- To host 4th Safe Schools Declaration global conference from October 25-27, 2021
Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), on Thursday said the Armed Forces of Nigeria will not renege on its national commitment to securing schools against infractions by Anti – educational Forces, pledging to secure all schools nationwide against terrorists, bandits attacks.
General Magashi, who spoke at the National Defence College, (NDC) Abuja pre-event briefing towards the 4th International Conference on Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) to be hosted by Nigeria, explained that Nigeria will be the first African country to host the biennial conference from 25th to 27th of this month.
The Defence Minister said it is “condemnable and unacceptable attacks on Schools by the criminal elements must stop forthwith as the nation’s Security Forces are gallantly on top of the situation.”
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Defence, Musa Istifanus, recalled that the instrument of ratification of SSD was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in December 2019, signalling Nigeria’s strong commitment to its implementation.
He said the pre-Conference briefing organised by the Ministry of Defence and supported by the Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs is aimed at creating awareness, highlights its significance and to launch SSD Manuals which he said is the first of its kind since 2015.
Remarks were delivered by representatives of the Ministers of Education (Adamu Adamu) and Foreign Affairs (Geofrey Onyeama) as well as the Chief of Defence Staff (General Lucky Irabor).
There was also goodwill messages by Commandant NDC (Rear Admiral OB Daji) and Ambassadors of Norway, Argentina and Spain alongside Senior Policy & Strategy Adviser Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attacks ( GCPEA) Ms Abiola Sanusi.
Highlight of the event included Panelists discussions drawn from physical and virtual participants on Challenges and Strategies in Protecting Schools and Universities from Attack, which was moderated by the Acting Assistant Director Legal and Gender Desc Officer Defence Headquarters Squardron Leader OF Maduemezia.
The highpoint and the climax of the ceremony was the presentation of the Safe Schools Declaration Trainer’s Guide and Participants Manual for Nigerian Security Agencies and Human Rights Institutions by the Special Guest of Honour, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) flanked by other dignitaries.
The theme for the 4th biennial International SSD Conference to be held in Abuja Nigeria is
“Ensuring Safe Education for All, from Commitment to Practice”