Benue: Alia vows to tackle school insecurity, advocates for safe learning spaces

Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has reiterated the commitment of his administration to address the growing concerns of insecurity within schools in the state. Speaking at the closing ceremony and launch of the safe schools Special Response Team for North Central Nigeria at the IBB Square in Makurdi on Thursday, September 14th, 2023, he emphasized the need for a secure and conducive learning environment.

Governor Alia acknowledged the disruptive impact of conflicts on the nation and the state but stressed the critical role that both the government and stakeholders could play in preventing issues such as gang violence, extremism, abuse, and discrimination in schools. He emphasized the importance of enabling students to learn without anxiety, highlighting the significance of education as a fundamental human right that yields lifelong benefits for individuals and society.

To realize this vision, Governor Alia pledged to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment, vowing to protect educational institutions in the state. He announced the approval and donation of a facility for the establishment of the Benue State Safe Schools Response Coordination Center near the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi. Additionally, he assured assistance in renovating the building for the center to facilitate its operations.

Underlining the importance of safe schools even amid conflict and emergencies, the governor emphasized that prioritizing safe learning spaces is crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He commended the efforts of various stakeholders, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), female squad commanders from the 36 states and the FCT, private guards companies, and vigilante groups in the North Central region for organizing Capacity Development Training for Safe School Response Teams in six North Central states.