The Jigawa government has expended N342 million on the establishment of Safe School Rapid Response Coordination Centre in the state.

Gov. Umar Namadi said this at a stakeholders’s forum meeting on Safe School Initiative  (SSI), on Thursday in Dutse.

The theme of the meeting is: “Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities in the protection of education.

Namadi said the centre was designed to serve as a hub to monitor potential emergencies and coordinate swift responses.

He said the project included renovation and provision of furniture, security gadgets, surveillance and ICT equipment, two vehicles, four motorcycles, optical night vision devices, GPS units, walkie-talkies, among others.

According to Namadi, the state government will pursue a Public Private Partnership with private security agencies to engage over 9,000 youths to provide physical security in public institutions.

He listed the institutions to include primary and secondary schools as well as health facilities.

“While primarily intended to enhance security in the benefitting public institutions, this intervention will also help in addressing unemployment among the youths,

“Goal 8 of this administration’s 12-Point Agenda, clearly identified security, as one of the focus areas.

“As mentioned in the agenda document, part of our strategies will include building an inclusive community-led response to security, adopting new technologies,” he said.

Namadi said the state would also focus on strengthening local governments, traditional institutions and other relevant stakeholders, to ensure the safety of lives and properties of the people.

He said that his administration had implemented interventions to strengthen security resilience and integration of communities, in line with Strategic Stakeholder Engagement.

The governor commended the Nigeria Police Force Strategic National Stakeholder’ Forum, on the protection of schools and other learning places, stressing that everybody has a role to play in maintaining and strengthening security.

He also lauded the police and other security agencies for promoting peace, security and social cohesion in the state.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said the programme was borne out of commitment to ensure safety and security of students and educational institutions.

Represented by Ahmed Ammani, Assistant Inspector-General of  Police, Zone 1 Headquarters Kano, Egbetokun described Jigawa as relatively peaceful.

“We cannot over emphasise the importance of our schools to the overall development of our dear nation.

“Our schools are not only sanctuaries of knowledge, but also a nurturing ground for the future leaders of our country.

“The security of our schools determines the security of our future and therefore must be protected against all threats,” he said.

Egbetokun said that he had directed  the Commissioners of Police to engage with stakeholders with a view to guarantee safety and security of schools.

While reaffirming commitment to deploy innovative tactics and technology to safeguard schools, Egbetokun highlighted the imperative for communities to support security agencies in protecting the schools against threats. (NAN)