By Adeniyi Adedeji, Ilorin
A total number of 50,000 (1 litre) and another 2,000 (200ml) of hand sanitizers have been given to exiting students, who began their examinations by the Kwara State government across the state on Monday.
The gesture was said to be part of the government’s efforts to ensure adherence to protocols and protections against contracting COVID-19 disease by the innocent students.
Medical experts across the globe have recommended physical distancing, constant hand washing, use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers, and wearing of face masks, among others as some of the measures to prevent transmission of the pandemic and flatten its curve.
Professor Saba Mamman Jibril handed over the items to the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hadjia Fatimah Ahmed, for onward distribution to the schools.
Professor Jubril said, “These sanitisers are to be distributed to schools across the state as our SS3 students started their West African School Certificate Examination, WASCE, examinations today (Monday) and very soon the JSS3 too will start their exam.”
Recalling that the state had earlier given out 65,000 face masks to the students and teachers, Professor Jubril said, “Now we are presenting to the honourable commissioner 50,000 hand sanitisers of 200ml for distribution to schools. Another consignment of 2000 sanitisers (one litre) are also going to schools.
“The pandemic is still here and the government is trying its best to counter it. We appreciate Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for prompt approval and releases for the fight against COVID-19 in the state.”
Prof. Jubril urged school authorities to continue to advise the students to comply with various safety protocols to stay alive, adding, “We urge principals to ensure that the students use these items. Our students must not be careless, just because they are writing exams. They must use their face masks at all times. They are the end users of these items.”
Speaking at the ceremony, the Education Commissioner, Ahmed, said the 65,000 face masks earlier presented by the state government had been distributed, promising that the sanitisers would also be evenly distributed to schools in the state.
She added, “I want to commend Governor AbdulRazaq for his proactiveness in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in the state. I want to assure the public that the sanitisers will be evenly distributed to the schools across the state.”
