By Nkechi Eze
The people of Southern Kaduna have conferred the prestigious title of Grand Commander of Southern Kaduna (GCSK) on the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, in recognition of his outstanding service to the nation and his commitment to peace, security, and national unity.
According to an official signed statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the honour was bestowed on the Defence Minister during a ceremony attended by traditional rulers, political leaders, community stakeholders, youth and religious groups, as well as residents from across Southern Kaduna and neighbouring communities.
Speaking after receiving the award, General Musa expressed gratitude to the people of Southern Kaduna for the recognition and described the region as one endowed with immense potential and prosperity. He dedicated the honour to all patriotic and peace-loving Nigerians, noting that Southern Kaduna has produced numerous distinguished individuals who have excelled in different fields of human endeavour.
The Defence Minister urged youths in the region to remain law-abiding and shun activities capable of promoting conflict, violence, or criminality. He emphasized that security remains a collective responsibility and called on all stakeholders to collaborate in the fight against insecurity.
General Musa also commended community leaders for their contributions to intelligence gathering and encouraged them to sustain efforts in providing timely and credible information that would assist security agencies in tackling criminal activities.
He further called on the people of Southern Kaduna to uphold the values of hard work, sacrifice, service, humility, and respect for the rule of law, which he said have long defined the region’s identity and reputation.
Highlighting the importance of peace and social cohesion to national development, the Minister urged residents to continue supporting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, noting that the Federal Government has increased its presence and developmental interventions in Southern Kaduna over the past three years.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Southern Kaduna Leaders Council, Elder Akau Moses, described General Musa as a worthy ambassador of the region whose distinguished military career has brought honour and pride to both Southern Kaduna and Nigeria.
According to him, the Defence Minister’s dedication, professionalism, courage, and patriotism have earned him national and international acclaim. He noted that the conferment of the Grand Commander of Southern Kaduna title was in recognition of General Musa’s contributions to national security and his exemplary leadership, which continues to inspire younger generations.
The ceremony concluded with commendations for the Defence Minister’s service to the nation and renewed calls for unity, peace, and sustainable development across Southern Kaduna and the country at large.
