UNIABUJA distributes face masks, sanitizers to staff

Over two thousand face masks and hand sanitizers have been distributed by the Management of University of Abuja to staff in a bid to ensure that the University community is free of COVID-19.
The Management has also directed the vigorous enforcement of its “No Mask No Entry” order and regular washing of hands, stressing that henceforth no staff, student or visitor would be allowed into the campuses if they fail to comply.
According to a statement by Dr Habib Yakoob, Head Information and University Relations, the items (face masks and hand santisers) were distributed to the staff through the University of Abuja COVID -19 Committee, which the Vice- Chancellor, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah had set up in April 2020 to ensure, among other responsibilities, that the University is free of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beneficiaries of the items include staff in Registry, Bursary, Student Affairs, Physical Planning and Development and all the Faculties of the University.
Chairman of the Committee, Professor Abubakar Jamda, said since COVID-19 remained active and spreading, it was necessary to continue to encourage staff to protect themselves and their loved ones.
He said, “The Management of the University headed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah is determined to ensure that we do whatever we can to reduce the spread of this disease into the University community.
“So far we are grateful to God that we have been alive to our responsibility in keeping the University safe from COVID -19. However, to make it easy for our staff to adhere to the guidelines for protection against COVID-19, we have to keep encouraging and supporting them. That’s why the University is making these items available, so that you don’t say you don’t have a face mask, that’s why you are not using one, or that you do not have a hand sanitizer that’s why you leave your hands unwashed.”
Jamda stated that aside from distributing the COVID-19 prevention materials, his Committee had also been involved in risk communication and community engagement, adding that “because we believe that once people are fully aware of the danger this disease poses to them and their loved ones, they will take necessary precaution.”
He added that the University was taking all these measures in preparation for full resumption of academic activities whenever the federal government considered universities safe for reopening.