NEWS
JUST IN: Osun Govt Says Food Poisoning Drama Is A Scam
. . . Invites Security Agencies To Investigate Purveyors Of Fake News
The Osun State Government has announced the results of its investigation into the alleged food poisoning of some pupils at Osogbo, declaring that the pupils were not poisoned under the Osun Home Grown School Feeding Programme, O’Meals
This was contained in a statement issued in Osogbo, on Tuesday under the signature of the Special Adviser to the Governor on O-Meal, Hon. Ayodele Oluwaseyi, who also fingered what he called political miscreants for the rumour.
According to the statement, the government further noted that the videos and fake news stories were the handiwork of political opponents who were out to tarnish the image of the state government.
It stated, “Findings of government investigation also showed the inconsistency in the testimonies of some of the parents as well as the shady circumstances between the morning feeding and alleged food poisoning late at night.
“The report highlighted also the involvement of an opposition operative who stayed around the school and who videoed and distributed the arranged video with many in the video denying stories of food poisoning.”
Consequently, the state government has opted to invite security operatives to wade into the matter.
“The government has subsequently invited the security agencies to investigate the matter with a view to bringing those behind the fake drama and video to book,” Ayodele added.
She maintained that she was merely opening up on the outcome of investigation ordered by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Ayodele declared pointedly that some pupils of St James Primary School, Owo-Ope in Osogbo were not poisoned from a meal served by a vendor of the programme.
She pointed to the circumstances surrounding the alleged poisoning, which she noted appeared peculiar that affected pupils originate from the same street and were transported to the same hospital by their parents simultaneously and were video-recorded concurrently.
Ayodele narrated the outcome of the on the spot investigation conducted for several hours today by top officials, parents and school officials.
She maintained that the state government had carried out fresh tests on the alleged pupils and the results were returned as negative to food poisoning.
“The clinical tests conducted at the teaching hospital confirmed no traces of food poisoning and the affected vendors have been discharged accordingly,” the Governor’s aide declared.
The Special Adviser stressed that the pupils who were allegedly poisoned have since returned to school to continue their examinations.
The statement reads in part, “The reported food poisoning should not be associated with the mid-day meal given to the pupils by the O’Meals food vendors.
“The whole allegation was discovered to be politically initiated by some miscreants who intended to score cheap political goal.”
According to Ayodele, it will interest the public to know that the students who were said to have been poisoned have since returned to school to continue their examinations. They were fed in the morning and they showed no sign of illness throughout the day”.
She added that women recruited into the O’Meal programme as food vendors are certified cooks who prepare their meals under the most hygienic environment.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday, January 26, 2025, to participate in the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The two-day summit, scheduled for January 27-28, 2025, is aimed at advancing “Mission 300,” a pan-African initiative to provide electricity to 300 million people across the continent by 2030.
Hosted by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank, the summit will bring together African leaders, private sector stakeholders, development partners, and civil society organizations.
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The goal is to develop strategies for accelerating energy access in underserved regions, increasing renewable energy adoption, and mobilizing private sector investment.
According to a statement released on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, the summit will serve as a platform for sharing expertise, knowledge, and resources to address Africa’s energy challenges.
The first day of the summit will feature ministerial-level discussions, during which participating nations, including Nigeria, will present their national energy strategies, or “compacts,” detailing their plans to achieve universal energy access within five years.
On the second day, African Heads of State will sign the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, a unified roadmap for achieving the goals of Mission 300.
President Tinubu is expected to deliver a national statement reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to universal energy access and its leadership role in the continent’s energy sector.
He will also highlight Nigeria’s ongoing clean energy initiatives and integrated energy delivery strategies aimed at fostering sustainable development across Africa.
Accompanying the president will be key government officials, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special Adviser to the President on Energy Olu Verheijen.
President Tinubu is set to return to Abuja immediately after the summit concludes.
The menace of illegal migration is getting diplomatic attention from the Italian authorities and the Edo State Government.
The Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua divulged this in a government house statement issued in Benin City on Saturday.
He explained that the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani had expressed the readiness of the Governor, Monday Okpebholo-led administration to tackle the menace of irregular migration among youths in the state.
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It was gathered that Anani made the stance public on Friday in Government House, Benin City, when Dr. Alberto Cilala, a consultant to the European Union and President of Mattei Africa for Humanitarian Aids Initiative in Italy, led a delegation to her office.
Welcoming the delegation, she highlighted the importance of collaboration to address the challenges posed by irregular migration.
The Coordinator expressed her gratitude to the delegation, and emphasized the transformative impact the partnership will bring to Edo State.
In her words, “This initiative will reduce unemployment, create job opportunities, and address human trafficking and irregular migration. It will also enhance education, skills acquisition, agricultural investment, and infrastructural development for our people.”
On his part, Dr. Cilala emphasized that the Mattei Plan would provide valuable skills to Edo State residents, including tailoring, furniture-making, shoemaking, and more.
“The Mattei Plan was launched by the Italian Government with a focus on six key sectors: education and training, health, security, agriculture, and renewable energy. The goal is to promote integrated development and improve living conditions, particularly in rural areas.
“These projects will be fully funded by the Italian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Labour,” he stated.
Former Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Government on Anti-Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration, Solomon Okoduwa, in his remarks, said the Mattei Plan prioritizes practical measures to reduce irregular migration and human trafficking.
“Although nine African countries are involved in this initiative, Edo State is a crucial partner for Italy. This partnership will strengthen bilateral relations under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” he said.
Brand Ambassador of the Mattei Plan, Olorogun John Paul, popularly known as Daddy Showkey was at the event and lauded the initiative.
He noted, “This program provides an opportunity for Edo State beneficiaries to gain training in various skills, equipping them for sustainable livelihoods.”
Supporters of the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Saturday morning stormed the Speaker’s Lodge located at 47 Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
The supporters, dressed in pro-Obasa vests and caps, arrived in large numbers at the premises.
According to multiple sources, the group was planning a “heroic welcome” for the former Speaker, who was recently removed from office by a majority of lawmakers in the House.
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Obasa, who was out of the country at the time of his impeachment, was replaced by the former deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Since her emergence as Speaker, Meranda has presided over two sittings, with Obasa absent from both.
The choice of the Speaker’s Lodge as the location for Obasa’s supposed welcome sparked controversy, as he is no longer officially entitled to the property following his removal.
A resident in the area expressed surprise over the situation, saying, “I didn’t expect that the lodge would be opened for them.”
Armed security personnel, including police officers, were deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent any potential disruption.
As of the time of filing this report, Obasa had yet to arrive at the lodge.
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