ABUJA (Federal Ministry of Finance Report) – The Nigerian Government’s 1.6 Billion Naira Safe School Initiative aimed at the rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools in the North – East of Nigeria has received international support. Information about the move was made known in Abuja lately through a team led by the former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.
In her opening remarks to brief the press on the development, the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said that the Safe School Initiative is the innovation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s determination to see that the abducted Chibok school girls are not only rescued, but returned to school in a more conducive learning environment that is devoid of filth and insecurity.
She added that the programme is a tripartite gesture between the Nigerian Government and the Governors of the North – East States as well as the international community. “This initiative offers three windows which include the rehabilitation, reconstruction and creating safe schools in the North – East States which are currently ravaged by insurgents. In announcing the International Community’s support, Gordon Brown assured the Nigerian Government that some international agencies are teaming up to support Nigeria with 1.6 billion naira as well as intelligence and other technical support to enable the country rehabilitate and reconstruct the schools in the North – East.
Gordon Brown further expressed the willingness of the agencies to partner with the Nigerian Government to see that adequate facilities such as fencing, sanitation, good communication gadgets, potable water as well as conducive classrooms and teachers’ accommodation are provided in the schools within the North – East region. The former British Prime Minister promised that he will convince more countries to key into the Safe School Initiative and the fight against insurgency in Nigeria and Africa at large.
While delivering his remarks at the occasion, the Governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Geidam commended the international community for coming to the aid of Nigeria in its bid to combat the menace of insecurity. He also extolled the Nigerian Government for its numerous supports, particularly for initiating the gesture towards enabling schools in the region to operate in environments that are conducive. He informed that his Government will give the federal government every support to ensure that the initiative succeeds.
Also in his speech, the Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima pledged his unflinching support for the programme and prayed that with the tripartite effort against insurgency, the country will soon overcome the evil. He intensified that prior to the safe school initiative, the States in the North-East had spent over 10 billion naira towards ensuring that schools continue to operate.
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