Ιn its efforts to ensure children’s safety in and out of school, the Federal Government says it will distribute reflective jackets to 40 million school children across the country.
This was unveiled at the launch of the accident prevention initiative, a brainchild of the Ministry of Education, tagged “Safe to School, Be Seen, Be Safe.”
The unveiling held on the 27 May in Abuja had in attendance Chukuemeka Nwajiuba, Minister of State for Education, and Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs.
In his remarks, Chukuemeka Nwajiuba, minister of state for education, said the initiative is part of protecting children. “This initiative, especially, is to prevent children from sustaining injuries while trekking to and from neighbouring schools. It is in pursuant of the good health and well-being of schoolchildren and realization of quality education,” he said.
The initiative is designed to primarily aid the protection of schoolchildren from road accidents associated with motor vehicles, motorcycles, tricycles while crossing our dynamic network of roads to and from their respective schools.
“As enshrined in the memorandum of understanding, the programme encompasses a phased kitting of schoolchildren within the ages of four to 14 years in selected schools at the federal and state levels, with customized reflective jackets and armbands free of charge.”
He added that the programme will be expanded to reach schools in the 36 states and the FCT.
In her remarks, Sadiya Umar Farouq, minister of humanitarian affairs, commended the ministry for the programme.
“I applaud the federal ministry of education and the children accident prevention initiative (CAPI) for stewarding such a desired programme, whose benefits are evidently of immeasurable value to the lives of our children and families. As such, we must all fully support it,” she said.
“The strategy is commendable as it seeks to potentially impact 40 million children by ensuring that they are equipped with reflective jackets, thereby lowering their risk of falling victim to vehicular accidents.