By Zainab Bakare
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to combating terrorism and violent extremism through expanded access to quality education, particularly in underserved communities across Nigeria.
General Musa made the declaration during the commissioning of the Kaduna Christian Academy in Ungwan Sunday, Sabon Tasha, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, constructed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to a statement on Monday issued by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the Defence Minister describes Nigeria’s security challenges as an “asymmetric war,” noting that terrorist groups often exploit radicalisation, misinformation, and extremist narratives to recruit vulnerable individuals.
Education Remains a Powerful Weapon Against Insecurity
Speaking at the event, General Musa described education as one of the most effective tools for addressing the root causes of insecurity.
“As Minister of Defence, I view this school as a critical military asset without a single rifle. True and lasting security is anchored on the defeat of ignorance and the conquest of hopelessness. This school is a weapon of mass instruction in the right hands,” he said.
The Minister stressed that the commissioning of the academy goes beyond the opening of a new school. According to him, it represents community resilience, inter-agency collaboration, and a people-centred approach to national security.
DSS School Project Promotes Inclusive Development
The Kaduna Christian Academy was built through a partnership involving the DSS, Nest Global Resources, Dan Oil Exploration Limited, and Tantina Security Services.
General Musa noted that the project follows a similar intervention by the DSS in Danbushiya, Chikun Local Government Area, where a school was established for the Muslim community as part of efforts to promote inclusive development and social cohesion.
“We see the DSS in a different light—as builders of the future,” he said.
“By constructing this academy, the Service has demonstrated that internal security is not only about surveillance and arrests. It is about earning the confidence of the people.
An educated and enlightened mind is the strongest defence against the merchants of chaos.”
Minister Urges Community Ownership of School
The Defence Minister called on residents of Ungwan Sunday and the wider Kaduna community to take ownership of the school and protect it as a shared community asset.
Addressing students, he described the academy as a place where they would acquire not only academic knowledge but also important values such as citizenship, tolerance, leadership, and critical thinking.
To parents, he said the project demonstrates the government’s commitment to their long-term wellbeing and the future of their children.
He further noted that the facility complements the Kaduna State Government’s efforts to expand access to inclusive and quality education while strengthening the connection between security interventions and community development.
Academy Symbolises Religious Harmony and National Unity
Although established to serve the Christian community, General Musa said the academy stands as a symbol of religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and national unity.
He noted that the project mirrors the DSS’s earlier educational intervention for the Muslim community in the same local government area, underscoring the government’s commitment to inclusiveness.
The Minister urged the school’s management and teachers to uphold discipline, professionalism, and academic excellence, while encouraging local youths to safeguard the facility.
“See this school not as a target, but as your inheritance. Work with the DSS and other security agencies as partners in progress,” he said.
Kaduna State Government Commends Initiative
The commissioning ceremony was attended by officials of the Kaduna State Government, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders.
Governor Uba Sani, represented by the Commissioner for Justice, Barrister James Kanyip, commended the initiative and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to collaborating with security agencies and private sector partners to advance development and strengthen social stability across Kaduna State.
The Governor described the project as a significant contribution to educational development, community empowerment, and the promotion of peace and security in the state.
