The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, says it has fumigated its secretariat in Ibadan as part of the efforts to protect members from the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Mr Ademola Babalola, the State NUJ Chairman, said that the fumigation exercise was necessary to protect the environment and members from the spread of COVID-19, which might have been brought into the premises unknowingly.
“Against that background, we felt that in doing that assignment, sourcing for news here and there, we might have unknowingly brought that virus to this environment.
“Apart from journalists working in this secretariat, we also have some visitors who on daily basis come here to do one thing or the other in the NUJ premises.
“We feel that there is need for us to fumigate the environment to make sure that we are able to drive away any virus that may be lurking around to affect or afflict our colleagues,” Babalola said.
He called on media owners and other corporate organisations in the state to fumigate their premises.
The NUJ chairman said that the union was ready to assist them in securing the services of the company at reasonable amount.
“We are happy that Active Partners has been licenced by the state government to go about all the nooks and crannies of the state to offer this service of fumigation to people of the state at reasonable amount of money.
“I want to use this medium to advise media owners and other corporate organisations to liaise with NUJ,” he said.
Also, Mr Kazeem Lamidi, a Consultant with Active Partners, said the company had put in place standard materials and machineries in place to fumigate institutions against the virus.
“COVID-19 is a pandemic, so everybody needs to collaborate to support government efforts. So, in our own little way, we decided to come in as professionals.
“We are chemical and fumigation company in Nigeria. With our little professional advice, we can subside the effect of COVID-19 in Oyo State,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the fumigation was carried out on Wednesday at the secretariat in Ibadan by Active Partners Consultants ,a chemical and fumigation company.
NAN reports that the union secretariat which was locked down on Wednesday for the fumigation exercise will reopen on Thursday.
The union, after the fumigation, was issued a certificate by the Federal Ministry of Environment.
