Nigerian Celebrities Demand Justice For Late Dowen College Pupil, Sylvester Oromoni

Davido, Tonto Dikeh, Toyin Abraham and some other celebrities have joined to demand justice following the death of a 12-year-old student, Sylvester Oromoni, at Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos.

Reports had emerged that Oromoni was bullied and beaten by fellow students. The supposed injuries from the beating led to his death, according to  his cousin who shared on Twitter with the handle @perrisonoromoni, who claimed to be the boy’s cousin.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, the school denied all allegations stating that Oromoni was neither bullied nor beaten but only complained of hip pain after playing football.

Contrary to the school’s statement, the victim’s cousin rolled out photos and video evidence, which corroborates the fact that the child was bullied and beaten; an activity that led to his death.

Reacting to the death, Davido joined the #Justice for Sylvester as he Tweeted that on his verified Twitter handle, @Davido with a heartbroken smiley.

TontoDikeh, also reacting on her Twitter handle Tweeted: Dear Dowen college I have been informed, I am coming. I am gathering facts about this story. Dont run, our kids can't go to school to be learn and end up death. THAT'S NOT WHY WE TRUST SCHOOLS!!! #Justiceforsylvester.

It is only APPROPRIATE that DOWEN COLLEGE must be transparent and address the situation in the right way. A child just died, a family just lost their son. This is very heartbreaking #Justiceforsylvester" she tweeted.

Calling on the government, actress Toyin Abraham said, “How do you beat a child to the point of death? How do you wake up to the reality that the ‘living’ child you sent to school is returning to you as a corp.

Other celebrities who have demanded justice for the child include actresses like Funke Akindele, Mary Njoku, Nkechi Blessing, Chioma Ifemeludike, Doris Ogala, amongst others.

COVID-19:Don't Open Varsities Now, ASUU Tells FG

 The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday cautioned the Federal government against opening universities now saying if it does it should be ready to face the consequences .

The union said that reopening the ivory towers without taking concrete steps to address issues within the universities would be suicidal.

The zonal coordinator of Lagos Zone of ASUU, Professor Olusiji Sowande, in a press conference at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, insisted that it is not enough to have the students back on campuses, but that the atmosphere and conditions must also be appropriate.

According to Sowande, the hostel accommodations are inadequate, there is no facility on ground to carry out physical distancing in large and crowded classes, adding that water and electricity supply were not reliable in the universities.

He maintained that years of neglect of both education and health sectors in the country has resulted in inadequate infrastructure and lack of well-equipped diagnostic, testing, treatment and research laboratories in both sectors.

Sowande said, “The response of the public universities to the call by the National University Commission for their readiness to reopen indicated that public universities are not ready.

“Reopening tertiary institutions without taking concrete steps to address these issues would be suicidal. While government made arrangements for special bail out funds for airline operators and other private entities, no such arrangement was made for public universities.

“Therefore, government should be ready to take responsibility for any possible negative consequences after reopening of universities.”

On the ongoing strike, Sowande said the union had written to relevant government agencies with a view to finding steps to put an end to the industrial action.

“It seems to us that some government officials are benefiting from the prevailing situation. We demand that the Olabisi Onabanjo Governing Forum (OAGF) must immediately remit all illegally withheld cheques and other third party deductions with accrued interests,” Sowande pontificated.

Recall that on August 22nd, the President of ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi in a meeting with stakeholders, at the University of Port Harcourt, said the strike will persist until the Federal Government implements the 2012 universities’ NEEDS assessment it conducted.

He said university lecturers were still on the same salary scale of 2009.

Recall that ASUU had also rejected
the integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) introduced by the federal government for all civil servants under its employment.

ASUU had said it was ready to present an alternative system, the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) to the FG that would achieve a better result.

Criticizing IPPIS as “a business venture of some interest groups” in Nigeria, ASUU had been on strike to get unfulfilled agreements signed with FG implemented and negotiate befitting conditions of service for her members including salaries with IPPIS

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."