NSCDC urges security experts to support national safe school initiative

Dr Ahmed Audi, Commandant-General (CG), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has urged security experts to support the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC).

Audi made the call on Friday in Abuja while inaugurating a 21-member Technical Advisory Committee, saddled to ensure efficient running of the centre.

He said that the committee was expected to also provide effective implementation and ensure success of the safe school programme.

Our correspondent reports that the Federal Government had set up the NSSRCC in February at the NSCDC, Headquarters in Abuja.

According to Audi, the national safe schools’ plan was put in place to curb attacks on educational facilities including their host communities.

“Therefore, support to the centre by those with expertise as carefully selected to serve on this committee will result in the success of the programme and safety of schools children,” the CG said.

He further said that the establishment of the committee was in compliance with Section 8, Sub-Section II of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the centre.

The SOP reads that, “the CG shall appoint and request for representation from relevant stakeholders, a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to provide compass and direction to the NSSRCC.”

The CG reiterated that the programme became necessary considering the importance of education on human capital development and the overall development of the nation.

“Hence, making it imperative for government to deploy extraordinary measures to tackle the spate of attacks on school facilities in Nigeria.

“The NSSRCC is a critical component of the national plan for safe schools saddled with coordinative, preventive, safety and security responsibilities.

“This is in collaboration with the military and other law enforcement agencies as well as relevant stakeholders,” he said.

In his welcome address, Commander of the Centre, Tersoo Shaapera, said that NSCDC had been assigned as the lead agency with the mandate to host the NSSRCC.

According to him, it is important to correct the misconception that the corps is in conflict with any sister agency or stakeholders in the implementation of national plan on safe schools.

“The national document on implementation of the Safe Schools Programme, clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of every agency,” he said.

Shaapera added that the inauguration of the committee was necessary to gain and use the knowledge, expertise and experience of every agency represented in the committee to the advantage of the centre.

Our correspondent reports that the committee is made up of representatives of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), NAPTIP, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), independent consultants and the NSCDC CG as the Chairman.