EBONYI
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have commenced moves to secure schools in Ebonyi through the launch of the Safe School Initiative.
The Commandant of the Corps, Felix Gbolade, gave the during a 2-day train-the-trainee capacity building seminar on safe schools in the state.
Gbolade said that the initiative was a response to the incessant attacks on institutions of learning by criminal elements in society.
“The project would build on steps taken by the federal government, the NSCDC, and other stakeholders to sustain a safe environment for schools in the country.
“The female strike force of the corps would spearhead the initiative by patrolling schools to monitor activities within their environment”.
The state commandant noted that the program’s commencement testified to the corps’ resolve to check insecurity in schools in the state.
“We are at the same time ensuring the overall well-being of students and staff.
“We all can assist to ensure a coordinated platform that brings relevant stakeholders together in achieving the desired goals”.
He noted that the initiative would commence from Ebonyi’s north senatorial district and hoped to be subsequently extended to other districts.
“We however solicit that key stakeholders be identified and mobilized to promote the project across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state.
Governor David Umahi represented by Dr. Sunday Nwangele, Commissioner for Education expressed satisfaction over the initiative and noted that the government would support it.
“I, however, encourage the corps to expand the project to other senatorial districts of the state for better results.
“I also urged students teachers, and principals, among others to take advantage of the program and provide vital information to security agencies,”
He noted that the state government was committed to ensuring the safety of its schools and another segment of its existence.
“The participants should pay attention to the tutorials at the seminar to enable them to identify possible security threats within their environment,”
The state Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba represented by ACP David Kolo urged students, and teachers among other stakeholders in the school system to be security conscious.
The State Commandant of Federal Fire Service, Mr. Iruegbu Okpan charged teachers and school management in the state to increase fire prevention and control awareness in their environment.
The theme of the seminar was ‘strategies for sustainable safe schools in Ebonyi.