By Abbanobi -Eku Onyekachi, Abuja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting school children, describing them as the greatest assets of Nigeria. To achieve this goal, the NSCDC has directed its State Commandants to support the Safe Schools Project and intensify training for stakeholders.
Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, emphasized the importance of safeguarding schools and children during a keynote address at a one-day capacity building program organized by the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC). The program, held for State Coordinators and Desk Officers from the North Central geopolitical zone, aimed to cascade capacity-building training programs to benefit more stakeholders.
Dr. Audi reiterated his administration’s commitment to the cause of safer schools for students, teachers, and host communities through training and retraining. He noted that the training, themed “Ensuring Safer Schools for All,” aims to improve the capacity of NSSRCC personnel at all levels in line with achieving the Safe Schools Declaration target of the government.
The NSCDC boss maintained that after conducting a vulnerability study of schools in 2021, the Corps has been committed to ensuring safer learning environments for children, teachers, and host communities. He urged participants to network and draw knowledge from experts for better service delivery and applauded the contributions of other stakeholders.
Earlier, Commander NSSRCC ACC Rabiu Ibn Muhammed emphasized the need to equip personnel with the latest innovations and technologies in the security field to address new trends in insecurity such as cyber threats, drug abuse, and cultism.
The National Coordinator Financing Safe Schools, Hajiya Halima Iliya Ibrahim, commended the efforts of the Commandant General and other stakeholders despite challenges. She encouraged participants to actively participate, share knowledge, and cascade it to the grassroots.
The lead Consultant to NSSRCC, Prof. Tyoor Terhemba, and Deputy Director Advocacy and Focal Person Save the Children International, Dr. Musa Bada, also delivered goodwill messages.
The 300 participants for the one-day training were drawn from states in the North-Central Geopolitical Zone, including Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, Plateau States, and the Federal Capital Territory.
