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.^[1]

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.

Nairalaw 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

Nairalaw 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.

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.^[1]

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.

Nairalaw 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

Nairalaw 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.