The Ogun State Government has activated the Safe School Initiative and intensified security measures across public schools as part of efforts to protect learners and education workers from rising insecurity across the country.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abayomi Arigbabu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu. He said the initiative was in line with the directive of the Federal Government and was being implemented through collaboration with security agencies, communities and other relevant stakeholders.
Arigbabu explained that the state had established a Safe School Committee to coordinate the implementation of the initiative and strengthen existing security arrangements in schools.
He said, “That is the national directive by the Honourable Minister of Education that we should activate the Safe School Initiative in all states of the federation. We have set up a Safe School Committee which comprises various organs participating with us in the Safe School Initiative.”
The commissioner noted that the initiative became necessary following increasing security concerns across the country, particularly attacks on schools and the abduction of students in some states.
He said the government would also begin fencing public schools in phases to provide additional protection, stressing that fencing alone would not eliminate security threats but would serve as an important layer of defence.
“So, we have extended this initiative particularly to schools. For schools that are not fenced, we are taking them in phases. We have done estimates and cost implications because many schools do not have fences. Providing the fence is one phase. It may not be the complete solution, but it remains an important barrier,” he said.
Arigbabu added that heads of schools had been directed to register their institutions with the nearest police stations and maintain direct communication with Divisional Police Officers to ensure prompt response during emergencies.
“All the various heads of schools have been directed to register their schools with nearby police stations. They have the phone numbers of the DPOs, and regular meetings are held to review security issues. The Senior Special Adviser to the Governor is also coordinating other security initiatives with relevant agencies,” he stated.
According to him, surveillance, routine patrols and active community participation also form key aspects of the Safe School Initiative.
He said, “Community leaders have been very helpful in organising local meetings. People are becoming more security conscious. When strangers are noticed within communities, residents ask questions, and that alone can discourage criminal activities.”
The commissioner further assured residents that schools located in rural and border communities were receiving special security attention because of their vulnerability.
“I was in one of the schools in Yewa last week and saw policemen and Amotekun personnel around the school. Rural communities are receiving special attention because they are more prone to security attacks,” Arigbabu said.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to creating a safe learning environment, expressing confidence that the combined efforts of government, security agencies and local communities would strengthen the protection of schools across Ogun State.
