Lassa fever kills two in Ogun, nurses flee

Activities at the Federal Medical Centre,  Idi-Aba,  Abeokuta, Ogun State, were paralysed on Tuesday  as medical personnel and patients deserted the hospital due to fear of Lassa fever which claimed two lives in the hospital.

The victims were an assistant nursing officer, Abolanle Adesuyi, and a serving corps member, whose identity could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

The resurgence of the viral disease came barely four months after the state government declared the state Lassa fever free.

The late corps member was said to be a patient who had been down with the viral disease and had been admitted into the FMC, Abeokuta.

Adesuyi was said to have attended to the corps member, from who she contacted the virus.

Apparently startled by the death of the two victims, the hospital management commissioned a test at the University College Hospital, Ibadan to determine the cause.

The result, which came in on Tuesday, confirmed that Lassa fever  was responsible for their deaths on Friday and Sunday respectively.

Our correspondent further gathered that two others  – a doctor and a nurse – were reportedly being monitored at the intensive care  unit of the FHC, Idi-Aba, over the virus.

As soon the news of the nature of the death of the assistant nursing officer got to the hospital,  many medical personnel in the department deserted the place.

Some patients in the hospital were also said to have pleaded to be discharged for fear of Lassa fever.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Segun Orisajo, confirmed that Adesuyi died of the virus.

He said when the virus broke out in the hospital,  the management placed Adesuyi  and two other members of staff  under surveillance.

Meanwhile,  the state government has confirmed that the deceased persons were victims of  Lassa fever.

The state Commissioner for Health, Babatunde Ipaye, while confirming the incident in a statement in Abeokuta on Tuesday, allayed the fear of the medical workers, particularly nurses, saying  the situation “does not call for unnecessary panic.”

He said the state Ministry of Health in collaboration with the FMC would quickly set up an isolation centre at the hospital to attend  to emergencies of such.

Source: punchng.com

FEMALE PASTOR ARRESTED FOR RUNING BABY FACTORY IN IYANA-IYESI, OTA

 

  A pastor at the Divine Yard Deliverance Ministry in Iyana Iyesi, Ota, Ogun State, Peace Udoh, has been arrested by the police for allegedly running a baby factory in the church.

The 47-year-old was said to have sold 64 babies before she was arrested on Sunday by operatives from the Lagos State Police Command who acted on a tip-off.

Udoh was apprehended with one Angela Akpan and a nurse, Mrs. Bukola Ajala, who reportedly assisted in childbirth at Udoh’s church.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the pastor usually referred complicated cases to the nurse, whose clinic – El Shaddai Hospital – is located a few metres away from the church.

Our correspondent gathered that Angela’s younger sister, 17-year-old Goodnews Akpan, recently gave birth to a child at the clinic.

Angela, who was arrested on Saturday in the Sango area, was said to have led police operatives on Sunday to Udoh’s church and Ajala’s clinic, where they were picked up respectively.

While parading the suspects on Monday at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja, the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said detectives swooped on the syndicate after receiving intelligence report that Udoh needed a buyer for Goodnews’ baby.

“The suspects run a baby factory in the Sango Ota area. We are still working to get 64 other children she has sold out,” the CP added.

However, the pastor, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, refuted the allegation, saying she used the church as a maternity home to assist her pregnant church members for a token.

She said, “I have been a pastor for 13 years. I only assisted my church members during childbirth. I take delivery of 13 to 15 babies every year and I have handled over 60 cases so far. I don’t sell the babies.

“Whenever I have a complicated case, I refer the patient to the nurse and we share the money she collects for the service. Angela brought her sister to me in July. She gave birth on November 16 at the nurse’s clinic and she was discharged. I was surprised when the police came to arrest me yesterday (Sunday).”

Ajala, the nurse, said she collected between N15,000 and N17,000 for each child delivery, adding that she didn’t know anything about selling of babies.

The third suspect, Angela, said, “I am from Abak in Akwa Ibom. I took my sister from our village to the pastor when her pregnancy was four months. She was there until she gave birth in November and I paid N17,000. I didn’t intend to sell her child and I have never sold any child before.”

Goodnews, a secondary school dropout, told our correspondent that she was not aware of the plan to sell her baby. She said she followed Angela to Lagos to avoid being ridiculed in the village.

“I got pregnant in the school but none of my boyfriends was willing to take the responsibility for the pregnancy.

“My mother would not allow me stay with her so I decided to follow my sister to Lagos,” she added.

SOURCE: Punch Metro

MUTUAL BENEFITS STAFF ARRAIGNED IN COURT

A 30-year-old supervisor with Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Emmanuel Peters, has been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for the alleged theft of N4.5m.

 

PUNCH Metro reports that Peters, who lived on Ojelade Street, Jibowu, was employed as a supervisor by the company in 2013.
He was alleged to have collected N4.5m from some clients between 2014 and 2016, without remitting the money into the company’s account.
Our correspondent was told that the suspect fled with the money after the fraud was uncovered, just as the case was reported to the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan.
“He was tracked down to his hideout and arrested on December 3, 2016,” a police source said.
The defendant was arraigned on Friday on one count of theft.
The charge read, “That you, Emmanuel Peters, between 2014 and April, 2016, in Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did steal the sum of N4,500,000, property of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 285 (8) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge and elected summary trial.
His defence counsel, H.C. Ufondu, pleaded that he be granted bail in liberal terms, which was not opposed by the police prosecutor, Inspector Abass Abayomi.
The Magistrate, Mrs. A.O. Komolafe, admitted him to bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties each in like sum.
“The sureties must be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment for three years. The addresses of the sureties must be verified by the police,” the magistrate added.
The case was adjourned till January 31, 2017 for mention.

source: Punch Metro

UNPRECEDENTED CROWD GREETS OPENING OF PALMS OTA MALL

The crowd that besieged the opening of the Palms Mall Ota was an unprecedented one as residents trooped out in their thousands to witness the official opening of the much awaited mall. Many residents were seen lurking around the entrance area as early as 6:30am long before the mall was ready for opening; people were seen sitting at the entrance gate and all around the mall area.

People came from far and near; Abule Egba, to Ijaye-Ojokoro, Merian, Alagbado, Sango Ota to Ifo and all neighboring communities ostensibly to enjoy the very tempting price discount on items on sales in one of the leading shop inside the mall (Shoprite). Long and seemingly unending queues were formed for people to be able to gain access into the mall yet security operatives and other staff of the mall had a hard time managing the mammoth crowd that besieged them.

 The high point of the day was the official commissioning of the Mall by the Executive Governor of Ogun State Senator Ibikunle Amosun who was accompanied by his Deputy Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga and other members of the State Executive council that includes Hon. Dayo Adeneye, Commissioner for Information, Hon. Bimbo Ashiru, Commissioner for Trade and Commerce and Hon. Muyiwa Oladapo Commissioner for Tourism to mention a few. Other dignitaries at the occasion include the Chairman of Persianas Group Mr. Tayo Amusan the financier.

Soon after the ceremonial cutting of the tape, the Governor proceeded into the Mall to shop by himself at Shoprite. The Governor who lauded the initiative of the Mall as the first in Ogun State called on the Management of Persianas Group to come and build same in the other city centers like Abeokuta, Ijebu and co.

Hon. Dayo Adeneye

Gov. Amosun cutting the tape

Press Crew and the Governor making an entry into the mall

Governor Amosun speaking inside Shoprite with Mr Tayo Amusan

Some members of Ogun State Executive Council

the governor pushing his shopping trolley

Gov. Amosun at the pay-point in Shoprite

happy shoppers

PALMS MALL PROVIDES JOBS AS THEY OPEN IN OTA

The Palms Mall Ota that houses Shoprite and and many other world class and exquisite shops is bid to open on Monday 19th December, 2016. This information was handed down by management of the Mall. Mr Ojo and Olumayowa representatives of the Mall management while speaking on a popular radio program 'Perfect Brands' on Hebron 95.9FM monitored yesterday in Ota made it clear that the Mall is set for opening on Monday. ''the mall will be opening on monday with brief ceremony that will heralds the opening of the newest and youngest Mall in Nigeria. The ceremony will start by 9am after which it will be officially open for business.''
It was equally made known that there will be some freebies and reasonable discount especially for the early comers and shoppers at the mall.

The management also posited that the mall is positioned to impact positively on the socio-economic life of Ota and its neighboring communities. They noted that ''the mall already provided jobs opportunities for residence of Ota and that its an ongoing process, interested job seekers can still send in their CVs and those interested in shop spaces are also welcome to do so as there are still available space that residence can take advantage of''.
A visit by our correspondent to the mall shows that preparation is in top gear for the grand opening of the mall. We saw on hands workers of different categories many of which were said to had been sourced within Ota.
       
Its our hope that the Mall will live up to its bidding and promote socio-economic life of Ota as a community and its people.

SIFAZ HOTEL &SUITES PRESENT XMAS FUN FAIR.

One of Nigeria leading hospitality outfit, Sifaz hotels and suites has put together a spectacular Xmas fun fair for children and the entire family members.
See www.sifazhotel.com.ng

 Celebrating the yuletide season, Santa Claus(Father Christmas) will be doling out fabulous gifts for children, several games are equally available to party funfuilled. Cartoon characters like barney and Mickey mouse will be on ground to play with the children. Other side attractions include dancing competition, Bouncing Castle, Face painting and various other games, there will also be food and drinks for the children all for a gate fee of N1000 (one thousand naira only)
 Parents and guardians can also relax and enjoy the serene atmosphere of the hotel, chill at the exquisite bar and restaurant while the children have fun with there peers.
   
The Xmas fun fair starts on Wednesday 14th-24th December 2016 inside the premises of SIFAZ HOTEL, located at no 1 Orowadayo Close Owode Ijako. By Owode Bus Stop. Sifaz hotels and suites is adequately positioned to become a market leader and innovator with professionals working tirelessly to give great satisfaction to its teeming customers.

NOTE:You can win a free ticket to attend this Xams fun fair by doing just one thing. Listen in to Perfect Brands on Hebron 95.9FM on this Thursday by 12-1pm. Call in and win a free ticket for yourself.

19 YEAR OLD DOCKED OVER LAPTOP THEFT IN OTA

 

A 19 year old man named, Emmanuel Monday, was on Wednesday arraigned in an Ota Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a laptop and other valuable  valued at N178,000.
The accused, whose address is unknown, is facing a three-count charge of stealing, burglary and conspiracy.


Chief Magistrate O.A. Olayinka,however granted the suspect bail in the sum of N100,000, with two sureties in like sum.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the accused and others still at large, committed the offenses on Nov. 13 about 12.30 p.m., at No.5 Akanni St., Ologun-Ota.

Mustapha said that the accused and his accomplices conspired to break into the house of one Olarinde Oluwaseyi and stole a Lenovo laptop and other valuable valued at N178, 000.

The offences contravened Sections 390(9), 412 and 516 of the Criminal Code Vol.1, Laws of Ogun, 2016.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Funke Odubanjo, after granting bail to the accused, asked him to provide two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till Dec. 29 for hearing. 

 

 

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FGN BAN IMPORTATION OF TOKUNBO CARS

The price of cars might further go up as the new year approaches, this is due to the directive by the federal government to stop the importation of cars via the land boarders including that of  Idiroko. Its no news that so many people rely on the Idiroko boarders en-route Ota for the purchase of Tokunbo cars and this has served as major business for many in Ota. If this directive is fully carried out its sure to have an adverse effect on the business of many that deal in that line of business within Ota and its environs.

From next month, importation of vehicles through the land borders will be prohibited, according to a new prohibition order issued by the Federal Government to that effect. The prohibition order covers all new and used vehicles.

A statement issued on Monday by the Nigeria Customs Service indicated that the ban was sequel to a presidential directive restricting all vehicle imports to the seaports with effect from January 1, 2017.

The restriction on importation of vehicles follows that of rice, whose imports through the land borders had been banned since April 2016.

In the statement signed by its spokesperson, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, the NCS advised importers of vehicles through the land borders to utilise the grace period up till December 31 to clear their vehicles landed in neighbouring countries’ ports.

BREAKING: PALMS MALL TO OPEN BEFORE XMAS

 

 Information from the grapevine indicated that the much awaited opening of the Palms Mall will be opening before the Christmas celebrations

 The fact that Palms Mall will soon be opened in Ota may come as news to many and the cynics will just 'yinmu' and go about their routine and some will say it is 'impossicant'.  Well, the fact is construction work started sometime in 2014 and is completed and due to be opened soon. our correspondent was opportune to take a tour round of the facility and saw that everything is almost set however, the management is yet to announce an official opening date but we are keeping our ears to the ground.

  I overheard a friend saying jocularly that "guys are in trouble", his reason being that guys won't have an excuse for not taking their girlfriends out on dates anymore as every girl would want to have a taste of the Mall scenery and ambience, at the expense of the guy's wallet.  Unlike before when you can use traffic as an excuse for not taking her to Shoprite Ikeja, there is no tenable excuse again.

We all know the Mall comes with line up shops of different widespread categories of services such as:

*Eateries  *Cinemas   *Shoprite   *Clubs and Lounge  *Salons and many other sophisticated outlets.   A lot of those who have been to Ikeja Mall and other Malls in Lagos already know what to expect.  I just hope that our people will not carry basket on their head like I saw on social media the other day when a Mall was newly opened, was it in Owerri Shoprite or where sef?

Now the questions that have been bugging my mind and i want us to ponder and comment on are:

Is the Mall coming too soon?

Is the Mall coming too late?

Are the people of Ota ready for a Mall of such magnitude?

What will be the socio-economic impact on existing businesses in Ota and its environs

To what extent will the Mall impact on the social lives of Ota and its people.

OTA RESIDENTS KICK AS POLICE RESTRICTS OKADA MOVEMENT

Mixed reactions greeted the decision of the Ogun State Police Command directives to restrict the services and movement of commercial motorcycles popularly known as 'Okada' in the State. Earlier in the week the State Police Command issued a statement restricting the movement of ‘Okadas’ between 8pm and 5am.

This development the Police claim became expedient as the yuletide season approaches. there is a need to beef up security and safety of the citizenry as many criminal activities in the past had been traced to the use of ‘Okada’ as means of transportation, a source from the Nigeria Police claim 

However most residences of Ota and its environs are not happy with the development saying; it will further aggravate the suffering of the people that make use of Okada as their only means of transportation. Many residents made their displeasure known on a radio program monitored today.

Our correspondence who monitored the radio station’s popular morning program called “Igba Owuro” on Hebron 95.9FM reported that many callers expressed their displeasure on the directive. One caller identified as Mr. Saheed  opined that ‘’the restriction will infringe people’s right of movement and limit their options for means of transportation, he went further to say that there are so many areas that commercial buses and cabs don’t ply, especially news sites’’     

Another caller’s concern is that many who work in Lagos and live in Ota  might find it difficult to get back home because many usually return home much latter than the 8pm  restriction time. He urged the police to rethink the idea and instead provide adequate security especially in areas prone to crime and criminality.

Residence also decries the deplorable condition of the roads which they sited as the reason many result to use of Okada.

You can also drop your comment, so we can know your views on this matter.

OGUN STATE POLICE RESTRICT MOVEMENT OF OKADAS

The Ogun State Police Command has announced a restriction order from 8PM to 5AM for commercial motorcycle operators popularly called okada.

This is in view of the approaching yuletide and a likely upsurge in criminal activities during the festive period.

According to a statement issued by the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi, no okada operator is permitted to convey more than one passenger during operation all over the state.

The Command warned that “anyone who violates this order will be arrested, his motorcycle impounded and subsequently charged to court accordingly’.’

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Iliyasu, has also appealed to the general public for understanding and co-operation and also assured residents of the state of adequate security of life and properties before, during and after the yuletide. find the full statement below.