Lagos state Governor, Bbajide Sanwoolu has commended the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi over the NSCDC’s commitment at ensuring safety of the school children across the country.
The Safe School Initiative was the brainchild of the Federal Government initiated in 2014 as a response to numerous attacks and abduction of school pupils in the northwest.
Represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the governor tasked the NSCDC to help out in keeping schools in Lagos state safe most especially primary and post-primary schools.
“I would like to commend the efforts of the NSCDC in the federal government’s safe schools project and Lagos State government is also counting on the corps. We have more than 1000 primary schools in Lagos not to talk of the secondary schools and the government is working round the clock to keep the pupils safe from any external aggression.”
In his response, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi commended the governor for the support the Corps is enjoying in the State pointing out that Lagos State remains a sine qua non to the establishment and eventual success of the NSCDC as the government’s paramilitary agency.
“The journey of the Corps began in Lagos in 1967 during the civil war and it was called Lagos State Civil Defence Committee before it got its nationwide spread. So, there is no way we can write NSCDC history without mentioning the big brother and remarkable role and efforts played by Lagos State. “
Like Oliver Twist, the CG solicited more from the Lagos State government on the need for a permanent site for the Corps in Lagos State and also a befitting Office for the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre( NSSRCC).
“As a lead agency in the safe school programme, with the military, the Nigeria Police and other notable key stakeholders. We have conducted a vulnerability survey of all schools in the country and have statistics on all the vulnerable schools. Part of the plans to have effective operation is the establishment of the NSSRCC centre across the country.”