The Sole Administrator of Nwangele LGA, Hon Chief Paul Duru, on Tuesday, July 2, flagged off Training/Workshop on National Safe School Project for the local government as organized by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, at the council headquarters, Amaigbo, with participants, including other security agencies, traditional institutions and schools stressing the need to protect pupils, students and staff for the future.
Performing the exercise, Hon Duru
who appreciated the Nwangele NSCDC Division for the project, averred that security measures being discussed for schools, should go beyond violent and criminal activities, but to also encompass proactive and preventive actions against various infectious diseases that threaten the lives of pupils, students and teachers, citing the recent outbreak of Cholera as an example.
The SOLAD, disclosed that he had visited primary schools around the LGA to ascertain their needs because of the priority his administration placed on the welfare, security and advancement of the schools. He commended the initiative as being in line with his vision and assured of adequate support towards actualizing safe schools in the area. Hon. Duru also tasked management of various schools to imbibe security measures and sanitation.
On his own, the Chairman of the event and former SA to the Governor on Education, Hon Prince Ezeala Akano, while stressing the importance of peace and security in schools, added that the occasion would enlighten stakeholders and students on their roles in maintaining security in schools and communities. He commended security operatives in the area for the prevalent peace in the area.
Addressing participants, the Chief Superintendent of the Corps, Nwangele NSCDC Division, CSC Nwachukwu Stanley, revealed that the training and workshop the event aimed concerned the roles of students and stakeholders in achieving the safe school project. While urging them to take the matter seriously, CSC Nwachukwu, opined that the situation called for reorientation of all concerned, as well as counseled indigines of the area to take renewed interest in schools that trained them.
Delivering his lecture, the Guest Speaker, Commandant Jamhill Ogwumike, highlighted the importance of school system in human development and nation building, but added that security and safety of learning environments are crucial towards achieving the purpose of education. He disclosed that the project was launched in 2015 by the federal government in response to security threats against schools, following the abduction of students in some parts to the country among others.
Ogwumike, said: “The National Safe School Project is an initiative aimed at creating a safe, secured and supportive learning environments for students, teachers and staff in schools across the country; to protect educational institutions from threats and increasing attacks by bandits, and to checkmate and forestall such ugly incidents in any part of the country.” He averred that the “Role of Stakeholders” which formed the event’s theme, solicited active contributions by government, security agencies, civil groups school authorities/students, communities and parents etc.
Contributing, the Chairman, Nwangele Council of Traditional Institution and Community Policing Eze Ononenyi Uzoma, harped on increased funding from government for the project to be realized, while pledging their commitment. The event which featured various contributions and clarifications, had in attendance, ASP Sunday Okoi (Police); SP Azubuike Onyeagocha (Immigration); DRC B. E Okpogu (Road Safety Commission); Comrade Uchechi Osuagwu (NOA) as well as various schools in the LGA.
