Chairman of the University of Ibadan chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Ayo Akinwole, Sunday hinted that the union has produced 3,000 reusable face masks for distribution to its members.
Professor Akinwole dropped the hint in Ibadan while speaking at the formal presentation of the reusable face masks.
According to the ASUU chairman, the gesture was to protect the union members from COVID-19 infection, in and across the premier university, saying it was important that ASUU members get access to face masks that is produced at international standard.
Flanked by Dr Dapo Okareh, chairman of the ASUU UI-treated cotton face masks and Dr Sola Omoregie, secretary of ASUU UI), the ASUU chairman stressed that the cotton face masks would ensure that members are protected from infection when they use the masks and observe physical distancing among other preventive advisories while in the public space.
Emphasising that a number of ASUU members had been playing major roles in the fight against COVID-19 nationwide, Akinwole lamented that government was not doing enough to protect frontline health workers from being infected.
“As a union of intellectuals, the ASUU boss noted that the union cannot allow her members to purchase and use masks freely sold on the streets of which majority failed to follow international standards of producing face masks,” he said.
Speaking, chairman of the ASUU-UI treated cotton face masks production committee, Dr Dapo Okareh, stated that the committee utilised cotton fabric, absorbent, cellofilter, organofilter, liner, pearls and other materials, adding that the face masks were already treated with laid down procedures for treating after use.
