Ilorin
The shutting down of public and private schools by the Kwara state government, to contain the spread of Corona Virus pandemic (COVID-19) in the state may be reviewed.
The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Bisola Fatimah Ahmed said this in a statement she issued in Ilorin on Friday.
Ahmed, who called on all school authorities across the state to ensure total compliance to government directive, hinted that the “closure order may be reviewed to include higher institutions later, if the situation calls for it.”
She explained that though the state government was aware of the fact that most schools ought to begin their second term examination next week,it was compelled to prioritise public safety at the time of global pandemic.
Ahmed said: “For this reason, all schools (primary and secondary, private or public) should be shut by Monday.Children should be encouraged to stay at home.
“There will be future communications, regarding impending statutory examinations such as the Secondary School Certificate examinations.
“The state government wishes to affirm that Kwara has no confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 as at this moment. The government is nonetheless putting in place all measures to keep the people safe at all times.
“The government calls on the people to maintain the highest standards of personal hygiene and practice of social distancing within the limits necessary for safety.”
She advised the people to adhere strictly to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Protocols on COVID-19 and advice by the Kwara State Ministry of Health.
“In the event of any suspicion of any case, the public is advised to alert the appropriate authorities for necessary actions.
“Government appeals to the people to avoid spreading unfounded rumour or sharing unverified information which could spike tension,” Ahmed further urged.
According to her, the state government has put in place all necessary measures to continue to enlighten the populace, through constant media engagements, including radio jingles.
She said the synergy with the port authorities had been strengthened to ensure thorough screening of people coming into and going out of the state,adding that the state isolation centre had been fully equipped to take care of any eventuality.
Ahmed urged, members of the public to use these telephone numbers: 08064369063, 090293978826 to report anything related case of the pandemic to government.
The commissioner called on religious organisations and other stakeholders in the course of checking the spread of the pandemic, to put public health above every other considerations.
