The Posing Insecurity Threat to Students of Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Yenagoa

Solomon Olali-Igabo, a public affairs analyst and commentator wrote this piece titled The Posing Insecurity Threat to Students of Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Yenagoa‘ from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

One of the key responsibilities of Government over world is safe guarding of its citizenry from internal or external attacks.

Here in Nigeria the spate of insecurity is better to be imagined where banditry, kidnapping (abduction), rape, human trafficking, ritual killing, cultism, sea pirate, terrorism, financial scam, armed robbery, election violence among other social vices have held sway.

Corruption, greed, suspicion as well as religion and tribal bigotry are prevalent, as true freedom and peace have eluded many homes and states are indications that our leaders, especially the political class have failed to protect the unity and the people of Nigeria, the giant of Africa and most populous Nation in Africa.

Leadership is a privilege and it requires sacrifice. It is not a ticket to self-enrichment but platform for selfless and accountability to God and Man.

However the current leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari identified three cardinal and existential challenges facing the country such as security, economy and fighting corruption and made it his party’s campaign focus.

The question is has he succeeded and matched with action or failed the people? For instance, the Chibock School Girls abduction in Borno State, killing of a female student of University of Benin, End-SARS Mayhem, and other flash points of abduction and attack by Boko Haram terrorists are pointers that there is fire on the mountain and something urgent has to be done in the security architecture of Nigeria.

This is where, the Bishop Dimeari Grammer School (BDGS) Ovom, Yenagoa, becomes relevant. This institution was established in 1955 and have produced notable leaders and politicians like Late Chief (Dr.) D.S.P Alamieyeseigha (First Executive Governor) of Bayelsa state, Dr. Gentle Emelah (Current Commissioner of Education), Hon. Oseke Influence – Member Federal House of Representatives, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, Late Chief Adolphus Egba, Prof. Steve Azaiki – Member Federal House of Representatives (Abuja) as well Ministers, Ambassadors, Career Professionals among others.

This Institution is one of the secondary schools that was upgraded newly to Boarding School by the Restoration Government of Chief Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the immediate past Governor before the coming of the Prosperity Government of Senator Douye Diri as the Current Governor of the State.

Unfortunately, the perimeter fencing work in the school is yet to be completed for no obvious reason. Investigations however revealed that concerted efforts from community leaders of ovom, Yenagoa and other good spirited bodies including parents have also complained to the relevant authority but fell on deaf ears.

Besides the premises is not too befitting in a state capital where students and intruders especially cultists at will trespassed on the fence and foment their ungodly activity.

The school compound has also been converted to a football ground by intruders. Some persons even jump over the fence into the school premises to do what they intend doing. Part of the fence is being used by people for molding of blocks, while part of the fence behind the main gate has collapsed where trespassers often times move into the compound and do their nefarious deed at night is not a cheering development.

Our children, being the leaders of tomorrow are precious not only to their parents and guardians but to the larger society. The present state of the school is porous and demanded a thorough fencing to prevent the fear of the unknown.

The prosperity government under Senator Douye Diri we believe attaches, high premium on the education sector and lover of children, hence the perimeter wall fence should be given attention and completed immediately thus provides the needed security measures in place for conducive and effective learning of the students especially the boarding students of the school. This will give a face lift to the school and also prevent intruders outside the school compound.

The clarion calls therefore is for the state government and security agencies to be alive to their responsibility and sensitive to the yearning of the people so that similar ugly scenario like the Chibok School abduction will not happen in B.D.G.S and other areas in Bayelsa State. Government should ensure the timely completion of the Perimeter fence and other facilities put in place in the school due to the insecurity being posed in the area. Who becomes the next target or victim? No one can tell. To be warned is to be forearmed.

Solomon Olali-Igabo, a public affairs analyst and commentator wrote this piece titled The Posing Insecurity Threat to Students of Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Yenagoa‘ from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.