From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani has said the activities of bandits, kidnappers, and other non-state actors have disrupted socio-economic activities in affected communities and are threatening the educational revitalization program in the state.
He asserted this in his remarks at the Capa Building Programs organized by the Nigeria Police Force Schools Protection Squad in Kaduna yesterday.
According to him, the State’s educational system is facing a crisis of declining enrolment, with over 200,000 fewer primary school pupils recorded in the 2022/2023 academic session compared to the previous year. This dramatic drop (from 2,111,969 in 2021/2022 to 1,734,704 in 2022/2023) is largely attributed to insecurity.
Gov Sani added that in several Local Government Areas (LGAs) particularly Chikun, Birnin Gwari, Kajuru, Giwa, and Igabi, insecurity has forced school consolidation, further pushing up the number of out-of-school children.
“ Incidents like the kidnapping of 135 students from the LEA Primary and Junior Secondary School, Kuriga, Chikun Local Government tragically illustrates the devastating impact of insecurity on education access and safety.”
He, however, said to ensure that the education of children in conflict-prone and terrorists-infested areas is not interrupted, his administration has commenced the merging of 359 schools with those in safe locations.
He disclosed that the government is also implementing a SAFE SCHOOL PROGRAM to strengthen security in primary and secondary schools.
“ We are collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force which is currently training a Schools Protection Squad (SPS). We have made adequate budgetary provisions for the effective implementation of our Safe School Program.PROGRAM to strengthen the security in primary and secondary schools.
“We are collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force which is currently training a Schools Protection Squad (SPS). We have made adequate budgetary provision for the effective implementation of our Safe School Program.”
Gov. Sani outlined prevention measures taken by his administration including the Fencing of schools, Establishment of Security and Safety Response Committees with membership drawn from schools and communities, Deployment of Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVS) to schools, and Provision of emergency line to schools.
Others include Security Awareness Training for School Managers, teaching and non-teaching staff, and School Management Committee members, Construction of Muster Points in Schools training on the identification of Early Warning Signs, and the Construction of Watch Towers in schools.
The Governor opined that Civic vigilance is essentially about the will of the people and how they express such will in securing their environment and their future.
“ In recognition of the fact that our main weapon against terrorists, bandits, and insurgents are the people because these criminal elements live among them, the Kaduna State Government has developed a Framework for Psychological Operations, aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the people.
“We have been holding regular meetings with Elders, Religious Leaders, Youth, Women and Development Associations.
“We are resilient people. What our people have gone through and still going through is enough to break the spirits of people in other climes.
“ To renew the confidence of our people and restart the process of rebuilding local economies, we must assist security forces and our people to acquire new skill sets.
“Managing risks, investing in resilience, and responding to shocks when they occur is a shared responsibility of governments, communities, and the private sector.
“I hope that this Capacity Building Programme will not only equip the participants with the skills and techniques of coping in challenging security situations but will develop a Framework for Psychological Operations and Strategic Communication to Win the Hearts and Minds of Citizens in Conflicts Challenged Communities.
“ Security forces must hold regular meetings with elders, religious leaders, representatives of youth and women groups. Consultative Committees on Security should be formed in communities, with membership drawn from security forces and key stakeholders.
“ They can play a key role in gathering intelligence, mobilizing the citizens on security and development issues, as well as nipping potential crisis in the bud.
“The theme of this Capacity Building program “Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities in the Protection of Education” is apt.
