NSCDC unveils safety campaign to secure schools in Abia

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Abia State has initiated a comprehensive statewide campaign focused on enhancing safety and security within schools. The program, titled "School Safety Sensitisation and Reach-Out Programme," targets schoolchildren, management officials, and teaching staff across the state.

According to Ndukwe Egwu, Head of Media and Public Relations for the Abia State Command, the campaign's primary objective is to educate participants on emerging security threats, provide essential safety tips, and raise awareness about the detrimental effects of illicit drug peddling and consumption. This initiative is a proactive measure to foster a safer learning environment.

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The School Safety Sensitisation exercise is a well-thought-out programme to build a culture of security consciousness and alertness among our children and the teaching staff. We are convinced that if we get it right at that level, then the society will be safer.

State Commandant Chukwuemeka Odimba emphasized the program's goal of building a culture of security consciousness and alertness among students and educators. He believes that instilling these values at an early stage will contribute to a safer society overall. The exercise follows a recent security assessment tour conducted by the NSCDC of various educational institutions, including unity schools, colleges of education, polytechnics, and universities in Abia.

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This is the next stage of the command’s comprehensive plans to secure our children, teachers and promote a peaceful learning environment in the state.

The NSCDC is collaborating with the Civil Defence Officers’ Wives Association (CDOWA), Abia State chapter, to ensure the program's successful implementation. Lady Ijeoma Odimba, Chairperson of CDOWA Abia State and wife of the State Commandant, has been recognized for her commitment to promoting peace through various intervention programs, including sensitization workshops, providing study materials, and offering scholarships.

During the launch at the command headquarters and subsequent visits to schools like Comprehensive Secondary School, Umuda, the NSCDC team, including the Head of the Safe School Unit, Umezurike Chinyere, has been educating students on security and self-defense. School principals have lauded the NSCDC and CDOWA for their efforts, which extend beyond physical security to building resilient homes and fostering patriotism among students.

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towards promoting peace in our homes through their various intervention programmes, especially in the areas of organising sensitisation workshops, providing study materials, offering scholarships to indigent children, sanitary products for the girl child, among others.