The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commissioned the newly remodelled Government Girls Day Secondary School (GGDSS) in Maradun local government area of Zamfara State, reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s commitment to education as a pathway to sustainable peace and development.
According to a statement issued by Captain David Adewusi, Media Information Officer, Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North-West, the project was executed under the COAS Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) initiative and commissioned on December 25, 2025.
Representing the COAS at the ceremony, the Theatre Commander, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Warrah Idris, said the intervention underscored the Army’s strategic focus on community engagement and human development.
“Education remains a critical tool for addressing security challenges and building resilient communities,” Major General Idris said. “This initiative is a testament to the COAS’s belief that investing in education today secures a brighter future for the youth of Zamfara State and Nigeria at large.”
Facilitator and executor of the project, Major General Mamman Galadima, a senior Army officer of Zamfara State origin, explained that the intervention involved the comprehensive renovation of more than 36 classrooms, administrative offices, halls and laboratories.
According to him, the school has also been equipped with modern infrastructure, upgraded roofing and structural enhancements to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment.
Describing the project as a “beacon of hope” for education in Maradun LGA, Galadima noted that the Nigerian Army’s approach to security goes beyond military operations to include investments in the welfare and future of children.
“Our mission is to create an environment where every girl-child can excel and realize her full potential,” he said, urging school authorities to take ownership of the facilities and preserve them for future generations.
Zamfara State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Alhaji Wadatau Madawaki, commended the Nigerian Army for the intervention, saying it complements the state government’s ongoing efforts to revitalise the education sector. “This project exemplifies the importance of collaboration and the positive impact of prioritizing education,” he said.
Also speaking, the Principal of GGDSS Maradun, Mrs. Suwaiba Muhammad Nafaru, expressed gratitude to Major General Galadima for selecting the school among many others in the state. She said the renovation would significantly enhance teaching and learning while reinforcing the value of girl-child education within the community.
The Emir of Maradun, Alhaji Garba Muhammad Tambari, praised Galadima as “a proud son of the emirate” whose contribution would leave a lasting legacy. In appreciation, the traditional ruler presented a horse to the Chief of Army Staff during the ceremony.
The event attracted senior military officers, government officials and community leaders, including the Commander, 1 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Mustapha Jimoh; a representative of the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Brigadier General N. N. Gambo; the Theatre Logistics Component Commander, Brigadier General Mbaka, and the chairman of Maradun local government area council, Sanusi Dosara.
“Through this initiative, the Nigerian Army has once again reaffirmed its commitment to advancing education and community development as essential pillars for sustainable peace and progress in Zamfara State and beyond,” the statement read further.
