BY: EMMANUEL CHUKWUMA, ENUGU.
The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has assured that the administration will continue to partner with security agencies to enthrone peace and tranquility in the state.
The governor commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force in its pursuit to provide a safe educational learning environment for every Nigerian child, with the establishment of a special squad dedicated to safe schools.
Uzodimma, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu, gave the assurance at a 2-day Nigeria Police Force Forum on the safety of Schools held in Owerri.
He noted that the administration has been working tirelessly along with security agencies to stamp out crime in the state, highlighting that available statistics showed that the crime rate is dropping.
Uzodimma said the theme of the forum, Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of host Communities in the protection of education, was in line with his administration’s resolve to tackle criminality through partnership with the people.
He disclosed that the Nigerian Police have been proactive in crime prevention, ranging from terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, abduction of students, and noted that some of these crimes were caused by deviants, while others are politically motivated.
He said, ”I am happy to report to you that the crime rate in the state has dropped drastically with the concerted efforts of the security agencies in the state “.
He observed that the issue of insecurity has become a global challenge, and with the theme of this summit,, which resonates with the global strategies to tackle insecurity proactively and collectively, it therefore requires holistic involvement of all stakeholders.
Governor Uzodimma, therefore, urged the participants to take the summit seriously and put the resolutions into action, noting that education is essential for national development
Speaking, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 9, Umuahia. Kanayo Uzuegbu stressed that the initiative reflects the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure the safety of our schools, teachers, educational institutions, and communities.
He noted that a safe school is more than a secure structure, and our schools are the foundation upon which our nation’s future is built.
Contributing, the Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad Force Headquarters Abuja, Dr. Abayomi Shogunle highlighted that the project is aimed at strengthening security resilience and Integration of host communities into the security architecture in the protection of education in Nigeria.
According to him, this is to enhance the capacity of security agencies in gathering intelligence reports, preventing and responding to attacks on educational institutions, among other things.
CP Shogunle revealed that the implementation of the National plan on financing safe schools in Nigeria is in phases, with Imo State as one of the pilot states, and recalled that in 2024, the Federal Government launched the safe school initiative to enable children affected by conflicts and insecurity to continue with their education unhindered.
In her goodwill message, the National Coordinator on Financing Safe Schools, Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja, Hajiya Halima Liliya said that the national plan on security of schools has incorporated a multi-level approach for responsive security coverage of the host Communities and our schools.
She therefore called on other states that have not keyed into the programme to do so urgently to achieve measurable results and to increase the Nigerian rating in the human capital index.
