Despite the Federal Government’s insistence on September 22 resumption date for schools, indications emerged yesterday, that Lagos State Government might not respect the date.

Governor Babatunde Fashola gave this hint when he received the Country Representative of the World Health Organization, Mr. Rui Van Gaz who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

According to him,” The state government is in the process of ascertaining through.....http://nigerians4change.com/2014/09/lagos-schools-may-not-reopen-sept-22-says-fashola/

I agree with you Mr. Governor. The implication of Ebola virus infection in our schools can only be imagined.

My father fashola is always looking for trouble. Why disobeying FG

Usellesss Man

Fashola4thSon: My father fashola is always looking for trouble. Why disobeying FG
Usellesss Man

Nigeria is a republic, brother!

Lagos government always trying to make a mockery of the federal government policies.
Federal government always making policies that exposes him to childish critism. Well this time they nailed Jona for good

B4 i comment how competent is the source?

desgiezd:

Nigeria is a republic, brother!

Where people like my father fashola criticize the president out of their selfish APC Interest?

Fashola4thSon: My father fashola is always looking for trouble. Why disobeying FG

Usellesss Man

he is doing the right thing , even the nma has kicked against the resumptions of children , you should understand that one of the main reasons why the evd was able to be contained early is because school kids were on break , believe me if kids were in session when the ebola virus started , it is very possible Nigeria would have been counting body bags by now . the best thing is to allow the medical practitioners to give a go ahead.this isnt a pdp or apc affair, we are talking about the lives of precious little innocent children here

I have always said school opening should be staggered on state by state basis with states that have had Ebola to open later if necessary

Federal government should set 22nd September as earliest date while states can delay a little further if necessary.

May be rivers state and Lagos can delay it since they have had Ebola cases!

Fashola4thSon:
Where people like my father fashola criticize the president out of their selfish APC Interest?

I'll so much appreciate it if you can further educate me on what APC has got to do with the issue at hand!

desgiezd:

I'll so much appreciate it if you can further educate me on what APC has got to do with the issue at hand!

just ignore the guy

Nonybb: Pls what then is the difference between September 22 and October 13? Why extending it further? I am still asking this question because still schools MUST resume somehow or some day, what difference does it make then if we further shift it backward which is October 13?

Your question gets at the crux of the matter, and the answer is simple. The longer the time that is allowed before schools resume, the more CERTAIN it will be whether or not Ebola has been eradicated from Nigeria.

When human lives are at stake, certainty in all safety matters must be sought wherever possible. By hurriedly re-opening schools in September or October 2014, a far greater level of UNCERTAINTY will be introduced into the question of whether the virus is still being carried by a few previously unknown victims, and in that climate of uncertainty the risk of an EXPLOSION of Ebola cases will increase on school and university campuses nationwide. By waiting until January 2015 to open schools, a more accurate and reliable picture of Nigeria's Ebola status will have formed, on the basis of observed infection rates over an additional 3 months.

Governor Fashola has always been one to chart his own path, far from the docile and submissive herd, and Fashola's refusal to endanger Lagos State's children with a premature opening of schools during an epidemic outbreak is yet another example of the man's quiet resolve to do ONLY what is right in every instance.

PapiWata:
Your question gets at the crux of the matter, and the answer is simple. The longer the time that is allowed before schools resume, the more CERTAIN it will be whether or not Ebola has been eradicated from Nigeria.
When human lives are at stake, certainty in all safety matters must be sought wherever possible. By hurriedly re-opening schools in September or October 2014, a far greater level of UNCERTAINTY will be introduced into the question of whether the virus is still being carried by a few previously unknown victims, and in that climate of uncertainty the risk of an EXPLOSION of Ebola cases will increase on school and university campuses nationwide. By waiting until January 2015 to open schools, a more accurate and reliable picture of Nigeria's Ebola status will have formed, on the basis of observed infection rates over and additional 3 months.
Governor Fashola has always been one to chart his own path, far from the docile and submissive herd, and Fashola's refusal to endanger Lagos State's children with a premature opening of schools during an epidemic outbreak is yet another example of the man's quiet resolve to do ONLY what is right in every instance.

Very incisive! Very intelligent!! Quite informative!!!

PapiWata:

Your question gets at the crux of the matter, and the answer is simple. The longer the time that is allowed before schools resume, the more CERTAIN it will be whether or not Ebola has been eradicated from Nigeria.

When human lives are at stake, certainty in all safety matters must be sought wherever possible. By hurriedly re-opening schools in September or October 2014, a far greater level of UNCERTAINTY will be introduced into the question of whether the virus is still being carried by a few previously unknown victims, and in that climate of uncertainty the risk of an EXPLOSION of Ebola cases will increase on school and university campuses nationwide. By waiting until January 2015 to open schools, a more accurate and reliable picture of Nigeria's Ebola status will have formed, on the basis of observed infection rates over and additional 3 months.

Governor Fashola has always been one to chart his own path, far from the docile and submissive herd, and Fashola's refusal to endanger Lagos State's children with a premature opening of schools during an epidemic outbreak is yet another example of the man's quiet resolve to do ONLY what is right in every instance.

you deserve a standing ovation for this post , welldone sir

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2014/09/12/who-lauds-fashola-on-ebola-fight/

Global acknowledgement of the sterling leadership shown by the Lagos State Government and Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN in the containment of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country came from no less a body than the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday.

Speaking during a courtesy call on the Governor at the State House, Ikeja, the WHO Country Director, Dr Rui Vana Gaz said he and his team had come to transmit the compliment and high recognition of the top hierarchy of the WHO to the State Government for the excellent leadership the Governor provided in containing the Ebola Virus Disease.

He stated that the world body was happy with the way the State established the Isolation Ward with the necessary support and that the WHO also offered its support by deploying its staffs to support the Isolation Centre and supplying Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) and resource mobilization.

While re-echoing the view of Governor Fashola at some of the meetings held on the EVD about some missed opportunities which aided the importation of the disease, Dr Gaz said Nigeria must avoid any form of complacency to ensure that there is no other case.
Governor Babatunde Fashola

Governor Babatunde Fashola

He also called for support from the media and other stakeholders on sustained sensitization of the citizenry about the Ebola Virus Disease adding that recent research showed that a sizeable number of people who came into a treatment centre never knew anything about what Ebola Virus Disease is.

He also urged the State to ensure that the schools in the state are fully prepared with the parents being sensitized on what they should do concerning the personal hygiene of the children before the schools are re-opened.

While responding, Governor Fashola said the state would not be complacent about the gains made in containing the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease.

According to the Governor, there is no room for complacency in the state because as long as some parts of the West African sub-region still have cases of Ebola and with the ECOWAS protocol guaranteeing free movement, the Nigerian nation and Lagos state still stands at a risk.

He added that what this calls for is the putting in place of an enlarged capacity to contain such outbreaks in the future while also using the opportunity to make improved sanitation a way of life for the average resident of the State.

“Until all our brothers in the West African sub-region gain effective control against the spread of Ebola Virus Disease, we are still very much at risk and we intend to internalize the lessons learnt from the Ebola Virus issue for tomorrow”, he stated .

[b]The Governor while responding to a remark by the WHO Country Representative that Lagos must ensure that the schools are fully prepared before being re-opened informed that coincidentally he and members of the State Executive Council present came to receive the WHO team from a special session of the Council meeting convened to determine the issue of resumption date for schools in the light of current realities.

He stressed that the meeting would assess the risk level involved concerning the pupils and preparations in terms of educating the school teachers themselves about safeguarding the children.

Governor Fashola explained that the question of whether a particular selected date of resumption should become sacrosanct should not arise but should rather be determined by scientific realities.

He said Lagos State on its part would take cognizance of all the factors that are involved before taking a decision on the resumption of schools in the state, affirming that if the risks involved are considered very high, the State may not reopen the schools.[/b]

He added that the State Government would continue to reach out to the World Health Organization in terms of provision of further training beyond Ebola Virus Disease to the health personnel in the State.

He said for example, the Primary Health Care Centre officials need to be exposed to modern techniques and trainings as they provide the first line of defence against any form of infection and disease.

The Governor received the WHO team along with some members of the State Executive Council including the Deputy Governor, Hon (Mrs) Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire, Secretary to the State Government, Dr (Mrs) Ranti Adebule, Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr (Mrs) Yewande Adeshina, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Raji and Permanent Secretaries, Ministry of Health, Dr Modele Oshunkiyesi and the Primary Health Care Board, Dr Kayode Oguntimehin while the WHO Country Director was also accompanied by top officials of the organisation.

Nonybb: Pls what then is the difference between September 22 and October 13? Why extending it further? I am still asking this question because still schools MUST resume somehow or some day, what difference does it make then if we further shift it backward which is October 13?

I am a pro-GEJ but his ministers might put him into trouble

We must put all things in place to curtail Ebola eg How do we keep the toilets safe from Ebola if unknowingly a child who is infected uses the toilet before being used by an Ebola free child.

Can ordinary water be used to keep such toilets safe

Can water and antiseptic be used to keep such toilets safe

texaco1: just ignore the guy

Why?

PapiWata:

Your question gets at the crux of the matter, and the answer is simple. The longer the time that is allowed before schools resume, the more CERTAIN it will be whether or not Ebola has been eradicated from Nigeria.

When human lives are at stake, certainty in all safety matters must be sought wherever possible. By hurriedly re-opening schools in September or October 2014, a far greater level of UNCERTAINTY will be introduced into the question of whether the virus is still being carried by a few previously unknown victims, and in that climate of uncertainty the risk of an EXPLOSION of Ebola cases will increase on school and university campuses nationwide. By waiting until January 2015 to open schools, a more accurate and reliable picture of Nigeria's Ebola status will have formed, on the basis of observed infection rates over and additional 3 months.

Governor Fashola has always been one to chart his own path, far from the docile and submissive herd, and Fashola's refusal to endanger Lagos State's children with a premature opening of schools during an epidemic outbreak is yet another example of the man's quiet resolve to do ONLY what is right in every instance.

Please let's not politicise this issue because there is no right or wrong answer here. Opening or not opening on 22nd September there are two versions of truth to support either choices!

Just as we can not know by September 22nd whether we are ever at risk, we can not also know by January 2015 or possibly 2016 whether there will be Ebola again. Because you can have a target of January 2015 and someone may unfortunately enter naija with Ebola in November! What do you do in that situation? Extend school opening to Easter?

I think we must all continue to work together and tackle Ebola but if Presidency are confident or can increase Ebola watch on students returning to school may be that is the way to go!

Life has to go on!

We can't shut school forever or close market, churches, or all public gatherings!

PapiWata:

Your question gets at the crux of the matter, and the answer is simple. The longer the time that is allowed before schools resume, the more CERTAIN it will be whether or not Ebola has been eradicated from Nigeria.

When human lives are at stake, certainty in all safety matters must be sought wherever possible. By hurriedly re-opening schools in September or October 2014, a far greater level of UNCERTAINTY will be introduced into the question of whether the virus is still being carried by a few previously unknown victims, and in that climate of uncertainty the risk of an EXPLOSION of Ebola cases will increase on school and university campuses nationwide. By waiting until January 2015 to open schools, a more accurate and reliable picture of Nigeria's Ebola status will have formed, on the basis of observed infection rates over and additional 3 months.

Governor Fashola has always been one to chart his own path, far from the docile and submissive herd, and Fashola's refusal to endanger Lagos State's children with a premature opening of schools during an epidemic outbreak is yet another example of the man's quiet resolve to do ONLY what is right in every instance.

[b]Your Points are based on assumptions, speculation and unneccessary anxiety which need not to be so at this point in time. Everything should be scientifically verifiable considering the fact that academic calendar is seriously affected and students lying wasteful as homes. Even the normal school lessons that should have served as alternative is not there. Proffessionals at the Ministry of Health are not oblivious of the impending epidermic that might ensue if actually it is not under control. So my submission is, open the schools, diverse measures to curtail spread, create awareness and improvise responses to it. If you think that your problem is Ebola you better think again. Once disease manifest like this, then the uncertainty and panic levels go high. Everything is based on sentiment and not on a precise verifiable data. As far as we live at this point in time in Nigeria, Ebola would never go( I mean psychologically) and if you further delay it the panic button goes higher and higher. Even if it had gone, Nigeria have already been psychologically effected. And in conclusion, who even told you that Ebola might well still be available in Nigeria by now[/b]

mikeansy:

Just as we can not know by September 22nd whether we are ever at risk, we can not also know by January 2015 or possibly 2016 whether there will be Ebola again. Because you can have a target of January 2015 and someone may unfortunately enter naija with Ebola in November! What do you do in that situation? Extend school opening to Easter?

I think we must all continue to work together and tackle Ebola but if Presidency are confident or can increase Ebola watch on students returning to school may be that is the way to go!

Life has to go on!

We can't shut school forever or close market, churches, or all public gatherings!

Mikeansy the reply to your question is written in your own worlds, when you ask rhetorically whether a January 2014 resumption of schools may also be subject to change if new Ebola cases are recorded in Nigeria by November 2013. The short answer is YES, school resumptions could, in the event that Ebola persists on Nigerian soil, be postponed BEYOND January 2015, in order to safeguard the lives of children numbering in the millions nationwide.

By waiting patiently until January 2015 before schools are permitted to resume normal operations, the government would have prepared itself adequately, should there emerge a sudden need to AGAIN postpone school resumption nationwide due to yet more Ebola victims surfacing anywhere within the country. The loss of 3 or 6 months of time out of a student's academic program would be regrettable, though nowhere near as utterly tragic as would be a hasty re-opening of Nigeria's schools and universities, that is then followed by an on-campus spread of Ebola fever.

I think the federal government should allow the NMA / Health Minister take the driver's seat on this matter.