BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto-
Worried by the rising spate of insecurity in Nigeria, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State has said that anti-education, anti-development as well as non state actors are behind the lingering scenarios.
Governor Tambuwal who suggested the creation of a Safe School Fund (SSF) as a veritable way of sustaining the efforts of ensuring unhindered education by State Governments that have bandits prone areas, urged the Minister of Finance to appeal to the CBN Governor to drop his threat of demanding loan refund from such security prone states.
The Governor stressed that, his proactive measures in Sokoto has helped in curtailing the threat of those violent anti education and non state actors.
Speaking alongside his counterpart, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who also pledged the total support of the Forum to the effective implementation of a National Framework for Safe Schools.
Both Tambuwal and Dr Fayemi spoke as panelists at a forum on “Financing Safe Schools: Creating Safe Learning Communities” convened by the Minister of Finance, Dr. (Mrs.) Zainab Ahmed at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, on Tuesday.
A statement by Tambuwal’s spokeperson, Muhammad Bello quoted the governor as saying, “On the issue said to have been raised by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, that States should start refunding the loans given to them by the Apex Bank or face consequences, the Minister of Finance should appeal to the CBN Governor to drop his veiled threat as the situation of insecurity that necessitated the States taking the loan still subsists and is even worsening”.
Governor Tambuwal continued that, “If States start paying back the loans where will they get the money to ensure the safety and security of schools under them?
While noting that his administration has been proactive in closing schools located along border areas with Niger Republic and the bandits infested areas near Zamfara State, Tambuwal added that other schools were merged with those in safe areas, while some boarding students were also sent to Day Schools in their local government areas as a sure measure towards curbing kidnapping of students.
“In the same vein, security has been beefed up in schools across the state as more capable security guards have been recruited just as additional police men and those of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been posted to schools to ensure adequate security”.
The governor further added that more security precautions that will serve as early warning systems are in place in the schools to forewarn teachers and students of any danger.
In her remarks, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard congratulated governor Amimu Waziri Tambuwal for his giant strides in the educational sector, pointing out that the Sokoto State Government’s innovative approaches and total commitment to giving the sector a new lease of life are heart -warming and deserves support.
The Ambassasor while speaking on the topic: “Current Activities to Protect Schools and Gaps to be Addressed,” said she was particularly impressed with measures so far taken by Govenor Amimu Waziri Tambuwal to ensure that schools in Sokoto State are safe”.
On her part, Ms. Aisha Garba Mohammed, a Senior Education Specialist with the Nigerian office of the World Bank, also commended Tambuwal for his insights and innovative approaches to school safety and security.
Ms. Aisha Garba further noted that the Sokoto model will form a major plank of the National Framework for Safe Schools in Nigeria.
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