COVID-19: FG Criticises Oyo Govt’s Decision To Reopen Schools

The Federal Government has hit out at the plan by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde  to reopen schools in the state in the midst of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Governor Makinde has ordered the reopening of schools across the state later this month.
Speaking at the daily press briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Monday, Emeka Uwajiuba, Minister of State for Education, described the decision of the state government as “very least insensitive” to the health of the people in the state.
Uwajiuba said the Federal Government maintained that schools at all levels must remain closed due to the increasing spread of COVID-19, which has led to the shutting down of 138,000 schools across the country
He stated that the Oyo State government must recognise that the state is a federating unit operating under the constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
While admitting that the governor has the right to reopen the schools, the minister insisted that the primary purpose of governance remained the security of its people.
He urged parents to keep their children and wards under lock and key to prevent them from contracting COVID-19.
 
The Federal Ministry of Education ordered the closure of all schools in the country on 19 March.