Panic Rocks UNILAG As Two Professors, Oyo State AG, Oyewo Test Positive For COVID-19

ANXIETY continues to rock University of Lagos (UNILAG) as two professors and the incumbent Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oyelowo Oyewo have all tested positive for COVID-19, according to Premium Times.

It was reported that a source in the University confirmed that Oyo AG. Oyelowo Oyewo and Prof. Rufus Akinyele of the department of History and Strategic Studies, have contracted the deadly virus.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Prof. Akinyele who happens to be a professor of African History has been discharged from the Yaba Infectious Disease Hospital and is currently in his official residence on campus.

Furthermore, Oyelowo neither picks his nor responded to text message and when Taiwo Adisa, Chief Press Secretary to Oyo State Governor was contacted, he said he does not know the state of things regarding the incident. However, a source disclosed that the Oyo State AG is currently self-isolating at an undisclosed location.

TheNigeriaLawyer recalls that the AG was earlier elevated to the rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a reception in his honour had also taken place.

UNIVERSITY BEGINS CONTACT TRACING

In another development however, the University management has begun the contract tracing of persons who have had contact with the infected persons.

This is following the death of Duro Ajeyalami, UNILAG’s Fmr. Dean of Faculty of Education who died of the virus on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Mr. Duro had earlier reported to the UNILAG Medical Centre on 31st day of December, 2020 before he was referred to Idi-Araba, the University’s teaching hospital.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has however charged the residents not to panic and noted that efforts are being made in order to trace persons who have contacted the infected persons.

“We are making efforts to ensure that those to be tested for the disease are able to get tested on time. There is no need for panic, the situation is well under control but we advise everyone to follow the Covid-19 guidelines and protocols adequately,” the VC stated.

Besides, it was reported that a daughter of one lecturer was earlier referred to the Medical Centre using ambulance on Wednesday.

THE PANIC ROCKING THE CAMPUS

TheNigeriaLawyer gathered that there have been anxiety on the campus as staff and other residents are in fear of moving around in order not to contact someone who has been possibly infected.

It was reported that the Vice Chancellor stated that he now works from an undisclosed location in order to avoid visitors, likely to come and condole the death of the two retired professors – Oye Ibidapo-Obe and Duro Ajeyalemi.

The two professors had died within the same week having contracted COVID-19. Though it is unclear whether they both attended the same event, the rumour circulating the campus was that both Ibidapo-Obe and Ajeyalemi, among other lecturers of Ijesha origin had recently attended a social event in Ikoyi.

Recall that UNILAG’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, in charge of Development Services, Folasade Ogunsola, who is also a professor of medical microbiology had asked Nigerians to avoid unnecessary gatherings and to ensure they wear their masks and also sanitise their hands, in the event of lack of running water and soap.