By Gideon Njoku
The Pharmacy Department of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has mass-produced Hand Sanitizers. The Sanitizers are being distributed to state governments through the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASSU to help in the containment of Coronavirus.
On Tuesday, it was the turn of Imo State Government to receive its own batch of the Sanitizers. This production comes at a time when fake hand sanitizers have flooded the country.
Receiving the products on behalf of Governor Hope Uzodinma on Tuesday, Chairman of the Covid-19 Prevention and Control Committee, Prof. Maurice Iwu stated that ASUU’s donation consists of well researched sanitizers, which he said is the greatest gift to the government of Imo State.
Professor Iwu, who revealed that the sanitisers were produced by the Department of Pharmacy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, encouraged the Association never to rest on its oars, but continue to carry out medical research especially at this time that the Corona virus pandemic is ravaging the world.
He further commended the ASUU for daring all handicaps, including the non-payment of salaries, disagreement with government and the stay at home order, to produce what would help sedate the corona virus scourge.
Prof. Iwu added that the state government was grateful for the presentation which he described as “the greatest donation the government has received so far.”
He noted: “That Government has so far received other palliatives to cushion the effect of the corona virus disease and stay at home other but the State government is seeing this from the point of view of the sacrifice you made to come to this level of presentation.”
Prof. Iwu assured the association that the sanitizers will get to the targeted audience as well as be put to good use in the fight against the dreaded disease.
Earlier, the leader of Academic Staff Union of Universities and the zonal leader of Owerri zone, Prof. Uzochukwu Onyebinama said the donation is their humble contribution towards Governor Uzodimma’s efforts in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.
Prof. Onyebinama reassured the government that ASUU members will not relent in the research programme to discover lasting solution to the disease especially now that scientists all over the world are tasked for such as a result of corona virus.
He implored all Nigerian Universities and other stakeholders to stand up to the challenge and ensure that Covid-19 war is defeated.
