Manila:The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Edo has formed a partnership with the Edo Ministry of Education and the Mobile Foundation for Health, Security and Rehabilitation (MHRS) to bolster child protection and security awareness in secondary schools. This collaboration was announced during a Schools Safety and Advocacy Workshop held in Benin.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the workshop, themed ‘Building Safer Schools, Child Protection, Wellness and Security Awareness,’ gathered security officials, government representatives, teachers, students, and other stakeholders. The aim was to discuss strategies to prevent abuse, violence, exploitation, and security threats within school environments.
During the keynote address, DC Abdulkareem Olanrewaju, Head of Operations for NSCDC in Edo, emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring school safety. He highlighted the roles of government agencies, school authorities, parents, communities, and security agencies in this effort. Olanrewaju pointed out that children must be safeguarded against abuse, bullying, trafficking, violence, and exploitation, and stressed the importance of early reporting and coordinated responses.
Olanrewaju also called attention to the necessity of protecting the girl-child and encouraged students to be aware of their rights, identify unsafe situations, and report any threats to trusted adults or relevant authorities promptly. He reiterated the corps’ dedication to protecting lives through initiatives like the Safe Schools program, security sensitization, and collaboration with stakeholders. He urged school administrators, teachers, parents, and students to report suspicious activities and provide timely information to security agencies.
Mr. Enodolomwanyi Otamere, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, praised the organizers for focusing on students’ safety and welfare. He encouraged teachers and students to use the workshop’s lessons to foster responsible behavior and security awareness.
The workshop included presentations on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, security awareness, and child protection. Miss Kemi Oluwademmy discussed the significance of educating young people about sexual and reproductive health, while CSC Nicolas Oko addressed potential security threats and preventive measures. SC Esther Oladimeji highlighted the necessity of protecting children from various forms of harm.
An interactive question-and-answer session allowed participants to seek clarification on issues related to child protection, adolescent wellness, and school security.