Army Commander’s Compassion Keeps 100 Students in School in Zamfara
In a compassionate gesture that has been lauded by government officials and community leaders, the Nigerian Army has rescued 100 students from dropping out of school in Zamfara State. Brigadier General Timothy Opurum, commander of the 1 Brigade Nigerian Army Gusau, donated school uniforms, bags, shoes, and writing materials to underprivileged students at Government Secondary School (GSS) Kaura Namoda, who were at risk of dropping out due to poverty.
The initiative is part of the Army’s “non-kinetic” approach to addressing security challenges by building trust and supporting local communities. The donations were made after General Opurum learned that 100 students were attending classes without uniforms, which was affecting their morale and attendance.
A Community’s Plea Answered
Upon receiving the report, General Opurum promptly commissioned a tailor to sew 100 sets of uniforms and sourced other high-quality educational materials, including:
* 100 pairs of rubber school canvas shoes
* 100 school bags
* 300 exercise books
* 100 pens and 100 pencils
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These materials are expected to last the students through their secondary education. During the presentation ceremony, General Opurum, who was represented by Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Gobir, said, “When we invest in education, we invest in the future of Nigeria. This initiative is a show of solidarity with the youths of Zamfara, especially those from less privileged backgrounds.”
The gesture was widely praised by state and local officials. The Zamfara State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wadatau Madawaki, commended the Army, calling the donation “timely and complementary” to the state’s recently declared state of emergency on education. He announced that the school would soon receive further support and renovations.
Echoing this sentiment, the Principal of GSS Kaura Namoda, Malam Muhammad Makiyyu, expressed his gratitude. He explained that he had intentionally enrolled the students despite their lack of uniforms to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the community.
The event, attended by senior military officers, traditional rulers, and community members, highlights the Nigerian Army’s commitment to fostering peace not only through security operations but also through social investment and community development.
By PRNigeria
