The Executive Chairman, Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Grace Adagba, has visited the State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Makurdi to formalize a security collaboration for Basic Education Schools across the state.
This partnership, according to her, is to safeguard teachers, learners and school properties, especially in the light of recent security challenges.
During her address at the NSCDC Command, Adagba emphasised the urgency of the collaboration, stating, “We cannot fold our hands and wait for the Safe School Policy to take off in earnest before we commence close safeguarding of our schools.
“There is a need to take temporary measures to address these matters pending when the programme kick-starts fully.”
Adagba highlighted the critical need to protect more closely schools, such as the UBEC-SUBEB Model Smart School Adaka in Makurdi and various E-learning Centres across the state.
These institutions, she said, house valuable gadgets like laptops and Samsung tablets, donated by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and facilitated by SUBEB.
She recounted a robbery incident at the Model Smart School Adaka, last year, where numerous items were stolen and are yet to be recovered, expressing disappointment over the missing items, underscoring the need for immediate security measures.
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The State Commandant of NSCDC, Yakubu Ibrahim, acknowledged the proactive steps taken by Dr. Adagba and the SUBEB.
He appreciated the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for his efforts towards the Safe School Policy realisation.
“It is based on his concern that the whole concept was launched here at the first instance in Benue,”, he said, while assuring that as soon as it is financially feasible, the State Response Coordination Centre will be fully equipped and operational.
Ibrahim also cited a recent incident in Makurdi where a school was attacked but with the swift deployment of NSCDC security personnel, based on reports from the school authority, a potential abduction of school children was prevented.
ACP Richard Agaku, the NSCDC Benue State Safe School Desk Officer, reiterated their commitment to the Safe School Project.
Adagba concluded her visit by expressing optimism about the collaboration’s potential to enhance school security across Benue State.
She applauded the efforts of the NSCDC and the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, in ensuring the completion of the Benue State Response Coordination Centre at the NSCDC Command.
