NSCDC, NSSRCC collaborate to guarantee security of students in Imo
NSCDC’s Commandant in Imo, Mr Matthew Ovye, said this at a one-day sensitisation and community engagement programme on safe school project, in Owerri, on Thursday.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Security Consciousness In a Volatile Environment’, Ovye restated the command’s commitment to the possibility of a safer and more secure teaching and learning environment which can be achieved by protecting schools, learners and teachers.
He said that with the safe school project, the command will be better able to respond to cases of attacks on schools and violence, in view of current security concerns involving school children.
“As a command, we remain resolutely committed to the safety of lives and properties in Imo, hence our commitment to the security of school teachers and learners alike.
“Fully realizing the importance of education in nation building, we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that with this collaboration forged, we will redouble our efforts in line with our mandate,“ he said.
He thanked the corps’ Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, and the Imo governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, for their moral, logistics and other support which created the enabling environment for the activities of the command.
Speaking, the Head of Research, Media and Advocacy at the NSSRCC headquarters, Abuja, Mrs Ifeoma Annest-Chukwu, said the Centre carries out sensitisation, capacity building and emergency response to ensure safer schools.
She sympathised with parents whose children had become victims of kidnap in the past and assured them of greater commitment to end the unfortunate incidents.
Also, the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Education, Mrs Chinyere Ibe, described insecurity as a “global challenge” which can best be addressed with all hands on deck.
She urged participants in the programme to take keen interest in the key areas of emphasis for their mutual benefits and that of the society in general.
“Government is determined to solve the problem of insecurity in our state schools for which reason, the Ministry of Education will partner more with the NSCDC,” she said.
The event was attended by Heads of Schools and Principals, traditional rulers as well as Heads of security agencies in Imo.
