President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday pleaded with the
Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and other unions to shelve the planned
industrial action over the September 22 resumption date for private and public
schools across the country. Though the president said there was no new case of
Ebola virus victim in the country, it was not a guarantee that it could not
occur. The president’s plea came as the NUT again yesterday kicked against the
September 22 resumption for primary and secondary schools, saying the
government is yet to put the necessary measures in place to prevent the
spread of the Ebola virus. The body then directed all its members nationwide to
stay away from schools until they are convinced “beyond reasonable doubt that
the government has provided all preventive and protective gadgets such as
infra-red thermometers, sanitisers, running water, gloves and that the
teachers are adequately trained. But Jonathan who spoke with State House
correspondents on the lingering issue of schools' resumption date, said: That
is not to say we may not record Ebola again. As long the virus is still in the
West coast, it is there in Guinea in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The likelihood
that a character like the late Patrick Sawyer can come in one way or the other
is also open. But government is also very mindful of that. Presently, our
airports are properly protected if Sawyer were to arrive Nigeria now, no
Nigerian would have contracted Ebola because of the level of preparation, he
said. Jonathan called on the unions to commend the government on its efforts to
curtail the spread of the disease. According to the president, NUT worked with
government on Ebola virus issue, adding that they are Nigerians, all Nigerians
must work together to make sure that they contain the virus. Why do we want to
create problems while it is not necessary, it is uncalled for?
Thisday Newspaper
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