The Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.), has pledged to strengthen security around schools across the country to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students.
The minister made the pledge on Wednesday while receiving an award from the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria in Abuja, in recognition of his role in safeguarding schools and advancing the Safe Schools Initiative.
Musa said the Federal Government would continue to work with parents, teachers and other stakeholders to protect students, noting that education cannot thrive without adequate security.
“Without security, there will not be a good learning environment. We will continue to work seriously to ensure that our schools are safe. Let us continue to work hand-in-hand, parents, teachers, government, and society, to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their fullest potentials.
“This award will strengthen my resolve to continue working for policies and initiatives that improve the quality of teaching and learning, provide a safe and inclusive environment for our children, empower teachers with resources and training, and foster stronger collaboration between schools, parents, and communities. This is very critical.” the minister said.
The defence minister described parents and teachers as critical partners in nation-building, stressing that proper education and discipline were essential to producing responsible citizens and preventing social instability.
Earlier, the President of NAPTAN, Haruna Danjuma, said the minister’s appointment was a testament to his years of service and commitment to national security, particularly his role in initiating the Safe Schools Programme while serving as Chief of Defence Staff.
He said the initiative had reassured parents and encouraged school attendance amid security challenges, especially threats of kidnapping and attacks on educational institutions.
According to the association, parents across the country have benefitted from improved security measures around vulnerable schools, adding that the award was meant to encourage the minister to sustain and expand such efforts.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwa, also commended the minister’s leadership, describing the award as recognition of his dedication to protecting both national security and the future of Nigerian children.
He said the ministry would continue to collaborate with education stakeholders to ensure that security and education progressed hand in hand.
Concerns over the safety of schools have intensified in recent years following repeated cases of attacks and kidnappings of students and teachers by bandits and other criminal groups in parts of the country.
These incidents have disrupted academic activities and heightened anxiety among parents and education stakeholders.
