Amidst worsening security threat facing schools in Delta State, critical stakeholders have commended the launch of the safe school initiative and inauguration of schools protection squad in the state by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
The stakeholders at a forum on the security of schools in Delta State and training of the schools protection squad which held in Asaba advocated greater synergy among various security agencies, government, school authorities, pupils, students,teachers and school heads in achieving a safer school and learning environment.
At the event which has as its theme: Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities”, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun described the safe school initiative as a comprehensive, community-based strategy designed to protect schools, empower students and build trust between law enforcement, educators, and families.
He said a dedicated team of officers trained and equipped to safeguard learning institutions and respond swiftly to any threat that may arise had been formed.
IGP Egbetokun represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5, AIG Salman Garba-Dogo, sued for the cooperation of parents, educations, students and police personnel to make the safe school initiative achieve its aims and objectives.
”Let me reiterate that this initiative was born out of the commitment towards ensuring the safety and security of our students and educational institutions.”
”We cannot over emphasize the importance of our schools to the overall development of our dear nation, Our schools are not only sanctuaries of linowledge, but also a nurturing ground for the future leaders of our great nation, Nigeria.”
”In view of the above, I have directed the Commissioners of the Police, within the Zone to engage their various stakeholders in meetings to ensure that the safety of our schools is guaranteed. ”
”This initiative is more than a program, it is a promise. A promise that our children can attend school without fear. That our teachers can focus on education, not emergency response and that every member of our community will play a role in ensuring that safety is not just a priority but a guaranteed right.”
”We live in times where Vigilance is essential. Incidents in schools across the world have shown us that we cannot afford to be complacent. The safe school initiative embodies proactive, preventive, people policing,”, said Egbetokun.
Declaring the event open, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori who noted that security is a shared responsibility, applauded the Nigeria Police for the laudable initiative to confront the new security threat confronting the educational institutions.
The Delta State Governor represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu expressed the hope that the forum would proffer fresh ideas on how to strengthen the Safe School programme and keep children and communities safe.
National Coordinator and Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CP Abayomi Shogunle hinted that the federal government in recognition of its responsibility to create a safer and more secured learning environment, formally signed the safe school declaration document December 2019 to signal the country’s commitment to its implementation alongside 118 member countries.
”Today’s event , Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities, aligns with the national plan on financing safe schools in Nigeria. The plan has a national investment response aimed at protecting schools,learners, teachers and non teaching staff from attacks in all parts of the country, and was designed to achieve measurable outcomes such as reducing the numbers of our of school children and improving Nigeria’s rating in the human capital index in the long run ”, he stated.
In an address of welcome, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda gave an assurance that the school protection unit in the command would work assiduously to protect school children in the state.
There were goodwill messages from various security agencies, education stakeholders and religious bodies.
