In a significant milestone towards strengthening safety consciousness and promoting a secure learning environment across Nigeria, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) officially flagged off the PCRC Safe Schools Club Initiative at the PCRC National Secretariat, Abuja, FCT.
The landmark event was led by the PCRC National Chairman, Alhaji Mogaji Ibraheem Aramide Olaniyan, alongside the PCRC Rivers State Chairman, Dr Voke Emore, the PCRC USA Coordinator, Chief Dr Churchill Etuk, and the PCRC National Safe Schools Coordinator, Ambassador Samuel Akintoye, among other distinguished members of the Committee in attendance.
Speaking during the ceremony, the National Chairman reaffirmed the PCRC’s unwavering commitment to supporting the vision of the Inspector-General of Police in ensuring that schools across the nation remain safe, secure, and conducive for teaching and learning. He described the Safe Schools Club Initiative as a strategic platform for instilling security awareness, discipline, patriotism, and community policing values among pupils and students from an early age.
Alhaji Olaniyan noted that the initiative would foster stronger collaboration between schools, parents, security agencies, and local communities, thereby creating a sustainable framework for safeguarding educational institutions against all forms of threats.
Also speaking, the National Safe Schools Coordinator, Ambassador Samuel Akintoye, highlighted the objectives of the initiative, emphasising that the programme would empower students with practical knowledge on personal safety, emergency preparedness, crime prevention, conflict resolution, and responsible citizenship. He assured members that the programme would be extended to schools across the federation through coordinated state and zonal implementation.
The presence of Dr Voke Emore, the PCRC Rivers State Chairman, and Chief Dr Churchill Etuk, PCRC USA Coordinator, underscored the broad-based support and international interest the initiative continues to attract.
Both leaders commended the National Chairman for his visionary leadership and pledged their commitment to ensuring the successful expansion of the Safe Schools Club Initiative within and beyond Nigeria.
Comrade Bibi Oduku, the Special Senior Assistant SSA to the National Chairman, PCRC on Civil Engagement, said the flag-off ceremony is just the beginning of security attention in schools nationwide. He said the PCRC on Civil Engagement department will be engaging respected community security outfits to join forces with the PCRC team to enable schools across Nigeria to enjoy peace and secured environment for learning, and Students with parents should not have the fear of insecurity challenges.
Further, Comrade Oduku said the initiative to build a trustworthy PCRC Safe School Committee will align with community stakeholders to join forces to make sure that students will be free in their various learning environments across the Country and appreciated the PCRC National Chairman and Safe School Committee members for their tireless efforts to see this project come to reality.
Also appreciated the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force for the fatherly role he has been playing in the internal security network system for the safety, security and betterment of the country.
The flag-off ceremony marks the beginning of a nationwide campaign that seeks to promote safer educational environments while nurturing a generation of security-conscious young Nigerians who will become ambassadors of peace, order, and community development.