IGP Launches Safe School Protection Squad In Delta State

FIC Report (Delta State) – The Inspector General of Police IGP. Kayode Egbetoken PhD, NPM represented by the AIG Zone 5 Benin City, AIG Salman-Dogo Garba psc, on 22nd April 2025, launched Safe School Protection Squad in Delta State and organised a two day stakeholders forum on the security of schools in Delta State as well as training of the schools protection squad, with the theme: Strengthening Security Resilience And Integration of Host Communities In The Protection of Education”.

During the two-day stakeholder’s forum which ended on 24th April 2025, resource persons from the educational sector, ICT, and security experts delivered power-packed lectures to the admiration of stakeholders.

A press release made available to journalists and signed by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer PPRO ASP Edafe Bright, ANIPR, stated that the event was graced by top dignitaries, including the Governor of Delta State Rt (Hon) Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG) Dr. Kingsley Emu, the Chairman Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers and Orodje of Okpe Kingdom HRM Maj. Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd.), CFR, mni, represented by the Second Vice Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Obi of Obulunor.

Also in attendance were the representative of National Security Adviser, the Commissioner of Police Delta State Command CP. Olufemi Abaniwonda psc, the National Coordinator School Protection Squad CP. Abayomi Shogunle PhD, fsi, representative of service commanders of the various sister security agencies, school principals, teachers, secondary and primary school pupils, vigilantes, members of Nigeria Hunters, Anti-cult, Man-o-War, as well as members of civil society groups and National Association of Nigerian Students, among others.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, in his remarks, described the squad as the heart of the safe school initiative. He noted that the team comprises officers specially trained and equipped to safeguard learning institutions and respond swiftly to distress or threats that may arise.

The Coordinator CP. Abayomi Shogunle PhD, fsi, in his remarks stated that in recent years Nigeria was faced with security challenges such as kidnapping, murder and other related crimes, which included destruction of school facilities that sometimes led to closure of schools and also increased numbers of out-of-school children.

He also noted that Nigerian Government in December 2019 formally signed the Safe School Declaration document, which signaled the country’s commitment to a safer school environment. CP. Abayomi Shogunle PhD, fsi, concluded by saying that the right to education is central to social and economic progress stressing that investment in education is an investment in Human capital development.

Also in a remark, the SSG Dr. Kingsley Emu who represented the Governor of Delta State commended the Police for the initiative to organize this stakeholder’s forum and stated further that he was impressed by the determination of the Inspector General of Police to keep schools safe.

The safe school protection command and control centre is domiciled at Force Headquarters with a 24-hour call number (08077357777) where citizens can call in cases of school emergency in any part of the country.

Signed

Felix Ijomah
FIC Asaba Delta State
25th April, 2025.

Unity Bank Launches GenFi, Targets Children, Teens with Gamified Banking Platform

In a bold move to redefine promotion of financial literacy, Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, has unveiled GenFi, a new digital banking platform tailored to empower kids and teenagers between the ages of 8 and 18 with essential financial skills.

banking solution that will equip children and teenagers with financial intelligence, management, and independence.” He expressed confidence that the app will gain global reach and become popular among the target demographics.

Also, a guest at the launch and school proprietor, Sylvia Ezeora, described the Genfi app as “user-friendly, educational, and motivational for children”. She noted that beyond teaching financial literacy, “the app empowers parents to reinforce positive behaviour through rewards for completed tasks and promotes responsibility”.

Another guest and parent, Genevieve Adindu, commended Unity Bank for the innovative solution, tailored for children aged 8 to 18, and noted that Genfi “provides a modern, engaging approach to instilling saving habits early in life, replacing traditional methods like the kolo with a more effective digital tool, thereby becoming a powerful companion for children’s financial education”.

GenFi is positioned as a national benchmark for youth-focused digital banking, with the potential to drive economic inclusion and sustainability across generations. The launch event was attended by key stakeholders from the education and finance sectors, technology partners, media, and young students who will be among the early adopters

UNILAG VC Tasks Students On Problem Solving, Inaugurates Resource Hub

Chairman, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, Mrs Atinuke Owolabi, showing the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folashade Ogunshola, a hub’s prototype and some inventions by engineers

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folashade Ogunshola, on has charged students to be innovative and problem-solving.

Professor Ogunsola gave the advice at a public lecture/ inauguration of an Innovation and Resource Hub at the Faculty of Engineering, UNILAG, Wednesday.

The hub was donated to the faculty by the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN).

The association, APWEN, aimed to encourage Nigerian female engineers to be catalysts for societal advancement.

“Let me say that this is exciting, and I believe that we are all moving in the right direction. This speaks to where we are going in terms of education.

“We can’t afford to be copycats of what the West has done. We have so many problems, and we are looking for innovation.

“We are looking for solutions to the problems of the world. Let me also mention that the West has done a lot but we can see that it has its downsides.

“We have to start thinking of solutions that will not impact our climate negatively. We do not have to follow what they have done,” she said.

Ogunsola urged the students to be innovative and to find solutions to world problems.

“We certainly have to find new paths because we cannot replicate what we know will give us certain problems; so, I am throwing this open to students.

“ Our students, when they are challenged, always exceed expectations,” she said.

She thanked the Chairman of APWEN, Lagos Chapter, Mrs Atinuke Owolabi, for the gesture and pledged that the hub would be well utilised.

“I want to thank you for being part of our story, for helping us to move our students forward. The university has done a lot of work in the area of innovation.

“This is another space that is going to do a lot, but you are not giving us just a space, you are also giving us your wealth of experience,” she said.

The APWEN chairman, while speaking with journalists, said that the association would continue to empower young women to be innovative and good leaders.

“Today is not only about commissioning of the innovation hub, we are also holding a public lecture.

Throughout this month, we have been organising different innovation public lectures, webinar series and innovation competitions.

“Today, our young minds are going to present projects that they have done. This is to let you know that our women are doing great out there.

“These are the things that we will continue to do to empower and mentor them, to let them see why they have to keep into engineering profession,” she said.

She said the association would continue to bring industry players and professionals to train especially females engineers.

“By the time we expose them to the industrial world, the tendency is that they will keep into this profession and we will have more women engineers.

“We want more than 50 per cent of our women to be leaders and not just be part of the system,” she said.

The keynote speaker , Prof. Oluwatoyin Ashiru, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Olabisi Onabanjo University, said that there was need to encourage young people to develop their skills.

He spoke on: ‘From Circuit Boards to Shenovation: How Young Women Engineers Can Code, Create, Conquer and Cashout”.

He said: “Every problem that we face in life gives an opportunity for us to solve problems through inventions.

“They should not be shy on making their inventions into commerce.

“They should seek partners, coordinators, industries or financiers to help them to grow their ideas into greater products,” he said.