The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has called on the federal government to prioritise the security of human lives by enforcing stringent safety standards not just in schools but across all sectors.
The Secretariat made the call on Thursday in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo and Director, Social Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Umoh, while consoling families of the victims ,the Islamic community, and all those affected by fire incident at the islamic school in Zamfara state.
TheFact Daily reports that 17 children lost their lives and several others were injured in a devastating fire incident on Tuesday night at an Islamiya School in Laura Namoda area, Zamfara State.
Reacting to the tragic incident, the catholic Church said the loss of these young lives is a profound sorrow that resonates across the nation.
” Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of unimaginable pain, asking for God’s comfort and strength to sustain you. Additionally, we pray for the swift and complete recovery of the injured, trusting that God’s healing presence will bring them peace and restoration in body and spirit,”.
The CSN said the incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to prioritize safety everywhere across the country.
“It is disheartening to acknowledge that we have witnessed too many avoidable deaths, especially due to the lack of proper safety standards. In many cases, the fire service is outrightly not available, non-functional or ill-equipped to respond effectively to such emergencies.
“We stand united with all Nigerians in calling for an immediate and renewed commitment to safeguarding human life. At all times, in all places, and by all means, the sacredness of human life must be defended and protected.
“We, therefore, urgently call on the government and relevant stakeholders to enforce stringent safety standards not only in schools but across all sectors of society. It is critical that we take immediate action to prevent the reoccurrence of such devastating incidents in the future, and ensure that no more lives are lost due to avoidable negligence. We implore the government to prioritize the protection and security of human life in our nation, recognizing that every life is sacred and deserves to be safeguarded,” the Catholic church said.
