From Esther Akaa, Lafia
Nasarawa State Government has donated the sum of N7 million for the purchase of Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) to enable Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) fight against the the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, following the re-opening of the institution after a period of 10 months.
The Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University, Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed, disclosed this on Friday when the state House of Assembly Committee on Education, Science and Technology visited the school to assess the institution’s level of preparedness over school resumption.
According to him, the institution had already purchased thermometers, hand washing facilities, face masks among others, in order to curtail the spread of the virus.
He further stated that anybody without facemask would not be allowed entry into the school environment, saying the school was ensuring strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols, in order to curtail the spread of the pandemic.
“I want to commend you for being up and doing in improving on the standard of education in the state. You are active and committed to the development of the education sector in the state.
“Government has fumigated all of our faculties and our health staff have been trained on COVID-19 prevention.
“The state government has supported us with N7 million to purchase Personal Protection Equipment (PPE),” he said.
Prof. Bala Mohammed also revealed that the state Chairman on COVID-19, who doubles as the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Emmanuel Akabe has approved the establishment of Isolation and testing centres in the institution.
He, therefore, assured of the management’s readiness to ensure strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols by students, staff and other visitors coming to the school.
Earlier, Chairman, House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Daniel Ogazi, said that they were at the university to assess the level of preparedness on re-opening of the institution, amidst the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ogazi, who is the Deputy Majority Leader of the House said that the Speaker of the House, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi has tasked the committee to visit schools, in order to ensure strict compliance with the COVID-19 protocols.
He commended the management of the institution for providing thermometers, hand washing equipment among others at the entry of the school, hostels and classes as well as offices and called for its sustenance, even as he assured of the committee’s continued commitment to support the institution to succeed.