The Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Oyo State Council has fumigated its secretariat in Ibadan as part of effort to protect premises and members from the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fumigation exercise was carried 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 reopens on Thursday.
Mr Ademola Babalola, the State NUJ Chairman, said that the fumigation exercise was necessary to protect the environment and members from COVID-19 which might have been brought into the premises unknowingly.
“Against that background, we felt that in doing that assignment, going about, sourcing for news here and there, we might have unknowingly brought that virus to this environment.
“Apart from journalists working here 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 the 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,” he said.
Babalola called on media owners and other corporate organisations in the state to fumigate their premises, saying the union was ready to assist them in securing the services reasonable amount.
“We are happy that Active Partners has been licences by the state government to go about all the nooks and crannies of the state to offer this service to the 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.
Mr Kazeem Lamidi, a Consultant with Active Partners, said the company has put in place standard materials and machineries to fumigate institutions against the virus.
“COVID-19 is a pandemic, so everybody need to collaborate to support government effort. 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 advise, we can subside the effect of COVID-19 in Oyo State.
“Our chemical is human friendly, environmental friendly, animal friendly, . It doesn’t have any side effect on human and material even plant,” he said.
Mr Olugbenga Ajani, a Sanitary Health worker and consultant to the firm, described the materials used as organic, saying they are environmental and human friendly.
“At our level here, what they have done here is 100 percent good and has actually complied with the world health standard and United Nations,” he said.
NAN reports that the union after the fumigation exercise was issued a certificate by the Federal Ministry of Environment.