Kaduna State is rising again from the ashes of insecurity, violence and discord that permeated its past, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said yesterday.
The President showered encomium on Governor Uba Sani, describing him as the architect of the peace that had been restored in the state after assuming the reins.
He urged other governors to emulate his unique style of administration, particularly his focus on youth empowerment through skill development.
The President believes such progressive initiatives targeted at securing the nation’s future would be supported by the Federal Government.
President Tinubu, who was on a one-day visit to the state, spoke when he inaugurated some projects implemented by the Sani Administration.
These include a general hospital, roads, vocational centres and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses in Kaduna, the state capital.
House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who hails from the state, said Kaduna would join other states to return the President to office in 2027 because of his commitment to the development of the state.
Sani praised President Tinubu for restoring hope to the Northwest, which was once gripped by fear due to insecurity, assuring that the North was behind him.
For almost two years, Kaduna lost its peace due to the Southern Kaduna crisis, which pitted the people against the former governor.
Reminiscing on that anxious past, the President noted that Sani’s style of governance has rekindled hope and restored peace.
President Tinubu said: “I am particularly impressed with the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in this state. This is sharply in contrast with the atmosphere when I visited in 2022.
“To get to Birnin-Gwari local government for the electioneering campaign, we almost had to move with an entire battalion.
“I have it on good authority that you can move to Birnin-Gwari today, around midnight, without fear of attack.
“Peace is the hallmark of development. That’s why you can channel a vision that is sharp and yielding results. Thank you, Governor, for the good job you are doing.
“I’m proud to say that Kaduna is rising again, and we will work with you for this, in every aspect of your development agenda.”
The President praised the governor for investing in vocational training, infrastructure, healthcare, and public transportation.
He said: “What you have been doing is laudable for this country. I want to remind all our governors present that skills development, which we jointly inspected and commissioned today, is an example that the sub-nationals should follow. Whatever we need to do together. We’ll do it.”
President Tinubu said the Federal Government would soon unveil a comprehensive national agenda on youth skills development and food sovereignty.
He said the 300-bed specialist hospital, township and rural roads, a vocational training centre, and a fleet of 100 CNG buses meant to modernise the state’s public transport system underscored the governor’s commitment to public welfare.
President Tinubu commended the governor’s “people-oriented commitment” and “far-sighted” leadership, saying it serves as a model for purposeful governance.
He stressed: “Today, I’ve seen an example of people-oriented commitment, development agenda and far-sightedness in the governor, who has established not only critical centres to train and develop the minds of our youths but also schools, as well as providing them with skills and opportunity to excel.
“Senator Sani, the great people of Kaduna love you, and that extends to our commitment to democracy, justice and dignity of life. You are a good leader, and I am very happy to have to work with you. “
Col. Umar bags CFR
At the ceremony, the President corrected what he described as an oversight when he honoured worthy democratic icons.
He bestowed on the former military governor of the state, Lt. Col. Dangiwa Umar (rtd), the Commander of the Order of Federal Republic (CFR), for his gallant roles during the democratic struggle.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to correct an omission. One of those people that I missed out on during the June 12 broadcast at the National Assembly is Colonel Dangiwa [Umar].
“Today, let me correct that by honouring him with national recognition of CFR.”
Col. Umar resigned his commission in the Army in protest against the annulment of the June 12 election.
The President also extended similar recognition to the rights activist, Senator Shehu Sani, saying: “You deserve the CON.”
Reflecting on his longstanding ties with Kaduna, President Tinubu noted that the state had a central place in his political and democratic journey.
He assured the government and residents of continued collaboration on major infrastructural projects, including the light rail initiative.
President Tinubu said: “We will do everything to ensure that we achieve the vision of progress, prosperity, and we’ll not forget the fact that the light rail project is there on our focus. We are going to do it, and we’ll do it together. “
‘Tinubu’s vision reshaping Nigeria’
Governor Sani described the President as “a statesman whose vision is reshaping Nigeria”, adding that he is “a leader whose commitment to Northern development is unque.”
He reflected on how he restored peace to the state, thanking other stakeholders for their cooperation.
Sani said: “Your Excellency, when we came in, Kaduna was under siege — plagued by insecurity, fear and economic stagnation. But we refused to be broken.
“Today, peace has been restored, roads are open, schools have reopened, and farmlands are green again. That is your legacy — leadership that listens and delivers.”
The governor hailed the President’s support for Kaduna’s urban transport master plan, saying that N100 billion was provided in the 2025 federal budget for the proposed Kaduna Light Rail Transit project.
He also noted that the 100 new buses would be offered free to workers, students and pensioners for the first six months.
Sani added: “In just two years, Kaduna has bounced back from the brink. We have built 62 new secondary schools, upgraded 1,049 classrooms, constructed 79 roads spanning 780km, and slashed tuition fees in state tertiary institutions by 50 per cent.”
The governor unveiled what he called “Africa’s largest informal skills hub” — the remodelled Panteka Market — now home to 38,000 artisans and offering certifications from global tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Huawei.
On peace-building, Sani acknowledged the President’s support for the launch of the Kaduna Peace Model, an initiative that combines community engagement with security operations.
He said over 500,000 hectares of abandoned farmland had been reclaimed and 535 schools reopened in areas once overrun by terrorists.
Sani added: “From Giwa to Godogodo, from Birnin Gwari to Kajuru, Kaduna is no longer defined by fear. Joint task forces now patrol our roads.
“Commerce is booming again. We are exporting livestock from Birnin Gwari to Lagos daily — something unthinkable a year ago.”
The governor promised to deepen governance reforms, attract more investment, and consolidate the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He explained that Kaduna is the first state to implement the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone project.
Sani stressed: “We have distributed over 600 truckloads of fertilisers and thousands of implements free to farmers.
“We are not just building roads and hospitals — we are building a future where every Nigerian child can dream again.”
Urging the North to rally behind President Tinubu, Sani said: “This President has embraced the North, stood with us in our darkest hour, and is leading us into the light. We must never forget. We must back him all the way.”
Former Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo, who witnessed the ceremony, expressed gratitude to God for the commissioning of various projects in Kaduna, particularly the 300-bed specialist hospital, which he initiated in 2009.
Sambo, a former governor of the state, described the hospital’s commissioning as the fulfilment of a vision that began in 2009 during his tenure.
He said: “Today, we celebrate the realisation of a project that was conceived over 16 years ago. It is a dream come true for the people of Kaduna.”
He recalled that as governor, he was confronted with a painful healthcare reality, saying that fewer than 3,000 hospital beds were available for a population exceeding six million.
Sambo noted that the situation worsened when Kaduna metropolis lost its 800-bed hospital following the relocation of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital to Shika, Zaria.
He added: “Many families were forced to travel outside the state in search of specialist medical care.
“Our goal was to reverse health tourism and provide world-class medical services at home.”
Tajudeen, who gave the vote thanks, commended the President for his commitment to infrastructure development and federal presence in Kaduna State.
He said the initiatives are already transforming lives across the state, highlighting the Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline project, which has reached a 72 per cent completion rate as of the first quarter of 2025.
Tajudeen also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his promise to complete the Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano railway line.
The Speaker said the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan and the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia are landmark interventions, especially for the people of Southern Kaduna.
He said the “federal presence, institutional recognition, and long overdue inclusion” would foster a sense of belonging.
Abbas praised Sani for his leadership and collaboration with the Federal Government, saying that the synergy between the state and federal levels on security, economic inclusion, and infrastructure has set Kaduna on a path of sustained growth and national relevance.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included the Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State), AbdulRahman AbdulRazak (Kwara), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal Abbas and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake.
