2018 safe school leadership conference holds in Abuja
By Okeoghene Akubuike
As part of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensure safety and security of educational institutions in the country, the 2018 Safe School Leadership Empowerment Conference is set to hold in Abuja.
Mr Ike Onyechere, Chairman, National Organising Committee, Safe School Conference and Awards, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday that the conference would hold from Nov. 12 to 15.
Onyechere said the purpose of the conference was to bring leaders of educational institutions together alongside the security agencies to update their knowledge on contemporary security situations.
He said the conference would also afford participants the opportunity to develop and build their capacity on new preventive skills.
”The 2018 Safe School Leadership Empowerment Conference is scheduled to start at Green Minds Hotel, Abuja on Nov. 12.
“It will climax on Nov.15 with the Safe School Awards designed to recognise and celebrate institutions and individuals for outstanding contributions towards promotion of safety and security in educational institutions.”
Onyechere said security agencies would brief leaders and principal officers of educational ministries, agencies and institutions on lessons from past attacks on schools during the conference.
He said the security agencies would also speak on new precautionary and preventive best practices and protocols against contemporary security risks for schools in Nigeria.
Onyechere said that Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Fire Service, National Emergency Development Agency (NEMA) and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) are part of the conference.
”The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, will address the conference on Precautions Against Kidnapping.
“Commandant-General of NSCDC, Abdulahi Muhammadu will speak on Due Diligence in Recruitment, Verification and Engagement of Security Guards and Categories of Staff in Schools.
“Controller-General of Federal Fire Service, Mr Joseph Garba Anebi will make a presentation on Fire Prevention and Management Best Practices, Policies and Protocols in Educational Institutions.”
He said that the Director-General of NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja would address the conference on Preventive, Precautionary and Mitigation Best Practices against Flood and other Natural Disasters for educational institutions.
Onyechere, who is also the Chairman, Exam Ethics Marshal International, said other speakers include Prof. Abednego Ekoko; Maj.-Gen. Mathias Efeovbahkan (Rtd); Prof. Bappa-Aliyu Muhammadu, the Executive Secretary, NCCE.
“They would make presentations on the topics including Security Risk Assessment Audit and Emergency Preparedness Planning for Educational Institutions; and Security Leadership, Policy-Making, Decision-Making and Communication Best Practices for Educational Institutions.”
He said the Safe School Awards would be presented in four categories: Safe School Leadership Impact Award; Best Private School Safety Awards; Safe School Distinguished Service Award; and Safe School Heroes Award.
He explained that the Annual Safe School Leadership Empowerment Conference and Awards were components of the Safe School Empowerment Project (SASEP) which was launched in 2014.
According to him, SESEP is aimed at promoting safety and security in educational institutions in response to the increasing level on insecurity in schools across the country.
“SASEP aims to build capacity of principal officers of educational institutions, teachers and students incisive on preventive precautionary and mitigation measures against security risks in schools,” he said.
