The Kogi State Government has restated its commitment to enhance adequate security of lives and property in various campuses of tertiary institutions across the state.
The State's Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, FCIB, gave the assurance at a sensitisation meeting with heads of State Tertiary Institutions, and officials of Kogi State Security Trust Fund (KSSTF), on Thursday in Lokoja.
The commissioner reiterated the commitment of His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello, to revamping education in the state, saying the feat would only be achieved in the atmosphere of peace and stability.
According to Jones, the issue of security in the state own tertiary institutions is paramount, hence the need to interface with heads of institutions and the relevant stakeholders.
He stressed that the meeting would enable the officials of the KSSTF to sensitise heads of tertiary institutions in the state on its activities, so that they could take advantage of the benefits.
''We want to ensure peace and stability on our campuses and in the entire Kogi State. I believe at the end of this meeting, all of us will be better informed.
He appealed to all the relevant stakeholders to join hands with His Excellency in revamping education sector in the state.
Also speaking, Hon. Paul Funsho Iselewa, the Board Chairman of KSSTF, noted that the board usually source for fund and dispense it to security agencies in order to boost security of lives and property across the state.
He said the board would collaborate with heads of institutions because of the rising cases of cultism, drug abuse and other criminal tendencies in schools.
''The governor is so much interested in sensitising the public on security; it is our job as heads of institutions to ensure security of lives and property on our various schools.
''So, we expect schools' managements to take precautionary measures; ours is to assist you in doing your job'', he said.
Some of the heads of institutions and their representatives at the meeting, commended the government for the gesture, saying it would help in consolidating their efforts in ensuring adequate security on their campuses.
Dr Usman Ogbo, the Acting Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, urged security agencies to be more proactive in ensuring external security around schools in order to forestall avoidable crises.
On his part, Mr Ibrahim Yahaya, the Dean Students Affairs, College of Education Ankpa, said the initiative was a very good one but called for commitment for implementation.
In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, MOEST, Pastor Emmanuel Idenyi, commended all the participants for honouring the invitation and for the fruitful deliberations.
All the state own tertiary institutions were all represented at the sensitisation meeting.
