Universities, poly allay fears, say: We are prepared to tackle Ebola outbreak on campus

Efforts to keep the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) at bay was reinforced at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) recently, as principal officers of the university and guests attending senate meeting were screened by health officials. At a special senate session held in honour of the late Emeritus Jacob Festus Ade Ajayi, senate members and dignitaries were meticulously screened by health officials, who stood sentry at the gate of the Senate Chambers. 

Although the university has been silent on the Ebola scourge, it was gathered that the recent Ebola scare at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, rattled universities across the country, prompting the public screening of staff, students and guest at public functions on campus. This is also in response to recommendations from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), urging academic institutions to take preventive measures against the dreaded virus.

Investigations by our reporters revealed that series of workshops and seminars were organized by some universities and polytechnics for students on campus with a view to preventing the spread of the virus on campus.

At the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, the Director, Information and Public Relations, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the institution took proactive steps to check any possible outbreak of the dreaded disease.

“Our Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, is a science researcher. He launched into action and set up a committee on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and inaugurated the committee which work in two parts, one is to intensify action and to sensitize the university community. The committee released several information. We are also disseminating this information to everyone on campus. The Pharmaceutical Science, led by the Acting Dean, Dr Uzochukwu, is working very hard to make sure we succeed as much as we can. We run programmes on Ebola virus on the Unizik FM everytime,” he said.

For the management of Anambra State University now Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli, Anambra state, the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a very big challenge that must be addressed with the urgency it deserves. The institution organised seminars and enlightenment programmes on EVD for the university community. Both staff and students were educated on what they should know and what to do if they come in contact with an infected person.

Dr Emmanuel Ekwesianya, the Chief Medical Director of the institution said the management and medical centre have taken adequate steps to tackle any possible outbreak of the disease on their campus.

“We have already purchased the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for all our medical staff who are mostly at risk of contracting the virus. We ensure that we sanitise anybody that comes to our medical centre. We are also organising series of workshops to sensitize our students and entire university community. We have also sanitised the entire university premises as the easiest way to contact the disease is living in a dirty environment”, he said.

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