Security experts advance talks on safety in Lagos schools

Stemming from the kidnappings that recently happened in some schools in Lagos State, the state government and private sector will be out to address strategic issues around safety at a day seminar on ‘Building a safer school environment.’

Fatai Owoseni, Lagos commissioner of police, Felix Olorunda, a security expert/CEO of SSV Protection Services Limited, alongside speakers in both government and private sector, are billed to address issues around safety and security, at the seminar.

With the growing incidences of kidnapping and abduction of people, especially students, experts have stressed the need for schools to be more sensitive and vigilant to the security situation around them.

Olorunda, while commenting on the forthcoming seminar scheduled for November 17 at University of Lagos, said schools were becoming soft targets of attack.

Olorunda said it was only in a well-secured school that meaningful teaching and learning that would transform into socio-economic prosperity could take place not only in Nigeria but also in other countries of the world.

This is why every school, either publicly or privately-owned in both urban and remote communities, is required to build and sustain a culture of safety awareness that would give adequate protection to lives and property in their possession, he said.

According to Olorunda, students, workers and visitors to schools need to be physically and psychologically secured in and around schools to be able to perform optimally.

Chima Alaoma, a Lagos-based security expert, while commenting on the issue of security in schools, charged government and managers of schools to endeavour to provide maximum security in schools.

Alaoma opined that as a result of the growing incidence of kidnapping, schools should see themselves as rendering more assistance, ensuring that all children in their custody were safe, as more responsibilities are expected from school.

He however accused government of being insensitive to pupils’ plight, advocated total closure of schools that failed to guarantee the security of their pupils.

Olajide Adegbite, a security consultant on his part, said the task of providing adequate security for children should not be the responsibility of just the school management, but the responsibility of all.

He however disclosed that schools should put in security-conscious measures and not abandon their responsibilities.

On the other hand, Olorunda noted that was why SSV Protection Services Limited came up with the seminar for school owners, administrators, policy makers, security personnel and other stakeholders in the sector.

Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, deputy vice chancellor, academic and research, UNILAG, will be a keynote speaker, while the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, is the guest speaker.