News

Sanwo-Olu Approves Further Easing of COVID-19 Protocols for Event Centres

Published

3 years ago

April 13, 2021

Eric

Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has approved further easing of restrictions on social centres across the State with immediate effect.

The governor gave the approval after due consultations and deliberations with relevant stakeholders and MDAs including the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Lagos State Safety Commission.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, and the Director-General of Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, jointly conveyed the approval of the governor at Alausa, Ikeja, recently.

Akinbile-Yussuf stated that there are new guidelines for the facilities as approved by the governor, noting that all event centres operating in the State must hold a valid licence of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture prior to operating as an event centre.

She added that all the centres must be duly registered and verified on the Lagos State Safety Commission website: www.lasgsafetyreg.com prior to holding any event. This is in addition to obtaining Event Safety Clearance from the Lagos State Safety Commission through the website: www.lasgsafetyreg.com for any proposed event or exhibition.

She added: “Safety Marshals shall be deployed by an accredited event safety consultant from Lagos State Safety Commission for every social event with attendance exceeding 200 people.

“Occupancy limit at any event must not exceed 50% of the maximum design capacity of the hall, wherein Occupancy Limit stickers provided by the Lagos State Safety Commission must be boldly posted at the entrance of the event hall. Maximum allowable capacity for event centres irrespective of the occupancy limit is 500 people”, she added.

The commissioner averred that deep cleaning must be carried out before and after every event, stressing that “Physical distancing shall be maintained between seated guests and a maximum number of seated guests should be six people on a table of 10 persons.

She said, “Event duration should not exceed a maximum period of six hours and all guests and service providers at the facility must wear a nose mask or face shield before entry. During the six-hour period, seated guests may safely remove their masks at intervals but must endeavour to wear their masks when leaving their seats.”

According to the commissioner, all guests and service providers must endeavour to wash their hands before entering event centres or in the alternative use hand sanitisers, adding that temperature checks must be taken at all entry points into the facility.

“Guests and service providers with temperature (above 37.5) are to be politely turned back and referred to paramedics or the emergency response team on-ground. Hand sanitisers must be positioned at the entry points and different spots within the hall. Restrooms must not be crowded. A maximum of three people at a time depending on the number of conveniences available,” Akinbile-Yussuf emphasised.

While advocating for frequent disinfection and wiping of all high touch areas such as doorknobs, toilet flush buttons/levers, stair railings, amongst others, especially in the rest rooms, the Commissioner averred that all event planners should ensure they have access to their guest lists and be willing to provide the list to the relevant authorities if/when required for ease of contact tracing of a COVID-19 positive guest.

She said “All event centres must endeavour to display standard COVID-19 safety signs. The signs must be bold and installed at conspicuous locations. The music level should not exceed 70dB. Safety moments/briefings should be rendered before the start of every event and at certain intervals in between the event. Event centre owners/planners/vendors would be responsible for any breach of protocols by their staff”.

“Relevant officers must be trained on basic first aid and emergency procedures. Any violation of this protocol shall attract fines and penalties in line with the Lagos State Infectious Diseases Control Regulation 2020,” the commissioner declared.

News

I Stand by PDP Constitution, Resolution of Party’s Governors’ Forum – Gov Adeleke

Published

1 day ago

September 19, 2024

Eric

Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has clarified his position on the raging leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he stands by the relevant provisions of the PDP Constitution, according to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The statement also quoted the governor as saying that he stand by the resolution of the Party, “which I am an integral part.”

“I stand by the Constitution of our great party which clearly spelt out the succession procedure in case of the exit of an elected chairman.

“I also stand by the resolution of the PDP Governors’ Forum of which I am an integral part.

“Our party must adhere to its Constitution at this critical time and at all times. That is the way to build a responsible political party.

News

NECO Releases 2024 SSCE Results

Published

1 day ago

September 19, 2024

Eric

The National Examinations Council has released the results of the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination, with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.

The Registrar of NECO, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, made this known while briefing journalists at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger State.

Prof. Wushishi disclosed that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, comprising 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.

The NECO boss provided a further breakdown of the results: “The number of candidates that sat for the exam is 1,367,736, comprising 702,112 males and 665,624 females.

“The number of candidates with five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, is 828,284, representing 60.55%.

“The number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, is 1,147,597, representing 83.90%.”

Regarding examination malpractice, Wushishi noted that this year’s figures showed a significant reduction compared to last year.

He stated: “The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437, compared to 12,030 in 2023, indicating a reduction of 30.1%.”

The registrar, however, revealed that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.

“During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination, 40 schools were found to have engaged in whole-school (mass) cheating in 17 states. They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied. One school in Ekiti has been recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and one Science subject.

“Similarly, 21 supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness, and negligence in 12 states.”

He urged candidates who sat for the examination to visit the NECO website to access their results.

“At this juncture, I wish to formally declare that the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results are hereby released to the public. By this release, candidates can now access their results on the NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” Wushishi said.

News

Yahaya Bello Not in Our Custody, Still a Wanted Man, Says EFCC

Published

2 days ago

September 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has clarified that the embattled former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is not in its custody.

The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the former governor remains wanted “for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges”.

“Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.

“Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” Oyewale said.

The EFCC, by the Wednesday statement, puts a lie to the claim of Bello’s aide that his principal had honoured the invitation from the anti-graft agency.

The Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael, had earlier claimed that the former governor honoured EFCC invitation “after due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies”.

Michael, however, did not provide further details or photo of the ex-governor’s visit to the EFCC.

Earlier in April, the EFCC declared Bello wanted for alleged financial crime to the tune of N80.2 billion.

The EFCC had stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and attempt to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor in office, Usman Ododo.

The matter has been in court but the former governor has not appeared before the trial judge despite many adjournments.

Bello served as the governor of Kogi State from January 27, 2016 to January 27, 2024, when he handed over to Ododo, his fellow party man in the All Progressives Congress (APC).