ABUJA (Education Ministry’ Report)- The Acting Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Husseini Adamu, has enjoined authorities of Federal Unity colleges to take more pro-active measures to secure the lives of students entrusted in their care.
He gave this directive while declaring open a One-day sensitization workshop on “Education in Emergencies/Emergency Preparedness and Response” organized for Vice Principals (Special Duties) in the North Central, South East, South South and South West Geo-Political Zones, at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja on April 24, 2017.
Dr. Husseini stated that the purpose of the workshop was to create awareness on the importance of Education in Emergency (EIE) and what should be done to reduce vulnerability. He observed that Nigeria has in the recent past witnessed a myriad of emergencies, ranging from Flooding, Fire Outbreaks, Ebola- Virus epidemic to Armed Conflicts, which according to him affect students more.
The Acting Permanent Secretary noted that the worst was the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East Zone since 2009, which affected five of the 104 Federal Government Colleges namely: Federal Government College, Buni Yardi; Federal Science/Technical College, Michika; Federal Government Girls’ College, Potiskum; Federal Government College, Munguno and Federal Science/Technical College, Lassa.
He pointed out that FGGC, Potiskum and FGGC, Munguno were later re-opened, but FGC, Buni Yardi, FSTC, Lassa and FSTC Michika were still closed down.
The PS also recalled the kidnapping of over 200 Chibok girls in Borno State by the Boko Haram insurgents on April 14, 2014, of which some have been released, while some are still being held.
He, therefore, urged all participants at the workshop to prepare for the unexpected, which requires planning ahead. Consequently, he recommended that effective communication should be crucial and timely in preparing the students, staff as well as the neighbouring communities for emergencies.
Many experienced resource persons delivered papers at the workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction and Education, Early Warning Signs, School Disaster Management and School Contingency Plan and Development.
