The Vice-Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Prof. Nlerum S. Okogbule has commended the institution’s Alumni Association for embarking on a Sensitization/free distribution of hand sanitizers campaign against the Coronavirus which has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Vice-Chancellor who made the commendation when he flagged off the campaign in his office on Wednesday 15th April 2020, expressed delight that graduates of the institution are concerned on how the Coronavirus has affected individuals and all sectors in the country, noting that the sensitization campaign will contribute towards the measures already put in place by the Rivers State Government to fight the dreaded virus.
He stated that the University has equally contributed to the Rivers State Government’s effort with the donation of over 100 cartons of Hand Sanitizers to the Ministry of Health.
Prof. Okogbule used the forum to thank Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for giving him the opportunity to serve in the capacity as Vice-Chancellor, promising that he will do his best to ensure that the University becomes outstanding within and outside the country.
Earlier in his address, the National President of the Alumni Association, Prince Anyanate Kio, said the Association decided to start her Sensitization Campaign against the Coronavirus in the University as a way to give back to her Alma Mater.
The National President thanked the university management for the provision of resources which assisted the Department of Chemistry to commence the production of Hand Sanitizers, stressing that the Association was pleased to partner with the Department to promote the product.
He also expressed gratitude to Wisdom To Wealth & Dev. Foundation, Hon. Kelly George, Chief Mrs. Constance Amala and other members of the Alumni Association who contributed financially to the success of the campaign.
Prince Kio assured the Vice-Chancellor that the Association will continue to work in synergy with the Management of the University to ensure that the dreams of the founding fathers of the institution are realised.
Highpoint of the Sensitization Campaign was the presentation of hand sanitizers and flyers containing tips on how to prevent the virus, to the Vice-Chancellor.
The Alumni body also took the sensitization campaign to the office of other principal officers in the University.
Receiving the group in her office, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Opuenebo Binya Owei, praised the Alumni Association for the initiative, stating that the campaign will go a long way to complement the efforts been made on the fight against the virus, expressing worries that some persons in the State are still going about their business like they use to prior to the advent of the virus.
Also speaking, the Registrar of the University, Dr. Sydney Enyindah lauded the initiative and called on the Alumni Association to also provide palliative to the needy in the society.
