A steering group for the state’s safe schools initiative has been established by the Ondo State Government.
This was reportedly a component of the state’s efforts to shield schoolchildren from kidnapping and other crimes.
A federal government initiative called the Safe Schools Initiative was created to shield educators, children, and educational facilities against abuse, kidnapping, and other threats.
Igbekele Ajibefun, the state Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, stated during the committee’s Tuesday inauguration in Akure that the committee was established expressly to fulfill important duties, offer strategic guidance, and improve stakeholder coordination.
He claims that representatives from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, religious and traditional leaders, and Parents-Teachers Association are among the steering committee members.
“You are to support the implementation of the Safe Schools Programme and strengthen mechanisms to prevent security threats in the educational institutions of the state,” the commissioner who serves as the committee chairman charged the members. “As the chairman of the committee, Ajibefun emphasized that the success of the initiative largely rests on the active participation of all stakeholders.”
Ajibefun cautioned the members to carry out their responsibilities with diligence, commitment, integrity, and a strong sense of purpose, explaining that security is a shared responsibility requiring vigilance, preparedness, resilience, and collective action.
Akindele Ige, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry and the committee’s secretary, said earlier in his welcome speech that the committee’s creation was a direct reaction to the escalating security risks directed towards schools.
Recent attacks, according to Ige, have highlighted the necessity of intentional, organized, and ongoing actions to safeguard kids, teachers, and school infrastructure throughout the state.
“No meaningful teaching can take place where there is fear, and no effective learning can occur where there is insecurity,” he declared.
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