In a renewed effort to ensure the safety and security of schools in the South-South geopolitical zone, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Delta State Command hosted a two days sensitization workshop for strategic stakeholders in the region on the activities of the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre and the Safe Schools programme with a call on all stakeholders to support the program in the region.
The State Commandant, Suleiman A. Jimoh in his welcome address said the Commandant General of the NSCDC was passionate about the Safe Schools programme as parents cannot continously loss their children who wants to get education to kidnappers, bandits and rapists.
The State NSCDC boss noted that Insecurity was not only kidnaping but bullying, cultism among other social vices and said the corps will train teachers also.
He commended the State Governor, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for his support to see that the command was provided with a coordination centre to kick start the program.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi in his keynote address said the project was a critical component of the implementation strategy of the National Plan on Safe Schools developed by the government to mobilise synergy among security agencies and relevant stakeholders to protect schools and create a secure environment for teaching and learning.
The Commandant General who was represented by Commandant Ahmed Abodunrin the new NSCDC Commandant of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre said the idea of the program was to curb attacks and provide protection for schools and host communities.
He described schools as critical national assets and infrastructure that must be protected and called for synergy from the State government, local government, traditional rulers and other Sister Security Agencies to work together by sharing intelligence to tackle criminalities.
In her goodwill message, the State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu commended the NSCDC for the program noting that it would help to checkmate activities of vandals in schools.
Mrs. Ezewu who was represented by her Special Adviser, Mr. Ejiro Mayor, promised that the Ministry would synergize and provide the corps with all necessary support needed for the program to be successful.
The Closing ceremony which was well attended by Service Commanders of Sister Security Agencies and Mrs Okolosi Pamela who is the representative of the Hon. Commissioner for Primary Education, Delta State.
Commandant Suleiman in his vote of thanks appreciated the Delta State Government, other Sister Security Agencies, and the participants who were drawn from all the states in the South South geopolitical zone for making the workshop a huge success.