Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has reaffirmed that school security remains a central pillar of his administration’s education reform programme, declaring that no child should learn in an unsafe environment.
The Governor made the declaration on Wednesday in his office, while receiving a delegation from the National Safe School Integrated Command and Intelligence System led by its National Commander, Dr. Umannah Samuel Amadi.
Governor Otti stressed that his administration remains unwavering in its commitment to providing a safe, secure and conducive learning environment for every child across Abia State, noting that quality education cannot thrive without adequate security.
The Governor also commended the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for its steadfast support in strengthening security across the state, particularly in safeguarding lives and property following the withdrawal of police protection from some public office holders and VIPs.
He observed that the increasing incidents of abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in some parts of the country have made it imperative for governments to place greater emphasis on school safety, stressing that every school being reconstructed or newly built under his administration must meet strict security requirements.
“Every school we are renovating or constructing in Abia must meet minimum security standards.
“They must be properly fenced, have gates and security personnel. We are determined to ensure that our children learn in a safe and secure environment,” Governor Otti stated.
Governor Otti further disclosed that his administration has consistently devoted 20 percent of the state’s annual budget to the education sector, covering school infrastructure, teachers’ welfare, curriculum development and other strategic interventions aimed at transforming education in Abia.
Speaking on emergency preparedness, the Governor revealed that Abia State already operates a fully functional Command and Control Centre with the emergency response number 112, explaining that the state’s existing emergency response architecture would seamlessly integrate with the National Safe School initiative to improve coordination and response during emergencies.
“We already have a Command and Control Centre. What is required is integration, not duplication. Once there is an emergency, the response system is activated immediately, and by working together, we will achieve our common objective of protecting our schools,” Governor Otti added.
Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Dr. Umannah Samuel Amadi, who also serves as an Assistant Commandant General of the NSCDC, formally presented the organisation’s four-year strategic work plan to the Governor and sought stronger collaboration with the Abia State Government to enhance the protection of both public and private schools across the state.
He also extended an invitation to Governor Otti to visit the National Safe School Response and Coordination Centre in Abuja.
Also speaking, the organisation’s Head of ICT, Mr. Ikor Felix, disclosed that more than 169,000 schools have already been enrolled on the National Safe School digital platform in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to him, the digital platform evaluates the vulnerability of schools using critical security indicators, including perimeter fencing, surveillance systems, security personnel, emergency response facilities and geolocation technology, all designed to facilitate rapid deployment and timely intervention whenever emergencies arise.
Mr. Felix commended Abia State for its impressive level of school registration on the platform and advocated the establishment of a state-based command and control centre linked to the national platform to further strengthen school security across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
The Abia State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for refurbishing operational vehicles belonging to the command and assured the Governor of the Corps’ continued cooperation in protecting lives, property and critical educational infrastructure throughout the state.
(The Whistler)
