By Kingsley Omonobi
ABUJA — The National Coordinator of the Safe Schools Initiative, Hajiya Halima Iliya, has called for stronger collaboration between the initiative and the Armed Forces of Nigeria to enhance the security of schools across the country.
Iliya made the call on Thursday when she paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Olufemi Oluyede, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, according to a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, was aimed at strengthening synergy between the Safe Schools Initiative and the Armed Forces in efforts to secure learning environments nationwide.
Speaking during the visit, Iliya said the Safe Schools Initiative was established in 2014 following major attacks on schools across the country, particularly the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, which drew widespread national and international attention to the vulnerability of schools.
She explained that the initiative is domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Finance and is responsible for coordinating various stakeholders, including security agencies, relevant ministries, departments and agencies, development partners and civil society organisations, towards ensuring the safety and security of schools.
According to her, the visit was to formally brief the CDS on the activities, interventions and future plans of the initiative, as well as explore areas for deeper collaboration with the Armed Forces.
Iliya also commiserated with the CDS and the Armed Forces over the recent air mishap that claimed the lives of Nigerian Air Force personnel in the line of duty and other Nigerians.
She described the incident as painful, adding that the services and sacrifices of members of the military were deeply appreciated by Nigerians.
Responding, Oluyede expressed appreciation for the visit and commended the leadership of the Safe Schools Initiative for its sustained commitment to protecting education.
The CDS assured Iliya of the full cooperation and support of the Armed Forces for the initiative, stressing that the protection of schools and children remained a critical national security priority and a shared responsibility.
He said the Defence Headquarters would continue to work with the drivers of the initiative and other stakeholders to ensure that schools remained safe, secure and conducive for learning.
The post Safe Schools Initiative seeks stronger military collaboration appeared first on Vanguard News.