As Nigerian Universities set to resume school sessions, the COVID-19 Task Force Committee of the University of Calabar has commenced the fumigation of the campus ahead of the Feb. 5 resumption date for academic activities.
Speaking on the school’s Covid-19 safety protocols, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi on Saturday said that the fumigation was part of the institution’s preparation and readiness for the resumption of academic activities; a very important part of its safety plan.
Obi said that the fumigation of the administrative buildings and other sections within the campus was being carried out by a charitable individual in the state
“We are very grateful to Mr Andrew Onukansi for what he has done to the university. I want to use this opportunity to plead with the private sector, major stakeholders and friends of Unical to come to our aid.
“Outside fumigation, we need a lot of items for our COVID-19 Taskforce Committee to effectively manage and implement the protocols of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on campus.
“This is the time we want our friends to identify with us. We want people to come to our aid; don’t just identify with us when your wards are looking for admission and employment, also identify with us at the time of our need.
“This is the time of our need, and we want to make sure that our students and staff are safe as school resume,” she said.
The VC explained that some gates leading into the university would be closed, adding that adequate measures have been put in place to provide washing hand buckets, sanitisers and liquid soap in all the blocks and classrooms.
“We are going to have sanitisers and automatic dispenser for students and staff.
“Also, we are going to have an enforcement task force that will enforce the compulsory use of face mask for students, staff and visitors on campus.
“We expect students to resume school with enough face masks for use. We have received some materials from the state government and private organizations, we are going to distribute them on the basis of first come first served,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State University (KASU) has announced resumption date to be January 25 for the 2019/2020 second semester academic session if given the approval amid the second COVID-19 wave.
Tanko, who was represented by Prof. Yohanna Tella, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), explained that the university proposed a six-week lecture if allowed to open on January 25.
The vice-chancellor said that virtual lectures for large classes of more than fifty students would be conducted for students in the lower levels and physical lectures for small classes of fifty students for those in higher levels.
Tanko said, “We’ve also planned practical classes in batches of fewer than 25 students for smaller classes and 45 for larger classes.
“The examinations for 100 level and 200 level students will be computer-based.
“We’ll also train and sensitise our staff and students on COVID-19 safety awareness and the need for social distancing.”
Other schools set to resume amidst the suspected second wave of the novel coronavirus include the Lagos State University, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, the University of Nigeria and Covenant University.