Tag: Sani

Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani has said that, from the N71.6billion allocated to the health sector in the 2024 budget, his administration has voted a substantial amount for the procurement of medical equipment and consumables for the 290 Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in the state.

This was even as he said that his government has recruited over 80 Medical Doctors, underscoring his administration’s determination to improve healthcare delivery across Kaduna State.

Governor Sani stated this in Kafanchan on Friday, May 24, while commissioning a newly constructed block of a 48-room hostel at the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Kafanchan.

Represented by his deputy, Hadiza Balarabe, the Governor said, his administration envisions an enhanced health system that is adequately equipped, well-staffed, and capable of delivering comprehensive, accessible, and affordable services, which bedrock rests in well-trained staff.

“The commissioning of this hostel aligns perfectly with our broader vision for a health system that meets the highest standards of care. His Excellency Senator Uba Sani had earlier given his commitment to a benchmark of 15% for the health sector in our annual budgets. And so in the 2024 budget, we allocated N71.6 billion to the health sector, which represents a significant 15.63%.

“Also, substantial resources have been devoted to the distribution of medical equipment and consumables to 290 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state. This initiative is aimed at enhancing access to affordable and efficient healthcare services, especially in our rural communities. 

Read Also: Uba Sani’s Kaduna miracle

“This government will continue to give the needed support to our health training institutions. The project we are commissioning today was fast-tracked and completed by the current administration, to meet the accommodation requirements of the students in the school, which hitherto, was short. This assisted greatly in the recent accreditations of programs of the state College of Nursing and Midwifery across all its campuses,” the governor said.

He informed the nursing students that, accreditation has been obtained for the School, for ND Nursing from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), while accreditation for Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Post Basic Nursing, Community Nursing, and Community Midwifery was given from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

In a related development, the deputy governor on behalf of Governor Uba Sani, commissioned the Kafanchan Municipal Authority Office Complex named after the referred Southern Kaduna monarch, Mallam Tagwai Sambo.

He noted that the establishment of the Metropolitan Authorities was not intended to replace or duplicate the functions of local governments, but to act as city managers, complement the work of local government councils, add value to their statutory roles, accelerate development, and improve infrastructure.

“This office will serve as a hub for sharing ideas and fostering teamwork as we move forward. It shall also provide space for coordinating government work and receiving inputs from citizens in the area. This initiative responds to rapid urbanization, as against fragmented growth as a result of limitations imposed by boundary demarcations of Local Governments,” he said.

Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani, inaugurated the implementation of a N500 million revolving loan scheme for civil servants during the 2024 May Day Celebration at Murtala Mohammed Square on Wednesday, May 1.

The governor, who symbolically presented the loans dummy cheques to some of the workers at the May Day celebration amidst cheers, said more economic empowerment initiatives will soon be unfolded for workers of Kaduna State.

He further assured the labour unions that, the Kaduna State Government under his leadership will continue to prioritize workers’ welfare and equip them appropriately within available resources, noting that, a committed and motivated workforce is critical to the achievement of his administration’s Rural Transformation Agenda.

Speaking to the theme of this year’s May Day celebration, which is “People First”, Governor Sani said, development is about the people, just as governance is also about the people.

“The people must, at all times, be the center of development. The government exists to cater to the security and welfare of the people. If we remove the people from our calculations, the government loses legitimacy and creates conditions for instability.

“For me as Governor of Kaduna State, this year’s May Day is of great significance for two reasons. This is the first May Day Celebration since I became the Governor of Kaduna State. Secondly, the State enjoyed industrial harmony throughout the year. I therefore salute you, the trade union leaders and members for your patriotism and understanding of the State’s precarious fiscal situation.

“We have forged a strategic partnership with the Labour Unions to advance the interests of workers and improve the living conditions of the poor, vulnerable, and underserved in Kaduna State. The Labour Unions have participated in all our committees on the distribution of palliatives.

“As part of our economic empowerment packages for Kaduna State civil servants, we have commenced the implementation of the N500 Million Revolving Loan Scheme. Other economic empowerment initiatives will soon be unfolded for workers in Kaduna State. We are attracting investments to create job opportunities for our citizens. We are training and retraining workers to put them in good stead to contribute effectively to the economic development of our dear state.

Read Also: Workers’ Day: Governor Otu announces N40,000 minimum wage for civil servants

“The government under my leadership will continue to prioritize workers’ welfare and equip them appropriately within available resources, conscious of the fact that a committed and motivated workforce is critical to the achievement of our Rural Transformation Agenda.

“Human capital development and poverty reduction will continue to receive robust government attention through investment in education, health, agriculture, housing, micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as support to security agencies as they tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.

“Nigerian governors, under the platform of the Nigeria Governors Forum are in consultation with the Labour Unions at the Federal and State levels, to come up with a decent and acceptable salary increase for state and local government workers. As your comrade and veteran of the struggle for better working conditions for Nigerian workers, I will not rest on my oars until we agree on a wage package that will put smiles on the faces of our workers,” Governor Sani said.

Earlier, the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman commended Governor Uba Sani for personally attending the May Day Celebration, saying that, the labour had not witnessed the presence of Governor at such an occasion in the last nine years.

While commending the Governor for prioritizing workers’ welfare through prompt payment of salaries and allowances, as well as the involvement of the labour unions in decision-making in the state, the NLC Chairman expressed hope that workers will enjoy favourable working conditions throughout the Governor’s tenure.

The highlight of the occasion was a colourful match pass by the several unions and affiliates of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Kaduna Governor Uba Sani has said his administration inherited a huge debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion and 115 Contractual Liabilities from the immediate past administration but he has not borrowed a kobo in the last nine months.

The Governor, who disclosed this in Kaduna on Saturday while addressing a Town Hall Meeting said, the huge debt burden is eating deep into the State’s Federal Allocation.

Sani lamented due to the rise in the exchange rate, Kaduna State is paying back almost triple of what was borrowed by the administration of Nasir El-Rufai.

He explained seven out of the N10billion Federal Allocation for Kaduna State in March was deducted to service the debt.

The Governor further lamented the State was left with N3billion, an amount which is not enough to pay salary standing at N5.2billion.

He however assured that, debt burden not withstanding, his administration remains resolute in steering Kaduna towards progress and sustainable development. 

According to the Governor: “Despite the huge debt burden of 587 million Dollars, 85 billion Naira, and 115 Contractual Liabilities sadly inherited from the Previous administration, we remain resolute in steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development. We have conducted a thorough assessment of our situation and are sharpening our focus accordingly.

Read Also: Gov Sani sends rescued children home amidst tight security

“It gladdened my heart to inform you that, despite the huge inherited debt on the state, till date, we have not borrowed a single kobo.  

“The Key priority areas of our government include Safety and Security, Housing, Education, Healthcare, and Support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). We are also prioritizing inclusive development by investing in human capital, stimulating the economy, and providing affordable housing.”

Amidst stringent security measures, Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani sent the 137 kidnapped and rescued Kuriga school children home on the afternoon of Thursday, March 28.

He announced a donation of N10 million to the family of their teacher, who tragically passed away due to health complications while in the bandits’ captivity.

Governor Sani also pledged that his administration would provide scholarships up to the university level for the children of the deceased teacher, Malam Abubakar. Isah Abubakar, one of Malam Abubakar’s children and also one of the kidnapped and rescued pupils, bore witness to his father’s demise in the bandits’ hideout.

Governor Sani, who returned from Abuja to bid the children farewell after three days of psychosocial therapy at the Kaduna Women and Children Shelter, also disclosed that he will in his private capacity, under the auspices of Uba Sani Foundation be supporting the education of all the 137 pupils and students, up to university level.

According to the governor, “We saw the need to keep the children for this long because when they came on Sunday, it was observed that some of them needed some psychological support. So, we had to engage the service of Psychologists and Medical Doctors to attend to them.

“Now, they have been given adequate psychosocial counselling and therapy. I am happy today that all the children are happy and they are in high spirits.

“Now, you are going back home to meet with your parents and other family members who are eager to see you. But, I want to assure you that all of you remain my children.

“As a result of this, I will be using the Uba Sani Foundation, which has been in existence for the past 16 to look after the education of all 137 of you.

“Our government will also be carrying out a lot of rehabilitation works both in the Kuriga community and the school. I have already given a directive to that effect. This is because the Kuriga community is one of the most peaceful communities in Kaduna State.

“Also, the Kaduna state government has taken a collective decision to support the family of Malam Abubakar, the teacher who died in captivity, with N10 million. Also, because he has a very young family, the Kaduna State Government will be giving scholarships to his children until they finish secondary school and university.”

Read Also: Drone Attack: Gov Sani breaks ground for Tudun Biri rebuilding project

He assured the school children that, he would be checking them at Kuriga from time to time to monitor the progress of their education.

Some of the children who spoke expressed appreciation to the Governor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the security agencies who played a role in their rescue.

The children who were taken back to Kuriga, a two-hour journey west of Kaduna’s capital city in air-conditioned buses, were accompanied by two Mobile Police Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) and several vans loaded with soldiers, Mobile Police, and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The convoy departed Kaduna around 3:17 pm on Thursday.

Gov Sani bids rescued Kuriga pupils farewell as they return home

Read Also: Drone Attack: Gov Sani breaks ground for Tudun Biri rebuilding project

Kaduna Governor Uba Sani has clarified that 137 school children and not 287 as widely reported were abducted from Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area.

The schoolchildren were abducted from LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School, Kuriga on Thursday, March 7.

The Governor spoke during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

Sani said all school children abducted by the bandits have been rescued by the military in collaboration with local authorities from neighbouring Zamfara State where the hostages were moved to by their kidnappers.

The Defence Headquarters on Saturday said 137 students were rescued, contrary to reports that 287 children were abducted by bandits.

Read Also: Tinubu pledges safer schools after rescue of Kaduna pupils

The relieved Governor said the number released by the military is the authentic figure, describing “287”, as a figment of some people’s imagination.

He said: “I don’t want to join issues with anyone in terms of numbers. What is more important to me is the safe return of the children. 

“Today, I am happy that they are back safely, in high spirits, but those numbers were just figments of some people’s imagination.

“Today, I met with the families of the children and they confirmed to me that the numbers given by the military are the correct numbers.

“The “287” are works of propagandists.”

Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani, has said that state police must be established to combat banditry and other criminal activities in Nigeria.

He said that vigilantes are ill-prepared to deal with bandits who possess sophisticated weaponry.

The governor’s remarks were prompted by the abduction of over 280 students in the Kuriga region of the state, along with the kidnapping of 87 individuals on Sunday in the Kajuru Local Government Area.

Governor Sani advocated for the creation of state police during a Monday interview on Politics Today on Channels Television.

He said: “Vigilante service cannot hold anything more than pump actions, and these bandits, they come around with AK-47s and even more sophisticated weapons. That is where we are.

Read Also: I speak to Tinubu twice daily over Kaduna insecurity – Gov Sani

“And in any case, that is the reason why some of us are insisting that we need to create state police. When you create state police, you will give the state police the legal authority through our constitution to hold firearms, including AK-47s. Then those communities can defend themselves.

“But until this moment, the vigilante service can only work with the military. They can only work with the police and all the relevant security agencies to help them with intelligence.”