As the federal government directs all schools in Nigeria to resume on January 18, the National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS), has called on the government to give COVID-19 support funds to universities and polytechnics in the country to combat the killer infection.

NANS’ National President , Com. Sunday Asefon, said such funds would help the schools, especially the tertiary institutions to procure precautionary facilities to stem the tide of COVID-19.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti, on Friday, Asefon expressed joy over the compromise reached by the federal government and stakeholders that schools should resume, describing this as a long-awaited respite for students.

The NANS’ President stated that this landmark decision would help in relieving the students, who had been home for nine months of the burden of being put in abeyance for long, now that there is hope in sight.

Asefon said: “Now that the federal government had reached a compromise that the schools should reopen, the second phase should be how to help the schools to get the requisite precautionary facilities to tame the spread of COVID-19 disease.

“As much as it has become expedient for schools to reopen, it would also be foolhardy to take the issue of safety with levity, because such could also create crisis in the system in future.

“Under this confounding situation, the federal government should as a matter of urgency give COVID 19 support fund to all tertiary institutions to purchase facilities that can guarantee safety of students and lecturers.

“NANS, as an umbrella body for all students won’t tolerate carnage on campuses on account of Covid 19 infection.

“Taking cognisance of the veracious information at our disposal; only the private universities and polytechnics have prepared solidly to receive students in strict compliance with COVID-19 safety measures. Such is still lacking in our public schools.

“That is where the federal government should intervene to ensure smooth take off of academic activities after a long-drawn battle with COVID-19”.

Asefon also warned the school Managements against opportunistic actions, by resorting to imposition of arbitrary charges under the facade of COVID-19, saying procurement of facilities should be the responsibility of the federal government.

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COVID-19: Niger State govt issues new directive to schools over resumption

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EDUCATIONCOVID-19: Niger State govt issues new directive to schools over resumptionPublished 6 hours ago on January 16, 2021By Don Silas
The Niger State government has approved the re-opening of all primary and secondary schools in the State with effect from Monday, January 25.

Hajiya Hannatu Jibrin Salihu, Niger’s Commissioner for Education, made the announcement in a statement.

Salihu explained that the shift from January 18 to 25 is to enable all schools to put necessary protective measures in place while parents, students and pupils to make provisions to comply with COVID-19 guidelines in full.

She also said that the state has been monitoring national and local trends of the pandemic to guarantee the safety of school managers, teachers and learners, adding that the Niger government is approaching the challenge of COVID-19 with caution.

“While we are in tune with the January 18, 2021 date set for the resumption of schools across the country, we chose to be on the side of caution,” Salihu said.

“Therefore, after consultation with different stakeholders, all Basic and Secondary Schools are to resume for classes on Sunday, January 24, 2021, for students in boarding schools and Monday, January 25, 2021, for students in day schools.

“The one week is to enable all schools to put the necessary protective measures in place while parents, students and pupils make provisions to comply with COVID-19 protocols in full.”

CONTINUE READINGEDUCATIONVC tasks ABSU scientists on COVID-19 vaccinePublished 6 hours ago on January 16, 2021By Chijindu Emeruwa
The Vice Chancellor, Abia State University (ABSU), Professor O. M Ogbulu has charged ABSU scientists and Senior Academics in the Faculty of Biological Sciences to intensify their research activities towards the discovery of COVID-19 vaccine.

The Vice Chancellor, who disclosed this, when a delegation of senior academics from the Faculty of Biological Sciences paid him a courtesy call, said in doing so, ABSU and the researchers will be positioned in the global map forever.

Ogbulu expressed confidence in the ability and quality of academics in the Faculty that could join other researchers across the world to develop a new vaccine for the global scourge, Covid-19.

He thanked members of the Faculty for the visit, and their prayers for the administration, as well as the various staff unions of the University, for their understanding in suspending their strike to pave way for the resumption of school, promising that he will not betray the confidence reposed in him.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, and Dean of the Faculty, Professor S. N Umeham, in his remarks, explained that they came to congratulate the Vice Chancellor on his appointment, and to pledge their total support for the administration.

According to him, the Vice Chancellor “is a distinguished Professor of Finance of royal descent who was part of planting the Uturu campus, having started his teaching career as an assistant lecturer from Aba campus.”

Also speaking, Professor C. I Ogbonnaya, while felicitating with the Vice Chancellor, described him as a reputable administrator, having demonstrated his leadership qualities as DVC administration, and expressed confidence that he will take the University to new heights of glory.