By Uzoma Akobundu
Students and pupils in public primary and secondary schools in Anambra, Imo, Delta and other parts of the South East are pulling out of their schools following a military planned immunization programme which they are suspicious about.
Their parents have besieged their wards schools to pull their children from the schools, according to reports available to Armadanews.com.
At St. Patrick Primary School in Ozubulu Anambra State for instance, the school was shut down due to this fears the parents made to withdraw their wards.
The military said the programme is part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
But it was feared that the military authorities failed to create enough awareness for the exercise, causing the communities to be suspicious of it.
It took a rumour from the development in Anambra for the fear to grow in other neighbouring parts of Imo, Delta, among others.
However, a statement by the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Prof. Chukwulobelu Solo said the governor, Willie Obiano had ordered the immediate suspension of the exercise until wide sensitizationis conducted, but warned parents against pulling their wards from schools because of the programme.
He also urged all schools in the state to remain open as “there is no cause for alarm.”
Solo’s statement read: “The attention of the State Government has been drawn to an on going medical outreach being undertaken by the Army in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area.
The State has been made to understand that the exercise is part of Army social responsibility to members of the public.
“However, strong apprehension among the populace has followed the exercise leading to withdrawal of students from schools by parents, misconception of the actual motive behind the exercise by stakeholders, community leaders and a general reservation by the public for whom the outreach is intended.
“To this end and to ensure no further escalation of the situation, His Excellency the Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has contacted the Army Authories and advised for immediate stoppage of the medical outreach until wide sensitization is conducted to reassure people of its intentions and benefits. The exercise has therefore been put on hold.
“Parents and guardians are strongly advised to stop withdrawing their wards from schools as the situation has been handled. All schools within the State will remain open as there is no cause for alarm! Community leaders, Presidents General and all Stakeholders are hereby reassured of the commitment of the Governor and the State Government to the wellbeing of Ndi Anambra.
“The State Government also strongly condemns observed rhetorics on social media completely misrepresenting the situation with insinuations of spread of diseases and death of students in schools arising from the exercise.
“The State categorically refutes these rhetorics and confirms that there is no death of any student anywhere in the State. Mischief makers are warned to desist from spreading falsehood. Anambra remains calm and peaceful!
Thank you!”
Also, the police in Anambra have said the immunisation has nothing to do with the Monkeypox disease, describing it as “false rumour.”
A statement by the Anambra State Police Command signed by Assistant Suprintendent of Police (ASP) Nkeiruka Nwude, the Public Relations Officer, said: “Following the rumour being spread by some misguided elements that some persons on soldier uniform invaded schools in Anambra injecting monkey pox to scholars.
“The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the general Public and Ndi-Anambra that the rumour/false story being spread is falsehood. It is pertinent to note that it is a routine medical outreach by the military.
“It is difficult to understand what the people who spread such false story will gain in this evil story which is aimed at truncating the peace of Ndi-Anambra and education of the children.
“However, the Command wishes to assure the general public and Ndi-Anambra of their safety at all times and to disregard such story, debunk it as hard as they could.
Thank you.”