COVID-19: National Library Association (NLA), Anambra Chapter Takes Sensitization To Public Places, Shares Facemasks

As part her efforts to curtail the spread of coronavirus in the state, the National Library Association, Anambra State Chapter has taken campaign and sensitization against the pandemic to various markets, motor parks, police barrack and other strategic places across the three geopolitical zones in the state.

The exercise which took place at Eke Awgbu Market in Orumba North Local Government Area, Eke Ekwulobia in Aguata LGA, Police Barracks and Motor Parks in Onitsha among others, also featured the distribution of over one thousand pieces of facemasks to the masses.

Speaking to National Light, the Director, Anambra State Library Board, Dr. Nkechi Udeze said the exercise was informed by the association's ardency to contribute and join hands in the fight against COVID-19, having observed that most people no longer wear facemasks or heed to the directives given by the government and the WHO as the surest ways to prevent the spread of the virus.

Registering her surprise on how the people gladly grabbed the facemask, contrary to her initial assumption that they might not be interested in it, Dr. Udeze expressed optimism that continuous exercise and sensitization as these would go a long way in activating sense of responsibility in the minds of the people, thereby helping to curtail the spread of the disease.

On her own part, the Coordinator of the exercise in Anambra North Senatorial Zone, Mrs. Ngozi Osuchukwu, who also doubles as the Secretary General of NLA in the state, noted that the gesture was part of their corporate social responsibility, and testified that it has made most people understand the importance of wearing facemasks, have their own facemasks, and know more about coronavirus and its preventive measures than they did before.

Recounting their experience during the sensitization, the Anambra South Coordinator of the exercise, Mr. Umego Valentine Chukwuebuka of the Department of Library and Information Science, Unizik, narrated how people trooped out en masse and nearly pushed them down at Eke Ekwulobia market while struggling to get the facemasks.

This, according to him, implies that many people are interested in wearing but still do not have facemasks, even as at now, while some have only one. He therefore called on the government to massively procure and distribute the mask to the people, not counting who already has one and who does not have, in order to keep the spread of the disease in check.

Some of the beneficiaries, including Mrs. Uzoamaka Akigwe and Mr Clement Orakwe appreciated NLA for their kind gesture, and promised to be wearing and changing their facemasks regularly, and to start keeping the directive given by the government to reduce the spread of the disease.

Other librarians and members of the association who participated in the exercise include: Mrs Ify Okonkwo, Mrs Ada Obuezie, Mrs Ezeibe Franca, Ogueto Julia Chinwe, Mrs Perpetual, Mr Alpho Ekpemogu, Mrs Chinyelu Mba, Mrs Ifeyinwa Okonkwo, Miss Chisom Nwadibe, Mrs Ijeoma, Mrs Adaora Obuezie, Mrs Chioma Onyenucheya among others.