Edo Govt directive on compulsory COVID-19 vaccination for teachers is a draconian directive -BSM

By Angela James,

Benin Solidarity Movement, BSM has frowned at the recent announcement from the Edo State Ministry of Education signed by the Permanent Secretary, Stella Maris Imasuen, insisting that “teachers are to be compulsorily vaccinated against the COVID-19 as staff of the Ministry of Health will be on ground to administer the vaccines to teachers in their schools from Monday, 10th May 2021,” when schools would be resuming.

The organisation described the announcement which was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Stella Maris Imasuen, as a misnomer and a draconian directive from the Edo State Government.

President of the organisation worldwide, Elder Curtis Ugbo said “definitely something is wrong with this government announcement which sounds very authoritarian.

“We thought that the Covid-19 vaccine can only be administered on people who wanted it.

“Should people be forced to take the vaccine against their wishes? Of what use is the vaccine which doesn’t guarantee any cure or stop the usage of the facemask?”

While noting that the notice is against the rights of the Civil Servant and the people of Edo State, Elder Comrade Ugbo maintained that the State Government should have a rethink to avoid a backlash which could include litigations by some people or violent confrontation by others.

” Why were the covid -19 palliatives of 2020 which included food, materials, and even stipends not forced on Edo State people even when the foodstuff got spoilt where they were hidden faraway from people’s reach?

The Edo State Government should act with a lot of wisdom. The government is the government of the people and should respect the rights of Edo State citizens not like what this notice seems to portray”, he enthused.