How we spent N500m on school feeding programme during lockdown – Minister

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August 4, 2020

Sadiya Farouq HONORABLE-MINISTER-AT-THE-NHGSFP — File Photo: Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (MHADMSD), Sadiya Farouq with some pupils.

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government Monday said it expended about N523.3 million on school feeding programme during the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)-induced lockdown.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (MHADMSD), Sadiya Farouq, while speaking at the Presidential Taskforce briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja.

Explaining that ‘Take Home Rations’ under the modified Home Grown School Feeding programme was not a sole initiative of MHADMSD, the minister said each ration was valued at N4,200 and that the figure was arrived at after proper consultation.

Farouq noted that the figure was generated from statistics provided by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN).

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“According to statistics from NBS and CBN, a typical household in Nigeria has 5.6 to six members in its household, with three to four dependents.

“So, each household is assumed to have three children.

“Based on the original design of the Home Grown School Feeding programme, long before it was domiciled in the ministry, every child on the programme receives a meal a day.

“The meal costs N70 per child.

“When you take 20 school days per month, it means a child eats food worth N1,400 per month.

“Three children would then eat food worth N4,200 per month and that was how we arrived at the cost of the ‘take-home ration.’

“The agreement was that the federal government will provide the funding while the states will implement.

“To ensure transparency in the process, we partnered with the World Food Programme (WFP) as technical partners,” the minister said.

Farouq added that her ministry invited government agencies like Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Department of State Services (DSS) and some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to monitor the process.

“TrackaNG monitored and gave daily updates validating the programme.

“In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 29,609 households were impacted, 37,589 households in Lagos and 60,391 in Ogun, making a total of 124,589 households impacted between May 14, and July 6.

“If 124,589 households received take home rations valued at N4,200, the amount will be N523,273,800.”

Establishing the process that led to the creation of take home rations from the Home Grown School Feeding Programme, Farouq said the programme was modified and implemented in three states following a March 29 presidential directive.

The minister said: “It is critical at this juncture to provide details that will help puncture the tissue of lies being peddled in the public space.

“The provision of ‘Take Home Rations’ under the modified Home Grown School Feeding programme, was not a sole initiative of MHADMSD.

“The ministry, in obeying the presidential directive, went into consultations with state governments through the Governor’s Forum, following which it was resolved that ‘take home rations’ remained the most viable option for feeding children during the lockdown.

“So, it was a joint resolution of the ministry and the state governments to give out take home rations.

“The stakeholders also resolved that we would start with the FCT, Lagos and Ogun states, as pilot cases.”

Farouq also used the occasion to insist that she never said every Nigerian received COVID-19 palliative during the lockdown, saying it’s impossible to give palliative to all Nigerians.

“Every state government received its shares of palliatives for onward distribution. I never said every Nigerian has received COVID-19 palliative. It is impossible to give palliative to all Nigerians,” she said.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Israeli fighter jets strikes Syria military targets

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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August 4, 2020

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Military targets in southern Syria have been attacked by Israeli fighter jets and combat helicopters hours after “thwarting” an infiltration attempt by suspected Hezbollah militants from Syria.

In a statement acknowledging strikes in neighbouring Syria, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) said the targets included “observation posts and intelligence-collection systems, anti-aircraft artillery facilities and command and control systems” in Syrian bases.

Syria acknowledged the strikes, saying Israeli helicopters fired missiles at Syrian outposts and reported unspecified “material damage”.

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The incident comes amid heightened tension on Israel’s northern frontier following an Israeli airstrike that killed a Hezbollah fighter in Syria two weeks ago, as well as anticipation that the militant Lebanese group would retaliate.

Addressing governing Likud party MPs, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel “thwarted an attempted sabotage on the Syrian front” and would continue to “harm all those who try to harm us and all those who harm us”.

The Israel-Syria frontier has heated up in recent years as Iran, which borders the Jewish state to the west, has tried to establish a military foothold in the area.

Also, Tehran has been a longstanding ally of both Hezbollah and Syria.

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Following the airstrike that killed the Hezbollah fighter in Syria, the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in 1967 and later annexed, was hit by explosives fired from Syria. In response, the IDF attacked Syrian military positions, and started beefing up its forces in the area.

Israel has been bracing for further retaliation. Last week, it said it thwarted an infiltration attempt from Lebanon by Hezbollah militants.

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COVID-19: President Buhari donates N67M PPEs to Sao Tome and Principe

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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August 4, 2020

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PMB in Mali 3 — File Photo: Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari in Bamako, Mali, July 24, 2020.

Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari has donated N67m worth of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Sao Tome and Principe, a gesture to assist the African Island nation in its fight against COVID-19.

The Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, disclosed this on Monday during a briefing in Abuja.

“I am happy to inform you that as ECOWAS champion in the containment of COVID-19 in the West African sub-region, Mr President made a donation of 67 million naira worth of PPEs and medical supplies to the government and people of Sao Tome and Principe,” Boss Mustapha Stated.

The SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, addressing reporters at a PTF briefing in Abuja.

This donation was a response to a request by the government of Sao Tome, seeking aid to help the country effectively manage the coronavirus pandemic which is ravaging the world.

Medical equipment donated include units of test kits, extraction kits, infrared thermometers, and other items of personal protective equipment to treat and test thousands in Sao Tome and Principe.

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Abiodun bows to pressure, cancels N25,000 COVID-19 test for SS3 students

In a similar vein, the goods that were procured by the West African Health Organization (WAHO), and have been brought into the hub in Abuja will soon be distributed following orders by President Buhari.

Mustapha noted during his remark that starting from Wednesday, August 3, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will play a vital role in the distribution process from Nigeria to other West African countries.

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Wike signs revised N300bn 2020 Budget, promises quality projects in Rivers

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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August 3, 2020

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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Monday signed into law the revised 2020 Appropriation Bill.

This followed the presentation of the budget documents by the Majority Leader of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, to the governor at Government House, Port Harcourt.

The revised budget for 2020 fiscal year signed by Wike now has a total figure of N300,370,071,183.33.

It’s a 48 per cent reduction from the N530,813,357,619.00 originally budgeted for 2020 fiscal year.

Speaking while signing the revised financial instruments, Wike said the unfortunate effect of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly in Nigeria, necessitated the review.

He explained that the implication of the review of the budget was that budgetary allocations including capital and recurrent expenditure have been reduced.

But, he argued that the reduction would not affect the delivery of quality developmental projects and services to Rivers people.

“It is most unfortunate that everybody is living a different life now because of the pandemic, which forced us to face a new economic reality.

“The COVID-19 has affected economic activities and revenues of government, and so it has become necessary to review our budget.

“By the revised budget, it means that so many things have to change. We have cut down the capital and recurrent expenditure to face the reality.

“We are the only state that has not cut down the salaries of political appointees and elected officers. Virtually all the states have cut down 20 to 30 per cent of salaries of political appointees. Having cut down the recurrent expenditures, the overhead will no longer be the same,” he said.

The governor also stated that his administration was determined to ensure that the proposed reconstruction of the Assembly Quarters stands the test of time.

“One thing I can assure you is that we are working with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to reconstruct the Assembly Quarters. We want something that will stand the test of time.

“A good living environment and quality houses will enhance your input and services to our state,” Wike said.

The governor promised to release the balance of funds for the 2018 constituency projects of the legislators.

Also speaking, Amaewhule said the Rivers State Revised Appropriation Law No. 7 of 2020 is intended to make provision of services to fall into current reality.

“The House passed this Bill and it is intended to provide for a law to revise the Rivers State Appropriation Law No. 12 of 2019 to make provision for services of Rivers State for the year ending on the 31st of December 2020.

“Against the approved figures of a sum of N530,813,357,619.00 which the House approved in 2019, as a result of the prevailing economic circumstances of the country, the House now approved a total sum of N171,33,409,454.55 for capital expenditure.

“For the recurrent expenditure, N129,336,662,028.77 was approved, bringing it to a total of N300,370,071,183.33,” he added.

In his remarks, Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, noted that Wike has conscientiously implemented policies and programmes to benefit Rivers people.

He said the revised budget and revised medium term expenditure framework stipulated actions of government to better the fortunes of the state and establish enduring legacy for posterity.

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Abiodun bows to pressure, cancels N25,000 COVID-19 test for SS3 students

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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August 3, 2020

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IMG-20200710-WA0002 — Executive Goverrnor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, Monday succumbed to public outcry over the N25,000 fee payable for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) test for all returning SS3 boarding students in the state.

The Abiodun administration had come under heavy criticism for creating a near pandemonium situation in Ogun State over the introduction of N25,000 fee for COVID-19 test over the weekend ahead of students’ resumption today.

Parents, unionists, religious leaders, business people, politicians among others rejected the state government’s policy which made the N25,000 COVID-19 test fee compulsory for the returning SS3 students.

Reacting to the matter on Monday evening, Abiodun made frantic effort to justify his administration’s position, but ultimately bowed to the public pressure and rescinded the policy.

“After reviewing these developments, I have today immediately directed that the Government Laboratories carry out test for all returning SS3 boarding students at no cost. I have also directed that all those who have paid for tests be refunded.

“Consequently the State Government has therefore stepped down the COVID-19 test as a mandatory requirement for returning students in our exit classes. We therefore enjoin Private School owners to exercise their duty of care to their pupils. The admittance of students into boarding house in private secondary schools will be at the discretion of the management and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of such private schools.

“Ogun State Government recommends that students who do not have to stay in the boarding house should attend school from home, especially those with underlying health conditions.

“The inconvenience and confusion experienced yesterday is highly regrettable and my sincere apologies to the parents and students so affected.

“The quality and standard of education and well being of our children are issues that are very dear to my heart,” the governor cringed.

Abiodun laboured emphatically to establish the genesis of the matter and the eventual decisions taken in the best interest of the state.

AccordIng to him, “In line with the Federal Ministry of Education recommendation and WASSCE timetable, we decided to open our schools on the 4th August 2020 for SS3 students only. We put in place guidelines that would ensure that our students resume in a safe environment.

“In our pre-opening engagements with stakeholders, opening of boarding houses was discussed. Our State has one of the largest population of boarding students in the country, coming from all over the country. After consultations with health professionals, we concluded that testing the children for COVID-19 before admittance will reduce the risk of community transmission. This is to reassure parents and even teachers of the safety of everybody concerned.

“The state planned and provided testing, free of charge, for boarding students in our public schools and allowed for the management and parents of private schools to make their arrangements to get COVID tests. The two State owned laboratories have a capacity for about 500 tests a day and conduct free tests for traced contacts or symptomatic patients. To meet the additional demand for the expected number of boarding students, the statement from Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology listed some private test centers which set up sampling points in some of our health facilities.

“These private laboratories have been accredited by NCDC and Lagos State Government for walk-in tests and charge N50,400 per test but I understand that the Ministries of Health and Education negotiated this to N25,000 for boarding students in private schools that may wish to use them. There is no financial benefit to the state government.”

Abiodun also used the occasion to announce “the provision of face masks to all students in both private and public schools.”

He appreciated the cooperation, support, resilience and understanding of all the people of Ogun State towards flattening the curve of COVID-19 in the state, expressing hope that “this phase will end soonest.”

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Ondo Deputy Governor, Ajayi, denies defection from PDP

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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August 3, 2020

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Ondok deputy governor — Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi

Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, has dismissed claims about his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he only rejoined after resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to fulfil his ambition of becoming the next Governor of the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Babatope Okeowo, faulted the claims that his principal has defected to the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), after he lost the PDP primary, to guarantee his participation in the October 10 Ondo governorship contest, against incumbent Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

In a chat with Channels Television on Sunday, Okeowo disclosed that the deputy governor was under intense pressure from his supporters to contest for the election.
However, he insisted that his principal has yet to declare for the ZLP or any other political party to contest the governorship election.

File Photo: L-R: Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; Ondo State, Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi.

Sealing further, the deputy governor’s aide added that Ajayi has yet to take a decision on his next political move, saying he would likely make a declaration before the end of the week.

According to a Channels Television report, the Publicity Secretary of ZLP in Ondo, Felix Olatunde, revealee that the party has adopted Ajayi as its governorship candidate.

In his explanation, Olatunde stated that plans were being perfected to ensure that was done, noting that the candidate of the party, Rotimi Benjamin, had stepped down for the deputy governor.

Meanwhile, the PDP Publicity Secretary in the state, Zadok Akintoye, had issued a statement that Ajayi was still a member of the party.

The deputy governor defected from the APC to the PDP in June to fight for the party’s governorship ticket in the primary but lost to Mr Eyitayo Jegede.

Thereafter, some of his supporters agitated that Ajayi be picked as Jegede’s running mate, but that was not the case as another person was chosen for the position.

The deputy governor’s exit from the APC followed a disagreement between him and the state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who emerged the candidate of the his party, APC.

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Breaking News: Shoprite begins process to exit Nigeria

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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August 3, 2020

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Untitled-1-9 — A shop assistant arranges products at the South African firm Shoprite’s main store in Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos on April 29, 2010. REUTERS/Akintunde Akinleye

One of Africa’s largest food retailers, Shoprite, has announced plans to exit the Nigerian market after posting continuous losses from its operations in the world’s populous Black nation.

Shoprite, in a trading update filed at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) on Monday morning, said it was planning to discontinue its operations in Nigeria.

“Following approaches from various potential investors, and in line with our re-evaluation of the Group’s operating model in Nigeria, the Board has decided to initiate a formal process to consider the potential sale of all, or a majority stake, in Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Shoprite International Limited.

“As such, Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited may be classified as a discontinued operation when Shoprite reports its results for the year. Any further updates will be provided to the market at the appropriate time,” the update stated.

It would be recalled that Shoprite launched its Nigeria operations some 15 years ago, by opening its first store in Lagos in December 2005.

That chain has grown from one to more than 25 retail stores across Nigeria — including some of the biggest retail stores in West Africa region.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Ondo Poll: LG Chairmen move to woo Jimoh Ibrahim for Akeredolu

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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August 3, 2020

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Eighten Local Government Chairmen in Ondo State have kickstart moves to woo business tycoon, Jimoh Ibrahim to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in a bid to increase the chances of Governor Olúwarótìmí Àkèrédolu’s (SAN) second term bid at the October 10 governorship poll in the state.

The move was made public when the chairmen paid a courtesy visit to the business mogul at the construction site of the University of Fortune, in Igbotako, his country home.

Governor Akeredolu, who won the party’s ticket with a landslide margin at the primary election has immediately revved up reconciliation efforts with other aspirants.

The Chairman of Okitipupa Local Government, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya, while introducimg his colleagues expressed appreciation to Ibrahim for supporting Akeredolu.

He also commended him for his efforts towards improving the economy of Ondo State through job creation with the ongoing University project.

In his remark, the Chairman Akoko Southeast Local Government Area, Yomi Babatunde, described Ibrahim, who is the Araba of Osooroland, as an accomplished business man and politician whose support and mentorship will be needed in the APC. He therefore, requested Ibrahim to officially identify with the party as a card carrying member.

Giving his response, Ibrahim stated that Governor Akeredolu means a lot to him, and highlighted his leadership quality as evident in the giant strides accomplished since he took over the mantle of Governor in the State.

“Akeredolu was a former President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) where he left very good legacies” Jimoh said.

The businessman, advising the delegate of chairmen on forming a team that will be relevant and formidable to making vital contributions to the reelelction bid of Governor Àkèrédolu, assured his guests that he would consider their request after due consultations with his political mentors and followers.

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Don’t reopen worship centres in Lagos, Bakare warns Churches

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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August 2, 2020

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images (6) — File Photo: Senior Pastor, Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), Tunde Bakare.

Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC) Sunday advised churches to ignore Lagos State Government’s directive to reopen on Sunday, August 9.

Speaking during an online sermon on Sunday, Bakare queried the decision to reopen the worship centres when the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic would peak in Nigeria in August.

The religious leader advised worshippers not to allow any cleric or government official to lead them like sheep to the slaughter house.

According to him, “I have to appeal to you once again, please keep safe and do your best to stay alive. Do not let anyone, whether religious leader or governmental leader, to drive you like a sheep to the slaughter.

“If they (the government and the disease control authorities) said that the month of August is going to be the peak of the infection, why should they ask people to rush in (re-open the churches) again?

“Please keep safe and do your best to keep alive by keeping all the necessary rules. We know that by the grace of God this pandemic like the others before it has an expiry date. It shall not see our end. We shall see its end in the mighty name of Jesus.”

Idowu Sowunmi

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COVID-19 Test for Students: Joint decision of proprietors, parents – Ogun Government

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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August 2, 2020

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FB_IMG_1591441937407 — File Photo: The Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Friday, June 5, 2020.

The Governor Dapo Abiodun-led Ogun State Government has clarified the requirements for operations of boarding facilities in the secondary schools in the state as part of the overall requirements for the reopening of schools for SS3 students on August 4 as earlier announced by the government.

Abiodun, in a statement in Abeokuta on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Basic and Secondary Education, Ronke Soyombo, said the clarification has become necessary to remind the general public, particularly parents and operators in the education sector, of government position, which is based on the guidelines jointly developed and agreed by parents, private school owners, government representatives and other stakeholders.

The statement said: “Ogun State is arguably the state with the highest number of schools (public and private) operating boarding facilities in the country with students’ population drawn from far and wide.

“In view of this and the need to avoid community transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic amongst our children in the boarding facilities and invariably the state as a whole, additional requirements for opening of boarding facilities in all the secondary schools in the State were agreed.

“A key additional requirement is presentation of certificate of negative COVID-19 test before a student is admitted to the boarding facility in both public and private schools in the state.”

However, the statement identified the following implementation details that should be noted.

“The government will bear the full costs of the COVID-19 Test for all the boarding SS3 students in the state-owned public schools.

“All private school owners are also expected to ensure that all their boarding students are certified COVID-19 test negative before being admitted into their boarding facilities.

“To further assist the private schools, Ogun State Government has negotiated a huge discount in the cost of COVID-19 Test with some healthcare service providers.

“However, private school owners and parents are free to engage any other service provider of their choice provided that the service provider is certified by NCDC as COVID-19 Test service provider.

“Indeed, certificate of negative COVID-19 test from other locations across the country will be tenable provided, as usual, it is from an NCDC certified centre and the test has been performed within 72 hours of the date of resumption.

“Only boarding facilities directly operated by schools will be allowed to operate to enable government monitoring of such facilities for compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

“Parents and school owners are enjoined to work together to ensure that health and safety of our students is of paramount consideration at all times. Should any private school owner and parents desire a waiver of COVID-19 test requirement for boarding students, a joint representation of the school owner and the parents should be made to the government and this shall be considered on a case-by-case basis,” the statement said.

Soyombo emphasised that the COVID-19 test for boarding students is just one of the measures jointly developed and agreed with the parents, school owners, health experts and relevant government agencies and warned that government would not shirk in its responsibility of protecting all citizens and residents of Ogun State.

“And these include students in our public and private schools. Amongst other such initiatives, government has commenced distribution of facemasks to all the schools in Ogun State – public and private – for the use of returning SS3 students and their teachers,” the statement noted.

Idowu Sowunmi

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