COVID-19 Update: Again, Kaduna Extends Lockdown For Another Two Weeks
The Kaduna State Government has extended the lockdown imposed on the state to contain the spread of the coronavirus for another two weeks, starting from June 1, 2020.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, made the announcement in a broadcast to residents on Tuesday.
Balarabe also noted that the two-day lockdown relaxation window remains Wednesdays and Thursdays but from June 1, the relaxation window will be extended to three days, to include Tuesdays.
The government had imposed its quarantine orders on the state for one month starting from March 26 and at the expiration on April 26, it was extended to May 26.
The Deputy Governor who is also the Chairperson of the COVID-19 Task Force in the state noted that the state will continue to monitor and ensure residents’ compliance to the safety guideline such as wearing of face masks, washing of hands and avoiding large gatherings.
She said a violation of these guidelines will now force the government to impose stricter measures.
In the same vein, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufa’i says the 218 Almajirai who were repatriated to Kaduna from Kano, Nassarawa, Plateau and Gombe States would be enrolled in free and compulsory primary education.
The governor said every child in the state including the Almajiri has equal opportunity and access to 12 years of free and compulsory education in the state’s public school.
El-Rufai who disclosed this on Monday on his Facebook page added that the COVID-19 test was carried out on all the Almajirai and they all tested negative.
He explained that children would not be denied Islamic education, noting that, plans have been put in place to ensure the children go to an Islamic school in the evening and at the weekend.
“I am pleased to see our Almajiri children the batch of 218 from Kano, Nassarawa, Plateau & Gombe States looking well & free of Covid 19. With the support of @UNICEF_Nigeria, AMA Foundation, other NGOs & philanthropists, they are being restored full human rights as children, dignity & hope!
“Every child in Kaduna has equal opportunity and access to 12 years of Free and Compulsory Education in our public schools.
“The next step is for the Commissioner of Human Services & Social Development, Mrs Hafsat Baba and her team to return them to their parents in collaboration with Local Government Chairmen and Traditional Rulers. All the children are to be compulsorily enrolled in the primary school nearest to them so they have modern education and life skills in the morning, and continue their Quranic or Islamic education in the afternoon and over the weekend.
“That is how many of us got our education. That is what the Nothern States’ Governors’ Forum decided. These children may the future of Northern Nigeria. – Nasir @el-Rufai.”
The Almajirai are currently kept in interim care at Government College, Kaduna.
The governor, therefore, assured the children that the state’s decision to reunite them with their families is in their best interest.
