Journalists in Anambra State have assured of continued partnership with the police and other relevant stakeholders in promoting security of lives and property in the state.
Members of the pen profession gave the assurance through the state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, at the end of a two-day Stakeholders Forum on Security of Schools in Anambra and Training of Schools Protection Squad, SPS, Unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
Dr Odogwu, who spoke through the Treasurer of NUJ, Anambra State, Comrade Ogemdi Ozoemenam; at the event held at Awka and Nibo respectively, assured the force that journalists are in support of the Safe Schools Initiative, and would do their best; through timely news publication and dissemination of information, to ensure that the programme succeeds in the state.
At the event, a resource person and Professor of Developmental and Forensic Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Mr Chidozie Nwafor, while calling for the integration of security education into the school curriculum; starting from the kindergarten, had also advocated more media involvement in creating security awareness among people in schools.
Also at an interactive session of the event, ACP Albert Dike called on the media to step up reports to sustain the program, adding that media support is sine qua non for its success.
He equally re-echoed the need for partnership between security agencies, community leaders and school authorities for the success of the schools protection initiative.
The two-day event had as its theme, “Strengthening security resilience and integration of host communities in the protection of education”.