Speaking at the flagoff for the distribution of facemasks at Trenchard Hall of the university, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships), Prof. (Mrs.) Olanike Adeyemo specifically urged members of the university community and Nigerians to observe all the necessary rules for stemming the spread of the pandemic.
Prof. Adeyemo who doubles as Chairman of the COVID-19 Decontamination and Containment Team,said the university was aware of the huge number of people for whom buying a good facemask might be a difficult financial burden.
“As Nigerians we joke with everything, and maybe that is part of our coping strategies but please, COVID-19 is not a matter for jokes. We must observe social distancing, handwashing, hand sanitising and use of masks.
“We are a praying nation, and I have no doubts that praying is working for us. That is why our fatality and infection rates are much lower than what obtain elsewhere. However, we must add obedience and precaution to our prayers”.
University of Ibadan through its COVID-19 Response Committee produced and distributed over 2,000 face masks to members of the university community and adjourning areas such as Agboworin,Abadina and others.
Speaking while distributing the facemasks, Prof. Victoria Adetunji, who is the Coordinator of University of Ibadan Response and Emergency Research Committee of COVID-19 Containment,said the university produced 2,000 facemasks which were being distributed to the elders , security operatives and others in the university community and its environs.
Prof. Adetunji who is of the Department Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine of the premier university said:”University of Ibadan COVID-19 Response and Emergency Committee is inspired to produce facemasks for the university community and its immediate environs. So, that was why we initiated this exercise. We got across to University Management and the university assisted us in producing these masks.
“We are the Abadina area with age bracket of 55 and above. They are the ones that can easily disposed to COVID-19 and the ones we are actually covering.
“In Abadina community we have shared so far 600 facemasks . The university security section has 150 and for other sections of the university environment. We are giving about 500. As a whole ,we have about 2,000 for distribution. We at the stage of community spread right now. The facemasks will be useful to control the pandemic”.
