Abia <\/a>State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex <\/a>Chioma Otti, OFR, has described school security as a critical component of his administration\u2019s education reform agenda.<\/span><\/p>\n The Governor stated this on Wednesday, July 8, in his office when he received a delegation from the National Safe School Integrated Command and Intelligence System, led by its National Commander, Dr. Umannah Samuel Amadi.<\/span><\/p>\n Governor Otti declared his administration\u2019s commitment to providing a safe and secured learning environment for every child in the State.<\/span><\/p>\n The State Chief Executive commended the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for complementing security efforts in the State, especially in protecting lives and property, following the withdrawal of police protection for some public office holders and VIPs.<\/span><\/p>\n The Governor noted that the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in parts of the country underscores the need to prioritise school safety, saying that security is paramount in the schools his administration reconstructs or builds.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEvery school we are renovating or constructing in Abia <\/a>must meet minimum security standards.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThey must be properly fenced, have gates and security personnel. We are determined to ensure that our children learn in a safe and secure environment,\u201d Gov. Otti stated.<\/span><\/p>\n Governor Otti disclosed that his administration has consistently allocated 20 percent of the State\u2019s annual budget to education, covering infrastructure, teachers\u2019 welfare, curriculum development, and other critical interventions.<\/span><\/p>\n He further revealed that Abia <\/a>already operates a functional Command and Control Centre with the emergency response number 112, stressing that the State\u2019s existing emergency architecture would be integrated with the National Safe School initiative for effective coordination.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe already have a Command and Control Centre. What is required is integration, not duplication. Once there is an emergency, the response system is activated immediately, and by working together, we will achieve our common objective of protecting our schools,\u201d Gov. Otti added.<\/span><\/p>\n Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Dr. Umannah Samuel Amadi, who is also an Assistant Commandant General, NSCDC, formally presented the organisation\u2019s four-year strategic work plan and solicited stronger collaboration with the Abia <\/a>State Government to strengthen the protection of public and private schools across the State.<\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Umannah also invited Governor Otti to visit the National Safe School Response and Coordination Centre in Abuja.<\/span><\/p>\n Also speaking, the Head of ICT of the organisation, Mr. Ikor Felix, explained that over 169,000 schools have been registered on the National Safe School digital platform in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.<\/span><\/p>\n According to him, the platform assesses the vulnerability of schools using parameters such as perimeter fencing, surveillance systems, security personnel, emergency response facilities, and geolocation technology to enable rapid deployment during emergencies.<\/span><\/p>\n He commended Abia <\/a>State for its level of school registration and advocated the establishment of a state-based command and control centre integrated with the national platform to further enhance school safety across the 17 local government areas of Abia <\/a>State.<\/span><\/p>\n The State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), thanked the Governor for refurbishing their vehicles and assured him of their maximum cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\n The visit was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole; Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi; Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Navy Commander Macdonald Uba (Rtd); Executive Chairman, ASUBEB, Lady Lydia Onuoha; Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic and Secondary Education, Sir Kenechukwu Nwosu, among other senior government officials.<\/span><\/p>\n
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