Coronavirus: FG orders closure of unity colleges

The Federal Government (FG) has directed the principals of Unity Colleges nationwide to close down the institutions in line with the efforts to curtail the spread of coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who gave the directive on Thursday in Abuja said the closure of all the 104 Unity Schools in the country on the 26th of March, 2020 was a proactive step aimed at preventing the spread of the dreaded coronavirus.

Adamu gives the order through the Permanent Secretary, Arc Sonny Echono, urging all the Principals of the Unity Colleges to fast track the on-going second term examinations and close shop until further notice, a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Mr Ben Bem Goong said.

In the meantime, the Minister said the management of all the Unity Colleges should immediately activate the necessary emergency procedures and processes such as the provision of alcohol-based sanitizers, and handwashing facilities among others, adding that students should strictly adhere to the principles and best practices of good hygiene.

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Adamu directed the Principals to immediately report any suspicious case to the nearest health authorities, emphasizing that nothing should be taken for granted at this delicate time of the global pandemic.

The Permanent Secretary was Echono was quoted in another platform to have said that the decision to close down the schools was to protect and safeguard the lives of students/pupils from the deadly scourge.

He said: ”We have directed all higher institutions to close this weekend. Unity Schools that have completed their exams are to close immediately. Others are to hurry and close the latest on 26th March.”

The permanent secretary said the ministry will monitor development as total closure might be ordered at any moment.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has also directed that all schools in FCT should close by Friday 20th, 2020.

Special Adviser to the FCT Minister of State, Mr Augustine Elemue, who confirmed the development said the schools would be shut totally from Monday until further notice.

Some state governments and the management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have also closed down schools and the scheme to check the spread of the virus.