Charles Ogwo
The Federal Government has stated that it is going to review the January 18 resumption date for schools in Nigeria due to the rampaging effects of the Covid-19 second waves.
Dr. Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education stated this during the weekly press briefing by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19 for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The minister stated that the decision was taken because of the adverse effects of the second wave of the pandemic on Nigerian citizens.
Adamu explained that the January 18 date of school reopening is not sacrosanct. He stressed that when the decision for the date was taken, it was just meant to be like a target for to work on, we kept it in view and are watching to see the turn-out of events in the country; hence, this decision is subject to review.
“Even today at the PTF meeting, we considered the number of Covid-19 cases that is on the increase and we considered it necessary to review the January 18 resumption date, we are going to review it, and the ministry will take it up”, he stated.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) daily Covid-19 chart is rapidly on the increase since January 1, 2021.
The PTF has stated that the manner the number of infected cases is rising calls for caution and that the increase is as a result of not observing the rules of Covid-19 protocol rampart among Nigerians.
However, the Presidential Task Force is not envisaging imposing total lockdown on Nigerians again because of the economic the hardship that comes with it. Nevertheless, PTF is encouraging every Nigerian citizen to follow the protocol laid out or be prepared to face the consequences.
The PTF had earlier given students and parents hope that schools will resume on January 18, but the statement of the Minister of Education has casted doubt on this; as students, parents and even private school owners are confused on current situation as triggered by the position of the Minister.
