting was held at the Presidential villa, Abuja, on Monday.

Those present at the meeting include the Vice President. Yemi Osinbajo; National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd); Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari; Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas.

Also at the meeting are Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; and Director-General, Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi.

Governors present include Babagana Zulum (Borno); Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa); Bala Mohammed (Bauchi); Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe); Darius Ishaku (Adamawa); and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe).

Just In:Buruji Kashamu Dies Of COVID-19

 Buruji Kashamu, a former senator from Ogun state, has died of complications from COVID-19. 

Ben Murray-Bruce who broke the news on Twitter said Kashamu died at First Cardiologist Consultants in Lagos.

Ben-Bruce said, "I have just lost my good friend of forever to #COVID19. Until his death, Sen. Buruji Kashamu and I were inseparable. He died today at First Cardiology Consultants, in Lagos. May his gentle soul rest in peace. I pray his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this heavy loss."

Shoprite Sacks 115 Staff,Shut Down Second Branch In Five Months

 Barely three days after announcing a planned divestment from of its Nigerian operation, Shoprite Holdings has informed workers’ union in Kenya that it will be laying off 115 staff effective August 31, 2020.

The job cuts follow the closure of City Mall branch in Nyali, Mombasa, the second branch to be closed in Kenya within a period of five months. Shoprite has cited reduced patronage for its decision to close down the outlets.

According to a report, Shoprite sent a notice to the Kenya Union of Commercial Food and Allied Workers (KUCFW). Part of the notice said:

“Endeavour to continue trading at the Nyali branch is no longer viable. Financial and other data will be provided and discussed at a proposed meeting. It is contemplated that the intended date of termination on account of redundancy will be August 31, 2020. There are currently 115 persons employed at the branch of which 92 are members of KUCFW.”

More details: Earlier in April, Shoprite had also closed Karen Branch, Nairobi, laying off no less than 104 workers in the process. These closures will most likely constrain Shoprite’s expansion efforts across the East African country.

Nairametrics understands that Shoprite opened operations in Kenya back in 2018, with hopes of taking advantage of the country’s disorganised retail sector. Unfortunately for Shoprite, it has recently had to combat increased competition from cash-rich retailers such as Naivas and Carrefour.

Note that other smaller competitors in the country have also had to close branches due to lack of profitability.

Meanwhile, Shoprite recently had to deal with a lawsuit from the billionaire Muguku family, which owns Waterfront Mall. The Muguku family was seeking Sh520 million in lost rent after the retail chain cut short its tenancy at the mall.

The Backstory: The retail giant announced on Monday that it will divest from its business operations in countries outside South Africa, due to low profitability. An internal memo sent to its staff in Nigeria on July 31, 2020, disclosed that the new owners of the Nigerian subsidiary will work with the management to drive the expansion plans in Nigeria.

The company has been reviewing its long-term options in Africa after currency devaluations, supply issues, and low consumer spending in Angola, Nigeria, and Zambia began to weigh on earnings.

There are speculations and fears that this new move in Nigeria could result in job cuts, especially if the new owners decide to make adjustments to the business model.

Tributes Pour For Michael Ojo, Nigerian-American Basketball Player Who Died At 27

 Tributes have begun to pour for, Michael Ojo, a Nigerian-American basketball player, who died after suffering a heart attack during an individual training session. 

According to reports,  the towering 7-feet-1-inch center breathed his last on Friday after collapsing during a practice for Partizan, a professional basketball team in Belgrade, Serbia.

It was gathered that the 27-year-old was taken to a local hospital but doctors were unable to resuscitate him.

“The sudden and shocking death has deeply shaken everyone in the club,” Red Star wrote in a flurry of tweets.

“You will always be part of the red and white family, rest in peace, brother Ojo. IN MEMORY Michael Ojo RIP Rest in peace, our brother, we will forever remember the common moments with the benevolent giant.”

IN MEMORIAM
Michael Ojo RIP

Почивај у миру брате наш, заувек ћемо памтити заједничке тренутке са доброћудним дивом pic.twitter.com/wnsirWZNY4

— Red Star Belgrade (@RSBForum) August 7, 2020

Born in Lagos, the basketball star started his professional career with FMP Belgrade before he moved to Red Star Belgrade, which played in the EuroLeague last season.

Ojo averaged 6.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in the ABA league and 4.1 points and 3 rebounds in the EuroLeague with Red Star.

Tributes have begun to pour in for Ojo as words of his death spread.

RIP Michael pic.twitter.com/jFwObMU7DZ

— FSU Hoops (@FSUHoops) August 7, 2020

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Michael Ojo. Our thoughts to friends and family. RIP #RIP #MichaelOJo@kkcrvenazvezdapic.twitter.com/Ed2VVPPQUg

— Panathinaikos BC (@paobcgr) August 7, 2020

[TRAGEDY] Nigerian-American basketball Centre Michael Ojo dies of heart attack during training . He was just 27 #RIP

— Colin NOT Collins (@ColinUdoh) August 7, 2020

This definitely a tough one man.. One of the best dudes I done came across. Was the first to welcome me to fsu and was nothing short of a big brother my freshman year and even after.. it’s crazy to think we was just talking about life last week.. Gone miss ya fasho O!! pic.twitter.com/fWJGzkaV29

— Trent Forrest (@TForrest_11) August 7, 2020

Michael Ojo was my favorite @FSUHoops player. That guy played with so much joy. The news this morning is so terrible. RIP Ojo pic.twitter.com/NXzDvJI9zT

— Matt Eissey (@matt_eissey) August 7, 2020

He had a larger-than-life personality and was one of the friendliest human beings you’d run into. Rest In Peace Michael Ojo  https://t.co/pfcFTOEFrr

— FSU Women's Hoops (@fsuwbb) August 7, 2020

With big sadness BC Crvena zvezda inform that our former player Michael Ojo passed away in Belgrade.

He was 27 years old. Great member of our club, champion, great teammate, great man…

COVID-19:Daystar won't reopen-Sam Adeyemi

 Senior Pastors of Lagos - based church , Daystar Christian Centre , Sam and Nike Adeyemi , says members of their church will not resume congregational worship on Sunday , August 9 , 2020 .

This was contained in a statement released by the church on Friday titled, ‘ Update On Resumption Of Physical Services.'

Governor Babajide Sanwo- Olu had last week okayed the reopening of worship centres in the state effective August 7 after over four months of closure due to lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic .

The governor had approved that Muslim faithful could start attending congregational worships in mosques from Friday while Christians could also start attending physical church services from Sunday .

Sanwo- Olu also advised worshippers to obey health protocol during services including physical distancing , use of face masks and good hygiene practice .

But the couple , who co- founded the church in 1995 , said they would continue to hold online services until it is safe to reopen their expansive auditorium located in the Oregun area of the state as well as other outlets around the country.

Just In:FG extends ease of lockdown by four weeks

The federal government of Nigeria, on Thursday, extended the second phase of the Covid-19 eased lockdown by another four weeks.

The extension was disclosed by Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, during the daily briefing of the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 in Abuja.

The announcement makes it the third time that the Federal government will be extending the second phase of lockdown currently observed nation wide.

Details later....

FG moves To end ASUU strike

An end to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) might be in the offing as the federal government is reportedly set to resume talks with the leadership of the union.

ASUU had in March declared an indefinite strike, citing the federal government’s failure to meet its demands.

The industrial action was on the back of a disagreement with the government on issues of revitalization of universities and earned academic allowance.

Other issues raised by the union had included the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as well as funding of universities.

According to reports the federal government has resolved to write a letter to the union’s leadership to continue negotiations before the end of the week.

The media outlet quoted a source as saying that the government has also accepted ASUU’s earlier request for a physical meeting — which it earlier opposed — following lockdown relaxation.

The source, however, said the meeting would only hold if ASUU agrees to suspend its four-month-old strike.

“The move is meant to solicit the cooperation of the university lecturers in the efforts to put necessary mechanism in place for the reopening of tertiary institutions after months of closure due to COVID-19 pandemic,” the source said.

“The federal government will write to request that ASUU should suspend its industrial action to enable talks to commence on their grievances. The suspension of the strike is also important to get the university teachers involved in the preparations for the reopening of the institutions.”

The source added that the ministry of labour and employment has commenced consultation with other ministries and stakeholders to agree on a fixed date to resume talks between the two parties.

Efforts to reach Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU president, for his reaction  failed on Wednesday.

But when contacted, Moyosore Ajao, chairman of UNILORIN’s ASUU, said the union has not been briefed about the development.

He added that they are ready for negotiations if invited by the federal government.

“There is no information as regarding that yet for now. We read it on the newspaper just like you (addressing our reporter) did. There is nothing on ground to suggest that. However, when government is ready and we are invited, we will honour them,” he said.

Abiodun Mandates SS3 Students To Take COVID-19, Malaria Tests

SS 3 boarding students in Ogun state have been mandated to take Covid-19 and malaria tests before they could be allowed into their hostels.

The state government said it has already made provisions for the students to take the tests, as part of conditions for the re-opening of schools in Ogun.

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs Ronke Soyombo, the State Ministry of Health had already began the exercise on July 31, adding that it would last till Monday, August 3.

She said the exercise was ongoing at three public health care facilities in state capital, Abeokuta and in Ota, Sagamu areas of the state.

“All the returning boarding students are to stay in the school hostels only. Parents are hereby advised that private hostels are exempted from accommodating students during this period to ensure strict compliance with NCDC directives,” she stated.

Soyombo said all principals of private and public schools had been asked to enforce the directive of the government which was in line with the guidelines of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

“To this end, all principals are, therefore, directed to immediately disseminate the above important information to all SS3 learners in the state and to ensure that the above instructions are strictly adhered to as sanctions will be meted out to any defaulting school,” she said.

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Just In:Lagos Reopens Churches, Mosques August 7

Places of worship in Lagos will be reopened from Friday, August 7 in next phase of easing of the lockdown, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced on Saturday.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed this during a briefing on COVID-19 at the Lagos House in Marina area of the state.

However, the Governor said the worship centres must not have more than 50 worshippers in attendance, noting that services can only be held on Fridays in mosques and Sundays in Churches.

Also, conditions listed include persons who are 65 years and above must not be let in to the worship centres.

While mosques will be reopened next week Friday, the governor said churches will follow suit on Sunday, August 9.

According to him, religious leaders must make available hand sanitisers, handheld thermometer checks, adding that the state government will ensure that social distancing is maintained.

Details later….