Kebbi Govt. sensitises Principals to safe schools initiative

Kebbi Govt. sensitises Principals to safe schools initiative

The Kebbi Government has organised a sensitisation workshop for Principals of Secondary Schools and Colleges on Safe Schools Initiative, as schools resume academic activities across the state.

The Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS) reports that the workshop followed the abduction of students of Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in November last year, who were later rescued.

Speaking at the final session held on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Halima Muhammad-Bande, said the initiative was directed by Gov. Nasir Idris.

She said the workshop aimed to strengthen security awareness among school administrators and staff towards preventing a recurrence of such incidents.

The commissioner said similar sessions had earlier been held in Zuru, Yauri, Jega, Bunza and Argungu Local Government Areas of the state.

Muhammad-Bande stressed that principals, vice-principals, teachers and students all had critical roles to play in ensuring school security.

“We must not allow our collective psyche for peaceful living to be taken away by bandits.

“This is the essence of these fora, to ensure the smooth running of schools through security consciousness for a conducive learning environment,” she said.

The commissioner urged school authorities to maintain cordial relations with their host communities, describing them as key stakeholders in the security architecture of their localities.

She also advised principals to maintain regular contact with security agencies for professional guidance on proactive and emergency security measures.

Muhammad-Bande commended Gov. Idris for approving the deployment of security personnel to schools across the state, noting that the move had boosted the confidence of teachers and students to pursue their academic activities peacefully.

The commissioner further praised the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) for educating school administrators on basic security awareness and protective measures.

“Confidence has been restored among parents and students of the Maga Girls’ School through counselling and full deployment of security personnel, paving the way for the resumption of academic activities,” he said.

In his remarks, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge of Operations, Kebbi Command, ACP Yakubu Lawal-Gumi, cautioned principals against negligence that could expose schools to criminal elements.

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“You must always manage your schools with security consciousness.

“Ensure adequate lighting, as criminals detest exposure, and remain alert to suspicious characters,” he advised.

The Deputy Commandant of the NSCDC in the state, Mr Wale Henry, decried the porous nature of some school environments and stressed the need for proper fencing.

“The pillars of security include proper fencing, vigilance and intelligent personnel manning the school gates,” he revealed.

He also warned against internal security threats, citing cases of cultism and other forms of deviant behaviour among students, and called for strict monitoring to prevent external and internal influences that could lead to criminality.

“Principals must tackle internal security challenges as an antidote to external misconduct,” he warned.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, retired Col. Danladi Hassan-Ribah, said Gov. Idris’ directive to secure school environments across the state had been implemented.

He described the workshops as part of efforts to consolidate on the safe and conducive learning environment in schools