ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Nigerian Senate is officially preparing to consider a groundbreaking constitutional amendment bill that proposes a single six-year tenure for the President and state governors, intended to take effect after the 2027 general elections. The disclosure was made on Tuesday on the floor of the upper legislative chamber by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who revealed plans to sponsor the bill ahead of the transition to the 11th Senate. According to Bamidele, the core objective of the reform is to eliminate the distractions associated with the current two-term structure. Under the prevailing system, elected executives frequently spend a significant portion of their first four-year term focused on political survival and plotting re-election strategies. "If you know you are there for six years, only one tenure, you put in your best from day one. You know this is the only chance that you have."— Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele Lawmakers backing the proposal argue that an unrenewable six-year term will allow executives to focus fully on public service delivery, policy implementation, and long-term national development without political interference. The legislative push aims to reshape Nigeria’s executive landscape through several major constitutional shifts: Replaces the current four-year renewable system with a strict, non-renewable six-year single term for the President and state governors. The law is strategically designed to be deliberated and implemented following the conclusion of the 2027 general elections to prevent immediate self-succession conflicts. Proponents expect the bill to significantly lower the financial burden, national friction, and electoral costs tied to repetitive, high-stakes re-election campaigns. The concept of a single executive term is not entirely new to Nigeria`s democratic discourse. Similar attempts were explored during previous constitutional reviews, notably under former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, though prior efforts ultimately fell through due to regional anxieties and political misalignment. Prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have also recently advocated for a six-year single term tied to a rotating presidency between Nigeria`s geopolitical zones to foster equity. While the announcement marks a defining moment for electoral reform discussions, Senate Leader Bamidele emphasized that the proposal is in its formative stage. Passing the bill will require comprehensive constitutional amendment procedures. This includes:Extensive public stakeholder consultations.A two-thirds majority vote in both chambers of the National Assembly.Formal concurrence from at least 24 of the 36 State Houses of Assembly. As debate builds among political leaders, legal experts, and citizens, the proposed legislation stands to be one of the most substantial structural shifts to Nigeria’s democracy since the return to civilian rule in 1999.

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, says nobody has what it takes to prevent him from visiting Oyo State or any part of Nigeria. Gumi said this on Tuesday in a post on his Facebook page, noting that his visit to Ibadan had been wrongly linked to what he described as “dirty local politics” in the South-West. The cleric has faced criticism amid allegations that his visit was part of an attempt to promote northern Islamic ideologies and Islamise Oyo State. Responding, Gumi stated that he was not invited to Ibadan by any Muslim individual or group in the South-West. According to the Islamic cleric, he attended an event in the city as a representative of northern Islamic scholars. He said, “I quite understand now how Islamophobia is shaping politics in (South-West) and why I was unnecessarily dragged into their dirty local politics. “I was in Ibadan, not by the invitation of any South-West Muslim individual or group, but as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama. “Can anybody stop me from going anywhere in Nigeria?” His reaction followed controversy over claims that abductors of some victims in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State demanded the introduction of Sharia law in the state as part of the conditions for their release.

Nigeria is a nation running on the fumes of its citizens` resilience. For decades, the defining characteristic of the Nigerian populace has been an uncanny ability to "suffer and smile"—to find joy, humor, and hope in the cracks of systemic failure. But as global media veteran Akintayo Asamu Kowinrin recently pointed out in a scathing indictment of our political class, this resilience is being weaponized against us. Kowinrin’s raw, unfiltered critique forces us to confront a painful reality. Our leaders do not see citizens as stakeholders in a democratic project. Instead, they treat us like "mumu," morons, and clay dolls—mere political placeholders to be manipulated during election cycles and discarded immediately after. The Machinery of Deceit The tragedy of the Nigerian condition lies in the predictability of its leadership. We are fed a daily diet of thousands of elaborate promises, yet not a single one is backed by the political will to execute. This is not governance; it is theater. While millions of citizens weep daily under the crushing weight of economic hardship, the political elite maintain a complicit, golden silence. They look away from the hunger in our streets. They pretend nothing is wrong because their own tables are overflowing. This level of selfishness borders on the sadistic, treating the masses less like human beings and more like livestock being fattened up for the next political festival. A Deadly Double Standard Nowhere is this elite indifference more apparent than in the sector of national security. The average Nigerian steps out of their home every morning unsure if they will return alive, vulnerable to the rampant insecurity that has overtaken our highways and communities. Yet, the very politicians who shrug off this bloodshed move around in bulletproof convoys, surrounded by state-funded security apparatuses. They spare no expense to protect their own families and relatives while leaving the rest of the country to the wolves. As Kowinrin rightly asked: Why treat your own blood like royalty and the rest of the nation like expendable slaves? The Illusion of Immortality Perhaps the most baffling aspect of our political class is the sheer arrogance of our aging politicians. Watching leaders whose twilight years are clearly upon them hoard wealth and power with reckless abandon is both tragic and comical. They behave as though earth is their permanent estate and death is a myth. History is littered with the forgotten names of past rulers who thought they were gods, only to be swallowed by time. Our current leaders would do well to learn from them. Power is fleeting, youth is gone, and as Kowinrin solemnly reminded them, there is a reckoning that awaits everyone after death. A Call for Radical Change We cannot continue like this. The "suffering and smiling" dynamic is not a badge of honor; it is a symptom of a battered collective psychology. Our leaders must change and turn over a new leaf. They must fear God, respect the sanctity of human life, and begin the hard work of giving us a country we can be proud of. The pen has been dropped, the truth has been spoken, and the ball is now entirely in their court.

A new video of Mrs. Rachael Alamu, the abducted Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, has emerged online. Speaking from captivity, Mrs. Alamu clarified that her abductors are not demanding a ₦1 billion ransom or the implementation of Sharia law, contrary to widespread social media reports. Mrs. Alamu revealed that she and other victims have spent 24 grueling days in the bush. The principal dismissed viral claims that the armed men demanded weapon trades, cash ransoms, or religious concessions, noting that the abductors themselves showed the captives the false online reports. According to her statement, the abductors have a single, non-monetary condition: the release of their detained associates. She urgently appealed to the government and the public to stop politicizing the abduction. She begged authorities to prioritize peaceful negotiation over a forceful military rescue, which she warned could result in the execution of the hostages. While Mrs. Alamu was abducted from the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, the surrounding landscape in the video has raised fresh questions among security analysts regarding the exact location where the victims are being held. Security agencies are closely analyzing the footage. Experts note that statements made by hostages under gunpoint are frequently scripted or heavily influenced by their captors to stall tactical military interventions. Mrs. Alamu was violently taken alongside multiple staff members and dozens of school children from three different academic institutions within Oyo State. As the hostages endure harsh weather and deteriorating conditions in the wilderness, pressure continues to mount on both state and federal authorities to secure their safe release. The Oyo State Police Command has officially stated that it is reviewing the hostage footage, maintaining that intensive search-and-rescue efforts remain ongoing alongside tactical forensic tracking to secure the victims. Concurrently, the Oyo State House of Assembly has formally rejected calls to negotiate with the armed captors, demanding instead that security forces step up military pressure. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Olayinka Ayanlade confirmed the command`s awareness of the hostage videos. Tactical teams, led directly by State Commissioner of Police Abimbola Olugbenga, are actively conducting forensic analysis to pinpoint the victims` location within the forest reserves. The command revealed that investigators successfully tracked down and arrested six suspects. These individuals were allegedly communicating with the kidnappers via mobile phones, guiding them through safe routes in the National Park during the attack. The Police Command explicitly warned the public and bloggers to stop circulating fake updates. They formally denied false viral social media reports claiming the students and staff had already been rescued. Law enforcement confirmed the identities of the deceased. Assistant Headmaster Mr. Adesiyan and an unnamed commercial motorcyclist (okada rider) were shot and killed during the initial school invasion, while a teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed in captivity. Meanwhile, THENEWSCREDIT reports that the Oyo State House of Assembly strictly rejected suggestions to negotiate with the terrorists. Lawmakers have instructed security operatives to rely on strategic rescue tactics rather than conceding to the group`s demands. THENEWSCREDIT Reports indicate the kidnappers opened communication channels and specifically demanded to speak directly with Governor Seyi Makinde, bypassing family members and intermediate local leaders. The executive arm has prioritized working in lockstep with federal intelligence teams.

A married woman identified as Oluchi has been found in a hotel in Delta State after she faked her abduction and demanded N50 million from her family. Children of the woman, including her daughter in Canada, had pleaded with the public to help them raise money even as the kidnappers reduced the ransom to N20m. They had told the police that their mother was kidnapped at the Ikpoba Hill area of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. But the police investigation led its crack team to Delta State, where the supposedly kidnapped woman was found with her lover in a hotel. Mrs Oluchi. Credit: Family A source said, “Police traced the number of the man to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State. They met the man and the kidnapped woman inside a hotel. They called the husband, and he was happy. It was at the station that the police broke the news to him. The wife begged the husband not to tell her children what actually transpired.” In an online video, her daughter, Anita, who is based in Canada, said her mum’s action has shattered the family. She vowed that the family would allow the law to take its course. According to her, “My mum has been released. My mum is involved in this kidnapping case. I only did what I did to save my mom. The family is in shock. This is not right. This has shattered my family. My dad has some health issues. This is so unfortunate. What did I do wrong? “My reputation has been ruined. I am short of words. I am so mad. I have no hand in this. I never knew. I only wanted my mother back home. The law will take its course. I am sorry this is happening. I only did what any daughter would do. My family has been shattered. “We were called that my mum has been released. We didn’t pay the kidnappers. The money is intact. We are going to make a refund. We involved the Police from the beginning. We now know it was not a real kidnapping. They said my mom is involved. They are having a relationship. The guy was traced. They had agreed to take what we already raised to N20m.” The Harmony Ladies Club, a social club Anita belongs to, in a statement on its WhatsApp group and forwarded to journalists, dissociated itself from the staged kidnapping. It expressed deep disappointment, shock, and embarrassment at Mrs. Oluchi’s actions. The statement read, “When news of her alleged abduction broke, the club acted swiftly in good faith. Out of sisterhood, love, and a sense of community responsibility, we rallied immediately. “Our members provided extensive emotional, logistical, and financial support during what we believed was a life-threatening crisis, carrying the heavy burden of anxiety alongside her family. “It is with a profound sense of betrayal that we have now discovered, through investigations, that the entire kidnapping incident was staged by Mrs. Oluchi herself.” Edo Police spokesman, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident and said four persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. She added, “I can confirm the incident and also let you know that four people have also been arrested in connection with the incident.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has enjoined Nigerians to hold on to hope that the country will overcome the current insurgencies just as it survived past political upheavals and pandemics. Akpabio spoke on Sunday at an interdenominational church service at the National Christian Centre as part of activities marking this year’s Democracy Day celebration. The theme of the special service was, “God of Hope, Actualise Our Dreams.” The Senate President urged Nigerians to count their blessings as they celebrate 27 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria. Akpabio told the congregation: “We have survived political upheavals and economic turbulence. We will survive insurgencies. “We have survived pandemics like Ebola and COVID-19 and seasons of despotism. Yet here we stand: 27 years of democratic governance, 27 years of constitutional order, 27 years of renewed hope. “But gratitude must never blind us to reality. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that this year’s Democracy Day be observed in a low-key manner because of the current situation in the country. “There is no denying that insecurity continues to trouble our land. Communities have been attacked. Farmers fear returning to their fields. Travellers journey with uncertainty. Families mourn loved ones lost to violence and criminality. “The kidnapping of innocent citizens, especially children, wounds the conscience of our nation.” Akpabio said the pain was deeply personal to him, having experienced the trauma of violence, insecurity and terror during the Nigerian Civil War. “That is why my heart breaks for every child in captivity and every parent who lies awake through the long hours of the night, not knowing whether a son or daughter is safe, hungry, frightened or even alive. “I know something of that anguish. Yet what I experienced as a child cannot be compared with the horror, humiliation, cruelty and unspeakable ordeal these innocent children have endured since their abduction. “It is a tragedy that wounds the conscience of our nation. But I assure you there is a brighter tomorrow. The evil you see today, you shall soon see no more. “When I had the opportunity to serve as governor about 19 years ago, I started monthly prayers. I used to ask myself a question whenever there was militancy, kidnapping and killing. I would say, ‘What if we were not praying?’ today, I want you to ask the same question. With the things happening around us, what if we were not praying? “We must continue praying so that the evildoers and their sponsors shall be exposed in Jesus’ name. If they are in government, they shall be exposed in Jesus’ name. If they are outside government, they shall be exposed in Jesus’ name. “Those sponsoring it, whether it is politically motivated or not, may they never have peace until they are defeated. “On the part of the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this administration remains steadfast in its determination to secure the freedom of those in captivity, defeat the forces of terror and criminality, and restore peace to our communities. “We shall continue to act together, pray together and persevere until our children are safely returned and our nation is secure,” Akpabio said. Also speaking during the service, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said President Bola Tinubu had assured Nigerians that his administration would intensify efforts to ease the economic hardship facing citizens. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to defeat insecurity and secure the release of all persons held captive across the country.

Fifty elderly residents of Magamin Diddi village in the Magami/Faru Ward of Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, who embarked on a peace mission to reconcile with bandits terrorising their communities, have been kidnapped after visiting the bandits’ hideout. The chairman of Maradun Local Government, Bello Dosara, confirmed the incident but said the villagers met with the bandit kingpin without the government’s approval. He added that Jammo, the bandit kingpin operating from Muntsira Forest in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State, was responsible for the abduction. “We are against reconciliation with the bandits, and Governor Dauda Lawal never supported that, but unknown to us, the people chose to go on with it,” Dosara said. Dosara further explained that the bandit kingpin had blocked the villagers’ access to the market but that the local government had consistently provided them with weekly security escorts to enable them to travel to and from the market safely. The council chairman also confirmed the release of 11 of the abducted villagers, while the remaining 39 are still being held captive. “He released some to just brief the people on the unfortunate incident,” he added. Also speaking, the councillor representing Magami/Faru Ward, Bello Husseini, revealed that the bandit kingpin, Jammo, who has been terrorising the area, had previously clashed with the Zamfara State security outfit, Askarawa, during which two of his lieutenants were killed, and their rifles seized. However, during the last fasting period, the bandits launched a reprisal attack in which they killed two Askarawa personnel and took away their rifles. “You see, we are one to one; they killed two of us and took away their rifles, and we also killed them and possessed their firearms initially,” Husseini said. He added that the bandit kingpin requested reconciliation after one of his fighters was killed during a recent military operation in Kandare village, a request that the villagers granted on their own despite the government’s policy against such negotiations. according to Husseini, Jammo is currently demanding N24 million in exchange for the three seized rifles. “We are against any form of reconciliation because we know they are not trustworthy; they can speak one true statement against a hundred lies. The people he held hostage were elderly, and he had no reason to hold them hostage; he betrayed them by saying he was tired of banditry and opted for reconciliation,” Husseini said. The councillor further stated that he had relocated from his ward because of insecurity, despite his opposition to reconciliation in any form. The chairman and the councillor jointly called on the government and security agencies to launch an offensive against the “Dajin Natsira”, arguing that the bandits operating there have never faced sustained military confrontation throughout the history of banditry in Zamfara State.

Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, has revealed that residents of a community in Oluyole Local Government Area allegedly watched suspected kidnappers bring abducted victims into a residential property without reporting the activities to security agencies. The remarks were disclosed in a post shared on the official page of presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, following the rescue of Mrs. Busayo John-Paul and her twin sons from a kidnapping syndicate in Oyo State. According to the post, the commissioner spoke while leading journalists to a residential building in Araromi Quarters, Ayegun North, Oluyole Local Government Area, where the victims were allegedly held before their rescue by police operatives. Olugbenga said preliminary investigations indicated that the location had allegedly been used repeatedly by kidnappers as a hideout for abducted victims. According to him, some residents in the area reportedly observed suspicious movements around the property but failed to alert security agencies. “They have been bringing the abductees here. They bring them here, and people see them. Some even greet them and say ‘welcome.’ When people see such things and don’t speak up, what do you expect us to do?” The commissioner queried. He added that early reports from residents could have enabled security operatives to intervene before the situation escalated. “If suspicious activities like this had been reported, none of this would have happened. We would have taken the necessary steps in good time,” he stated. The police commissioner stressed that tackling kidnapping, banditry and other security threats requires cooperation between security agencies and members of the public. According to the post, he urged residents to promptly report unusual movements and suspicious activities within their communities to relevant authorities.

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has declared unlawful the National Assembly’s controversial N110 billion vehicle and allowance schemes, ruling that the spending of N40 billion on 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members breached procurement laws, constitutional obligations, and the public trust. The court also ordered the Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas, “to ensure that all future procurements or expenditure of public funds by the National Assembly comply strictly with due process requirements and are also guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and value for money.” The judgment was delivered on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, by Justice Yellim Bogoro in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project against the National Assembly. The certified true copy of the judgment was sighted on Sunday. SERAP, in a statement issued by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said it filed the lawsuit in August 2023 against Mr. Akpabio and Mr. Abbas, following plans to spend N40 billion on 465 vehicles and N70 billion in allowances for new lawmakers amid worsening economic hardship across the country. In her judgment, Justice Bogoro held that “looking at the magnitude of the expenditure, coupled with the absence of demonstrable due process, leads me to conclude that the procurement is arbitrary, disproportionate and inconsistent with statutory procurement standards.” She also held that “the beneficiaries of the expenditure are the very officials approving it, and the expenditure confers direct pecuniary and material benefits. This to my mind constitutes a case of self-dealing and conflict of interest.” Justice Bogoro further stated, “I have taken judicial notice of the economic realities in Nigeria and the widespread financial hardship affecting Nigerian citizens. In this context, the allocation of N110 billion for the benefit of lawmakers demonstrates a failure to prioritise national interest. “The Defendants have urged the Court to decline jurisdiction on grounds of legislative autonomy. It should be noted that the doctrine of separation of powers does not operate as a shield for illegality. It is noteworthy to state that the Court is concerned on the legality and constitutionality of legislative spending. “The allocation of N110 billion for the benefit of lawmakers also undermines the fiduciary duty owed to the Nigerian people. Public office must not be used for personal enrichment. Public officers must act within constitutional boundaries and in good faith. I hold that the conduct complained of is inconsistent with the oath of office. “The Defendants [Mr. Akpabio, Mr. Abbas, and members of the Senate and House of Representatives] formulated two principal issues for determination in response to SERAP’s Originating Summons; firstly: ‘Whether in the circumstances of this case, this Honourable Court possesses the requisite jurisdiction to entertain the suit.’ “Secondly, ‘Whether SERAP has adduced sufficient evidence to warrant the grant of the declarations, orders, and injunctions sought.’ “I have earlier in this judgment reproduced the question for determination as proposed by SERAP. But I will quickly state that SERAP has sought for the judicial interpretation of constitutional and statutory provisions in relation to the proposed expenditure of public funds by the Defendants. “The gravamen of SERAP’s case is that the planned use of the N40 billion for procurement of vehicles and N70 billion as support allowances under the Supplementary Appropriation Act 2022 (signed in 2023) is unlawful and in breach of Section 57(4) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007; paragraph 1 Part 1, Fifth Schedule (Code of Conduct for Public Officers) and Oath of Office under the Seventh Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended]. “Brief facts of the case as could be gleaned from the affidavit in support show that the Defendants allegedly approved the purchase of 465 bulletproof vehicles at about N305 million per vehicle, bringing the total project cost to N110 billion; that the expenditure is excessive and violates the Nigerian Constitution, the Public Procurement Act 2007, and the remuneration framework of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). “It is the submission of SERAP that it wrote a letter to each of the Defendants requesting a reversal of the decision which was ignored. The Defendants denied the allegations and assert that the claims are based on media speculation, that the expenditure was lawful and duly appropriated, the funds have already been expended, the suit is academic, and that there is no valid pre-action notice served. “SERAP further submits that the suit raises live constitutional issues; declaratory reliefs are still grantable despite completion of the act; and that pre-action notice is not required due to the urgency and nature of the action.” “Now back to the main issue for determination. I have from the singular question formulated these issues for determination: (1) whether SERAP has the requisite locus standi to institute this action; (2) whether failure to serve pre-action notice is fatal to this suit; (3) whether this suit has been overtaken by events; and (4) whether SERAP has established entitlement to the relief sought. “I will first determine the jurisdictional issues raised by the Defendants which are issues of non-issuance of pre-action notice on the 1st Defendant; want of cause of action; abuse of court process; and whether this suit is academic. “On whether SERAP has locus standi to have brought this suit, I will state that the law has now evolved to recognise public interest litigation. NGOs (as SERAP in this suit) can institute actions to protect public interest. “From the facts deposed and given the nature of the suit, SERAP being a public interest organisation committed to transparency and accountability has demonstrated sufficient interest. I therefore hold that SERAP has locus standi to sue, as the matters are of undeniable public concern. “On the issue of non-issuance of pre-action notice to the 1st Defendant, Section 21 of the Legislative House (Powers and Privileges) Act 2017 provides thus: ‘A person who has cause of action against a Legislative House shall serve a three months written notice to the office of the Clerk of the Legislative House disclosing the cause of action and relief sought.’ “The Defendants contended that failure to serve a pre-action notice is fatal; ordinarily that is the correct position. However, there are exceptions to this general rule. Pre-action notice is not mandatory where the matter is urgent or where the matter involves public interest or fundamental rights. “To this end, I have sighted Exhibits A5 and A6 attached to the affidavit supporting the Originating Summons titled ‘Re: Request to Rescind the Scandalous National Assembly Budget of ₦110 Billion to Buy 465 Bulletproof SUVs and Support New Lawmakers.’” On jurisdictional objections, she ruled that legislative autonomy does not shield illegality, stressing that courts can intervene where constitutional breaches occur. SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, described the ruling as “a major victory for transparency, accountability and responsible management of public resources in Nigeria.” He added that the judgment shows that “public office is a public trust.” The statement also quoted human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), saying SERAP “deserves commendation,” adding that lawmakers’ lifestyle choices amid hardship “cannot be justified.” He urged the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to act within its constitutional mandate on lawmakers’ remuneration. The court declared that the vehicle procurement and allowances breached the Public Procurement Act, the Code of Conduct rules, and constitutional oath provisions, and ordered strict compliance with due process in future spending.

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), and the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, have endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s education sector reforms for improving the quality of education in the country. They argued that citizenship and community cooperation with security agencies through education are critical tools in the fight against banditry, terrorism and other security challenges confronting the country. Both spoke during the unveiling of the Kaduna Christian Academy, a faith-based school built for the Kaduna Christian community by friends of the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi. It would be recalled that friends of the DSS boss had, in May 2025, built an Islamic school for the Muslim community in Danbushiya, Chikun Local Government Area of the state. Describing the academy as a strategic non-kinetic intervention, the Defence Minister said national defence extends beyond military deployments, intelligence gathering and air power, stressing that lasting security can only be achieved through the defeat of ignorance and hopelessness. “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 on 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 said. Musa 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 winning public confidence and building a better future. He said an educated and enlightened population offers a stronger defence against extremism, criminality and social instability than force alone, adding that the school would provide children with academic knowledge, critical thinking skills and sound moral values. The minister urged parents to prioritise their children’s education, recalling his humble background and stressing that every child possesses the potential to rise to the highest positions in society through hard work, education and divine grace. He noted that Kaduna State had recorded significant improvements in security and governance through the combined efforts of the Federal, State and Local Governments. He commended Governor Sani for promoting inclusion, development and peaceful coexistence. Musa also praised the resilience and peaceful disposition of the people of Southern Kaduna, urging them to resist attempts by divisive elements to undermine unity and harmony in the area. He explained that security agencies alone cannot defeat bandits and terrorists without the support of citizens. The minister warned that criminal groups usually rely on local collaborators for information, logistics and other assistance. “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. He maintained that while military operations remain necessary, non-kinetic measures such as education, community engagement and social development are equally vital to securing lasting peace, noting that a literate society is better able to reject extremist ideologies and support security efforts. Musa described the academy as a symbol of interfaith harmony and national unity, urging the management, teachers and community leaders to protect the facility, maintain high academic standards and encourage civic participation, including voter registration and active involvement in the democratic process. This was even as the Kaduna State Government reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to quality education, describing investment in learning as critical to the state’s future development. Governor Sani made the declaration through the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, James Kanyip. “Education remains one of the most powerful tools for personal, human capital and social development. Every classroom built creates opportunities 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. Kanyip said the commissioning represented more than the opening of a new structure, describing it as a symbol of hope and opportunity. “Today, we are not merely opening a new building. We are celebrating hope, opportunity and transformation,” he stated. In his welcome address, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria for the 19 Northern States and the FCT, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, said the DSS boss facilitated the project in recognition of education as one of the most effective tools for tackling insecurity, poverty and social challenges in Nigeria. “Today is more than the opening of a school building. Today is the opening of doors to opportunity, doors to knowledge, doors to growth and a brighter future for our children,” he said. Chief Imam of Sultan Bello Mosque, Kaduna, Prof. Suleiman Adam, who gave a goodwill message on behalf of the Muslim community, appreciated the DSS DG for replicating what he did for Muslims by also establishing a school for Christians. He described the move as a major boost for the promotion of interfaith harmony. Speaking on behalf of the friends of the Director-General of the DSS, Malam Musa Suleiman said education remains one of the most effective tools for addressing the root causes of insecurity.