Minister: We will stand up to pressure to reopen schools

While under pressure to reopen schools in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government on Wednesday said it would avoid it.

Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, the Minister of State for Education, made this known Thursday during a briefing in Abuja.

He said, "Yes, the Ministry is under extreme pressure to reopen schools but will never yield to such pressure until the curve of infection starts to soften.

"The Ministry of Education reaffirms its commitment to Nigerian children's protection and would therefore do nothing to threaten their welfare. The Federal Government is mindful of the harm done by coronavirus to citizens and economies worldwide, including Nigeria. And, no matter the blackmail, we will not compromise an inch in this regard.

"The Honorable Minister of State and indeed the Ministry are also of the belief that no child should die of COVID-19 because of the reopening of schools at the wrong time and will therefore resist all pressure to do so."