*DSS boss, friends donate school to Kaduna Christian community
Linus Aleke in Abuja
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have commended President Bola Tinubu’s education reforms, 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 country.
The commendations were made during the commissioning of Kaduna Christian Academy, a faith-based school donated to the Christian community in Kaduna by friends of the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi.
The initiative follows a similar intervention in May 2025, when friends of the DSS Director-General 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 Minister of Defence said national defence extends beyond military deployments, intelligence gathering and air power, stressing that lasting security can only be achieved through education and social development.
“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 responsibilities with community development initiatives, noting that the agency had demonstrated that internal security goes beyond surveillance and arrests to include building public trust and creating opportunities for future generations.
According to him, an educated and enlightened population provides a stronger defence against extremism, criminality and social instability than force alone. He added that the academy would equip children with academic knowledge, critical thinking abilities and sound moral values.
The minister also urged parents to prioritise education, recalling his humble beginnings and emphasising that every child has the potential to attain the highest levels of achievement through hard work, education and divine grace.
He further noted that Kaduna State had recorded notable improvements in security and governance through the combined efforts of the Federal, State and Local Governments, while commending Governor Sani for promoting inclusion, development and peaceful coexistence.
Musa also 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.
Emphasising the importance of public participation in security efforts, he said security agencies could not 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 important in securing lasting peace, noting that a literate society is better equipped to reject extremist ideologies and support security efforts.
The minister described the academy as a symbol of interfaith harmony and national unity, urging its management, teachers and community leaders to protect the facility, uphold high academic standards and encourage civic participation, including voter registration and active involvement in the democratic process.
Also speaking at the event, the Kaduna State Government reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to quality education, describing investment in learning as essential 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 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,” the Governor said.
He stressed that the commissioning represented far 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 reflects a collective commitment to investing in the future of children and strengthening society through education.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria for the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, said the DSS Director-General facilitated the project in recognition of education as one of the most effective tools for addressing insecurity, poverty and other 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.
Hayab observed that 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,” he stated.
He explained that Kaduna Christian Academy was established not only to pursue academic excellence but also to instil strong moral values in learners.
“Kaduna Christian Academy is founded not only to provide academic excellence but also to nurture discipline, character, faith, leadership and compassion,” he said.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Muslim community, the Chief Imam of Sultan Bello Mosque, Kaduna, Professor Suleiman Adam, commended the DSS Director-General for replicating for Christians what had earlier been done for Muslims through the establishment of a school. He described the initiative as a significant contribution to the promotion of interfaith harmony.
Speaking on behalf of the friends of the DSS Director-General, Malam Musa Suleiman also stressed that education remains one of the most effective tools for addressing the root causes of insecurity.