On Tuesday, the Nigerian Army officially handed over a newly constructed facility comprising two blocks of seven classrooms, a staff room, and a principal’s office to the Tudun Biri Community in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Tudun Biri community tragically experienced an accidental drone strike by the Nigerian Army on December 3, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 85 residents during their Annual Maulud celebration, which commemorates the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Wase, presented the school on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, to the Kaduna State Government.
Maj.-Gen. Wase stated that the newly built school forms part of the Army’s civil-military relations programme, emphasising the importance of education in the community.
He remarked, “The Army expects the community to encourage their children to attend the school, while the state government should provide teachers and staff to operate it.”
He further explained that the Army’s objective is to enhance access to education and foster a more educated populace within the community, Kaduna State, and Nigeria as a whole. He urged the state government to ensure the school is well maintained and effectively utilised for the community’s benefit.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna State, Dr Sule Shu’aibu, accepted the school on behalf of the state government. He assured that the government was dedicated to providing the necessary staffing and resources for the school’s efficient operation.
Dr Shu’aibu noted that Governor Uba Sani had guaranteed a swift process, ensuring that the children of the community would benefit from the new facility.
He expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Army for their initiative in constructing the school and promised to continue working collaboratively with the military to enhance security and development within the state.
The Village Head of Tudun Biri, Balarabe Garba, conveyed his appreciation to the Nigerian Army for the successful execution of the project. He assured both the Army and the state government that the community would encourage parents to enrol their children in the school.
