Army builds new classrooms for host community in Kaduna
The Nigerian Army has constructed a block of three classrooms in collaboration with Barakallahu Youth Forum, at the LEA Primary School Barkallahu in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The project was inaugurated on Wednesday by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Abubakar Wase.
Wase, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Brig Gen Timothy Opurum, said the project reflected the military’s commitment to community development through civil-military cooperation.
The GOC said the Nigerian Army remained committed to supporting host communities.
He said that security would not be achieved through kinetic operations alone, but through human development, mutual trust and empowerment of younger generations.
The GOC, therefore, said investment in education is also an investment in national security.
According to him, the new classrooms will provide a conducive and safe environment for learning while inspiring pupils to aspire to become future leaders and professionals.
“The Nigerian Army, under the current leadership, remains steadfast in its philosophy that security is not achieved through kinetic operations alone.
“In continuation of civil-military cooperation endeavours, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, provided the requisite support and guidance to facilitate this project for the benefit of the community and Kaduna State at large.
“In this vein, civil-military cooperation, collaboration and synergy are viewed as force multipliers to foster legitimacy, accountability and public trust in the military towards the attainment of its constitutional mandates of providing peace and security,” Major General Wase said.
The Emir of Zazzau, Dr Ahmad Bamalli, represented by the District Head of Rigachikun, Alhaji Ibrahim Zubairu, commended the initiative, describing education as the backbone of every successful society.
He said educated communities were less prone to criminal activities and social vices, and urged other institutions to emulate the gesture by supporting communities in the areas of education, healthcare and other critical sectors.
Also speaking, President of the Barakallahu Youth Forum, Bello Abubakar, described the project as a symbol of hope, unity and commitment to the future of children in the community.
Abubakar said the forum initiated the project to address shortage of classrooms and improve the learning environment for pupils.
He appealed to the Nigerian Army and other relevant organisations to consider youths from the community in recruitment, skills acquisition and other employment opportunities.
The Headmistress of the school, Hajiya Hasiya Yusuf, appreciated the Nigerian Army and the Youth Forum for the project, saying it would improve teaching and learning in the school.
