…Says, “Education, civic participation key to defeating banditry.”
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has said quality education, active citizenship, and community cooperation with security agencies are critical tools in the fight against banditry, terrorism and other security challenges facing Nigeria.
Musa spoke on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the commissioning of Kaduna Christian Academy in Ungwan Bulus in Sabon Tasha, Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.
The faith-based school was donated to the Kaduna Christian community by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, and his friends.
Describing the academy as a “strategic non-kinetic intervention,” the minister said national defence extends beyond military deployments and intelligence gathering.
“True and lasting security is anchored in 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 stated.
Musa commended the DSS for complementing its traditional security role with community development, noting 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 stronger defence against extremism, criminality, and social instability than force alone.
The minister urged parents to prioritise their children’s education, recalling his humble background and stressing that every child can rise to the highest positions through hard work, education, and divine grace.
He added that insecurity thrives where opportunities are lacking, making investment in education one of the most effective ways to prevent the recruitment of young people into criminal and extremist networks.
Musa noted significant improvements in security and governance in Kaduna State through combined efforts of the Federal Government, the State Government, and local communities.
He commended Governor Uba Sani for promoting inclusion, development, and peaceful coexistence, and praised the resilience and peaceful disposition of Southern Kaduna people, urging them to resist divisive elements.
He emphasized that security agencies alone cannot defeat bandits and terrorists without citizens’ support. “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.
While noting that military operations remain necessary, Musa said non-kinetic measures such as education, community engagement, and social development are equally vital to securing lasting peace.
He described the academy as a symbol of interfaith harmony and national unity, and urged management, teachers, and community leaders to protect the facility, maintain high academic standards, and encourage civic participation, including voter registration and active involvement in democracy.
In his opening remarks, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, who chairs Northern Christian Association (NCA), describing it as “a light intended to shine across generations.”
Rev. Hayab said the academy was not just a structure of “bricks, mortar, and steel,” but the fulfillment of a vision long nurtured to address educational deprivation in communities where “children with bright dreams too often meet dim realities.”
He affirmed that education is “a sacred right belonging to every child, regardless of background, circumstance, or social standing,” and said every child deserves access to learning, dignity, direction, and destiny.
Rev. Hayab paid special tribute to Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, who he said “translated authority into service, influence into impact, and privilege into legacy.”
He noted that Ajayi invested not in “applause, but in posterity” and, on behalf of NCA and the Christian community in Kaduna, expressed deep appreciation for his contribution.
The NCA chairman also thanked Muslim brothers and sisters, traditional leaders, and all community members present, saying the academy shows that “education is a bridge that unites rather than divides” and that the future of children is a shared responsibility beyond religion or ethnicity.
Addressing residents of Ungwan Bulus, Rev. Hayab put to them that, the institution is “a living inheritance entrusted into your hands.”
He urged them to take full ownership, protect it with vigilance, defend it with unity, and preserve it with care. “Let no neglect weaken it, and let no indifference diminish its purpose,” he said.
He called on other well-meaning Nigerians to support and emulate the vision across the country, stressing that education remains one of the most enduring investments in peace, progress, and national transformation.
Also in his remarks, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, commended Kaduna Christian Academy Management for commissioning a new school facility in Ungwan Bulus, Sabon Tasha, describing it as “a celebration of hope, opportunity, and transformation.”
The governor’s remarks, delivered by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kaduna State, who represented him at the commissioning ceremony, said the governor has pursued policies to improve educational infrastructure, expand access, and promote quality education across Kaduna State.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, the Attorney-General said the facility goes beyond Ungwan Bulus and Sabon Tasha, noting that it will serve as a centre for learning, character formation, and leadership development.
“Every classroom built creates opportunities for learning. Every child educated strengthens our communities. Every investment in education contributes to a more prosperous future for our State and nation,” he said.
He stated that the Uba Sani administration places a premium on education because sustainable development begins with an educated and empowered population.
”Since assuming office, the governor has pursued policies to improve educational infrastructure, expand access, and promote quality education across Kaduna State,” he added.
The government’s goal, according to him, is “to make education accessible, affordable, and equitable for every child,” and that vision continues to guide interventions in the sector.
The Attorney-General praised the Christian Academy Management for complementing government efforts, saying their investment shows a clear understanding that education is both a social responsibility and a strategic investment in human capital.
“We recognize that the task of educating our children cannot be left to government alone. Meaningful progress requires collaboration among government, communities, faith-based organizations, and private institutions.”
Recall that a similar school project was built in Muslim-dominated area and donated to Kaduna Islamic academy. Heads and representatives of various church denominations delivered speeches, commending the initiative, with the church choirs entertaining during the commissioning ceremony. The occasion ended Sunday evening.