•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN —- THE Oyo State Government on Monday assured teachers, pupils and parents of adequate security in schools across the state as efforts intensify to address concerns arising from the recent abduction of pupils and staff members in Oriire Local Government Area.
The assurance was given by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Chief Segun Olayiwola during a meeting of the School Safety Initiatives Steering Committee held in Ibadan.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders in the education and security sectors, including representatives of UNESCO, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, the Department of State Services, the Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, the Private School Proprietors Association, the Parents-Teachers Association and other relevant stakeholders.
Speaking at the meeting, Olayiwola said the state government remained committed to providing a safe and conducive learning environment for all learners, noting that education remains a major pillar of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.
He said, “Every child has the right to learn in an environment free from fear, violence, intimidation and insecurity. It is therefore our responsibility to ensure that schools remain places of safety, hope and opportunity.”
The commissioner explained that the state had continued to implement proactive measures aimed at strengthening school safety in line with the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools.
According to him, the School Safety Initiatives Steering Committee, inaugurated in 2023, has coordinated efforts to protect learners, teachers and educational infrastructure across the state.
He added that with support from development partners, particularly UNICEF, teachers and education personnel had received training on school safety protocols, emergency preparedness, risk assessment, safeguarding procedures and violence prevention mechanisms.
Olayiwola, however, described the recent kidnapping incident in Oriire Local Government Area as unfortunate, saying it had heightened anxiety among parents, teachers and residents.
He said the state government shared in the pain of the affected families and was working closely with security agencies to secure the release of the victims.
“On behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, I wish to assure all citizens that the state government is working tirelessly with security agencies and relevant authorities to ensure the safe release of those affected. Every available security and intelligence resource is being deployed towards achieving this objective,” he said.
The commissioner noted that the incident underscored the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies, security operatives, school administrators, community leaders, parents and development partners.
He commended the Nigeria Police Force, Amotekun Corps, NSCDC and other security agencies for their commitment to maintaining security across educational institutions in the state.
Olayiwola also praised the efforts of the State Universal Basic Education Board, the Teaching Service Commission, the Board of Technical and Vocational Education, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools and development partners for supporting school safety initiatives.
Olayiwola appealed to the Nigeria Union of Teachers to work with the government and security agencies towards the resumption of academic activities, stressing that prolonged school closure could negatively affect pupils’ education.
“We fully understand the concerns and apprehensions arising from the recent security incident. The safety and welfare of our teachers remain a top priority for this administration.
“However, while necessary precautions are being taken, we must also be mindful of the impact of prolonged school closure on the education and future of our children. Every day spent outside the classroom represents a lost opportunity for learning and development,” he said.
The commissioner assured teachers that additional security measures were being put in place to strengthen school safety, improve emergency response systems and enhance collaboration between schools, communities and security agencies.
He urged stakeholders to identify gaps in existing security frameworks and develop practical recommendations that would further protect schools and learners across the state.
Olayiwola reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that schools remain safe, secure and violence-free, expressing optimism that the resolutions reached at the meeting would further strengthen school safety across Oyo State.
Speaking during the meeting, the representative of the Oyo State NSCDC Commandant pledged the agency’s support towards strengthening security in schools across the state. He disclosed that the corps was ready to train teachers on self-defence and other basic safety measures to enhance their capacity to respond to security threats.
The NSCDC representative urged interested schools to reach out to the agency and take advantage of the initiative as part of efforts to improve safety and preparedness within school communities.
Other stakeholders at the meeting also expressed their readiness to work with the state government in ensuring a safer and more conducive learning environment for both students and teachers across Oyo State.