Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabbi, the Project Coordinator of the development Research and Projects Centre (dPRC), an NGO, has joined growing calls for urgent action on safety at schools by traditional and community leaders.
Addressing a news conference, Umar-Jabbi, who is also the District Head of Gagi in Sokoto South local government area, said the project tagged ” Safe Girls, Safe Schools: Implications of Schools Attacks for Girls in Nigeria ” is being supported by FORD Foundation.
‘ We are focused on informing government agencies, traditional and community leaders to be aware of the importance of safer schools and to be change agents,” he said.
He said the project was initiated as response to present security challenges bedeviling the country as the situation has been affecting students performances.
He added that local vigilante groups and community members were expected to support government and security agencies in safeguarding schools through viable measures sensitized on.
”This is to strengthen established school-based security committees to share intelligent information to prepare defense and prevent occurrences.
”Relevant government agencies, teachers unions and parent teachers associations and media outfits are engaged on the project .
” Security personnel are not enough to cater for population needs in the country, thereby, mobilizing more people in the communities to support statutory agencies.
” Some students are leaving schools due to terrorism activities as students were being kidnapped, physical abuse and maltreated.
” Combined synergy is desired between stakeholders to ensure safer schools and promote conducive environment for teaching and learning, ” Umar-Jabbi added.
He said that the development Research and Projects Centre (dPRC) and Save The Children Initiative (STCI) are working together to ensure that the initiative succeed.
Also speaking, Malam Rabi’u Gandi, from STCI said engagements with students, teachers and associations have commenced in the sensitization campaign. (NAN)