The Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd) says the Armed Forces of Nigeria will not renege on it’s commitment to secure schools against infractions by anti – educational Forces.
A signed statement by the Special Assistant Media and Publicity to the Minister of Defence on Media and Publicity, Mohammad Abdulkadri made available to Channel Network Afrique, CNA indicates that General Magashi stated this at the Pre – event Briefing towards the 4th International Conference on Safe Schools Declaration, SSD, at the National Defence College, Abuja.
He said Nigeria will be the first African country to host the biennial International Safe Schools Declaration Conference from 25th to 27th of October.
The Defence Minister said the condemnable and unacceptable attacks on Schools by criminal elements must stop forthwith as the nation’s Security Forces are gallantly on top of the situation.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary 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 noted that the pre – Conference briefing organised by the Ministry of Defence and with support from it’s Education and Foreign Affairs counterpart is aimed at creating awareness, highlights its significance and to launch SSD Manuals which he said is the first of its kind since 2015.
Highlight of the event includes 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”
