NMA Okays Schools’ Resumption Date …Even as NUT Kicks

The Nigeria Medical As
sociation (NMA) has declared its  position in support of the federal government’s directive on schools’ resumption date of September 22.
The President of the association Dr. Kayode Obembe stated the position of NMA on the schools’ resumption date in Abuja last Wednesday at a stakeholders meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Education.
The NMA President said the date set for the resumption of pupils by the Federal Government was acceptable and that schools should resume in order not to feed into the fear monster of the Ebola virus in the disease the country.
Obembe said NMA had given six provisions to be followed to make the country safe, stressing that the association changed its mind on the condition that the Federal Government would among other conditions maintain highest level of vigilance.
NMA’s new position negates its previous stance that schools should remain closed until those suspected of having the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and under surveillance were cleared.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers NUT has kicked against the proposed September 22, schools’ resumption date.
In a statement by its National President, Comrade Michael Olukoya said no teacher would resume on the said date as announced by the Federal Government.
Olukoya said the union had directed its members not to resume  on  September 22 until the union was satisfied that proper measures were put in place to tackle the Ebola Virus Disease EVD by the federal Government.
He said the union was acting in the best interest of the nation and pupils of the various schools to avoid contamination of the deadly disease.