Coronavirus is a sham’ , minister distances self

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Minister of State for Education, Honourable Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba has distanced himself from a statement credited to him as having said that coronavirus in Nigeria is a sham.

In a publication by national Nigerian daily where it carried on the 24th June that the minister said, that the much dreaded COVID-19 virus does not exist and that “anybody who says he has it is a joker” which was credited to him to have been said when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education in Abuja.

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The Hon. Minister in his response to the publication, through a press release signed By Ben Bem Goong,
Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, made available to nation update stated in clear terms that the Minister was quoted out of context.

The release further argued that the news newspaper contradicts itself, wonders how there was a report on Oyo state attributed to the Minister, condemning the decision of Oyo State government to reopen its primary and secondary schools despite the current rising cases of infection in the country.

“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.”

“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 Minister of State is even a member of the Presidential Task Force on COVID -19, which spearheads the fight, why would he agree to be 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 release stated.

The said Newspaper has however maintained its claim, stating that the Minister did describe the existence of the novel coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria as a sham, given the evidence at its disposal.