The Governor of lmo State , Sen. Hope Uzodimma has assured that his government will continue to partner with security agencies to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.
He has also commended the leadership of Nigeria Police Force in its pursuit to provide a safe educational learning environment for every Nigerian child, with the establishment of a special squad dedicated to safe schools.
Uzodimma, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of lmo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu,gave the assurance at a 2-day Nigeria Police Force Forum on the safety of Schools held in Owerri.
He noted that his administration has been working tirelessly along with security agencies to stamp out crimes in the state, saying that available statistics showed that the crime rate was dropping.
Gov Uzodimma said the theme of the forum, Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of host Communities in the protection of Education was in line with his administration’s resolve to tackle criminality through partnership with the people.
He further disclosed that the Nigeria Police has been proactive in crime prevention, which ranges from terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, abduction of students and noted that some of these crimes are perpetuated by deviants, while others are politically masterminded by to paint Government of the day black.
According to him, ” I am happy to report to you that the crime rate in the state has dropped drastically with the concerted efforts of the security agencies in the state “.
He observed that the issue of insecurity has become a global challenge and with the theme of this summit which resonates with the global strategies to tackle insecurity proactively and collectively , it therefore requires holistic involvement of all stakeholders namely – the government, security agencies, host Communities, school Administrators, teachers and even the students in order to curb the security challenges.
Governor Uzodimma, therefore, urged the participants to take the summit seriously and put the resolutions into action, noting that education is essential for national development
Earlier in his speech, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode A. Egbetokun who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 9, Umuahia AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu said that the initiative reflects the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure the safety of our schools, teachers, Educational Institutions and Communities, noting that a safe school is more than a secure structure and our schools are the foundation upon which our nation’ s future is built.
Contributing, the Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad Force Headquarters Abuja, Dr. Abayomi Shogunle said that the project is aimed at Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of host Communities into the Security architecture in the protection of Education in Nigeria, to enhance the capacity 0f Security agencies in gathering intelligence reports, prevent and respond to attacks on Educational Institutions amongst other things.
CP Shogunle disclosed that the implementation of the National plan on financing safe schools in Nigeria is in phases with Imo State as one of the pilot states and recalled that in 2024 the Federal Government launched the safe school initiative to enable Children affected by conflicts and insecurity continue with their education unhindered.
In her goodwill message, the National Coordinator on Financing Safe Schools, Federal Ministry of Finance Abuja, Hajiya Halima lliya said that the national plan on security of schools has incorporated a multi level approach for responsive security coverage of the host Communities and our schools .
She therefore called on other states that have not keyed into the programme to do so urgently in order to achieve measurable results and to increase the Nigeria rating in the human capital index.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of lmo state Council of Traditional Rulers and Chairman of South East Traditional Council HRH Eze Emma Okeke, the Security Chiefs in the state, the Imo State Commissioners for Basic Education Prof P. O lkegwuruka and that of Homeland Security & Vigilante Affairs Hon Modestus Osakwe, leaders of Religious and civil organisations commended the initiative and assured the organisers of their total support for the realisation of the set objectives of the program in the state.
Present at the event were the lmo state Commissioner of Police CP Aboki Danjuma, top security personnel , leaders of religious and civil organisations , traditional rulers, teachers, and students .
The event featured cultural dances, simulation of rescue operation during an attack on a school , and group photographs.
