The United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) has appealed to the Abia state government, parents and school authorities in the state to ensure that their children and wards adhere strictly to all COVID-19 protocols in order to avoid the ugly experience of getting another round of Covid-19.
According to the world body, the effect of COVID-19 second phase in Europe and Asia has been devastating, pointing out that though Africa has been lucky to have recorded fewer casualties, government, parents and teachers cannot continue to depend on luck to survive the pandemic.
The Desk Officer of UNCEF, Mr Okezie Nkpa who made the appeal when UNICEF, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and some media personnel staged a sensitization tour of some schools in Abia South, Abia Central and Abia North districts as a way encouraging teachers and students to stay healthy, explained that international agency will do all it can to stop another Coronavirus spread in Africa.
The sensitization tour that began on Monday was rounded off on Wednesday. Nkpa stated urged the pupils and students of the schools visited to always wear their face masks, wash their hands, and adhere strictly to other COVID-19 protocols.
.In her own contribution, the Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Abia State, Dr Mrs Ngozi Okechukwu said that abiding by the Coronavirus guidelines will safe Nigeria from another phase of the deadly disease,saying that any other lockdown will adversely affect the country’s economy.
At Girls Junior Secondary School, Abayi, Constitution Crescent, Aba, Girls Technical College, Aba, Methodist High School, Uzoakoli and Amator Ezi Igbere Primary School, Igbere, Bende, Mrs Okechukwu emphasized the need for the pupils and students to take responsibility by observing all the COVID-19 protocols in order not to contract the virus.
Dr. Okechukwu advised the children to take the message to their and loved ones and to do away with unnecessary gathering in this festive period and commended the UNICEF and government for its efforts in the war against the pandemic.
Contributing, a health specialist, Mr. John Onwugbofor encouraged the pupils and students to always imbibe the habit of cleanliness, maintain social distancing, and wear their face masks always.
In their responses, the principals and Head teachers of the scholls like Ulonma Jonathan, Owunna Onyinyechi, and Felicia Agha, Very Rev Chima Onwuzurike and Mrs Chike Chinyere affirmed that their schools have remained COVID-19 free, stressing that they have not relented in observing all the guidelines and protocols as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC).
A pupil, John Emeh interviewed commended UNICEF for the sensitization visit and assured that the pupil will take the message home.
