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• DG DSS and friends donate one-storey school building to Christian community in Kaduna as residents lament lack of amenities
From NoahEbije, Kaduna
Residents of Ungwan Bulus community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State were filled with excitement and renewed hope on June 7, 2026, as top government officials, religious leaders and community stakeholders gathered to commission a modern one-storey school building donated by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, and his friends.
Similar Academy was donated by the DG DSS and his friends in May 2025 to the Muslim community in Danbushiya, Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
The newly commissioned Kaduna Christian Academy is expected to provide quality education for children from less privileged families while opening up opportunities for future generations in the largely rural community.
The event attracted prominent personalities, including the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd), representatives of Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, senior Christian and Muslim leaders, as well as community representatives, all of whom described the project as a major investment in the future of the area.
Beyond the school building, the donors also provided a borehole to address the community’s water needs, bringing relief to residents who had struggled with access to clean water.
Speaking on behalf of the donors, Malam Musa Suleiman said the initiative was inspired by the belief that education remains one of the most effective tools for promoting peace, reducing poverty and tackling insecurity.
The commissioning ceremony turned into a celebration as community members expressed gratitude to the DSS Director-General and his associates for what they described as a life-changing intervention that would benefit generations of children.
Musa further boosted the project by announcing a donation of N10 million to support the take-off of the academy and facilitate the enrolment of indigent pupils, describing education as a critical component of national security and sustainable development.
Religious leaders at the event commended the gesture as a symbol of unity, compassion and interfaith cooperation, noting that investments in education remain one of the surest pathways to building peaceful and prosperous communities.
Ungwan Bulus, located in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has for years struggled with infrastructural neglect. Community members disclosed that bandits had previously threatened the area, forcing youths to organize local vigilante groups to secure the community and protect residents.
Against this backdrop, religious leaders, government officials, security stakeholders, and community representatives gathered penultimate Sunday to commission the academy, described as a strategic intervention aimed at providing educational opportunities for children from less privileged families and steering them away from crime and social vices.
The significance of the project was underscored by the presence of top religious leaders from both Christian and Muslim communities, who unanimously described education as a critical weapon against poverty, insecurity, extremism, and social instability.
Although academic activities are yet to commence, four children dressed in the proposed school uniform were presented symbolically as pioneer pupils and prayed for as representatives of future students who will benefit from the institution.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, described the academy as more than a physical structure.
Hayab declared: “Today is more than the opening of a school building. Today is the opening of doors to opportunities, doors to knowledge, doors to growth and a brighter future for our children.”
He lamented the educational challenges confronting many communities across Nigeria, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
“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.
“Kaduna Christian Academy is founded not only to provide academic excellence but also to nurture discipline, character, faith, leadership and compassion,” he stated.
Hayab stressed that education remains one of the most effective tools for combating insecurity and breaking the cycle of poverty.
“We believe that education is one of the strongest tools for breaking the cycle of poverty, promoting peace and building a stronger society. Permit me to say that education is one of the most important tools in bringing an end to terrorism.”
Addressing prospective teachers of the institution, Hayab urged them to see their assignment beyond classroom instruction.
“You are not only coming here to be educators; you are coming here to be mentors, role models and builders of tomorrow’s leaders. May you teach with dedication, patience, love and understanding.”
Hayab disclosed that the project was completed within 354 days after the acquisition of the land.
“On June 9, 2025, we acquired this land with the support of our partners. Today, just 354 days later, we are commissioning this academy,” he revealed.
He acknowledged the support of friends and associates of the DSS Director-General as well as corporate organizations, including NERST Global Resource Limited, Dan Oil Exploration Limited and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
According to him, the initiative was inspired by a shared conviction among donors that education remains the most effective long-term response to insecurity.
“Our sponsors and supporters believe that education will unite us against terror. Education will transform this country into a better place.
“Education should not just be given to privileged parents. Education should also be given to less privileged parents.”
Perhaps one of the most emotional moments of the event came when Hayab disclosed that the academy project had to be expanded to include a borehole after donors discovered the severity of the community’s water crisis.
“Two weeks ago, we were informed that people had been suffering without water for months. Within one week, we did what you are seeing here today,” he explained.
“This water will serve the community and the school. We have provided points where members of the community can access water, while the same facility will support hygiene in the classrooms and toilets.”
The revelation further highlighted the developmental challenges confronting residents and reinforced calls for government intervention in the area. Hayab expressed optimism that the academy would become a catalyst for broader development.
“Our prayer is that we will not stop here. Better things will come to this community,” he said. “One day, we will come here to commission more projects, including roads and other developments that God will provide for this community.”
He emphasized that Nigeria cannot defeat insecurity without investing heavily in education. “If we want to truly address insecurity in Nigeria, then we must invest in education.”
Musa and Governor Senator Uba Sani, at the occasion, identified quality education, active citizenship and community cooperation with security agencies as critical weapons in the fight against banditry, terrorism and other security challenges confronting the country. Describing the academy as a strategic non-kinetic intervention, the defence minister said national security goes beyond military operations and intelligence gathering.
Musa said: “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 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 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 building trust and creating opportunities.
According to him, an educated and enlightened population offers a stronger defence against extremism, criminality and social instability than force alone.
“This institution will not only provide academic knowledge but will also nurture critical thinking, moral values and responsible citizenship,” he said.
Musa urged parents to prioritise education, recalling his humble beginnings and stressing that every child has the potential to attain greatness through hard work, education and God’s grace.
He warned that insecurity often thrives where opportunities are lacking, making educational investment one of the most effective ways to prevent the recruitment of young people into criminal and extremist networks.
The defence minister also praised Gov. Uba Sani’s administration for promoting inclusion, development and peaceful coexistence across Kaduna State.
He further commended the resilience of the people of Southern Kaduna and urged them not to allow divisive forces undermine the peace being nurtured in the area.
Musa stressed that security agencies alone cannot defeat bandits and terrorists without the active cooperation of citizens.
“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 acknowledging the importance of ongoing military operations, he maintained that non-kinetic measures such as education, community engagement and social development remain essential for achieving lasting peace.
“A literate society is better equipped to reject extremist ideologies, embrace peaceful coexistence and support security efforts,” he added.
The minister also described the academy as a symbol of interfaith harmony and national unity, urging school administrators, teachers and community leaders to protect the facility and maintain high academic standards.
In the same vein, Gov. Uba Sani reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality education across Kaduna State.
Represented by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. James Kanyip, the governor described education as one of the most powerful instruments for personal advancement and social transformation.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the academy represents a collective investment in the future of children and a commitment to building a more secure and prosperous society through education.
Village Head of Ungwan Bulus, Gideon Haruna, expressed gratitude to God and appreciation to the DSS Director-General and all contributors for bringing the project to the community.
He said: “I am really highly honoured today. I appreciate God Almighty for making this day possible.”
“I want to specially appreciate the DG of DSS for the great things God has been using him to do in this nation. Our prayer as a community is that Almighty God will bless him, keep him, protect him and guide him.
“Parents in this community are going to bring their children to this school, and it is going to be a blessing for the people. I pray that God Almighty will see us through.”
In a demonstration of interfaith solidarity, the Chief Imam of Sultan Bello Mosque, Kaduna, Dr. Suleiman Muhammad Adam, commended the educational initiative and stressed the importance of investing in future generations.
He said: “To build a school means to build the Ummah and the entire generation. When you teach children, you teach the whole nation.”
The Islamic scholar linked the country’s security challenges to widespread ignorance and lack of educational opportunities.
“This insecurity that we are encountering in this country is largely a result of ignorance. We must do our best to provide our children with the best knowledge in order to build the country.”
Dr. Adam expressed optimism that Nigeria will overcome its current challenges through collective action.
“If we come together, we will build this country again, Insha’Allah. This gathering shows that Muslims and Christians can work together without any difference,” he noted.
Also speaking through the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr. Israel Akanji, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh emphasized the historic contribution of Christian education to national development.
Akanji recalled the achievements of Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta, which has produced several notable Nigerian leaders.
He said: “That is just one school out of about 400 others that have produced so many people who have contributed immensely to our nation. When you multiply that effect, you will see how much Christian education has done for Nigeria.”
He expressed confidence that Kaduna Christian Academy would similarly nurture future leaders and professionals.
Beyond education, Akanji called for renewed Christian-Muslim harmony across Nigeria.
“In those days, Christians and Muslims lived together peacefully and loved one another. We want that kind of harmony to return to our nation,” he said.
The representative of the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Rev. Fr. Nandem Raymond, also praised the initiative and commended all those who contributed to making the project a reality.
“He was very happy when Rev. Hayab visited him and informed him about this project. It was great news,” Raymond said of Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso.
The Catholic priest described education as indispensable to sustainable development.
“Education is key to development. We appreciate all that the donors are doing. What they did in Kaduna North, they are now repeating here for Christians, and we are truly grateful.”
He stressed that projects driven by goodwill have the potential to unite communities and foster peaceful coexistence.
“If all people of goodwill come out to do things like this for the common good, it will certainly help us. It will integrate us, make us accept one another and bless one another. We will not allow division or trouble to come between us.”
The residents said they were hopeful that the attention generated by the commissioning will translate into tangible improvements in roads, healthcare, electricity and other critical infrastructure.
For many in Ungwan Bulus community, the new school is not merely a building, it is a symbol of hope, opportunity and the possibility of a better future.
