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Covid-19: State govt not ready to tackle virus – Oyo NUJ attacks Makinde

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The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, has declared that the State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde is not ready to curtail the spread of the deadly Coronavirus also known as Covid-19.

The union said that the poor handling of the reports on Covid-19 shows that the Governor and the state government are not ready to tackle the menace.

NUJ raised the alarm over the poorly equipped Covid-19 centres created by the State Government to handle emergencies in the State.

In a statement signed by its Secretary, Sola Oladapo, NUJ tasked the state government to enforce full implementation of Stay-at-home order in schools as students were still going to schools on Monday.

Our correspondent who visited some schools observed that some schools have shunned government directive by asking their students to come in mufti.

The union asked Makinde to ensure that public motor parks are quarantined while park managers must ensure that sanitizers are administered to those boarding vehicles.

DAILY POST gathered that the union had on Sunday set up 11-man Committee to ensure accurate reporting of COVID-19 preparedness and to through reporting, draw the attention of the Taskforce to areas inadvertently neglected.

NUJ said that an on-the-spot visitation by some members of the team showed unpleasant state of preparedness.

Some journalists in the state who visited the government designated Centre for infectious disease control which would double as Emergency Operation Centre in Olodo area of the city observed that there was no indication of adequate preparedness on the part of government.

A team who visited the Olodo centre was disturbed that the announced centre was still a ghost land with bushes and access blocked.

“We learnt a team led by Dr Bashir Bello, the State Commissioner for Health visited the facility but didn’t have access as they had no keys. Another member of our team contacted UCH and found that they were yet to get any funding assistance from state government for this pandemic.

“All they have on ground now at UCH is a 4-bedded isolation centre with an empty chlorine tank, non functional monitoring device , no water etc yet the Governor said he has directed funds to be made available but evidences on ground suggest otherwise . The Governor must be on top of this as people are fearful when they know everyone is susceptible.

“At 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Odogbo in Ibadan is another isolation centre. No test kit except from Lagos. Medical consumables are inadequate. Staff strength not a cheerful issue.”

The union wondered if the state government was really ready for the task of fighting COVID-19 global pandemic going by its slow response and poor sensitization of the public and enforcement of its order.

“Oyo is one of the biggest states in the country with many porous entries and exits according to the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS). At this time of COVID-19 global pandemic, are we really monitoring these entries?

“Have we extended some of these facilities and designated centres to the various zones of the state to facilitate immediate response to suspected cases. The state government must be proactive to save lives. We gathered that the Oluyole woman suspected to be infected with the virus had on Sunday driven herself to a private hospital after three days of “no” personal contact from government team.

“The Oluyole woman whom the governor spoke about three days ago as a suspected case, has not been visited till this afternoon (Sunday) by any government official. The woman had risen to the occasion and drove herself to a private hospital in Ibadan.

“On Monday, students of some private schools still attended school in defiance to the Government order. Government needs to be firm in enforcing the order. We also feel for the safety of all, Oyo State should declare two days break for workers to stay at home. This is not the time to be complacent. States in Western Nigeria are doing this and the pacesetter cannot lag behind in protecting over 6million peoples. We also feel government should come out about worship in religious centers and enforce compliance.

“The purpose for staying at home is defeated If we order people to stay at home but they converge as multitude in religious centers. Only the living will worship God. We also have information that some expatriates sneaked-in into some private companies in Ibadan such as SUMMAL. The company also has huge number of casual workers.

“How are they ensuring adherence to safeguard measures? Government should be proactive and partner with media organisations to sensitize the public. Government should advise postponement of family functions that will bring more than fifty people together.

“Government actors should not be seen involved in activities such as social events, or functions which can threaten collective resolve to fight the pandemic.

“Health personnel must be adequately protected and insured to be able to give in their best. We need to walk the talk. A stitch in time saves nine”.

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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