By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has identified quality education, responsible citizenship, and stronger collaboration between communities and security agencies as vital tools in tackling banditry, terrorism, and other security challenges confronting the country.
General Musa stated this during the commissioning of Kaduna Christian Academy, a faith-based educational institution donated to the Christian community in Kaduna by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, alongside his associates.
The event took place less than a year after a similar educational facility was donated to the Muslim community in Danbushiya, Chikun Local Government Area, a gesture stakeholders described as a deliberate effort to promote inclusiveness, peaceful coexistence, and educational development across Kaduna State.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Defence Minister described the academy as a strategic non-kinetic intervention designed to address the underlying causes of insecurity.
According to him, national security goes beyond military operations and intelligence gathering to include investments that empower citizens and create opportunities.
“When we talk about national defence, many people think first of military deployments, air power, or intelligence operations,” Musa said.
“However, lasting security is built on defeating ignorance and overcoming hopelessness. This school represents a powerful instrument for shaping minds, creating opportunities, and building a more secure future.”
He commended the DSS leadership for extending its impact beyond conventional security responsibilities through community-focused initiatives, noting that education remains one of the most effective safeguards against extremism, criminality, and social instability.
According to him, insecurity often flourishes in environments where opportunities are scarce, making educational investment a critical strategy for preventing the recruitment of young people into criminal and terrorist groups.
Musa also called on Nigerians to support security agencies by providing credible and timely information, stressing that criminal elements often depend on local collaborators for intelligence and logistical support.
“Security agencies cannot win this fight alone. Citizens must play their part by speaking up and sharing useful information. Collective action is essential if we are to deny criminal groups the space they need to operate,” he said.
The Defence Minister further applauded Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for fostering inclusion, development, and peaceful coexistence, noting that collaboration between federal and state authorities, alongside community stakeholders, has contributed significantly to improving security and governance across the state.
Representing Governor Sani at the event, the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. James Kanyip, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and strengthening human capital development.
“Education remains one of the most powerful drivers of personal growth, human capital development, and social progress,” Kanyip said.
“Every classroom built creates new opportunities for learning, every child educated strengthens society, and every investment in education contributes to a more prosperous future.”
He described the commissioning of Kaduna Christian Academy as a symbol of hope, opportunity, and a shared commitment to investing in future generations.
“We are not simply opening another school building today; we are celebrating transformation, opportunity, and the promise of a brighter future for our children,” he added.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, said the project was facilitated by the DSS Director-General in recognition of the critical role education plays in addressing insecurity, poverty, and other societal challenges.
“Today marks more than the opening of a school. It signifies the opening of doors to knowledge, opportunity, growth, and a brighter future for countless young people,” Hayab stated.
He observed that many communities continue to face significant barriers to quality education due to inadequate infrastructure, limited learning resources, and economic hardship.
According to him, the academy was established not only to deliver academic excellence but also to nurture character, discipline, leadership, faith, and compassion among students.
Also speaking, Malam Musa Suleiman of Tantita Security Services Limited, who represented the DSS Director-General, reiterated that education remains one of the most effective instruments for addressing the root causes of insecurity and promoting lasting peace and social stability.
The commissioning of Kaduna Christian Academy adds to a growing number of community-oriented interventions associated with the DSS under Ajayi’s leadership, aimed at complementing conventional security operations with developmental initiatives focused on education, social cohesion, and nation-building.
