In a renewed push to safeguard lives and property and sustain a peaceful academic environment, the Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED), Ijagun, has deepened its security partnership with the Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps (So-Safe Corps), with both institutions reaffirming their commitment to stronger collaboration in campus security, safety education and public sensitisation.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a stakeholder engagement between the University Management and representatives of the Ogun State So-Safe Corps, led by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Assistant Corps Commander Adegbuyi Adegunwa, who visited the institution to explore areas of partnership aimed at enhancing security awareness and promoting a safe and conducive environment for teaching, learning and research.
Speaking during the engagement, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Oladipo, MNPA, CMCPN, MCAN, FIELPN, expressed appreciation to the Corps for its diligence and timely communication during the student protests that occurred about three months ago, noting that the organisation maintained close contact with the institution and provided regular reports on developments throughout the period.
The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged the Corps’ collaboration with other security agencies in monitoring the situation and helping to prevent activities that could disrupt peace and order within the University Community and its surrounding areas.
He noted that the contribution of security agencies remained crucial to maintaining a stable academic environment, assuring the So-Safe Corps of the University’s willingness to sustain mutually beneficial relationships with relevant stakeholders.
Speaking further, Prof. Oladipo also highlighted the importance of language and cultural orientation in teacher Education, stressing that graduates of the University were expected to communicate effectively and teach learners across different levels of the education system.
Earlier, the Director, Information and Public Relations of the So-Safe Corps, Assistant Corps Commander Adegbuyi Adegunwa, disclosed that the visit was designed to establish a stronger working relationship between the Corps and TASFUED, particularly in the areas of security, orientation, sensitisation and public enlightenment.
Assistant Corps Commander Adegunwa explained that the So-Safe Corps was not solely an enforcement organisation, but also had responsibilities for the orientation and sensitisation of community members, students and other stakeholders on issues relating to safety, security and responsible citizenship.
He disclosed that the Corps had been working in synergy with other security agencies in Ogun State, noting that collaboration among security organisations had strengthened efforts towards maintaining peace and security across the State.
According to him, the Corps was interested in extending its sensitisation activities to higher institutions, having undertaken similar programmes in primary and secondary schools.
He noted that the proposed engagement with TASFUED would provide an opportunity to sensitise students on security matters and promote responsible conduct, peaceful coexistence and awareness of safety issues within the University environment.
The Director, Information and Public Relations, who described the meeting as a privilege, expressed appreciation to the University Management for receiving the delegation and granting it the opportunity to discuss areas of collaboration.
He assured the Management of the Corps’ readiness to maintain regular engagement with the University, adding that the organisation would be willing to work with the institution whenever its services were required.
On the Safe School Initiative in Ogun State, he explained that the State Government had established a steering committee for the programme, which had primarily focused on primary and secondary schools.
He, however, noted that the So-Safe Corps had continued to undertake safety and sensitisation activities in schools and was seeking to extend the initiative to higher institutions, with TASFUED identified as an institution with which the Corps intended to commence such collaboration.
The engagement also featured discussions on public enlightenment and media collaboration. The So-Safe Corps disclosed that it operated a weekly radio programme on the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC), through which commanders and representatives of the organisation discussed security activities and achievements within their respective jurisdictions.
The Corps further indicated plans to use interviews and vox-pop segments to deepen public awareness of its activities, while a press release on the TASFUED engagement would also be issued as part of its communication efforts.
Members of the University Management in attendance were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Adekunle Adeogun, FISN; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Rotimi Ettu; the Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Mr Dapo Oke, FCIA, MNIM; the Bursar, Mr Kabir Ogunneye, FCA; the University Librarian, Prof. Adebambo Oduwole; the Director, Centre For Human Rights and Gender Education (CHURGE), Dr Yinka Adediran and the Chief Security Officer of the University, Dr Moses Ogundeji.
Members of the So-Safe Corps delegation were SC Nwafon David; SC Ashonibare Gbenga; SC Badejo Oluwayemisi; SC Joseph Obafemi; SC Victor Arijeloye; SC Babatunde Adeyemi; and ASC Michael Adebayo.