The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has distributed COVID-19 protective kits to 257 public schools in the state, ahead of resumption of exit classes.
Governor Wike, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo during the distribution of the items acquired by his government, said the move was in line with the guidelines for resumption of school
He stated that his government attached so much premium to the education and health of Rivers children.
Banigo said the sanitary and hygiene kits consisting of hand sanitizers, gloves, face masks, detergents, running water buckets, and disinfectants were part of government’s effort to ensure that students were not infected with the coronavirus.
In her words, “The Wike administration is concerned about the education and health of children of the state. He does not want anyone to be infected with COVID-19.
“This is why the Governor has provided all these kits in preparation for the resumption of public schools in the state in accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines.”
She called on the school principals to ensure the proper utilization of the kits by sanitizing their school environment and also following the necessary COVID-19 protocols.
She appealed to the students to cooperate with their teachers to ensure their success during the exit examinations.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku said in his remarks at the occasion that the distribution of the protective kits through the principals of the schools would assist them when they reopen for exit examinations.
Ebeku said that the COVID-19 kits were given to all the 257 schools approved for the 2020 West Africa Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination, (WASSCE) Centres.
The Commissioner said that the state would soon announce the resumption date for schools adding that the ministry would monitor the process and any Principal found wanting would be punished.
The Secretary of the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools in the State, Mrs. Sophia Davies-Ideh who responded on behalf of the principals applauded the Government for the donation.
She assured of adequate utilization of the kits to protect teachers and students from the pandemic.
