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Senate Probes $20m Safe School Initiative Fund
The Senate has mandated the Committees on Education (Basic and Secondary) and Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND to investigate the utilization of over $20million funding proposed and budgeted for the initiative over the years.
The probe would cover monies donated by foreign governments and agencies to the initiative.
Yesterday, the upper chamber considered a motion on the “Urgent need for the Restoration and Revalidation of the Safe School Initiative in Nigeria.”
The sponsor, Senator Stephen Adi Odey (PDP – Cross River North) recalled that the initiative was launched in 2014 to promote safety of students, teachers, and school facilities in 2014.
He decried the kidnap of Chibok and Dapchi school girls in Borno and Yobe states, Kankara School Boys in Katsina State, and the recent abduction of students and staff of Government Science College, Kagara in Rafilga Local Government Area of Niger State.
The lawmaker said the incidences have created negative publicity for Nigeria with the attendance loss of confidence by foreign investors.
Odey expressed confidence that the full implementation of the Safe School Initiative will ensure global standards in Nigeria’s educational sector through the employment of qualified teachers as well as provision of libraries and laboratories.
Senate Deputy Whip, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC – Niger North) observed that the recent kidnappings of school children by bandits have resulted in students missing out on education.
“This motion is very timely, especially coming at the heels of the last incident of the kidnap of school children from Government Science Secondary School, Kagara. Whatever is being done to dissuade parents from sending their children to school is something that we must take seriously”, Abdullahi said.
Senator Orker Jev (PDP – Benue North West) warned that the spate of kidnappings of students would have an adverse effect on the quality of learning and education in Nigeria.
He said the situation can only be addressed when general insecurity is nipped in the bud.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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