The Abia State Government has inaugurated the Abia State Safe Schools Steering Committee to enhance the protection of lives and property in educational institutions across the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists at the Government House on the outcome of the state executive council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said the initiative was introduced in response to rising security concerns nationwide and the need to strengthen safety measures in schools.

According to him, the committee will serve as a multi-sectoral platform responsible for coordinating the state-level implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration.

He explained that the body will also develop, implement, and monitor safety and protection protocols for schools across Abia State.

The committee is expected to engage key stakeholders from the education, security, humanitarian, and civil sectors, as well as mobilise financial and technical resources to create safer learning environments.

In a related development, Kanu announced that 28,213 applicants applied for the 4,000 teaching positions approved in the second batch of the state’s teacher recruitment exercise.

He added that the government would soon begin the shortlisting of successful candidates.