By Cyriacus Nnaji
Lagos State known as centre of excellence is maintaining the lead in all ramifications of human endeavour, hence becoming the unsavory potpourri of the good, the bad and the ugly.
No wonder, since the emergence of Coronavirus in Nigeria, the number is not just rising in geometrical dimension, but Lagos has persistently been in the lead.
According NCDC, as at time of filing this report, 31,987 cases have been confirmed, 13,103 cases have been discharged and 724 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.” The 664 new cases were reported from 18 states: Lagos -224, FCT- 105, Edo -85, Ondo-64, Kaduna-32, Imo -27, Osun-19 Plateau -17, Oyo-17, Ogun’17, Rivers -14, Delta-11, Adamawa-10, Enugu-7, Nassarawa -6, Gombe-3, Abia-3 and , Ekiti -3.
Meanwhile, the latest numbers bring Lagos state total confirmed cases to 12,427, followed by Abuja (2,576), Edo (1,731). Oyo (1,726), RIvers (1,368), Delta (1,359), Kano (1,309), Ogun (1,087), Kaduna (989), Ondo (716), Katsina (669), Ebonyi (616), Borno (586), Plateau (533), Gombe (530), Bauchi (521), Enugu (476), Abia (405), Imo (386), Kwara (330).
As if that was not enough, Lagos State has lost two serving eminent lawmakers under a month. A member of the Lagos House of Assembly, Tunde Buraimoh, who represented Kosofe State Constituency II died last week.
Buraimoh, who passed on at the infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, where he had spent some days, according to sources at the Assembly, has been buried at the Ikoyi Cemetery according to Muslim rites.
Until his death, he was chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security.
Buraimoh’s death occurred less than one month after the state lost another brilliant lawmaker, Senator Bayo Oshinowo ((Peperito), who represented Lagos East Senatorial District, to COVID-19 complications on June 15. Surprisingly, both lawmakers were from Kosofe Constituency and said to be very close.
State Publicity Secretary of APC, Seye Oladejo, said Buraimoh’s death was a big blow to the party, especially coming less than a month after that of Oshinowo.
Lawmakers in the state, perhaps worried over the state of Buraimoh’s health, were in sober mood during their plenary on Thursday, where they called for more proactive measures to contain the spread of the pandemic.
The lawmakers unanimously urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to take proactive measures by directing the Commissioner for Health to collaborate with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and also accredit more private medical personnel and facilities to join in efforts to fight the pandemic.
Hon. Jude Idimogu, the lawmaker representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 02 in the Lagos House of Assembly has also expressed sadness over the demise of the two Lawmakers saying, “I feel bad. Senator Bayo was a great leader and a personal friend, he made me to move to APC, he was a political father, we miss him, APC Lagos will miss him. From day one, he built the party with Asiwaju, and he had good heart, he did not discriminate. He taught me how to be loyal to my party. I will miss him greatly.
”On the other hand Buraimoh was a socialite, a very great colleague, a good material; you cannot mention ten lawmakers in Lagos House without including his name. We are even scared but we pray that nothing of such will happen again.
“Buraimoh was a lawyer, we have lost a material, God will give their families and all of us the fortitude to bear these irreparable losses,” Idimogu stated.
Perhaps those occurrences necessitated Lagos State Safety Commission on Sunday, to seal 33 social facilities across the state for operating against its protocols for reopening businesses.
This was contained in a statement released by Adewumi Okoh, the spokesperson of the commission.
Mrs Okoh said the facilities comprised bars, lounges, restaurants, gyms, hotels and spas. They were sealed for engaging in activities against the established COVID-19 reopening protocols of the state, she said.
She listed some of the facilities to include West gate Arena, Ikosi Isheri; Glovic Bar & Restaurant, Toyin Street, Ikeja; Lounge 50, Masha-Surulere; Innoville Shopping plaza, Ikeja; Trendor Hotels, Fadeyi; Esado Suites, Olanrewaju street, Ikeja, and Ritalori Hotel, Taoridi street, Surulere.
The spokesperson said the facilities were sealed during an ongoing enforcement exercise supervised by Lanre Mojola, the Director-General of the Commission.
“Mr Lanre Mojola during the enforcement exercise affirmed that the state would not hesitate to deal with erring or non compliant facilities who contravene the established protocol for reopening the economy. He reiterated that the State has zero tolerance for establishments that continue to violate State regulations and laws, ” the statement contained.
The commission added that hairdressing salons that have been accredited by the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSC) could now open strictly by appointment with a maximum occupancy of 40 per cent of the total floor space at any given time, while restaurants and eateries should continue to operate on a takeout basis.
Private businesses and organisations are encouraged to register with the state government for the approval of opening of business.
