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Stakeholders urge speedy drafting of legal framework for implementation of Safe School Declaration
Stakeholders urge speedy drafting of legal framework for implementation of Safe School Declaration
By: Michael Mike
The call for the speedy drafting of a legal framework for the effective implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) initiatives in Nigeria that will serve as a security blueprint for the safety of students and staff of educational institutions in the country have been emphasised.
Participants at a one day interactive session on the need to draft a legal document for the policy posited that 9 year after the SSD policy was developed in 2015 in Norway, and the establishment of a national policy, the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence Free Schools to help implement the SSD, Nigeria is yet to witness any meaningful implementation of the agreement partly due to the absence of a legal framework.
They spoke at a one day ‘Roundtable Meeting with Stakeholders on the imperative for a legal framework on Safe School Declaration (SSD)’ organised by the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) and the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARD C) in Lagos.
Speaking, National Network Coordinator for Wanep Nigeria, Dr. Bridget Osakwe urged the federal and state governments to increase funding for education and ensure that children and teachers are in good environment of leaning that is free from violence, molestation, from abuses, harassments of any kind.
She said “the SSD is to prepare the children, prepare the environment in order to prevent any form of violence in the school environment and to respond immediately in case of any breaches in the school and it is important that all stakeholders come together to make the whole environment conducive because education a right to the child irrespective of the sex, and for children to optimally enjoy that education.”
“They have to have a conducive environment and that environment is not just for the children alone, even for the teachers that will deliver. Everyone that will guide the children within the precinct of the school needs that conducive environment to be in their optimal skills.”
National Programme Coordinator of WARD C, Jennifer Nwokedike bemoaned the downward trend in the safety of school children affirming that government must halt the adduction of student in schools across the country.
Nwokedike said “Is Nigeria government implementing SSD, I will say yes and no. for some states implementation has started, but considering the trend in education we expect government to do more. It is ten years after the adduction of girls in Chibok, the trend indicates that we are going down the slop.”
A project consultant, Dr Ola Akintayo, explained that there are several policies in place that are geared toward effective implementation of the policy but the absence of a legal frame so far has been the Achill hill of that policy initiative.
“Since the policy has been put in place, you can see that there have been no impacts. Most people in the country are not even aware that such things are even in place in Nigeria.” He said.
Also speaking, Dr Obadina Ibrahim of the University of Lagos declared that “We must realise how imperative it is to have a legal framework. After Chibok, it’s been a lot of challenges trying to secure schools in the country.”
The UNILAG Don said “We must itemise the basic requirement any school must have to ensure that they protect the student and staff, trainings and critical engagement within communities so that they can speak up when we see suspicious activities and individuals coming to the school.
We talk issues of perimeter fencing, surveillances, panic alarms across schools and including sanctions for those complicit in attacks in schools as well as recovery processes when schools are attack. Issues of funding and infrastructures should also get attention.”
Participants at the interactive forum included traditional leaders, Civil Society Organisations the network of Civil Society on Education, the police, civil defence, members of the Lagos state house of assembly, officials of ministry of education, the school base management boards, head teachers association and the Parent Teachers Association among other.
The Safe Schools Declaration outlines a set of commitments to strengthen the protection of education from attack and restrict use of schools and universities for military purposes and seeks to ensure the continuity of safe education during armed conflict.
It was opened for countries to endorse at the First International Conference on Safe Schools in Oslo, Norway, in May 2015 while in October 2021; Nigeria hosted the Fourth International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration in Abuja.
Stakeholders urge speedy drafting of legal framework for implementation of Safe School Declaration
News
Gov. Uba Sani visits scene of Kurmin Wali attack,vows to free captives
Gov. Uba Sani visits scene of Kurmin Wali attack,vows to free captives
By: Zagazola Makama
Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State on Wednesday visited Kurmin Wali village in Kajuru Local Government Area, scene of a recent bandit attack, where he admitted the incident and pledged decisive action to secure the release of those abducted.
The governor, who commiserated with the victims and their families, described the Jan. 18 attack on three churches in the community as painful and unacceptable, assuring residents that his administration would intensify efforts to restore lasting peace in the area.

Sani said the state government would work closely with the military and other security stakeholders to ensure the safe return of all captives and prevent a recurrence of such attacks.
He appealed to the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), a native of Kaduna State, to support the establishment of a military base in the area to enhance security and deter criminal elements.
The governor also announced plans to construct an access road to Kurmin Wali, establish a Primary Health Care centre, and provide other social amenities to improve living conditions and strengthen government presence in the community.

Addressing international and local journalists who accompanied him to the village, Sani said his administration remained committed to protecting lives and property across Kaduna State.

Residents of Kurmin Wali thanked the governor for the visit and pledged their cooperation with the government to help secure the release of the abducted persons and sustain peace in the area.
Gov. Uba Sani visits scene of Kurmin Wali attack,vows to free captives
News
The Emir of Tikau urges the new Emir of Gamawa to carry his people along for the development of the emirate
The Emir of Tikau urges the new Emir of Gamawa to carry his people along for the development of the emirate
By: Yahaya Wakili
His Royal Highness the Emir of Tikau in Yobe State, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammadu Ibn Grema II, has called on the new emir of Gamawa in Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Adamu, to carry everybody along in the emirate for the development of the nation.
The royal father made the appeal today at his place in Sabon Garin Nangere while receiving the new emir of Gamawa in Bauchi state, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Adamu. He said the creation of emirates is a great development for the nation.
“As we know, there was a very strong relationship between the Gamawa and Tikau emirates, and these will continue existing, and we share a boundary with them, and there was something that was raised between us and them, and anything that affected them affected us directly.” The Royal Father said.
According to Mai Tikau, the most cases we have are the conflicts between the farmers and the herders from time to time. Sometimes they will enter our territory, and sometimes we will enter their own, adding that, for the issue of the border, we hope with your coming as the new emir of Gamawa, this problem will be solved.
Speaking earlier, the emir of Gamawa, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Adamu, said they were at Tikau Place to express their appreciation to the royal father, the emir of Tikau, for his support given to us since we emerged as the new emir of Gamawa.
He said, “Immediately His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Hon. Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad Kaura, created this emirate. Mai Tikau is the first person who sent a delegation to Gamawa to congratulate us.”
The Emir of Tikau urges the new Emir of Gamawa to carry his people along for the development of the emirate
News
Former Minister visits Gimba Memorial School in Potiskum
Former Minister visits Gimba Memorial School in Potiskum
By: Yahaya Wakili
The former Minister of Police Affairs and Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Yobe State, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, has paid a surprise visit to Hafsatu Gimba Ahmed Memorial School in Potiskum, where he was warmly received by the students and the school management.
During the visit, the former minister distributed educational materials and foodstuff to the pupils and commended the school’s leadership for its commitment to quality education.

Adamu Waziri moved from classroom to classroom, where he engaged directly with students in a cheerful and fatherly manner and charged them to take their studies seriously, noting the importance of reading as a key to personal and national development.
He commended the proprietor of the school, Dr. Hassan Gimba Ahmed, the publisher/editor-in-chief of NEPTUNE PRIME, for his dedication to education and community service as a whole, adding that what Dr. Hassan Gimba has done here is not just building a school but building a legacy.
Earlier, the proprietor of the school, Dr. Hassan Gimba Ahmed, ably represented by the school’s management, thanked Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri for his generosity and continued interest in youth development and described the visit as a major encouragement to the school and the community hosting it.
“This gesture underscores Adamu Maina Waziri’s ongoing commitment to supporting education and nurturing the next generation of Nigerian leaders even beyond his years of public service.
The highlight of the visit concluded with a group photograph and heartfelt appreciation from students, many of whom said they were inspired by the former minister’s humility and kindness.
The former minister of police affairs was accompanied by Dr. Zainab Boni Haruna, Engr. Abubakar Adamu Waziri (alias Cargo), Hon. Umar Khali, ADC state party chairman, Hon. Lawan Mammadu Kori, and Dr. Mamu Muhammad, among others.
Former Minister visits Gimba Memorial School in Potiskum.
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