Attacks by Terrorists: FG Strengthens School Security Before Resumption

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

According to Goodluck Opiah, the minister of state for education, the federal government has worked with security agencies to guarantee adequate security in schools in advance of classes starting up again.

Opiah said this during a press conference yesterday in Abuja in advance of the “International Day To Protect Education From Attack” in 2022.

In a related incident, Umar Faruk Lawal, the factional president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has urged the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end the strike right now or risk widespread student protests.

Fear of a bandit attack forced the Federal Government College Kwali and later other schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to close.

“The closure was not permanent, schools are about to reopen, and the school would also be among the schools that would reopen,” the minister declared. “The ministry is protecting our schools generally in cooperation with pertinent security authorities, and that would not be an isolated incident. Rest assured that we place a high priority on our children’s safety.

Opiah stated that the 76th United Nations General Assembly in 2020 unanimously endorsed the observance of the “International Day to Protect Education From Attack,” which was proposed by Qatar and co-sponsored by 62 other nations.

He explained that this was the third iteration, and the theme was “Implementing the School Safety Policy as a Tool To Protect Education From Attack: Our Collective Responsibility,” which was carefully chosen by the ministry.

The theme emphasizes the sector’s practical efforts to safeguard education from violent situations and armed conflict, upholding the right to education and ensuring its continuity in such emergency situations as outlined in the Safe School Declaration, which Nigeria ratified on March 20, 2019, he continued.

The theme, according to the minister, was developed by the ministry to raise awareness about the School Safety Policy’s existence and the necessity for state governments, educational institutions, civil society organizations, the military, and the general public to operationalize its recommendations.

The Minister also pointed out that the School Safety Policy is replete with strategies for emergency preparedness in educational facilities, harm reduction measures, contacts for assistance in the event of an impending attack, steps to prevent the military from using educational facilities, and procedures to guarantee that instruction continues even in the event of an attack. Highlighting some of the upcoming activities to mark the day, Opiah said:

“The Ministry will host preliminary events and a grand finale to commemorate the occasion. Call letters to educational institutions started the pre-activities so that students may start getting ready to perform at the event. The performance will comprise re-enactment of conflict situations in education institutions through playlets or dance drama, literary interpretations and debate competition based on the issue.

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“Schools have been chosen to participate at the grand finale, where the deserving victors will be generously compensated, after the rehearsals. The event’s opening remarks will be made by the honorable Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, in front of all interested parties.

Umar Faruk Lawal, the president of a section within the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has urged the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end the strike right away or risk widespread student protests.

This was said by Lawal yesterday in Abuja at a news conference.

Two factional presidents, one led by Lawal and the other by Usman Umar, emerged from the last NANS election.

At the press conference, Lawal stated, “That the federal government through the Ministry of Education should end the lingering ASUU Strike within few working days. In order to occupy the ministry of education until our demands are met, we will organize our students.

He also urged stakeholders to ensure that education was given the desired attention through an increase in budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Education in order to meet the UNESCO threshold. Visitation panels should be established by the federal government to address the concerns of all politically expelled and rusticated students, he further demanded.

A long-term solution is therefore necessary for our economy to expand and for our country to prosper, he continued. “The lingering fuel crises is not to be swept away easily as it keeps affecting the economic posture of Nigeria, which is visible in the attendant increase in the price of transportation, food, goods, and services.

“Rising unemployment has hampered the expansion and growth of the Nigerian economy; therefore, it is critical that the government foster an atmosphere that is favorable.”