Brigadier General Sani Ahmed, the Commander of 1 Brigade Nigerian Army located in Gusau, Zamfara State, has committed to establishing a strong alliance with civil society organizations within the region. This unified front aims to work together in order to ensure the attainment of secure educational institutions throughout the state. Brigadier General Ahmed made a crucial announcement on Friday in Gusau, expressing the Nigerian Army’s unwavering dedication towards the Safe Schools Initiative. He emphasized the need for close cooperation with civil society organizations (CSO) to guarantee the program’s triumph in the region.
In 2014, the establishment of the Safe Schools Initiative by the Federal Government aimed to ensure uninterrupted access to education for children residing in regions affected by violence. Brigadier General Ahmed, the leader of the brigade, expressed his appreciation for the visit of the delegation from the safe school technical team, acknowledging their visit as both opportune and vital for the advancement of the initiative. Ahmed, acknowledging the CSOs’ recommendations and expressing worry about how insecurity impacts education, pledged to integrate their suggestions into current initiatives.
CSOs urged to mobilize support for the military.
Underlining the importance of the matter, he underscored the imperative for all stakeholders to join forces and combat insecurity. Ahmed expressed his appreciation for the positive progress made as various civil society organizations join forces to actively support the re-enrollment of children from insecure communities back into schools. His deep concern for the detrimental effects of insecurity on education has always evoked strong emotions within him. Determined to address this issue, he emphasized the importance of incorporating strategies to mitigate its impact into their existing plans.
The CSOs were called upon by the brigade commander to actively participate in mobilizing public support for military operations in the ongoing struggle against insecurity. Ahmed stressed the importance of a collaborative approach between CSOs and called upon their assistance in educating the wider population about the importance of backing military operations, emphasizing the significance of effective security measures. Also, Dr. Ahmad Hashim, head of the delegation representing civil society organizations (CSO), provided insights into the objective behind their visit to the Nigerian Army.
Zamfara had grappled with violent conflicts in all 14 LGAs.
Their primary focus was to stress the importance of upholding the right to education, even in the face of security challenges. This was especially crucial in Zamfara State, where persistent violent conflicts over the past 12 years have had a profound impact on all 14 local government areas. Hashim said that they had arrived at the command for an advocacy visit primarily focusing on the state’s education. Their staunch conviction resonated with the notion that insecurity should never hinder the pursuit of education.
Over the span of a dozen years, the state had grappled with unrelenting violent conflicts which had profoundly impacted all 14 local government areas within its domain. Insecurity poses a severe threat to education, as Hashim expounded upon, shedding light on the detrimental effects it has had. He illustrated this by highlighting incidents of abductions that resulted in the forced shutdown of primary and secondary schools across certain regions of the state.
Education should persevere even in dire situations.
Emphasizing the apprehension of Civil Society Organizations (CSO), Hashim emphasized their deep-rooted worry regarding the condition of schools and education amidst ongoing insecurity. With conviction, he proclaimed that education should persevere even in the most dire of circumstances. The joint efforts of the Nigerian Army and civil society organizations mark a significant milestone in addressing the influence of insecurity on education in conflict-ridden regions. Both entities acknowledge the pressing need to safeguard uninterrupted learning for the distressed children, thus embarking upon this collaboration.
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