I never said COVID-19 was sham – Nwajiuba

Federal Ministry of Education has described as unfounded, a story written by Nigerian Pilot Newspaper accusing Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Minister of State for Education, of denying the existence of Corona Virus in the country.

A statement signed by Ben Bem Goong, Director, Press and Public Relations said that Hon. Nwajiuba was said to have described the purported existence of the pandemic in Nigeria as a sham as there is no official evidence.

“The Minister of State was said to have made the allegation when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education yesterday in Abuja while presenting the Ministry’s proposal on the reopening of schools.

“He is quoted to have said ‘nobody has seen this disease in Nigeria. Anybody who says he has seen it is a joker’.

“The Ministry of Education debunks this as the Minister was clearly quoted out of context.

“The story even contradicts itself as it reported that the Minister condemned the decision of Oyo state government to reopen its primary and secondary schools despite the current rising cases of infection in the country and state, in particular.

“If indeed Hon. Nwajiuba does not believe in the existence of Covid-19 in the country, why would he go to the Senate Committee to campaign against the reopening of schools, which implies endangering the lives of innocent school children?

“We all know that the country, including schools, was shutdown in March this year to prevent the spread of Corona Virus, why would the Federal Government do so if the pandemic is not real, knowing the colossal effect on the economy?

“The Honourable Minister of State is even a member of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, which spearheads the fight, why would he agree to part of such a sham knowing that he is a man of integrity?

“It is well known that the Minister has spoken severally against the reopening of schools thus he cannot, in a twist, contradict himself by doubting its existence.

Keen followers of the Ministry will confirm that the stance of the Minister has been against endangering the lives of children.

“The Ministry of Education reaffirms its commitment to the safety of Nigerian children and would, therefore, not do anything to compromise their safety.

“The Federal Government is aware of the damage Corona Virus has caused to the lives of people and economies globally, including Nigeria and this is one of the reasons it is doing all it can to curb its spread.

“The Ministry subsequently urges the public to disregard the report by Nigerian Pilot Newspaper as it is unfounded.

“The report is the work of detractors of the Federal Government who do not want it to succeed in its quest to improve the standard of education in the country as well as protect the wellbeing of Nigerians,” the statement said,” adding: “It will not give up or be discouraged despite their antics.”