By Zainab Atinuke Zakariya
Authorities of the University of Maiduguri have perfected plans to create safety environment for learning towards curbing the spread of COVID-19 in the University and environs.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Aliyu Shugaba, disclosed this during a Virtual interactive Conference with all stakeholders of the University on Corona Virus pandemic and the Nigerian University System themed, “University Education and COVID-19”, organized by the Consultancy Services Unit of the University over the weekend.
The Vice Chancellor expressed regrets over the way the pandemic scuttled human activities all over the world, saying that the pandemic has eaten deep into the fabrics of the entire world.
Professor Shugaba said since the outbreak of the disease, the University has been adopting all the safety measures and processes put in place by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to minimize spread of the virus.
He also disclosed that the University has been proactive in its response towards curtailing the spread of the pandemic through production and distribution of preventive materials to state Government and other organizations.
“We, as a University, embarked on production of certain preventive materials kits which we donated to State Government, Teaching Hospital, Nigerian Army, the theater Command, Nigerian Air force, all Security outfits, Media Houses and many other organizations”.
The Vice Chancellor also disclosed that the University has set up a Committee to look into ways of handling the virus, adding that the University will also set up COVID-19 Resumption Management Committee that will draw a proposal on how to receive returning students successfully, as well as put in place measures to create safety environment for teaching and learning.
Professor Shugaba reiterated commitment to tackle challenges confronting the institution within its available resources, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Convener of the Workshop, Professor Adamu Dzivama, said the conference became imperative considering the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and to kick-start discussions on how to learn to live with the virus.
Professor Dvizama, who is also the Director Consultancy Services Unit of the University, Commended the Vice Chancellor for his Support and encouragement to the Unit and for the success of the conference.
Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion and former Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Jibrilla Dahiru Amin, said the pandemic had exposed several challenges in Nigerian Public University system especially in areas of Health, Infrastructure and equity.
Prof Amin commended the organizers of the conference and called on the University to embrace ICT for all teaching and learning.