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CSO urges government to improve security in schools

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CSO urges government to improve security in schools

CSO urges government to improve security in schools

A civil society organisation (CSO), Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, has called on the government at all levels to take more measures to improve security within and around schools, especially schools in isolated and vulnerable areas where attackers could get away easily.

The Executive Director of the organisation, Olasupo Abideen, made the call in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Wednesday while speaking at a forum to commemorate the 2022 Global Action Week for Education.

The programme was co-sponsored by the development Research and Project Centre, Ford Foundation, and the Kwara State Government.

According to him, the governments need to provide safe and accessible learning environments for children in emergency situations and ensure that teachers are protected and adequately trained and remunerated.

He further stated that government must increase funding for education and also create security plans and surveys for schools.

Speaking on this year’s Global Action Week for Education themed ‘Funding the Future’, Olasupo revealed that the Brain Builder Development Youths Initiative had lined up a series of programmes to protect education in emergency situations and keep schools and students safe.

READ ALSO: Community Clash: Gov. Mohammed Imposes Curfew In Bauchi

He said, “As an organisation that has a significant interest in matters of education and young people, we, at the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, join the rest of the world to mark this year’s Global Action Week for Education. While this year’s event takes education financing as its theme under the banner ‘Funding the Future’, our organization’s focus is on the protection of education in emergency situations and keeping our schools and students safe.

“As a result, we have lined up a series of programmes to be carried out under our ‘Safe School Initiative’. The programmes are targeted at driving the domestication and implementation of the ‘Safe School Declaration’ SSD outcomes in Kwara State.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Safe School Declaration Nigeria was ratified at the fourth International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration which was held in Abuja in October 2021. The Declaration was a commitment from governments around the world to keep schools, students, and teachers safe in times of conflict. It is also to ensure that learning activities continue to take place during armed conflicts. This is in response to deliberate attacks on schools and students in different parts of the world including Nigeria.

“The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attacks reported that between 2015 and 2019, there were more than 11,000 reported attacks on educational facilities the Sustainable Development Goal 4 focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong opportunities for all.

“It is against this background that our organization, the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, is embarking on different advocacy programmes to drive the implementation of the ‘Safe School Declaration SSD outcomes in Kwara State. As part of our programmes, we will hold an awareness programme on ‘Safe Schools’ in 50 schools across the three senatorial districts of Kwara State. We shall also hold a Community Townhall meeting involving relevant stakeholders to discuss how to keep our schools safe.”

He added we will organise workshops for teachers and Community champions on the process of implementing minimum standards for safe schools, the roles of teachers and community members in safeguarding students, school emergency preparedness and response and evacuation drills. We will also distribute safety kits to schools in the State.

He concluded, “It is pertinent to note that we are doing these programmes in collaboration with the Kwara State Ministry of Education, Global Campaign for Education and with funding from the Development Research and Projects Centre and the Ford Foundation. Without the support of the DRPC, we would not be able to embark on this project. The DPRC has, through its Safe School CSO Movement, supported 24 CSOs across the six geo-political zones with funding from Ford Foundation to conduct Safe School Declaration step-down activities and workshops.

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Education

UNIMAID Student Drowns in Gwange River, Another Rescued

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UNIMAID Student Drowns in Gwange River, Another Rescued

By: Zagazola Makama

A tragic drowning incident has claimed the life of a University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) student, while another was rescued after they went swimming at the Gwange River Bank in Maiduguri.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on March 14, 2025, around 7:00 p.m., when two UNIMAID students, identified as Abafras Abdiel from the Department of Forestry and Silas Sule from the Department of Geology, went to the Gwange River Bank behind ECWA Church for a swim.

While diving, both students drowned in the river, prompting an emergency response. A combined rescue team, including the police, divers, and fire service personnel, was immediately mobilized to the scene.

The rescue team managed to retrieve both victims and rushed them to the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri. While Abafras Abdiel was admitted for treatment, Silas Sule was unfortunately certified dead by doctors. His body has since been deposited at the hospital for autopsy and further investigations.

The authorities have urged students and residents to exercise caution when engaging in activities near water bodies, especially during the dry season, when river currents can be unpredictable.

UNIMAID Student Drowns in Gwange River, Another Rescued

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Education

Federal University Gusau: A 300-level student died in a bandit’s den in Zamfara

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Federal University Gusau: A 300-level student died in a bandit’s den in Zamfara

By: Our Reporter

This is truly heartbreaking. Zarah Abubakar Shehu, a 21-year-old 300-level student at Federal University Gusau, was abducted along with her two siblings by bandits in the early hours of Sunday, November 3, 2024, from their home in the Damba area of Gusau, Zamfara State.

The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦35 million for their release. After much struggle, the family managed to gather ₦10 million, which the kidnappers agreed to accept. However, even after receiving the money, they still refused to release Zarah. Instead, they demanded four motorcycles (Boza) and four cartons of engine oil.

Zarah and her siblings spent four months in captivity. When all the items were finally gathered, the kidnappers’ leader was informed. He then called his men to check on the captives. To everyone’s horror, his men responded that only two children remained; one of them, Zarah, had passed away and had already been buried two days earlier.

Zarah was the only daughter of her mother, making her loss even more devastating. Her passing is not just a tragedy for her family but a heartbreaking reflection of the ongoing insecurity in Zamfara State and the pain that countless families endure.

Federal University Gusau: A 300-level student died in a bandit’s den in Zamfara

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Crime

Gunmen Kidnap Four Students in Katsina State

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Gunmen Kidnap Four Students in Katsina State

By: Zagazola Makama

Suspected armed bandits have abducted four students from Paris Quarters, behind the Federal University, Dutsinma, in Katsina State, security sources told Zagazola Makama on Sunday.

The attack occurred at about 2:20 a.m. on Sunday, when the assailants, reportedly in large numbers, quietly invaded the area and whisked away four individuals.

The victims have been identified as Wali Kayode (25), Fahad Muhammad (20), Emmanuel (surname unknown), and another yet-to-be-identified person.

Security operatives were mobilized to the scene immediately after receiving a distress call but the bandits had fled.

Security sources said that Efforts are ongoing to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victims safely.

Gunmen Kidnap Four Students in Katsina State

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