By Usman Aliyu
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo Command, has partnered with the Edo Ministry of Education and Mobile Foundation for Health, Security and Rehabilitation (MHRS) to promote child protection, adolescent wellness and security awareness in secondary schools.
They announced the partnership at a Schools Safety and Advocacy Workshop held on Wednesday in Benin.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the workshop is: “Building Safer Schools, Child Protection, Wellness and Security Awareness.”
The workshop brought together security officials, government representatives, teachers, students and other stakeholders to discuss measures to prevent abuse, violence, exploitation and security threats in schools.
Delivering the keynote address, DC Abdulkareem Olanrewaju, Head of Operations, NSCDC in Edo, said school safety required collective responsibility among government agencies, school authorities, parents, communities and security agencies.
In the address titled: “School Advocacy and Sensitization on Child Protection, Prevention and Security Awareness,” Olanrewaju described children as valuable assets whose safety, education and future must be protected.
He identified abuse, bullying, trafficking, violence and exploitation as threats requiring preventive action, early reporting and coordinated responses.
Olanrewaju also stressed the need to protect the girl-child, urging students to understand their rights, recognise unsafe situations and promptly report threats to trusted adults or relevant authorities.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the corps to protecting lives and property through its Safe Schools initiatives, security sensitisation, crime prevention and collaboration with stakeholders.
The NSCDC official urged school administrators, teachers, parents and students to report suspicious activities and provide timely information to security agencies.
“Students are advised to avoid negative influences, respect school authorities and speak out against abuse, intimidation, threats or suspicious activities,” he said.
Olanrewaju commended the NSCDC Safe Schools Department, the Ministry of Education, and other stakeholders for supporting the initiative.
He urged them to sustain the collaboration beyond the workshop.
In his remarks, Mr Enodolomwanyi Otamere, Permanent Secretary in the ministry of education, commended the organisers for prioritising students’ safety and welfare.
Otamere urged teachers and students to apply the lessons from the workshop to promote responsible behaviour, personal safety, mutual respect and security awareness in schools and communities.
The workshop featured presentations on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, security awareness and child protection.
Miss Kemi Oluwademmy, who spoke on “My Boy, My Right: Understanding Sexual and Reproductive Health for Adolescents,” highlighted the importance of equipping young people with appropriate knowledge to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.
In his presentation on security safety, CSC Nicolas Oko, identified potential threats and preventive measures to protect students and school communities.
Similarly, SC Esther Oladimeji emphasised the need to safeguard children from abuse, exploitation and other forms of harm.
The event also featured an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants sought clarification on issues relating to child protection, adolescent wellness and school security. (NAN)
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma
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