…As DSS DG’s friends donate school to Kaduna Christian community

Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), and Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, have hailed President Bola Tinubu’s efforts at improving education in the country, describing quality education, citizenship, and community cooperation with security agencies as critical tools in the fight against banditry, terrorism, and other security challenges confronting the nation.
They spoke during 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.
It would be recalled that friends of the DSS boss had, in May 2025, donated an Islamic school to the Muslim community in Danbushiya, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Describing the academy as a strategic non-kinetic intervention, the Defence Minister said national defence extends beyond military deployments, intelligence gathering, and air power, stressing that lasting security can only be achieved through the defeat of ignorance and hopelessness.
“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.
Musa commended the DSS for complementing its traditional security role with community development initiatives, noting that the agency had demonstrated that internal security is not only about surveillance and arrests but also about winning public confidence and building a better future.

He said an educated and enlightened population offers a stronger defence against extremism, criminality, and social instability than force alone, adding that the school would provide children with academic knowledge, critical thinking skills, and sound moral values.
The minister urged parents to prioritise their children’s education, recalling his humble background and stressing that every child possesses the potential to rise to the highest positions in society through hard work, education, and divine grace.
He noted that Kaduna State had recorded significant improvements in security and governance through the combined efforts of the federal, state, and local governments.

He also commended Governor Sani for promoting inclusion, development, and peaceful coexistence.
Musa praised the resilience and peaceful disposition of the people of Southern Kaduna, urging them to resist attempts by divisive elements to undermine unity and harmony in the area.
He explained that security agencies alone cannot defeat bandits and terrorists without the support of citizens, warning that criminal groups often rely 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.
He maintained that while military operations remain necessary, non-kinetic measures such as education, community engagement, and social development are equally vital to securing lasting peace, noting that a literate society is better equipped to reject extremist ideologies and support security efforts.
Musa described the academy as a symbol of interfaith harmony and national unity, urging the management, teachers, and community leaders to protect the facility, maintain high academic standards, and encourage civic participation, including voter registration and active involvement in the democratic process.

The Kaduna State Government also reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to quality education, describing investment in learning as critical to the state’s future development.
Governor Sani made the declaration through the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, James Kanyip.
“Education remains one of the most powerful tools for personal, human capital, and social development. Every classroom built creates opportunities 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 said the commissioning represented more than the opening of a new structure, describing it as a symbol of hope and opportunity.

“Today, we are not merely opening a new building. We are celebrating hope, opportunity, and transformation,” he stated.
According to him, the facility demonstrates a collective commitment to investing in the future of children and strengthening society through education.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the 19 Northern States and the FCT, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, said the DSS DG facilitated the project in recognition of education as one of the most effective tools for tackling insecurity, poverty, and social challenges in Nigeria.

“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.
According to him, many communities continue to face challenges in accessing quality education due to inadequate facilities, limited learning materials, and economic hardship.
“Today, we stand together to declare that every child, regardless of background, deserves access to quality education, moral guidance, and the opportunity to dream big,” Hayab stated.

He explained that Kaduna Christian Academy was founded not only to pursue academic excellence but also to build strong moral values among learners.
“Kaduna Christian Academy is founded not only to provide academic excellence but also to nurture discipline, character, faith, leadership, and compassion,” he said.
Chief Imam of Sultan Bello Mosque, Kaduna, Prof. Suleiman Adam, who delivered a goodwill message on behalf of the Muslim community, appreciated the DSS DG for replicating for Christians what he earlier did for Muslims by establishing schools for both faiths.

He described the gesture as a major contribution to interfaith harmony.
Speaking on behalf of the friends of the DSS Director-General, Malam Musa Suleiman said education remains one of the most effective tools for addressing the root causes of insecurity.