The Ondo State Government has responded to the growing security threats targeting schools by setting up a steering committee for safe schools programme in the state.
This was said to be a part of the efforts to protect school children from kidnapping and other forms of criminalities in the state.
The Safe Schools Initiative is a Federal Government programme, designed to protect students, teachers, and educational infrastructure from violence, kidnappings, and other forms of attacks.
At the inauguration of the committee in Akure on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Igbekele Ajibefun, explained that the committee was specifically created to carry out critical responsibilities, provide strategic direction, and enhance coordination among stakeholders.
According to him, members of the steering committee include: representatives from the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Amotekun Corps, religious and traditional leaders, and Parents-Teachers Association.
Charging the committee members, the Commissioner, who is the Chairman of the committee said, “You are to support the implementation of the Safe Schools Programme and strengthen mechanisms to prevent security threats in the educational institutions of the state.”
As the chairman of the committee, Ajibefun emphasised that the success of the initiative largely rests on the active participation of all stakeholders.
Explaining that security is a shared responsibility requiring vigilance, preparedness, resilience and collective action, Ajibefun admonished the members to discharge their duties with diligence, commitment, integrity, and a strong sense of purpose.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry—who also serves as the secretary of the committee, Akindele Ige, stated that the establishment of the committee was a direct response to the growing security threats targeting schools.
Ige noted that recent attacks have reinforced the need for deliberate, coordinated, and sustained efforts to protect students, educators, and school infrastructure across the state.
He affirmed that, “No meaningful teaching can take place where there is fear, and no effective learning can occur where there is insecurity.”