By Sunday Ameh
The Ogun State Government has activated the Safe School Initiative in line with the Federal Government’s directive, unveiling measures aimed at protecting learners and school personnel against rising security threats across the country.
The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, disclosed this during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu.
He said the initiative was being implemented through a multi-stakeholder approach involving security agencies, host communities and relevant government institutions.
According to the commissioner, the state has constituted a Safe School Committee to coordinate the implementation of the initiative and strengthen existing security arrangements across public schools.
“The Federal Government directed all states to activate the Safe School Initiative. We have set up a Safe School Committee comprising various stakeholders participating in the implementation,” he said.
Arigbabu explained that the initiative builds on existing national and state security strategies while introducing additional measures specifically designed to safeguard schools.
He disclosed that the government had commenced plans to fence public schools in phases, describing the project as one of several protective measures to improve school security.
According to him, although fencing alone cannot eliminate security threats, it provides an important layer of protection.
The commissioner also revealed that principals and heads of schools had been directed to register their schools with nearby police divisions to ensure prompt emergency response whenever necessary.
He added that school administrators now maintain regular engagement with Divisional Police Officers and other security agencies to review security situations around schools.
Arigbabu said the Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Affairs was coordinating broader security interventions across the state.
He noted that while some schools already enjoy the presence of police officers and operatives of the Amotekun Corps, it would be impractical to deploy security personnel to every school without leaving communities vulnerable.
The commissioner identified surveillance, regular patrols and community participation as key components of the Safe School Initiative.
He commended community leaders for mobilising residents to become more vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies.
According to him, growing public awareness has made many communities more security conscious, thereby discouraging criminal activities.
Arigbabu further assured residents that schools located in rural and border communities, which are considered more susceptible to attacks, were receiving enhanced security attention.
He cited a recent visit to Yewa, where he observed increased deployment of police officers and Amotekun operatives around schools in the area.
“There is special attention to rural communities because they are more vulnerable to security threats,” he said.
The commissioner expressed confidence that the initiative would further strengthen the safety of schools across Ogun State while complementing ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and security agencies to curb attacks on educational institutions.
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