By Harriet Tornguvan
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to combating terrorism and violent extremism through expanded access to quality education, particularly in underserved and vulnerable communities across the country.
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. The school was constructed by the Department of State Services (DSS) as part of efforts to promote community development and strengthen national security through education.
Speaking at the event, the Defence Minister described Nigeria's security challenges as an "asymmetric war" driven by radicalisation, misinformation and extremist ideologies, stressing that education remains the most effective tool for countering such threats.
"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, Musa said.
He noted that the commissioning of the academy represented more than a ceremonial occasion, describing it as a demonstration of community resilience, inter-agency cooperation and the human-centred approach to national security.
The school was built through a partnership involving the DSS, Nest Global Resources, Dan Oil Exploration Limited and Tantina Security Services. It follows a similar intervention undertaken by the DSS in Danbushiya, also in Chikun Local Government Area, where a school was constructed for the Muslim community.
Commending the DSS for the initiative, the minister said the agency had demonstrated that security institutions can also serve as catalysts for development and social transformation.
"We see the DSS in a different light as builders of the future. By constructing this academy, the Service has shown that internal security is not just about surveillance and arrest. It is about winning the confidence of the people. A secure mind one that is educated and enlightened is the best defence against the merchants of chaos," he stated.
Addressing students, parents and members of the community, General Musa urged residents to take ownership of the facility and ensure its protection and sustainability.
He described the academy as a "sanctuary of hope" where students would not only acquire academic knowledge but also learn values such as tolerance, citizenship and critical thinking.
According to him, the project sends a strong message to parents that government remains committed to improving the future of their children through investments that extend beyond conventional security measures.
The minister also said the school would complement the Kaduna State Government's efforts to expand access to inclusive and quality education while bridging the gap between security operations and community development.
Although established primarily to serve the Christian community, Musa stressed that the academy symbolises inter-faith harmony and peaceful coexistence, reflecting the DSS's earlier educational intervention for the Muslim community.
He further charged the school's management and teachers to uphold professionalism and discipline, while urging youths in the area to see the facility as a shared community asset worthy of protection.
"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.
The event was attended by officials of the Kaduna State Government, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders. Governor Uba Sani, represented by the Commissioner for Justice, Barrister James Kanyip, welcomed the initiative and pledged continued collaboration between the state government, security agencies and private sector partners to promote development and social stability across Kaduna State.
