The Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola, welcomed the new students and the final year students back to school as the institution commenced COVID-19 test.

Prof. Babalola in a statement made available to CEOAFRICA on Monday, welcomed staff and the students of the institution, and assured the safety of all and sundry as necessary COVID-19 measures had been put in place on campus.

In her statement, the VC stated that “Today marks the first day of starting our physical 2020/2021 academic activities after three weeks of online lectures amid COVID-19 second wave.

“It is my utmost pleasure, on behalf of Chrisland University’s management, to welcome our students and staff into this journey of another academic session of excellence.

 “I also specially welcome our new students into this great citadel of learning.  

“You have made a right choice. This is because Chrisland University awards two certifications to its students. Aside the academic degrees given, entrepreneurship certificate will as well be awarded.

“In Chrisland University, our focus is excellence! So we must always thrive in excellence, ensuring we take the lead in everything we do,” she added.

Recall that the learning institution had on January 11th commenced its first semester academic activities via online, making it the first institution to commence academic activities in Nigeria amid COVID-19 second wave, with the aid of its HP- Classera- a technology-initiative developed for the institution to complete a successful second semester of the 2019/2020 academic session.

Prior to the resumption, Chrisland University Management Team  had put in place safety measures to mitigate the raging coronavirus on campus.

Speaking on the COVID-19 second wave, Babalola said “Concerning the second wave of the dreadful coronavirus, which is rampant again across nations and even in the country, Nigeria, we are set to join hands together with the government and the primary health agencies in charge in curbing COVID-19 spread.

 “The Management has procured necessary kits for COVID-19 test in the school’s Health Centre, hence, ordered compulsory COVID-19 test for the students before proceeding to their various hotels; students are mandated to always put on their face mask while on campus, and regular hands washing and sanitizing of hands are made compulsory for the staff and students.”

She added that fully automated hand washing machines have been positioned at vital areas in the institution such as the Main Gate, Vice Chancellor’s Office, Male Hostel, Female Hostel, Academic Block, Health Centre, University Auditorium, and the Cafeteria to ensure proper compliance with the NCDC directives on COVID-19 safety protocols.  

The Vice Chancellor advised the staff and students who have physically returned to Campus to ensure strict obedience to the COVID-19 guidelines in order to curtail the virus on campus.

The University  had earlier announced 31st January as the resumption date for the new students, final year students and all JUPEB students, while 300 level and 200 level student are to resume on the 7th February, 2021 for the continuation of the first semester, 2020/2021 academic session.

The reason for splitting the resumption dates was to reduce the number of students on campus in order to adhere to the NCDC precautionary measures on COVID-19.

It is worthy of note, that  Chrisland university still continues to blend the face-to-face lectures with the virtual learning to contain the spread of the pandemic.