NAWOJ Urges FG To Shut Schools, Now

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ) has advised federal and state governments to immediately shut schools temporarily, as a way of containing Coronavirus in the country.
A statement issued and signed yesterday by the NAWOJ National President, Ifeyinwa Omowole and National Secretary of the Association, Ladi Bala indicated that, said schools just like other large gatherings have shown to be an effective ground to spread the virus once one infected person is in the gathering.
“We must draw vital lessons from countries like China and Italy where the virus spreads at an alarming rate, forcing Italy for example to shut down the entire country.
“Schools and other public places are high risk areas for the spread of the virus.
“Even Britain has taken the tough decision to close down schools, while South Korea had done same and many other countries are embracing technology to continue lectures without having the students converging in one place.
“It is worthwhile to note that even ECOWAS, the West African sub-regional body, in realisation of the high risk in such gatherings, has barred all meetings and missions involving up to 50 persons”, the statement noted
The Association commended the Lagos and Osun State governments for taking the initiative to bar religious and other gatherings with over 50 people.
“Such a measure, we believe, will help to increase the chances of the nation not witnessing an epidemic and stopping it from becoming widespread within the country”, it said.
According to NAWOJ, it is now imperative for the government to deploy every measure at its disposal to ensure that the virus does not spread uncontrollably.