Adamawa students speak out on vulnerability, suggest safety measures

‏Students in Adamawa State have spoken out on the attacks in parts of the country and expressed anxiety over their vulnerability.

The students, who participated in a programme in Yola on protection of education, however also demonstrated ways they had learnt on self-protection, and articulated suggestions to government to further secure schools against attacks.

Upcoming orators and budding actresses studying at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) Yola, who represented students at a dinner session in Yola in commemoration of International Day to Protect Education from Attack, made a speech, staged a drama and had a talk-show to pass their messages.

The event was organised by Education in Emergencies Working Group Nigeria, in collaboration with the Adamawa State Ministry of Education.

While the talk-show by the students was mainly about the incidents of attacks, the effects of such attacks and how the authorities fail to tackle them, the drama was mainly about the rape and abductions that the attacks lead to, and about the training the students have received on how to prevent or mitigate the effects of attacks.

In the segment to do with a speech prepared by the students, Miss Wusayamba Markus, who read the speech on behalf of the students from the FGGC Yola, suggested fencing of all schools to make access difficult for attackers.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Adamawa State Focal Person of the Education in Emergencies Working Group, Mr Medugu Stephen, said his organisation works with stakeholders, especially in the focal states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe to ensure that schools remain open and studies uninterrupted irrespective of emergency situations that may arise.