Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), and the Christian Association of Nigeria,CAN, have praised President Bola Tinubu’s education reforms, describing quality education, responsible citizenship and community support for security agencies as critical weapons in the fight against banditry, terrorism and other security threats.
They spoke at the commissioning of the Kaduna Christian Academy, a faith-based school donated to the Kaduna Christian community by friends of the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi.
The event came months after the same group donated an Islamic school to the Muslim community in Danbushiya, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, in May 2025.
Musa described the academy as a strategic non-kinetic response to insecurity, saying lasting national security cannot be achieved through military force alone.
“When we speak of national defence, the instinct is to focus on boots on the ground, air power or intelligence gathering. However, true and lasting security is anchored on one critical element: the defeat of ignorance and the conquest of hopelessness. This school is a weapon of mass instruction in the right hands,” he said.
The Defence Minister commended the DSS for complementing its traditional security role with community development efforts, adding that internal security should not be limited to surveillance and arrests, but should also involve building public trust and expanding opportunities for citizens.
He said an educated and enlightened population provides a stronger defence against extremism, criminality and social instability than force alone, noting that the school would equip children with academic knowledge, critical thinking and moral values.
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Musa urged parents to place priority on the education of their children, stressing that every child has the potential to attain greatness through hard work, learning and God’s grace.
He also said Kaduna State had recorded notable improvements in security and governance through the combined efforts of the federal, state and local governments, and praised Governor Sani for promoting inclusion, development and peaceful coexistence.
The minister further applauded the resilience of the people of Southern Kaduna and urged them not to allow divisive forces to undermine unity in the area.
According to him, security agencies cannot defeat bandits and terrorists without the support of the people, as criminal groups often depend on local collaborators for information, logistics and other forms of assistance.
“If we keep quiet, they will continue to destroy us. But if we speak out, they will not have any space to survive,” he said, urging residents to provide timely and credible intelligence to security agencies.
Musa said while military operations remain necessary, non-kinetic measures such as education, community engagement and social development are equally important in securing lasting peace.
He described the academy as a symbol of interfaith harmony and national unity, and urged the school’s management, teachers and community leaders to protect the facility, uphold high standards and promote civic participation.
Representing Governor Sani at the event, the Kaduna State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. James Kanyip, said the state government remained committed to expanding access to quality education.
“Education remains one of the most powerful tools for personal, human capital and social development. Every classroom built creates opportunity for learning. Every child educated strengthens our communities. And every investment in education contributes to a more prosperous future for our state and the nation,” he said.
Kanyip added that the commissioning of the school was not just the opening of a building, but a celebration of hope, opportunity and transformation.
In his welcome address, Chairman of CAN for the 19 Northern States and the FCT, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, said the DSS Director-General facilitated the project in recognition of education as one of the most effective tools for tackling insecurity, poverty and social challenges.
“Today is more than the opening of a school building. Today is the opening of doors to opportunity, doors to knowledge, doors to growth and a brighter future for our children,” he said.
Hayab said many communities still face challenges in accessing quality education because of inadequate facilities, limited learning materials and economic hardship.
He said the Kaduna Christian Academy was established not only to deliver academic excellence, but also to nurture discipline, character, faith, leadership and compassion.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Sultan Bello Mosque, Kaduna, Prof. Suleiman Adam, commended the DSS Director-General for extending the same gesture earlier given to the Muslim community to Christians, describing it as a boost for interfaith harmony.
Speaking on behalf of the friends of the DSS Director-General, Malam Musa Suleiman said education remained one of the most effective tools for addressing the root causes of insecurity.
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