*FG Investigates 3 claimants on cure for Covid-19
By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 on Wednesday disclosed that it has not fixed a date for resumption of schools across the country.
Minister of State for Education, Mr. Emeka Nwajiuba said this during the daily press briefing of the task force.
“Until we are sure that our children can go to school and return safely without taking Covid-19 home, we are not ready to take the risk of opening schools.
The Minister said the Federal Government will rely on the opinion of experts and the guidance of the World Health Organisation before announcing any school resumption dates.
Nwajiuba said government is working on a model to ensure that all the children do not return to their schools at the same time to ensure physical and social distancing as well as proper sanitation and hygiene at every school.
The plan entails adopting a two-shift system and allowing those who will write exams to return earlier than others.
He urged state governments and owners of private schools to plan ahead on how to ensure maximum safety for students when the resumption plan is unveiled.
Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said the closure of schools was part of the measures to limit the spread of the virus.
He said the Federal Ministry of Education will roll out measures to be put in place for safe re-opening of our schools.
He urged stakeholders to put in place measures to open schools.
“We therefore use this medium to urge States, local governments, proprietors and other stakeholders to begin to take steps that will facilitate an early and safe reopening.
He announced that the Central Bank of Nigeria has indicated the willingness to support research efforts in tackling Covid-19.
“This is therefore, a call on our researchers and scientists to take up the challenge.
He said three claims to cure for COVID 19 were found to deserve further investigation and have been forwarded to the relevant authorities for appropriate review.
