INSECURITY BEDEVILLING THE KADUNA STATE DISRUPTS EDUCATION AND SOCIO ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES; Gov. Sani

By Gambo Abubakar Kaduna

  The Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani, has said the activities of bandits, kidnappers, and other non-state actors have disrupted socio-economic activities into the state, and threatening the educational revitalization program in the state. 

  The governor stated this through his Chief of Staff, Sani Liman Kila, at the Training Programme of  Schools protection Squad, organized by the Nigeria Police Force Kaduna State Command, held in Kaduna.

According to the governor, the State's educational system is facing a crisis of declining enrolment, with over 200,000 fewer primary school pupils recorded in the 2022/2023 academic session compared to the previous year. This dramatic drop (from 2,111,969 in 2021/2022 to 1,734,704 in 2022/2023) is largely attributed to insecurity.

  Gov Sani added that in several Local Government Areas (LGAs) particularly Chikun, Birnin Gwari, Kajuru, Giwa, and Igabi insecurity has forced school consolidation, further pushing up the number of out-of-school children.

  "Incidents like the kidnapping of 135 students from the LEA Primary and Junior Secondary School, Kuriga, Chikun Local Government tragically illustrates the devastating impact of insecurity on education access and safety." 

He however said to ensure that the education of children in conflict-prone and terrorist-infested areas is not interrupted, his administration has commenced the merging of 359 schools with those in safe locations.

He disclosed that the government is also implementing a SAFE SCHOOL PROGRAM to strengthen security in primary and secondary schools.

  The governor also explained that, "we collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force which is currently training a Schools Protection Squad (SPS), and also made adequate budgetary provision for the effective implementation of the Safe School Programme. 

"I hope that the training Programme will equipe  the participants with  skills and techniques of coping in challenging security situations,and also developed a Framework for Psychological Operations and Strategic Communication to Win the Hearts and Minds of Citizens in Conflicts affected areas.

In his welcome address, the Commissioner of Police  Kaduna State  Command  CP Audu Ali Dabigi, said "the establishment of the School Protection Squad signifies a monumental step towards ensuring the safety and security of educational institutions, which is the bedrock of our society. 

   "And a testament to a collective commitment to safeguarding the future of children and fostering an environment conducive to learning and development."

   Also speaking, the National  Coordinator of the SAFE Schools program Halima Iliya, stressed that the  Government mindful of its responsibility to create a safer and more secure teaching, learning, and living environment for the children has taken several steps in this direction.

"In 2014, Federal Government launched the Safe School Initiative (SSI), the Initiative was to enable children affected by conflict and insecurity to continue with their education unhindered. On 31 December 2019, FG formally signed the Safe Schools Declaration Ratification Documents, signaling the country's commitment to its implementation.

  "What witnessed today is the implementation of the National Plan on Financing Safe Schools (2023-2026). The Plan has a total investment of N144.8 billion and have released N15 billion in 2023, to the implementing agencies; Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria Police, NSCDC, DSS, and Defense Headquarters.

  Speaking with newsmen, the Chairman inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), also the Chairman African Democratic Party (ADP), Hon.Ahmad Tijjani Mustafa, said " with this development Iam sure  that our children will be safe.

 He however, advised the government to provide new innovative mechanism, and gadgets that were opts presently use in other countries it will  really developed our security architecture.

  "Nigerian police would not get what they want, in facing the security challenges, " we need our child's to be safe, with out the security in the schools there will be no school basics."

 The Chairman  Jamaatul Nasrul Islam Kaduna state, Professor Mohammad Shafiu Abdullahi, "said we religious groups we are ready to support the the Nigerian police especially the establishment of SPS.

 He called on the peoples to give the Nigerian Police necessary support in order to protect our Children out of the menace of kidnapping by bandits.

"for effective deliberation for the safety  of pupipls in ourschools".