#BBOG urges FG to relaunch safe school initiative

The #BringBackOurGirls group (BBOG) has urged the Federal Government is to re-launch the Safe Schools initiative and called for the immediate adoption and implementation of key guidelines of the “Safe Schools Initiative” (2014) and “Safe Schools Declaration” (2015) in order to promote the safety of Schools in Lagos State. It also requests that FG provides […]

The #BringBackOurGirls group (BBOG) has urged the Federal Government is to re-launch the Safe Schools initiative and called for the immediate adoption and implementation of key guidelines of the “Safe Schools Initiative” (2014) and “Safe Schools Declaration” (2015) in order to promote the safety of Schools in Lagos State.

It also requests that FG provides the latest update on the status of the rescue operation of six students that were abducted from the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla Epe about two months ago.

The group stated this in an open letter signed by its conveners Oby Ezekwesili and Aisha Yesufu, to the acting President, Yemi Osinbajo and Lagos State governor, Akinwumi Ambode.

The advocacy group said the delay in the students’ rescue is in contrast “to our confidence when news of their abduction first broke.”

The letter reads: “We had, based on two previous swift and successful rescues of other abducted school children by the Police and the Lagos State Government, believed that our six school boys would be back by now.

“We write to commiserate and engage with the Federal as well as Lagos State Governments on the tragic abduction of six students from the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe on Wednesday May 24, 2017.

“We have followed with intense interest any development on the rescue effort announced by Lagos State and the Nigerian Police since the unfortunate incident.

“Sadly, 50 days after today, having only seen the worried parents publicly seeking information on government action for the rescue of their children, we are compelled to reach out to learn more from your two respective authorities,” the group stated.

The group therefore sought to know if all options of rescue have been considered.

It also advised that FG should collaborate to systematically assure the Nigerian public of safety of schools and school children all across the country.

“It is crucial that the public is well-informed on the safety measures being taken to avoid repeat occurrences,” it stated.