The Ekiti State COVID-19 Task Force has closed down till further notice all physical classes at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) over the violations of laid down COVID-19 safety protocols.
Coordinator of the task force, Professor Bolaji Aluko, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti, on Sunday, said the decision followed the team’s unscheduled visit to the university on Friday.
According to him, there were no social or physical distances in lecture rooms and that majority of students were seen going about their activities without the mandatory use of face mask.
Aluko said “Consequently the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Medical Officer were asked directly by the Task Force Coordinator, Prof Mobolaji Aluko, accompanied by SSA Public Health Dr Jimlas Ogunsakin, to shut down until further notice all physical classes and laboratories, until a certificate of compliance is obtained from the Taskforce, as was previously required of the university (following a checklist previously sent to it) but not obtained.”
He expressed regret that the flouting of the precautions portends danger to the health of students, staff and visitors to the university community.
“The violations present a serious danger to the students, staff and the community surrounding the University. The university officials were told that any reopening without compliance will be prosecuted,” Aluko said.
But the authorities of FUOYE in a swift reaction by the deputy director, corporate information services, Adeyinka Ademuyiwa, said virtual lectures had been introduced to avoid clustering of students in lecture rooms.
He said the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fasina, has ordered the mandatory use of face mask on campus, adding that, “other measures taken include; monitoring of lectures and enforcement of compliance by university committee taskforce; immediate reticulation of water for handwashing on both campuses and display of more banners and posters for more sensitisation and compliance and; provision of more sanitisers and infrared thermometer in strategic locations.
“The management is therefore advising the entire University community and the public to remain calm, be assured of their safety, stay focused and shun distractions that can jeopardise our goal of finishing 2019/2020 academic session as scheduled.”