Northern Pulse

The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Barakallahu Youth Forum, on Wednesday inaugurated a newly constructed block of three classrooms at Local Government Primary School, Barkallahu, Rigachikun in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Abubakar Wase, 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.

Wase said the Nigerian Army remained committed to supporting host communities, noting that security could not be achieved through kinetic operations alone.

He said lasting peace was built on human development, mutual trust and empowerment of younger generations, adding that investment in education was 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,” he said.

The Emir of Zazzau, 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 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 in recruitment, skills acquisition and 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.