IBADAN – The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command, has sought stronger collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to enhance security in schools and protect pupils, students and teachers across the state.
The appeal was made during a courtesy visit by the NSCDC Safe School Initiative Unit to the NOA Oyo State Directorate as part of efforts to curb insecurity in schools, promote security awareness and create a safe learning environment.
Leading the delegation, the Coordinator of the Safe Schools Programme, DCC Eremionkhale Odion Patricia, said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration on security awareness, emergency preparedness and risk mitigation in schools.
She explained that the Safe School Initiative was established after the 2014 Chibok school abduction to improve security in schools through sensitisation, identification of security risks, threat reporting and enhanced emergency response.
According to her, the programme has continued to carry out security awareness campaigns and school visits across the state to improve safety consciousness among students, teachers and school administrators.
“Every investment made in school safety is an investment in the future of our children and our nation,” Patricia said.
She stressed that ensuring school safety requires the collective efforts of government agencies, communities, parents and other stakeholders.
Patricia also unveiled plans for wider security sensitisation campaigns in churches, markets and communities, alongside advocacy visits to key stakeholders and seminars designed to strengthen public awareness against security threats.
She appealed to the NOA to support the initiative to ensure its success across the state.
Responding, the Oyo State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Mrs. Simiat Ajolayo Akande, praised the NSCDC for revitalising the Safe School Initiative and pledged the agency’s full support.
She described security as a shared responsibility, stressing that a peaceful learning environment remains critical to quality education and national development.
“Security is everybody’s business. Without security, there can be no development. Children must be secure to learn effectively,” she said.
Akande assured that NOA officers across the state’s local government areas would participate in grassroots sensitisation campaigns to deepen public awareness on school safety.
She also highlighted the agency’s core responsibilities, including value reorientation, public enlightenment, promotion of government policies and providing feedback to government through periodic reports.
The NOA director further educated the visiting team on the proper rendition of the National Anthem and the need to accord Nigeria’s national symbols due respect.
Although the agency is not revenue-generating, she assured that available resources would be deployed to support the Safe School Initiative at both the state and local government levels.
Both agencies agreed to strengthen their partnership and embark on joint public sensitisation campaigns aimed at making schools across Oyo State safer for learners and teachers.
