In addition, Gbadebo called on the Federal Government to award Soyinka the second highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, as he celebrates his 90th birthday.

Egba Land has already decided to celebrate July 13, Soyinka’s birthday, as Wole Soyinka Day to promote his ideals and scholarship among future generations. Gbadebo emphasized that Soyinka, the first African Nobel Prize winner in Literature and a renowned international playwright, deserves such honors in his homeland.

The traditional ruler made this appeal during a press conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, announcing events lined up for Soyinka’s 90th birthday. Gbadebo described Soyinka as a global icon, living legend, playwright, actor, human rights and political activist, hunter, and respected elder statesman with roots in Ake, Abeokuta.

He said that the theme for the 90th celebration of the Nobel Laureate fondly called, Kongi is “Defiance and Creativity: A Celebration of Soyinka’s Artistic Ingenuity and Impact on Nigeria, Africa and The Entire World”.

Gbadebo said, “It will be appropriate for the Federal Government to adopt July 13 as a national day to celebrate Prof Wole Soyinka given his contribution to literature and humanity globally.

“It will be good to henceforth adopt his birthday which is July 13 as Wole Soyinka Day. In fact, New Orleans in the United States of America has already adopted a day to celebrate him, so why can’t we do so to honour our own too?

“The Federal Government should also in addition to this confer on Wole Soyinka the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of Order of Niger because of his contribution to register our dear nation on the global map.”

The convener of Soyinka’s 90th birthday, Paul Bankole, said the essence of the celebration was to acknowledge Soyinka’s contributions both academically and to humanity as a whole.

Bankole said, “I believe that people like Prof Soyinka should be celebrated while they are alive.

“We must not wait till they are gone before we begin to pour accolades on them. Let them understand that we value them and acknowledge their unique contribution towards having a better world,”

This decision, as stated in a release by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, aligns with the directive from the federal government to observe a low-key celebration this year.

The Federal Government’s decision for a subdued celebration aims to reflect the prevailing national mood, and the state government has encouraged its citizens to use the occasion for solemn prayers for the country.

The statement partly reads, “Following the directive of the Federal Government that this year’s Independence Day Celebration should be low-key, the Ogun State Government has cancelled all arrangements in respect of the anniversary on October 1st, 2023.

“The decision by the federal government is to reflect the mood of the nation. The state government enjoins citizens of the state to spend the time solemnly praying for the country.

“It is the strong belief of the government under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun that the supplications of the people at this crucial time will be answered by God.

“We seek the understanding and cooperation of all and sundry as we observe a low-key independence anniversary this year, believing that better times lie ahead of us as a people”.

The Government also gave her a house and N5 million a few weeks after breaking the world record.

State Governor, Dapo Abiodun presented the award to Amusan and her management team at the Ogun State Government House, Abeokuta.

The Governor, while presenting the award, commended Amusan for her doggedness, resilience, and determination to excel, urging other youths to emulate her and develop their natural talents.

“We are going to be presenting you with one of those homes in Ijebu-Ode. We are rest assured that you will come back home and live in Ijebu Ode,” the governor said.

“We will be giving you a small token. Now you are a big girl, we are only a state government. No matter who you are, you can’t be bigger than your state. It’s not the quantum of what we are giving you but the thoughts that come with it. We are donating to you the sum of N5 million today.”

He reiterated his administration’s resolve to invest in sports facilities to breed more champions that will make the state proud.

The Ogun governor equally took a swipe at his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, saying he did not make sports development a priority while in office.

Abiodun blamed neglect as the major factor cause of the dilapidated structure of the state-owned stadium in Ijebu-Ode.

In her remarks, the world champion called for more investments at all levels towards the discovery of more talents in the country.

She equally pleaded with the governor to revamp the stadium in the Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun State.

On why she made the request, Amusan explained that owing to the poor nature of the state-owned facility, she is forced to train in Lagos State.

Abimbola Oyeyemi, who is the Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun, confirmed the arrest of the inmate in a statement on Wednesday in Abeokuta, the state capital.

He identified the inmate as 28-year-old Yakubu Abdul Mumuni.

According to Oyeyemi, the escapee was arrested following information received by policemen at Sango Ota Divisional Headquarters that the convict was sighted somewhere around the area.

“Upon the information, the Divisional Police Officer, Sango Ota Division, Superintendent of Police Saleh Dahiru, quickly mobilised his men and moved to the area where the convict was apprehended,” he narrated.

The suspect is said to have confessed to the police that he escaped from the correctional centre in Kuje on Tuesday last week when the facility was attacked by terrorists.

“He (the escapee) stated further that he was convicted by the Kogi State High Court for the offence of Conspiracy and Culpable Homicide and sent to Kuje correctional centre,” the command’s spokesman said.

He added that the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Lanre Bankole, has ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department to facilitate the transfer of the convict to the correctional centre with immediate effect.

Officials of states including Ogun, Gombe, Benue, Lagos, Ondo and Sokoto, said they had enough bed spaces to admit COVID-19 patients.

This came to the fore as the number of officially confirmed COVID-19 infections hit 236, 014 while the rate of full vaccination was stalled at 3.9 per cent as of Saturday.

Despite the increasing cases, the Nigeria Police Force, the military, and other security agencies have failed to enforce the compulsory vaccination mandate for their personnel.

On Friday, the country recorded 1,584 new cases, while on Saturday the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control confirmed 1,305 new cases of the virus.

The agency added that on Saturday alone, 21 persons died of COVID-19 complications bringing the fatality toll across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to 3,014.

Amidst the surging cases, the Ogun State Government said it had no fewer than 260-bed spaces in the four isolation centres in the state. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, while fielding questions from one of our correspondents in Abeokuta, said there was no need for more beds over the rising cases of COVID-19

She said “Ogun State has 260 isolation beds; four isolation centres.  No no need for more beds.”

Coker said the state was not charging any fee for COVID-19 tests. She however said N39,000 was being charged by private laboratories in the state.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

Speaking on behalf of the Corps, Mr Ahmed Umar, who is the FRSC Sector Commander in Ogun, said that five vehicles and two motorcycles also got burnt during the incident.

He, however said the cause of the explosion is still unknown, adding that several investigation are ongoing to ascertain the cause.

“The cause of the accident is still under investigation, we have to conduct a thorough investigation.

“It was an accident involving a tanker loaded with premium motor spirit. It fell and caught fire, affecting other vehicles.

“Our men are there with the fire service to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further,’’ Umar said.

Mr Femi Ogunbanwo, the Commissioner for Special Duties, who was at the scene of the incident, said the government would wait for reports from relevant agencies before responding appropriately.

Ogunbanwo assured that the government would foot the bill of those injured, adding that, “the governor is aware of the incident.’’

An eyewitness told NAN that the incident occurred about 8.00 am.

The eyewitness explained that the tanker which was coming from the Kuto flyover lost control, while descending and fell, spilling its content and catching fire.

Recall that the Federal Government had on Monday, 27 July said schools could reopen on August 4 so pupils could revise for two weeks in preparation for the examination which is scheduled to begin on August 17.

Lagos State Commissioner for Education Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, and the Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Education, Mrs Ronke Soyombo, confirmed this to The Nation on Tuesday.

However, Ekiti Commissioner for Education Mr Foluso Daramola said SS3 pupils would resume, but that the state had not decided on whether Junior Secondary Three (JS3) pupils would also return.

“I am just coming from a meeting at the governor’s office on the issue.  We will issue a statement on it,” she said.

The Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Education said schools considered to be high risk in Ogun would not be allowed to reopen, noting that such schools would be identified through their responses in an online reopening form.

In the form, schools are given the options of “risky” (coded red), “moderate” (yellow) or “none” (green) in response to questions about their readiness for resumption.

Soyombo said schools have until Friday evening to submit the form, which can be downloaded from the ministry’s website.

She said: “For schools that fill mostly red (risky) in all the fields, we will not reopen them.  We may need to do a contingency plan for their students.”

She said the state has met with stakeholders on the reopening, while risk assessment training has been conducted.

Soyombo said public schools in Ogun had been provided with water, soap and other facilities in line with the requirements for resumption.

Federal Government Colleges (unity schools) will resume on August 4 for SS3 pupils only.

Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Ben Gong, said the Presidential Task Force (PTF) would announce on Thursday whether JSS3 pupils would resume.

Also yesterday, Benue State Government approved the reopening of schools for SS3 pupils.

Commissioner for Education Prof Dennis Ityavyar, said JSS 3 pupils would also resume.

He said the government had put necessary measures in place to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

He urged parents to ensure their children wear facemasks and observe other safety precautions.

On the planned handover of missionary schools to their owners, Ityavyar said a committee headed by the Secretary to the Government, Prof Anthony Ijohor, had been set up to make recommendations within a week.

The health agency confirmed this in a tweet on Tuesday night.

16 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja were identified as states with the new infections.

Even as the country continues to record new cases, it seems as if there will be light at the end of the tunnel with over 13,792 patients, who have recovered from COVID-19 and have been discharged in different states.

But it quite unfortunate the country has also recorded 754 death from COVID-19 complications

Lagos State remains the epicentre for the virus with 128 new infections, bringing the total infections in the state to 12, 711.

Other states with new infections are Kwara – 92, Enugu – 39, Delta – 33, Edo – 29, Plateau – 28, Kaduna – 23, Oyo – 15 with Ogun and Osun each having cases.

Though new infections in the FCT stand at 12, relatively low when compared to 99 cases as of July 13, states like Ondo and Rivers each reported 9 fresh infections.

Meanwhile, states with fewer cases include Abia – 8, Bayelsa – 5, Ekiti – 3 and Borno – 2.

See Tweet below: 

463 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;

Lagos-128
Kwara-92
Enugu-39
Delta-33
Edo-29
Plateau-28
Kaduna-23
Oyo-15
Ogun-14
Osun-14
FCT-12
Ondo-9
Rivers-9
Abia-8
Bayelsa-5
Ekiti-3
Borno-2

33,616 confirmed
13,792 discharged
754 deaths pic.twitter.com/0F4zsoNjCt

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) July 14, 2020

This followed after the state records 108 positive cases of the virus on June 9, 2020, the highest since the index case was recorded on February 27, 2020.

According to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, in a statement in Abeokuta, the increase was as a result of the increased population sampling and increased testing capacity to 600 daily.

She, however, assures the residents that there was no cause for alarm, as majority of the positive cases were asymptomatic.

“We are extremely fortunate with the outcomes of the cases so far. We have low mortality and many of the cases are asymptomatic. Also, we have discharged 202 patients as of today. That is close to half of the total confirmed cases so far. She said

“Our government is continuously learning more about the pattern of COVID-19 in our communities, this has informed our decision making in the process of defining our new norm, which explained why we have decentralized sample collection and integrated it into health facilities within communities, as well as commencing community-based management of COVID-19,”  Dr. Coker said.

Meanwhile, the commissioner called on residents to continue to act responsibly by observing all the necessary precautions such as physical distancing, use of nose masks, respiratory and personal hygiene.

Abiodun in his speech on Friday extended the COVID-19 lockdown in Ogun State by one week.

According to President Muhammadu Buhari’s lockdown relaxation directive, offices will resume work in Lagos and Abuja on Monday, May 4.

Ogun State, as a result of its proximity to Lagos, plays host to many people who work in the large commercial hub.

Many of those who live in Ogun communities like Mowe, Ibafo, Akute, Agbado, Ifo, Sango, Ota, Ogijo and others, work in Lagos.

Meanwhile, Abiodun, via his Facebook page on Saturday afternoon said the lockdown in the state ends on Sunday, May 10, as a result of the initial grace the state was granted.

His words: “There is a total ban on interstate travel (outside Ogun). If you work in Lagos or any other state but you live in Ogun State, you are not allowed to go to Lagos or any other state and return to Ogun.”

He said, “All schools remain closed, while students will continue with their DigiClass.

“All essential service personnel will continue to work despite the lockdown.

“All public religious gatherings remain banned. All pubs, clubs, stadia, public pools, spas, gyms, salons, etc. and all assemblies of more than 15 people remain banned. Restaurants may open on the approved days for take-out meals only.

“Burials and naming ceremonies are allowed but there must not be more than 15 people including the officiating ministers.

“There is a total ban on interstate travel (outside Ogun). If you work in Lagos or any other state but you live in Ogun State, you are not allowed to go to Lagos or any other state and return to Ogun.”