Just In: NOUN Postpones Convocation Over Coronavirus

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has postponed its 9th convocation ceremony scheduled for Saturday, March 21 due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Naija News reports that the convocation was meant to be held at the NOUN Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

The postponement was announced in a statement on Tuesday by NOUN’s Registrar, Felix Edoka.

This online news platform reports that about 25, 000 graduating students were expected to participate in the ceremony.

Edoka in his statement noted that the Governing Council and Senate of the university jointly took the decision in view of the health dangers inherent in the gathering of a large number of people at this time.

“The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) wishes to inform the general public, especially our over 25, 000 graduating students, that the 9th convocation ceremonies, scheduled for March 20 and 21, 2020 have been postponed indefinitely.

“Council and Senate jointly took the decision in view of the health dangers inherent in the gathering of a large number of people at this time.

“The inconvenience caused our graduating students, family and friends is regretted,” the statement read.

Naija News recalls that Nigeria has recorded two cases of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, confirmed the first case was an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and returned from Milan, Italy on the 25th of February 2020.

The virus has since been confirmed in more than nine African countries and at least 97 countries globally.