Our students are not on campus, institute debunks reports it defied school closure order

Students and management of the Royal Institute of Health Technology, Ifo, Ogun State have debunked claims that the institute is opened for operations in defiance of the federal and state government directives in the closure of schools.

Tribune Online recalls that the Federal Government, in March, ordered the closure of all schools in the country as part of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Also, recall that the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) alleged that the institute defied government directive by reopening the school to students and the placement of students on Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).

The students body also threatened to embark on a protest to the school premises within 72 hours.

Reacting to the allegations, the Students Union president of the institute, Comrade Adigun Alowonle, in a press statement issued on Thursday, said the school is not opened for operations, urging NAOSS to desist from spreading falsehood.

ALSO READ: AEDC deploys first smart high-tension fault detector in Nigeria

Alowonle said that only students whose field of studies related to healthcare management are getting related experience at the moment, adding that the decision was at the behest of the students who want to have hands-on experience and also help assuage the shortage of healthcare professionals.

The statement reads in part: “It is very important to note that the Royal Institute of Health Technology, Ifo is a privately-owned institution with no alliance with the said association called NAOSS.

“The Students Union hereby uses this medium to notify NAOSS to desist from constituting any act that can breach the peace we enjoy in our campus, as any act of protest will not be welcomed by our students as long as we stand by the collective decision of the college.”

When contacted on phone by Tribune Online, Assistant Registrar of the institute, Mrs Adekemi Adewale, said the school is not opened for academic activities.

“We are not opened. If you get to school now, there are no students there. Academic activities are on hold. You can only see workers of Ifo LG having a workshop here.

“The health workers among our students undergoing in-service training at the Ifo LG maternity centre requested that they go back to work during a consultation between the management and the Students Union. They are simply health workers, not just ordinary students.

“Ifo LG is not the epicentre of COVID-19 and they are well aware of the prevention guidelines which they practice even as health workers. The LG has made adequate work arrangements for them as well,” Adewale added.