The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq has restated the need for collaboration between government institutions, civil society, private sector and the academia in building an effective partnership in the education sector.
She said this during the official launch of the Children Accident Prevention Initiative CAPI organized by the Ministry of Education and tagged “Go to school…..Be Seen…..Be Safe”.
Collaborative efforts
Umar Farouq said that the success and impact of the Safe School program is a clear demonstration of the collaborative efforts between government and non-government organizations.
“I applaud the Federal Ministry of Education and the Children Accident Prevention Initiative (CAPI) for piloting such a desired programme, whose benefits are evidently of immeasurable value to the lives of our children and families; as such we must all fully support it. The strategy is commendable as it seeks to potentially impact 40 million children by ensuring that they are equipped with reflective jackets, thereby lowering their risk of falling victim to vehicular accidents.
“Secondly, this impact is a clear demonstration of a collaborative effort between governmental and non-governmental organisations. It is in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 17 – ‘Partnerships for the Goals’, which targets the need for effective collaboration for sustainable development”, she said.
The Minister applauded the Ministry of Education for its latest innovation and said that the synergy amongst all stakeholders will in no small way contribute to the building of a vibrant and better society for all.
She described her Ministry as a partner which will play an active role in ensuring the success, sustenance and expansion of the initiative.
Vulnerable children
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu who was represented by the Minister of State, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, explained that the Safe School Initiative is targeted at protecting children of the vulnerable.
“It is aimed at unveiling customized (not for sale) reflective jackets and other accident prevention infrastructure for school children.
“This initiative is primarily designed to aid the protection of school age children from road accidents associated with motor vehicles, motor cycles and tricycles while crossing the network of roads to their respective schools”, he said.
School accessories
Nwajiuba also noted that the program will provide hand bands, reflective jackets and other accessories for school children within the ages of 4- 14 years in selected schools at the State and Federal levels across the nation.
“It is also designed to chart a new course in combating the carnage associated with deaths among school children in public schools and private schools across the country, most especially, low income families whose children do not enjoy the luxury of being driven to school or afford school buses”, he added.
The Initiative which is targeted at lowering the risk of children falling victims to vehicular accidents to and from their various schools, will see about 40 million school children across Nigeria equipped with Reflective jackets.
Nneka Ukachukwu
