The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), has described education as the bedrock of national development and a critical tool for fostering a united and progressive Nigeria.
The Minister made these remarks on Wednesday at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, while receiving an Excellence Award from the National Parent Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN).
Addressing the NAPTAN delegation, Gen. Musa emphasized that quality education extends beyond the classroom, requiring a “strong collaboration” between schools, parents, and the wider community to shape responsible citizens.
”Parents and teachers are the twin pillars of a child’s development,” the Minister stated. “The home and classroom jointly shape a child’s values, character, and future potential in society.”
He further urged parents to take greater responsibility in the moral upbringing of their children, noting that discipline is essential for producing citizens who contribute positively to national stability. He also acknowledged the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) as a vital component of the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) for its contributions to school governance.
Earlier, the National President of NAPTAN, Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, stated that the Excellence Award was a recognition of the Minister’s strategic leadership and dedication to institutional reforms.
Danjuma noted that under Gen. Musa’s leadership, the Ministry of Defence has advanced policies that significantly strengthen the nation’s security architecture. He further expressed confidence in the Minister’s ability to address the country’s current security challenges, describing his appointment as a “divine intervention.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, concluded the event by thanking NAPTAN for its partnership. He noted that the collaboration between the association and the Ministry is essential for nurturing patriotism and civil responsibility among Nigerian youth.
