By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that schools across the state remain safe and secure, saying the protection of students and teachers remains a top priority.
The governor made this known after receiving a delegation from the National Safe School Integrated Command and Intelligence System, led by Dr. Umannah Samuel Amadi, at the Government House, on Wednesday where both parties discussed strategies to strengthen security in schools across the state.
Otti said the meeting focused on enhancing collaboration aimed at guaranteeing that every child in Abia has access to education in a safe and protected environment.
He commended the (NSCDC) for its commitment to complementing the state’s security architecture, particularly in the protection of lives, property and critical public infrastructure.
According to the governor, the partnership between the state government and the NSCDC has continued to yield positive results in improving security across Abia.
Highlighting his administration’s investment in education, Otti disclosed that the state consistently earmarks 20 per cent of its annual budget for the education sector. He said the allocation covers school infrastructure, teachers’ welfare, curriculum development and other strategic interventions aimed at improving the quality of education.
He noted that beyond constructing and renovating schools, the government is ensuring that educational institutions meet minimum security standards through the provision of perimeter fencing, secure gates and trained security personnel.
The governor also revealed that the state has established a Command and Control Centre with the emergency response number 112, which is expected to become operational soon.
He explained that the emergency response system would be integrated with the National Safe School Integrated Command and Intelligence System to enable seamless coordination and rapid response to security threats affecting schools.
Otti stressed that security remains central to his administration’s agenda, assuring residents that the government would continue working closely with the NSCDC and other security partners to safeguard the future of children and create a conducive learning environment across the state.
