FG tasks tertiary institutions on security on campuses

THE federal government has tasked all tertiary institutions in the country to take the issue of security on campuses more seriously.

Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who gave this charge, specifically urged the Deans of Students’ Affairs of all tertiary institutions to adopt proactive approach on the emerging trend of insecurity on campuses across the nation.

He spoke during the opening ceremony of a one-day workshop for deans and Deputy Deans of Students’ Affairs of all federal tertiary education institutions in the country, organised by the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja.

Adamu said, “Permit me to throw the challenge to the Ivory Towers to fashion out water-tight solutions to the seeming intractable security challenges facing the country.

“With the immense capacity and sagacity of our intellectuals in our institutions, I have no doubt that this is a challenge that will be readily accepted.”

He noted that the Deans of Students’ Affairs were key stakeholders entrusted with the responsibility of addressing challenges facing students in their respective institutions, including rising security challenges, students’ restiveness, cultism and other social vices.

Adamu, who was represented by the Director, Tertiary Education, Mrs. Fatima Ahmad, called on the participants to use the knowledge gained during the interactions to engender an environment that would be conducive for students to learn and actualise their dreams of becoming good and responsive citizens.

He assured the students’ affairs officers of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s commitment and determination to support every idea that would make not only the tertiary institutions safe for students and workers, but the whole length and breadth of the nation safe enough for social, economic and, most importantly, educational prosperity.

In her welcome address, the Director, Tertiary Education, represented by the Deputy Director, Institutional Support, Ms Ann Haruna, said that the workshop aimed at addressing the students’ affairs officers on issues of national importance.

She said the theme of the workshop, ‘Towards Effective Security & Safety on Our Campuses’, was part of a series of security seminars/safety workshops to sensitise management officers in the tertiary institutions in the country about security management with a view to reducing insecurity to the barest minimum in the campuses.