The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, and the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu have charged Principals of Federal Unity Colleges across the country to protect their schools and students from any form of attack or banditry.
Director, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Bem Goong disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, October 16, 2023.
He said the Minister gave the charge while speaking at a meeting with Principals of the Nation’s 112 Unity Colleges in continuation of briefings from departments and Chief Executives under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education.
Prof. Mamman who described the Unity Colleges as National ‘treasures which must be protected at all cost”, charged the Principals to be vigilant over security issues, adding that early security warnings must not be taken for granted.
Speaking in the same vein, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu while commending the Principals for their patriotism and commitment to the Service of the Nation charged the Principals to be watchful and take extra measures to protect their respective schools.
Dr. Sununu directed the Principals to liaise with Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders, Parents, and all Security Agencies to create the necessary synergy that will guarantee the security of all Federal Unity Schools.
Responding to the charge, the Chairperson of the Association of Principals of Nigerian Unity Colleges and the Principal of the Federal Science and Technical College Ilesa, Dr. Mrs Idowu Akinbamijo assured the Ministers that her colleagues will do everything humanly possible to ensure that the children under their care are fully protected, adding that as parents, the security of their children is of utmost priority.
Dr. Idowu used the occasion to appeal to the Ministers to prioritize the construction of housing accommodation in rural Unity Colleges as an incentive to attract and retain teachers in rural schools.
She also requested that provision be made for posting entitlements of teachers before their postings are affected in order to reduce the pains associated with the relocation of teachers and their families.
The briefing was attended by almost all the Principals of the 112 Unity Colleges.
