Three states in Nigeria’s Northwest region – Jigawa, Kaduna and Kano – have ordered the closure of schools following rising cases of COVID-19 and heightened terrorism attacks.
The Jigawa State Government on Tuesday evening ordered public and private primary and secondary schools to close over the rising COVID-19 cases.
The acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Rabiu Admu, who made the announcement, advised parents to keep their children at home as from Wednesday.
The Jigawa State COVID-19 Task Force reported that about 14 new cases had been recorded in various parts of the state.
Out of the new recorded infections, 11 were National Youth Service Corps members serving in Jigawa State.
The Kaduna State Government also ordered the closure of all schools, including tertiary institutions, to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Similarly, Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State ordered the closure of all private and public schools in the state with immediate effect.
Sanusi Sa’id Muhammad Kiru, Kano State Commissioner for Education, who made the announcement, did not give the reason for the action.
“Governor Ganduje has approved the closure of all the schools in the state,” Kiru said.
“Parents whose children are in boarding schools are to make arrangements to carry their wards/children back home from Wednesday, December 16, 2020,” he added.
The abduction of students in Government Science Seconddary School, Kankara, forced the Katsina State Government to close all schools across the state.
Zamfara State, a neighboring state to Katsina, also closed schools following the abduction of the students in Katsina State.
The Kano State Government also directed the closure of all private and public health training institutions in the state immediately.
According to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, the institutions include schools of Basic/Post Basic Nursing and Midwifery, Schools of Health Technology and School of Hygiene.
He advised parents to take their children from their respective schools on Wednesday.
Also, the Commissioner, Ministry for Higher Education, Kano State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, said the governor had approved the closure of all tertiary institutions immediately.
“All students are advised to vacate the campuses from tomorrow 16/12/2020. They’re also advised to continue revising their lessons while at home,” she said.
Support Our Journalism
There are millions of ordinary people affected by conflict in Africa whose stories are missing in the mainstream media. HumAngle is determined to tell those challenging and under-reported stories, hoping that the people impacted by these conflicts will find the safety and security they deserve.
To ensure that we continue to provide public service coverage, we have a small favour to ask you. We want you to be part of our journalistic endeavour by contributing a token to us.
Your donation will further promote a robust, free, and independent media.
Donate Here
