NSCDC restates commitment to security of schools

Determined to control attacks on schools across the country, the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ahmed Audi, has assured that its operatives will continue to provide the needed security for schools to enhance a safe teaching and learning environment.

He gave the assurance at a one-day stakeholders workshop organised by the Corps, with the theme, ‘Ensuring Schools Security For Sustainable National Development’ in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the Corps Spokesperson, Olusola Odumosu on Thursday, the CG stated that the workshop would provide a forum for stakeholders to thoroughly examine the draft Standard Operating Procedure document for the purpose of validation and full national implementation.

Represented by the Assistant Commandant General in charge of Operations, ACG Philip Ayuba, the CG described the Safe Schools Programme of the Federal Government as laudable, reiterating that “It will bring an end to the series of attacks on schools and kidnapping of school children in the country.

“The workshop also seeks to harvest inputs, welcome suggestions and process the various contributions of other stakeholders towards the commencement of Safe Schools Operations in Nigeria.”

The Corps helmsman maintained that in continuation with its resolve to ensure security in schools, the NSCDC with assistance from the Federal Ministry of Finance flagged off the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre on February 13, 2023 to commence the national implementation of the programme.

The representative of the Minister of Finance and Coordinator of the National Safe Schools Programme, Hajiya Iliya, commended the NSCDC for prioritising schools security and also leading in setting up of a Coordination Centre for the Safe Schools Programme at the NSCDC National Headquarters.

She pledged on behalf of the Minister to facilitate the funding of the programme before the end of the present administration, as efforts were underway to ensure the release of necessary funds.

In the same vein, the Chairman of the SOP drafting committee, Prof Tyoor Terhemba, expressed confidence in the composition of the participants for the workshop and encouraged them to make the best use of the technical session for useful contributions to the draft policy document.

Tyoor said the document would be produced, published and made available to key actors who would be trained to carry out major response activities.