THE Governor of Katsina State, Umar Dikko Radda, has emphasized the importance of the government occupying and reducing ungoverned territories, managing porous borders, and combating corruption, all of which he believes might help significantly in tackling the country’s current insecurity.
The governor made the statement while delivering the Pre-Convocation Lecture at the Federal University of Gusau, ahead of the university’s second combined third and fourth convocation ceremonies.
He cited illiteracy, ignorance, marginalisation, bad leadership, religious intolerance, and drug misuse as primary sources of insecurity in the country, which has had negative impact on educational growth.
Banditry has had a negative impact on the educational landscape in northwestern Nigeria, significantly affecting the region’s school systems.
Several schools in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina states have been forced to close owing to the fear of attacks and abductions.
Governor Radda stated that mass abductions and displacements have resulted in a large number of school-aged children being denied access to education, impeding the country’s progress and development.
He urged institution administrators to construct perimeter fences around schools to prevent abduction.
The governor also stated that schoolchildren in Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara states in the North-West continue to be victims of bandit attacks and kidnappings for ransom, since kidnapping has become a criminal enterprise.
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Gusau, Professor Muazu Abubakar, while speaking stated that the Pre-Convocation Lecture: “Insecurity and Education Instability in Nigeria: Way Out” was chosen to educate the university community and Nigerians about insecurity and the need to find long-term solutions to the menace that is negatively impacting education.
The Pre-Convocation Lecture was attended by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, prominent state government officials, and academics.
