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  • Traditional leaders key to peace, security – Gov Sani

    Traditional leaders key to peace, security – Gov Sani

    …commends collaboration with HoR Speaker Abbas

    Governor Uba Sani has disclosed that the traditional leaders played a key role in the success of the non-kinetic approach in tackling insecurity in Kaduna state by sharing intelligence with security agencies.

    The governor also said that Kaduna State is now one of the most peaceful sub-nationalities in the country because there has not been any record of ethno-religious or communal clashes in the last two years.

    Governor Sani, who spoke at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, where 23 vehicles were distributed to traditional leaders on Sunday, noted that his administration holds the royal fathers in high esteem.

    ‘’They have been working day and night, sharing intelligence with security agents and ensuring that they are always close to our people at the community level, and that is the reason why our non-kinetic approach towards addressing insecurity is working.

    ‘’Without the support of our traditional leaders, we would not have achieved security and stability in Kaduna State. That is why today, we are not only supporting but encouraging you,’’ he said.

    According to the Governor, ‘’the vehicles are to motivate you because we cannot achieve much without  synergy between the traditional institution, religious leaders, community leaders, and the relevant security agencies in Kaduna State, and the key to success  is intelligence gathering and sharing.’’

    Governor Uba Sani who commended the House of Representatives Speaker, Right Honourable Tajudeen Abbas for facilitating the distribution of the vehicles, emphasised the need for synergy and collaboration amongst political office holders.

    The governor recalled that when he was in the senate, he brought intervention worth over N20 billion to the state, adding that the Faculty of Engineering at Kaduna State University will be more than N12 billion when completed.

    ‘’Despite the fact that we couldn’t complete it before we left the Senate, one of the sons of Kaduna State, Deputy Governor of Central Bank, Mohammed Sani Abdullahi Dattijo, is working closely with the Right Honourable Speaker to ensure that the project is completed. That is the synergy we are talking about,’’ he added.

    Governor Uba Sani recalled that when the Speaker started distributing the first tranche of vehicles, he reminded him that he should extend the goodwill to every local government in Kaduna State.

    ‘’I’m happy that today, every local government is benefiting from the benevolence and support of the Right Honourable Speaker. That is governance. We have relegated politics,’’ he pointed out.

    He further said that the House Speaker has been intervening in many areas on behalf of Kaduna State, especially in infrastructural development, health care, education, and social development.

    Speaking earlier, House Speaker Abbas said that the distribution of vehicles is part of a broader collaboration with the governor, which aims to strengthen the role of traditional rulers in peace-building and governance.

    “This event is a fulfillment of one of those discussions and shared commitments between me and the Governor to interact with, and provide tangible support to, our traditional leaders,” he said.

    According to him, the vehicles were provided by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), adding that the latest tranche marks the fourth phase of a wider distribution plan.

    He added that a total of 23 vehicles have now been allocated, following an initial phase which was done during Ramadan, when vehicles were distributed to emirs, district heads, and senior traditional figures in Zaria.

    “These vehicles are not just for ceremonial purposes,” Abbas said, adding that “they are meant to serve as essential working tools to aid our traditional rulers in reaching every part of their chiefdoms and emirates. This is critical in helping them maintain peace and ensure security throughout Kaduna State.”

    The Speaker also announced that the initiative has been captured in the 2025 federal budget, with plans to extend vehicle support and renovation of palaces across all three senatorial districts in the state.

    “Starting with the emirates covering 11 out of the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State, such renovation projects have already been initiated. Not less than 10 district heads and emirates have benefited within the past year,” he revealed.

    The Speaker disclosed that the ongoing Constitution Amendment will include provisions to grant traditional rulers a formal role in Nigeria’s governance structure.

    “I want to assure you that the National Assembly will do everything humanly possible to carve out a prominent role for our traditional rulers beginning from 2026,” he said.

    Speaking earlier on behalf of the Traditional Rulers, the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli expressed appreciation to the Governor for the gesture

    He noted that such support would enhance their activities and enable them to stand on equal footing with their counterparts.

  • A good reversal

    A good reversal

    Gov. Sani right in revoking sale of school properties by previous administration

    In our kind of clime where many governors take decisions based on their personal whims and caprices, particularly against the backdrop of their hatred or love for their predecessors, it is necessary to distill many of their decisions before drawing conclusions.

    We are not unmindful of the fact that there is no love lost between the incumbent governor of the state, Senator Uba Sani, and his predecessor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, even as we take a position on the revocation of the sales of properties in some public schools in the state by the Senator Sani administration.

    The properties, including structures and land, were sold by the immediate past administration of Malam el-Rufai.

    Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Dr AbdulKadir Mu’azu Meyere, who announced the revocation in a statement said it had been approved since last year and that steps are being taken to refund monies paid by the allottees.

    “The Kaduna State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani, has revoked all previous sales of institutional houses and land allocations within Alhuda-Huda College, Zaria; Queen Amina College, Kaduna; and Government Commercial College, Zaria, in the overriding public interest and for the common good,” Meyere said.

    It is noteworthy that the old students of Queen Amina College, Kakuri-Kaduna, had earlier petitioned the state government to reconsider the former government’s decision to sell the school’s staff quarters and other land on the premises. The association rightly noted that this portended grave consequences for education in the state, with many of the teachers and other essential workers being forced to live far away from the school.

    The old girls said the college already had issues of severe overcrowding, inadequate sanitary facilities and dilapidated infrastructure. According to them, “Each dormitory houses an average of 180 students, with three girls often forced to share a single six-inch spring bed — conditions worse than sardines in a can.”

    We do not know whether it was the protest letter of these old girls that reminded the government of its decision to revoke the sales of the properties on the schools’ premises, since it said the decision had been taken as far back as last year. But, whether it was or not, the good news is that those who bought those properties have now got their well-deserved quit notices. We can only appeal to the government to refund their money as soon as possible.

    We dare say that the decision to sell off parts of these legacy schools was one of the most reckless decisions by the el-Rufai administration.

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    It showed its contempt for knowledge and education. How on earth can anyone justify selling off school staff quarters? It cannot be for the purpose of making money because the consequences of that singular decision are too dire to be denominated in naira and kobo.

    That some of these schools are legacy schools that should be preserved as model institutions compounds the contempt.

    The revocation is a warning to other governors to exercise discretion in disposing of government land. It is a good lesson that nothing is permanent. A bad decision can be reversed anytime in the future.

    We agree with Governor Sani that “effective learning can best take place in a conducive atmosphere without distractions and sundry interferences.”

    And, as the governor further noted, education is not just a leveller but also a ladder for upward mobility, with the capacity to transform lives and improve livelihoods.

    These are good reasons why governments must sleep over programmes and policies meant for the sector before implementing them. Schools without an environment conducive for learning can only produce half-baked graduates at all levels and this is bad enough for any society that is hungry for development.

    We commend the governor for revoking the sales of the schools’ properties. A policy like the one under consideration can only compound the volatility of Kaduna State and a governor who has invested so much in education should not close his eyes to something that can bring his efforts to naught.

  • Assessing Uba Sani’s policy of governance and less politics

    Assessing Uba Sani’s policy of governance and less politics

    By Mansur Umar

    Recently, Governor Uba Sani made out time from his very busy schedule to speak very passionately and frankly about the essence of his unique resort to very little or no partisan politics in the administration of the very complex Kaduna State. In an exclusive interview with Trust TV’s Mannir Dan Ali, Senator Uba Sani concedes that his inclusive governance style in Kaduna State, is not a walk in the park, but avers that an alternative to this governance method, especially a reenactment of previous options that glaringly shortchanged some parts of the State, would be counter-productive and could very easily return the state to its long-forgotten dark era of strife, restiveness and arrested development.

    By May 2023 when Senator Uba Sani assumed office as Governor, Kaduna was among the states topping the chart of the nation’s inglorious list of flash points. A mix of recurring cases of banditry, high-level kidnappings, ethno-religious tension and general criminality bedeviled the otherwise beautiful and endowed state. But long before he contested for the office of Governor, Senator Uba Sani, was well aware that Kaduna’s problems stemmed largely from divisiveness and class wars. He knew that unifying all segments of the state, at all costs would all too certainly heal all wounds, mend fences and in turn, pave the way for good governance that must necessarily factor-in even the minutest interests of the citizens in every nook and cranny of the 23 local government areas of the State, irrespective political, religious, ethnic and tribal persuasions. In spite of this tall order, almost two years after adopting this option, Governor Uba Sani has literally turned the entire Kaduna State to a single, large, happy and prosperous family that speak with a voice and act in one accord. Today Kaduna State has become a model state where good governance has outflanked politics – especially petty politics.

    Having engendered the right atmosphere across the state, Governor Uba Sani has been devoting time, energy and huge resources to salvaging the state from the near-comatose condition he met it. In particular, deploying a deft combination of kinetic and non-kinetic options, Governor Uba Sani has reduced to the barest minimum, incidences of insecurity in the state. New and rehabilitated roads dot the state’s landscape; in-fact, first class roads are interlinking communities in the rural areas with urban centres and markets. In the same regards, healthcare and education are receiving unprecedented attention in all the Local Government Areas of Kaduna State under Governor Uba Sani.   

    “Given my background as a civil rights activist, I made it clear to everyone (from Day One) that we must relegate politics and focus on governance. I know it’s difficult, but I believe it’s the best approach — and we’ve seen the results,” Governor Uba Sani told Mannir Dan Ali, during the interview.

    “When I assumed office, I made it clear that I wasn’t going to focus only on those who voted for me. I was going to focus on everyone. For instance, after the election, most of the people who voted for the PDP (and not the ruling APC) were from the southern part of Kaduna. But I had to sit down with my people from all parts of Kaduna, and I made it clear that we would take development to every part of the state — irrespective of religious, political, or party affiliations. Today, I’m happy. We’ve been able to achieve a lot, and that is why, as I speak with you, members of the PDP in the House of Representatives, who were elected on the platform of the PDP, have now defected to the APC,” he said.

    Asked if he had ever considered his resolve to embrace, wholesale, persons who did not vote for him or his party, a political risk of sorts. Governor Uba Sani simply chuckled and replied that he will never regret any action he has taken, since assuming office, in the best interest of the State. Even then, he debunked the likelihood of the people who voted for him thinking or feeling that they are getting the wrong end of the stick. He said that those who voted for him are being well cared for and that the only difference is that his administration decided to let the dividends of democracy and good governance go round the state and for everyone to benefit.

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    “I can confidently tell you that those who voted for me and my party, the APC, are very happy because they are being taken care of. In the past, previous governments in Kaduna State focused only on areas that voted for them. But I told the people, look, when we took the oath of office, anyone who sits down and clearly understands the meaning of that oath will know it’s about carrying everyone along. Governance is for everyone. In fact, there are people who have nothing to do with politics — but as long as they live in Kaduna, as citizens of Kaduna, they must also be included and benefit from the basic provisions of governance. So it doesn’t matter whether you’re a politician, a businessman, a farmer, or someone who has no interest in politics — as long as you live in Kaduna, as a citizen of the state, you must be treated equally. At the end of the day, I will stand before Almighty Allah and account for what I did as Governor of Kaduna State,” Governor Uba Sani said.

    Not a few persons are in agreement that Senator Uba Sani is somewhat incensed at the degeneration of Kaduna and most urban cities in northern Nigeria, especially in the last two decades. Apparently nostalgic about the good old Kaduna – the boisterous political, economic, agricultural, manufacturing and even social stronghold of northern Nigeria, Uba Sani is a hurry to keep hundreds of children off the streets and back to school, he is assiduously achieving the inclusion of the teeming numbers of underserved persons in rural and hard-to-reach communities in financial services; he is building a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system for Kaduna, the second of its kind in Nigeria’s after Lagos. He is also investing heavily to complete a rail line in the state. In short, Governor Uba Sani believes that Kaduna and a number of other major cities in the north deserve much more than past administrations have given them, especially in the crucial areas of education, infrastructure, health and social services.

    Governor Uba Sani actually traces the security challenges in most states in northern Nigeria and the country at large, to years of unchecked poverty, unemployment, lack of social services and poor leadership or governance at practically all tiers.

    “What are the factors that brought about the unfortunate state of affairs in most northern states? Hopelessness, lack of education and lack of economic prosperity. As at 2023, when we took office, over 85 percent of the people in the North West were either not educated or financially excluded,” Senator Uba Sani disclosed. “We are reversing this ugly trend”, he assured.

    “I’ll say it here today — all of us who have held political power in the last 20 years must look at ourselves in the mirror and apologize to the people of Northern Nigeria. We let them down. I was a senator in this country, and the problems of Northern Nigeria didn’t start two years ago. We’re talking about developments—or lack thereof—over the past 20 years. I can give you the data and statistics. I chaired the Committee on Banking and Other Financial Institutions in the 9th Senate, so I know the poverty index of Northern Nigeria. I know how many people, as we speak, are financially excluded,” he offered.

    “Don’t forget, when President Buhari was in office — people forget this — he spent hundreds of billions on social interventions. But I’ll tell you why the North became poorer even after that. Because 70% of the population in Northern Nigeria, especially the masses, were completely financially excluded because every human being; if you’re a former senator, a former member of the House of Representatives, a former governor, a former minister, or even a former vice president from Northern Nigeria in the last 20 years — you’re part of the problem. All of us,” the Kaduna State Governor opined.

    Not surprisingly, a few politicians from the north have taken umbrage at this seemingly sweeping indictment of previous political office holders in the region. In particular, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, from Kebbi State who served as a two-term member of the House of Representatives and a two-term member of the Senate, in statement said he did his best while he held public offices hence do not feel the need to apologize to anyone. “Upon reflection and a thorough review of my record in public office, I cannot identify any action, decision, or position taken by me that was injurious to the interests of the North. I therefore see no reason to offer an apology to Nigeria or to any part of it,” Senator Na’Allah said in the statement.

    But Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah misses the point. Clearly, Governor Uba Sani was not blaming individuals. In his normal blunt nature, he was merely speaking of failure of vision, collective effort, synergy and purposeful leadership, especially on the part of political office holders that held executive powers in northern Nigeria in the last two decades. Senator Uba Sani is unwavering in his belief that much more could have been done in the last twenty years and that this lack of purposeful leadership led to mass poverty; spiraled incidences of out-of-school children, lack of financial inclusion and criminal neglect of rural communities and persons who reside in them. It is the view of Senator Uba Sani that these factors cumulatively created the breeding ground for militancy, banditry and other forms of criminality in several cities and communities in northern Nigeria. Most persons do not think that Governor Uba Sani can be faulted on this score.

    Governor Uba Sani gave thumps up to current generation of political leaders in the north, particularly when it comes to synergizing for the common good of all. He cited the example of the very cordial relationship between him and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Indeed, he disclosed that Kaduna is now rapidly embarking on the completion of the several abandoned projects his administration inherited from previous the administration and paid resounding tribute to the Speaker of the House of Representatives for being of immense help in this regard.

    “I want to take this opportunity to give a lot of credit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Honourable Tajudeen Abbas. If you go to Zaria now, all the previously abandoned projects are being worked on. In the last three months alone, we’ve returned four contractors to site. Mothercat Construction Company has gone back and completed most of the roads connecting Zaria and Sabon Gari. As for the overhead bridge, the Speaker himself — Right Honourable Tajudeen Abbas — came to my house and spoke to me. Don’t forget, I was a member of the Senate — the 9th Senate — and I know what it means to be a Speaker of the House of Representatives. That’s why we came together and agreed that Kaduna State needs someone in that position. Today, I’m happy to say he has secured substantial funding in the national budget to complete the overhead bridge,” the Governor revealed.

    “And that’s what governance means — synergy. If you go around Kaduna State, we are working to complete the Kabala overhead bridge. We’ve also mobilised CCECC to complete the railway stretch from Rigasa station to Rabah Road Phase 2. That’s a major project, and it’ll cost us over N15 billion to complete. Don’t forget, most of these projects were abandoned when they were just 20% or 30% completed. The Kabala bridge was left at 30%, the Rigasa line at about 35%. But as we speak, we’ve mobilised the contractors and given them close to N20 billion to get them done,” he added

    The chat afforded Governor Uba Sani to clarify a number of issues and decisions as well as offer updates on his administration’s other projects, policies and Programmes.

    On education, the Governor disclosed that the State is already repositioning the entire education sector. “When I came in, go and verify — Kaduna State was number 12 in WAEC rankings. But today, we’re currently number 7 in the whole of Nigeria. And I can tell you, at the rate we’re going, we could be number 1 or 2 in the next year or two. The reason is clear. We’re investing heavily in teacher training and retraining. I’ve directed SUBEB and the local government chairmen — and I’m glad they’re receiving significant funding under our administration — to focus on recruiting more teachers.”

    Similar attention is also being given to healthcare across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State. “When I assumed office, I made it clear that healthcare must never be a privilege. It is a fundamental right of the people of Kaduna State, particularly those at the grassroots. So what did we do? Today in Nigeria, we are the only state—let me say this clearly, without fear of contradiction—that has upgraded our primary healthcare centres from level one to level two, totalling 250. The next closest state has only managed to upgrade 100”

    The Governor informed that in the upgraded healthcare centres, pregnant women easily walk into the hospitals and deliver safely, with all necessary facilities in place. Drugs are available and Healthcare personnel are present, according to the Governor.

    “That’s why we moved those 250 centres from level one to level two. Following that, just last week, I directed the recruitment of 2,000 additional personnel for our primary healthcare centres. We’ve raised the bar. For our doctors, we now pay them the prevailing salary structure. Beyond primary healthcare, I also focus seriously on our secondary healthcare centres. I can’t, as governor, sit by and watch people travel to neighbouring states for treatment when they have serious illnesses.”

    “We reviewed the status of our 32 secondary healthcare facilities, and found that in the past 18 years, over 25 of them hadn’t been upgraded. Because of that, we’re now upgrading at least 20. As we speak, 13 of them are being remodelled, reconstructed, and fully equipped. Due to these efforts, the Federal Ministry of Health has now agreed to convert the General Hospital in Kafanchan into a Federal Medical Centre,” Governor Uba Sani said.

    The Uba Sani administration has also been busy deepening the gains made in the very critical security sector. “And let me be clear — the reason we’re succeeding in Kaduna isn’t rocket science. In the past, there was a serious trust deficit between the government, the communities, and the so-called bandits. But today, when we started the Kaduna model, I made it clear it wasn’t a government initiative. It was a community-based one. I sat down with traditional rulers, religious leaders — they initiated the process.”

    “I spoke with the Emir of Birnin Gwari, who told me all the bandits in the area were born in his presence. He knew them, he knew their parents. I asked him: what are the real drivers of this insecurity? What are the underlying symptoms? You can’t address this issue solely through government action. You must address the lack of trust that built up over time. Thankfully, it was the community themselves who owned the initiative. When they approached me, I bought into the programme, improved it before I got the NSA involved,” the Governor said.

    “Every day, we now have at least 25 to 30 trailers moving from Birnin Gwari to Lagos, transporting cattle. Economic activity has picked up. We reopened the grains market in Birnin Gwari, which has helped boost the area’s prosperity. The villagers, the rural dwellers, they’re now seeing business — they’re seeing life again. For me, that’s real progress. But it’s not something you can fully achieve in just six months, or even one year,” he added cautiously.

    As a rule, Governor Uba Sani, is seldom distracted by the growing talk of the 2027 elections and a possibility of the candidate of another political party upstaging him in the polls.

    “I think, for me in Kaduna, I can say frankly that I haven’t seen any major opposition. I’m a politician, and I want to be sincere. If there’s a problem, I’ll tell you. When I assumed office as governor, PDP had more members in the House of Representatives from Kaduna than the APC. Most of those PDP members represented constituencies in Northern and Southern Kaduna. But just last month, the member representing Igabi Local Government—which is one of the largest in Kaduna—Hussaini Jalo, left the PDP and joined the APC. We are doing governance for now; we are not doing politics yet, but I can assure you that we actually do not have opposition here,” Senator Uba Sani affirmed.

    The Governor also boldly declared that he is not even nearly bothered by the political activities of his predecessor in Office, Mallam Nasir el-Rufa’i, who only recently left the APC to join the relatively unknown Social Democratic Party, SDP. “I am aware he is in another political party now. The truth is that no one knows that party, SDP, in Kaduna. But I wish him well. The more the political space is opened up, the merrier. I can tell you — as someone who has fought for the expansion of political space in Nigeria — don’t forget, I was among the few Nigerians who took INEC to the Supreme Court, with Chief Gani Fawehimi, Mallam Balarabe Musa and Alhaji M.D. Yusuf, all of blessed memory. I was part of that group. I support the opening up of the political space in the country,” Governor Uba Sani declared.

     The Governor however said that for him and the good people of Kaduna State, partisan politics will come later as his administration is currently very busy retooling the state that was for years left decrepit by previous administrations. In Kaduna State, Under Senator Uba Sani, it is good governance first and partisan politics later.

     •Mansur Umar resides in Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna

  • Sani: Expanding access to education, redefining governance in Kaduna

    Sani: Expanding access to education, redefining governance in Kaduna

    By Adebambo Oluwaseun

    In an era where access to quality education remains one of Nigeria’s greatest challenges, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State is setting a new standard by placing education, youth empowerment, and infrastructure at the forefront of his administration. In a significant milestone for his government, the Governor announced a 50% reduction in tuition fees across Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions, a bold move that has begun to remove the socio-economic barriers hindering access to higher education for thousands of young people.

    The Governor’s commitment to inclusive governance and human capital development was reiterated during the inauguration of the Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter of the Kaduna State Students Union, where he was honoured with the Sword of Honour Award. Represented by his Principal Private Secretary, Professor Bello Ayuba, the Governor used the platform to reflect on the strides made by his administration, outline future goals, and reaffirm his allegiance to the welfare of Kaduna’s youth.

    Indeed, the decision to slash tuition fees is a philosophical statement about equity and opportunity. “We have removed one of the major barriers to acquiring tertiary education,” the Governor stated. This strategic policy shift has opened the doors of learning to students from less privileged backgrounds, allowing them to pursue university degrees without the crippling burden of unaffordable fees.

    The impact is already being felt. The student body acknowledged the effort as a turning point in the lives of many young Kaduna residents. Their decision to confer the Sword of Honour Award on the Governor reflects the deep appreciation and support his administration enjoys among the academic community.

    The Governor further showed magnanimity towards indigent students. He directed students to be allowed to sit for examinations regardless of outstanding tuition balances. This speaks volumes about his empathetic leadership.

    Governor Uba Sani’s administration is not only focused on access but also on capacity-building. Under his leadership, new faculties have been established at KASU, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Intervention Project for the Faculty of Engineering has been facilitated, demonstrating a strategic focus on technical and vocational education that aligns with global shifts towards STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

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    According to the KASU Students’ Union, these initiatives reflect the Governor’s visionary leadership and long-term planning for youth development. They called his approach “a testament to your vision for building a brighter future for the youth,” acknowledging his efforts to modernize the learning environment and equip students for a competitive future.

    Beyond education, Governor Uba Sani is working to restore peace and economic stability in communities once paralyzed by insecurity. “Kaduna State was under siege,” he recalled, “but today, our combined efforts with security agencies have drastically reduced these threats.”

    These improvements have sparked renewed confidence among the people. Farmers are returning to their lands, highways are safer, and local markets once abandoned due to banditry—such as the Birnin Gwari cattle market and those in Giwa LGA—have reopened after over a decade of closure.

    In the past 22 months, Governor Uba Sani has embarked on an ambitious infrastructural renewal program, with over 78 road projects spanning 775 kilometers across the state. Many of these roads link rural communities to urban centers, improving trade, mobility, and access to essential services. These roads  are lifelines of development, lifting isolated communities out of poverty and spurring grassroots economic activity.

    Additionally, the administration has initiated the remodeling of General Hospitals and the upgrade of 255 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) to ensure quality healthcare delivery across the state. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to decentralize access to critical services and reduce pressure on urban health facilities.

    In education, more schools are being built, and existing ones refurbished to provide students and teachers with a conducive learning atmosphere. Governor Sani understands that quality education must be supported by quality infrastructure, and he is taking deliberate steps to ensure both.

    The Governor’s message to students at KASU carried a powerful undercurrent of unity and civic responsibility. He cautioned against allowing “agents of disunity and chaos” to manipulate students into actions that could derail their future and compromise the peace of the state. “No meaningful development can be achieved in a state of chaos, disunity and mutual mistrust,” he warned.

    He also acknowledged the students’ commendable conduct and emphasized their role as “reliable partners of progress.” The mutual respect between the state government and the student community is helping to build a culture of participatory governance, where young people feel seen, heard, and valued.

    What sets Governor Uba Sani apart is not just what he does, but how he does it. His leadership is grounded in transparency and empathy. He is redefining governance by aligning policy with the actual needs of the people, like slashing tuition fees, opening rural roads, or revitalizing public hospitals.

    For the students of KASU and the youth of Kaduna, Governor Sani is not just a politician; he is a leader with a plan and a partner in their aspirations. By placing education and youth development at the core of his agenda, he is planting seeds that will yield dividends for generations to come.

    Governor Uba Sani’s approach to leadership is a case study in responsive, people-centered governance. His achievements across education, security, infrastructure, and youth engagement are proof that with political will, visionary leadership, and the right policies, even the most entrenched challenges can be overcome.

    Kaduna is changing—and at the heart of that change is a leader who understands that the true strength of a state lies not just in its institutions, but in the empowerment of its people.

    •Oluwaseun writes from Abuja

  • Kaduna has expanded access to tertiary education – Uba Sani

    Kaduna has expanded access to tertiary education – Uba Sani

    Governor Uba Sani has noted that his administration has removed one of the barriers to acquiring tertiary education, by reducing the tuition fees of Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions by 50%.

    The governor pointed out that the reduction in tuition fees has paved way for more students from humble backgrounds to enroll for university degree programmes with ease in Kaduna State.

    Represented by his Principal Private Secretary, Professor Bello Ayuba, the governor spoke at the inauguration of the Kaduna State University chapter of the Kaduna State Students Union and public lecture, held at the university campus.

    Governor Uba Sani thanked the students for giving him the Sword of Honour Award and for making the strides recorded by his administration the focal point of the public lecture.

    He promised that “Government will continue to support students and the youth generally to realise their ambitions.  On your part, make sure that an atmosphere of peace prevails to allow for government’s development programmes to run their full course.”

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    The governor advised students not to allow agents of disunity and chaos to use them to destabilise their communities and steer them away from their career goals.

    Governor Uba Sani reminded the students and lecturers at the event that ”no meaningful development can be achieved in a state of chaos, disunity and mutual mistrust.”

    However, he said that ”going by your conduct over the period that I have been at the helm of affairs of our state so far, you are reliable partners of progress and I can count on you every step of the way.”

    The Governor recalled that Kaduna State was under siege owing to the insecurity in some of the Local Government Areas, which had dire consequences on agricultural and business activities.

    He noted that the security challenges have now been drastically reduced owing to the combined commitment of security agencies, resulting in safer highways, people returning to farms and the opening of local markets.

    Explaining why the governor was conferred with the Sword of Honour Award, the students’ body commended him for the reduction in tuition fees and the establishment of new faculties in the school.

    The union also said that  Governor Uba Sani’s  ”decision to facilitate the CBN Intervention Project for the Faculty of Engineering at KASU is a testament to your vision for building a brighter future for the youth.”

    The governor also said that the Birnin Gwari cattle market which had been closed for over 10 years has been reopened, just like other markets in security-challenged areas in Giwa local government.

    Governor Uba Sani also said that “In the last 22 months, we have embarked on the construction of  over 78 road projects covering 775 kilometers, out of which many have already been completed;  most of them  link roads in the rural areas.”

    He added that General Hospitals are also being remodeled and a total of 255 healthcare centres are being upgraded, while more schools are being built and the existing ones are being refurbished to enable a more conducive teaching and learning atmosphere.

  • Uba Sani: Positioning Kaduna as agro-industrial giant

    Uba Sani: Positioning Kaduna as agro-industrial giant

    Senator Uba Sani, the workaholic Governor of Kaduna State takes his mission of restoring Kaduna State’s status as the political, economic and industrial mainstay of northern Nigeria very seriously. In fact, the Governor is taking this task several notches higher: he is working assiduously to position Kaduna as Nigeria’s agro-industrial giant.

    The rise, or better still, the return of Kaduna State under Governor Uba Sani has been meteoric. By May 2023, when he assumed office, the state was a leader’s nightmare – fraught with problems that stem largely from insecurity, divisiveness among its peculiar ethno-religious mix, dilapidated public infrastructure including roads, schools, hospitals to name but a few. Kaduna was also in the throes of huge local and foreign debts and the resultant effects showed in the litany of abandoned projects, unmet commitments to contractors and labour unions.

    But Governor Uba Sani, a renowned activist, has since proven to be a methodical administrator. His dexterity at managing and surmounting the complexities he inherited in Kaduna, in such a short period, remains confounding. Like a scientist, Uba Sani literally took Kaduna State to the laboratory and meticulously titrated and dissected the state’s problems. First, he audaciously took on the big elephant in the room, which was insecurity across the state.

    Conscious of the fact that not much progress would be made in the great task of retooling and rebooting Kaduna, if the state remained notorious for banditry, kidnapping, ethno-religious tension and other forms of criminality, very early in his administration, Governor Uba Sani declared an all-out war against insecurity. Interestingly, the Governor adopted a multifaceted approach that deftly combined kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in rescuing Kaduna. Working very closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff and the leadership of the nation’s Armed Forces, the Police and other security agencies, all the 23 local government areas of the State quickly came into full radar and the requisite platforms and personnel were deployed to mitigate the activities of bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the state.

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    But by far, the biggest weapon Governor Uba Sani deployed against insecurity in Kaduna State was inclusive, open and transparent governance. Being a true servant-leader, the energetic Governor found the need to directly and regularly relate with several strata of leaderships across the entire local government areas of the state. At regular stakeholders’ meetings he listened to the people and effectively communicated his vision and mission to them. He never failed to act decisively on feedbacks from these stakeholders’ meetings. For the first time, perhaps in a long while, citizens and residents of the state felt truly part of government. They were dealing with a Governor who was not barking orders at them or making unnecessary threats or generally grandstanding. They were dealing with a leader who saw himself as just one of them, a victim as well, hence the need to collectively talk things through. Governor Uba Sani, unlike previous Governors of the State, placed himself on the side of the people and viewed the state’s problems from the collective lens.

    Having speedily earned the trust and buy-in of the populace, it was only a matter of time that uncommon unity of purpose was achieved in Kaduna with the citizens, irrespective of political, religious or ethnic persuasions, deciding to queue doggedly behind their conscientious and well-intentioned Governor, Senator Uba Sani.

    With the burden of insecurity relatively lessened, Governor Uba Sani turned the entire state to a huge construction site of sorts. The Governor’s mission from the get go was very clear and unambiguous: to connect and interlink local communities to urban centres in the bid to seamlessly provide social and economic benefits to all persons. The guiding philosophy was, and remains, that no person or community in Kaduna State will stay underserved. Today, previously unreached, underserved, underserviced and neglected communities in Kaduna State have either been opened up or are being opened up and interlinked to urban centres and markets. Other than good roads, schools, health and medical facilities as well as public water projects are either being built or rehabilitated across the 23 local government areas of the state.

    Governor Uba Sani has concurrently been revving up infrastructure up-grade in Kaduna’s urban centres. The Governor believes that previously neglected poor urban communities deserve attention. To this end, he has been completing and flagging off major urban infrastructure projects. “Our administration is committed to massive infrastructure upgrades in rural and urban areas, supporting our communities in achieving rapid economic growth, addressing infrastructure deficits, curbing rural-urban migration, and improving the quality of life of our people,” the Governor said.

    In less than two years in office, Governor Uba Sani may have surpassed the target he set for himself. He is far from slowing down, however. With Kaduna State now secure and the people leaving in peace, safety and unity; and with first class infrastructure interlinking all parts of the state, it is not at all surprising that the restless Senator Uba Sani is now poised to harness the agricultural potential of Kaduna to fully establish the State as the Agro-industry giant of Nigeria.

    Though previous administrations in the state made attempts to deepen the agricultural potential of Kaduna State, several factors – notably insecurity, lack of policy clarity and of course, paucity of funds, hindered these efforts. But the very tenacious Uba Sani is not the type to be deterred, once his sights are set on a noble mission.

    On Tuesday, April 8, Governor Uba Sani hosted the world in Kaduna as a Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) was flagged off in the state. At the grandiose event, a thoroughly impressed Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who performed the ground breaking, lauded Governor Uba Sani for creating the needed environment and conditions in the state for the actualisation of the mega project.

    Addressing stakeholders at the vast expanse of land designated for the facility in Daki-Takwas, along Kaduna-Abuja Expressway, Chikun local government area of Kaduna, Vice President Kashim Shettima posited that the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone will transform the Nigerian economy. He commended the Kaduna State Government for its leadership in agriculture, describing the state as a key driver of Nigeria’s agro-industrial future due to its abundant arable land and historical role in agricultural production. “Kaduna is not a stranger to agricultural leadership. What we are starting here today will become a model for other states to follow,” he said.

    Vice President lauded Governor Uba Sani for his inclusive governance, highlighting his prioritisation of development and the people’s welfare over political concerns. “We must commend Senator Uba Sani who place development and the interest of the people above politics. Chikun Local Government Area was one of the Local Government Areas we lost in the last election; but Governor Uba Sani is talking about governance; he is talking about inclusivity. Governor Uba Sani felt the need to have this project sited here in Chikun Local Government Area. Your Excellency we are most grateful for your generosity of spirit and inclusivity. The flag off of this project marks a new era for Kaduna State and Nigeria at large. With a tenacious and result-oriented Governor in the saddle in Kaduna State, I am confident that under his leadership, we will soon witness a fully operational and bustling zone with productive activities that will not only benefit Kaduna but also meet the development ambition of the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu”, Vice President Kashim Shettima enthused at the flag-off event.

    Indeed like, most dignitaries at the event, the Vice President was well aware that the previous administration in Kaduna State had, for rather primordial reasons – notably, doubts over the “political correctness,” of siting the SAPZ in southern part of Kaduna State, frustrated the commencement of the mega project.

    At the historical occasion also, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, commended the Kaduna State Government under Governor Uba Sani for leading the way by being the first to launch the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone in Nigeria. In particular, Mr Adesina praised Governor Sani’s commitment to agricultural transformation.

    The AfDB President cited Kaduna State’s remarkable budgetary increase for agriculture, from N1.4 billion to N74 billion, adding that the increase is an example of political will backed by substantial investment. “You didn’t just put your money where your mouth is—you put your money where your mind and your body are,” Dr. Adesina remarked. According to him, ”Kaduna’s leadership on this project reflects not just a vision for food security, but a roadmap for economic prosperity and inclusive development.”

    Adesina lauded Kaduna’s commitment to the actualisation of the SAPZ, highlighting the significance of agricultural industrialisation in the state’s economic growth.

    “Your passion for agriculture is impressive, and agricultural industrialisation remains the fastest way to develop the vast areas of Kaduna. It has taken us eleven years to get here, and I am delighted that we are finally here,” Adesina said while noting that the AfDB has committed over $934 million towards the SAPZ programme across Africa, with an additional $938 million mobilised from partners. The initiative is currently being implemented in 27 sites across 11 countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Senegal, and Madagascar.

    Mr Adesina emphasized the AfDB’s commitment to supporting Kaduna State in expanding school feeding programmes and integrating them with the new processing zones. He pledged additional support for primary health care improvements, health insurance, and infrastructure, including water, sanitation, and digitalization. “We’re proud to partner with a government that listens, that leads with compassion, and that is open to all,” the AfDB President said while describing Governor Uba Sani as “a model leader—who is a listener, a unifier, and above all, a doer.”

    No doubt, it was a day Governor Uba Sani had been looking forward to. His excitement was palpable. The Kaduna State Governor, in his brief remark, described the processing zone as a strategic investment designed to accelerate industrial development across Nigeria.

    “The SAPZ is a huge investment designed to position Kaduna as a major player in Nigeria’s industrial development. The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s economic development, this huge project is an actualization of a key ambition of the Tinubu administration, ” the Kaduna State Governor said.

    The Governor emphasised agriculture’s central role in Kaduna’s economy, saying it contributes 42 percent to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employs 60 percent of the state’s workforce. “In the 2023 budget we inherited, agriculture received just N1.4 billion. However, in 2024, we increased it to N23.4 billion, and in 2025, we have approved N74.2 billion,” he informed his guests. “By doing that, we became the first sub-national government to achieve the 10 percent target of the 2014 Malabo Declaration, which set the goal of allocating 10 percent of the budget to agriculture,” Gov. Uba Sani added.

    The Governor described the launch of the Agro-Industrial Processing Zone as a very important project for Kaduna State especially given his administration’s commitment to deepening safety, security and sustainable development across the state.

    Perhaps it was the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, who aptly summed up the momentous event in Kaduna better when he described the SAPZ initiative as a turning point in Nigeria’s agricultural history. “This programme will be a game changer. It is designed to attract private sector investment in agro-industrial processing, drive value addition, and enhance rural development, I congratulate the Governor and the good people of Kaduna State,” Kyari said. Truly, Kaduna State is back to winning ways under Senator Uba Sani.

    •Ahmed, a freelance Journalist resides in Kawo, Kaduna

  • Kaduna leads north in IGR under Uba Sani

    Kaduna leads north in IGR under Uba Sani

    • By Tajudeen Yusuf

    Did you know that for the past two years Kaduna has topped northern Nigerian states in internally generated revenue (IGR)? You may be forgiven if you didn’t know because there is a silent economic revolution taking place. From being reputed as a northern powerhouse, it became a place of struggle, being in the news for odious reasons. However, the coming of Senator Uba Sani as governor in May 202, has turned the state’s fortunes for better.

    So better that in a recent statement the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) revealed it made the most IGR among the 19 northern states. According to the statement, Kaduna State collected N7.46 billion and N6.68 billion in IGR for January and February 2025, respectively, bringing the total to N14.16 billion for both months. The KADIRS stated this feat while also dismissing reports about a decline in IGR under the current administration.

    “As a validation of the reforms in the revenue sector under Governor Uba Sani, Kaduna State generated IGR of N62.48 billion in 2023 and N71 billion in 2024, securing its position as the top IGR-performing state in northern Nigeria for the last two years,” said the statement signed by KADIRS’ Head of Corporate Communication, Malam Zakari Jamilu Muhammad.

    Giving reasons for the boost in revenue, Muhamad attributed it to the introduction of reforms to enhance tax collection and simplify payment processes. Some of these reforms are the launch of an integrated tax administration portal (PAYKADUNA), financial inclusion initiatives, and increased engagement with taxpayers and stakeholders. KADIRS deployed a novel “interactive voice response system for taxpayer complaint redressal among several initiatives that have resulted in improved tax administration in the state.”

    One good thing about the system is that it is automated to reduce human contact, thereby reducing human foibles like corruption.

    “Payments are made through the PAYKADUNA portal or via pay direct channels from which they are swept directly into the State’s Treasury Single Accounts,” the statement continued, stressing that KADIRS staff have no access or interaction with tax collections.

    “The IGR account is a collection and transit account and not an expenditure account therefore, it is highly inaccurate to think that any amounts can be withdrawn from it to service any interests. The current level of IGR collection of the state speaks to the competence of the Chairman, the management team of the Service and the support they enjoy from the state to function as a professional and apolitical revenue authority of the state.”

    It must be noted that the surge in Kaduna’s IGR is not a fluke. Rather, it is the result of deliberate and well-executed policies aimed at fiscal excellence. With the introduction of the PAYKADUNA the state succeeded in streamlining the tax collection processes and blocking leakages. It also simplified tax payments, making it more convenient for individuals and businesses to pay their taxes and broadening the tax base. 

    As residents are engaged through campaigns highlighting the benefits of tax compliance, the government is gradually positioning itself to earn their trust. And given that payments are directly deposited into the State’s Treasury Single Account, this has reduced opportunities for corruption. As well as swelled revenues. In 2023, Kaduna earned N62.48bn as IGR. This rose to N71bn in 2024. And with the state earning N14.16bn in the first two months of 2025, it shows the state is on an upward trajectory. This growth trend is commendable given the broader economic challenges facing the country, such as fluctuating oil prices and the need for economic diversification.

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     It is a fact that many states in the country are not economically viable. Hence, they rely on a small fraction of the population for revenue. But what Kaduna did by bringing more businesses and individuals into the tax system is akin to what Bola Tinubu did as Lagos governor between 1999 and 2007. Through aggressive taxpayer education and enforcement, the state has increased compliance, ensuring that more citizens and enterprises contribute to development. As it rightly should be.

     It is instructive to note that Sani’s administration has articulated a comprehensive five-year financial strategy aimed at ensuring long-term economic sustainability. Hence, an increase in IGR means the state can fund critical projects without excessive borrowing or depending on federal allocations. Take for instance, in Kaduna’s 2025 budget of N790bn, education received the lion’s share with an allocation of N206.6bn (26.14%). This substantial investment is earmarked for building new schools, rehabilitating existing ones, recruiting and training teachers, and providing essential learning materials. Such commitment underscores the administration’s recognition that education is pivotal to sustainable development and poverty alleviation.

    Similarly, the health sector is allocated N127bn (16.07%) to upgrade healthcare facilities, procure medical equipment, and expand mobile healthcare services. The government also earmarked N106bn (13.14%) for infrastructure projects, including the completion of ongoing road constructions, rural electrification, and water supply initiatives. Furthermore, the allocation of N74bn (9.36%) to agriculture demonstrates a strategic focus on economic diversification. These are critical sectors of life in the state. However, they can only be adequately addressed with available resources.

    It is generally known that the governor wants as many Kaduna folks as possible to experience the dividends of democracy. However, as an administrator, he knows resources available to him are limited and there are limits to the things he can get done. Hence, the approach to generate more resources in terms of increasing IGR, is welcome. This is because tax is ideally paid by people and businesses that earn.

    Already, private local and foreign firms as well as the state government have been involved in a wide range of industries and producing different goods and services. And as many know, a thriving economy generates even more revenue. Kaduna’s focus on education, healthcare, and infrastructure has created an environment where businesses can flourish, leading to even higher IGR. This present situation of increased economic activities in Kaduna can only get better as insecurity is also being brought to a zero level.

    No doubt, Kaduna State’s impressive IGR performance and comprehensive development strategies serve as a model for other states striving for economic growth. The deliberate policies and reforms implemented under Governor Sani’s leadership have not only enhanced revenue generation but also ensured that these resources are judiciously allocated to sectors critical for long-term development.

     As it stands now, Kaduna is restoring its glory. The state is becoming a testament that even in challenging times, with the right leadership, many states can reduce their dependence on federal allocations and unlock their true economic potential. For this financial reengineering of shoring up the state’s revenue base, the Sani administration surely deserves commendation. But most importantly,. Kaduna’s story should inspire a new wave of fiscal responsibility across Nigeria.

    •Yusuf writes from Kaduna

  • Uba Sani ready to open 300-bed specialist hospital – Commissioner

    Uba Sani ready to open 300-bed specialist hospital – Commissioner

    Governor Uba Sani has revamped the entire health sector in Kaduna State through infrastructural development, facilities upgrade and equipped primary as well as secondary healthcare facilities in the last 22 months.

    The Commissioner of Health, Hajiya Umma Ahmad who disclosed this at a ministerial press briefing which held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, further said that governor’s interventions have been producing positive outcomes.

    She also disclosed that the 300-bed specialist hospital inherited from the previous administrations will soon be commissioned to provide specialised care for Nigerians.

    According to Ahmad, Kaduna State achieved 100% coverage of public health facilities in the distribution of medicines last year, a feat that was confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Health.

    ”Kaduna State Health Supplies Management Agency has received 10 prestigious awards, including the coveted award for Excellence In Supply Chain, which was presented by the International Supply Chain Education Alliance,” she disclosed.

    Hajiya Ahmad also said the National Product Supply Chain (NPSC)  had  ranked Kaduna State as one of the first sub-nationals ”to reach the Maturing Ready To Integrate Level for public health supply chains for essential medicines, demonstrating its preparedness for an efficient State Health Supply Systems(SHSS).”

    The Commissioner further said that Kaduna State won the Leadership Challenge award for the North West zone in 2024, which is testament to Governor Uba Sani’s positive interventions in the health sector.

    Hajiya Ahmad disclosed that the 255 PHCs in Kaduna State are being upgraded to Level 2 ”for basic emergency obstetrics and neonatal care to prevent maternity and neo-natal mortality and morbidity.”

    “Thirteen Secondary Health Care facilities out of the 33 General Hospitals are being rehabilitated and equipped. Contract has been awarded for the reconstruction, remodelling and equipping of additional health facilities at the Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital, Tudun Wada,” she added.

    According to the Commissioner, Governor Uba Sani has ”renovated and equipped the warehouse of Kaduna State Health Supplies Management Agency(KADHSMA) to a Pharma-grade standard, which has 1,600sqm with storage capacity of 8,000 cubic metres of pharmaceutical products, with a well-equipped quality control laboratory.”

    She further said that Kaduna State Government has “procured and distributed over 975 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) for Public Health facilities in the State, distributed state-of-the-art equipment to 290 PHC centres to aid diagnostic and therapeutic services.”

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    The Commissioner recalled that Governor Uba Sani had ”flagged-off the distribution of free, essential medicines to all Local Government Councils, targeting the under-served communities, with a view to expanding access to commodities and health care.”

    Hajiya Umma also promised that the 300-bed Specialist Hospital will provide specialised care nationwide and has the potential of stemming medical tourism when completed.

    She pledged that the hospital will soon be commissioned because all civil works have already been fully completed while 85% of the equipment has been installed.

    The Commissioner commended the governor’s improved health financing, which has led to “increased enrolment rate for health insurance from 527,303 in 2023 to 639,432 in 2024, equivalent to a 21.3% increase.

    ”Furthermore, the Governor approved the enrolment of 70,000 vulnerable population into the Social Health insurance scheme under the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA).

    ”In addition, he  released N52,000,000 as 25% counterpart contribution for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) programme for the enrolment of additional 4,333 vulnerable persons,” she disclosed.”

    She added that the governor has approved the recruitment of 1, 800 health workers yearly across all the PHCs in the state for the next four years and “sustained the allocation of not less than 15% of the state financing to the health sector as prescribed by the Abuja declaration, a feat that is yet to be achieved at the federal level.’’

  • Kaduna workers laud Sani over subsidised motorbike scheme

    Kaduna workers laud Sani over subsidised motorbike scheme

    Workers in Kaduna State have commended Governor Uba Sani for supporting the distribution of subsidised motorcycles to civil servants, particularly those working in hard-to-reach areas.

    The initiative, facilitated by the Kaduna State Government in collaboration with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Moure Consult, aims to ease transportation difficulties for workers, including teachers and healthcare personnel.

    Comrade Hashidu Suleiman, Chief of Staff to the NLC Chairman, explained the initiative stemmed from discussions between the state NLC chairman and the governor.

    “Everything is going as planned. When the state chairman met the governor, he raised concerns about the high cost of transportation affecting workers. The governor was very clear—teachers and health workers in hard-to-reach areas should be prioritized,” he said.

    He appealed to the government to further subsidize the motorcycles so more workers could benefit.

    Explaining the process, Muhammad Yahyah, Head of Operations at Moure Consult Nigeria Limited, said the distribution was seamless and well-structured. 

    “We are the intermediary between the Kaduna State Government and the NLC, overseeing the distribution of both electric and fuel-powered motorcycles to civil servants,” he said.

    He added that applicants were required to obtain and submit forms through the NLC before verification and capturing in the database. “To safeguard beneficiaries’ interests, our partner, Optimus Bank, oversees the registration and account opening process,” he said.

    On the economic benefits of the initiative, he noted that the motorcycles—Harjung, Jingcheng, and electric models—were cost-effective and would boost productivity while easing transportation challenges for workers.

    Many workers who benefited from the scheme expressed their satisfaction.

    Micha Shabi, a Kaduna State civil servant and a Person with Disability (PWD), described the initiative as life-changing.

    “This is a great help to me. Before now, I used to spend nothing less than N2,500 to N5,000 daily on transportation for myself and my assistant. With this bike, things will be much easier,” he said.

    He praised the state government for ensuring inclusivity,  Saying “In this kind of gathering, to see someone without two eyes benefiting shows Kaduna’s commitment to inclusivity. This deserves commendation,” he added.

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    Hadiza Rabiu, a school teacher, noted that teachers in Kaduna had endured transportation challenges for years, but the intervention was a game-changer.

    “For the past 8 to 9 years, Kaduna teachers have suffered. But with this collaboration between the Kaduna government, Moure Consult, and Optimus Bank, things are changing,” she said.

    Rabiu, who teaches in a hard-to-reach area, said she sometimes spent over N2,000 daily on transportation. She dismissed concerns about riding a motorcycle as a woman.

    “We are in a civilized society, and my work environment requires me to learn how to ride,” she stated.

    Sa’adatu Ahmed, a health worker, said the scheme would ease the financial burden of commuting.

    “I’ve been spending so much on commercial transport, which is frustrating. This loan will significantly reduce my costs,” she said.

    The scheme however targets civil servants, including teachers and health workers, who meet the eligibility criteria.

  • El-Rufai rains curses on Gov Sani over arrest of ex-Commissioner

    El-Rufai rains curses on Gov Sani over arrest of ex-Commissioner

    Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai has rained curses on Governor Uba Sani, accusing him of using Police whom he described as the Governor’s ‘kidnapping gang’ to arrest former Commissioner, Ja’afar Sani who served under his administration.

    Though details of his arrest were still sketchy as of press time, The Nation gathered security operatives arrested the former Commissioner on Thursday afternoon and immediately took him to court from where he was later moved to a correctional facility.

    Sani, who served at various times as Commissioner for Local Government, Education and Environment, was allegedly picked up by policemen acting on the orders of the State Government.

    El-Rufai nominated the former Commissioner to President Bola Tinubu to replace him as Minister in 2023 after the Senate withheld his confirmation, citing security reports from the State Security Service.

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    Sani recently defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) with his former principal, El-Rufai.

    The former Governor, in a reaction on his verified X handle, rained curses on Governor Sani and the security operatives who arrested his political ally.

    El-Rufai, who closed his statement with curses in Hausa language said: “Allah Ya Isa! Allah ya Tsine ma su”, meaning; God will judge them! God punish them, alleged Sani’s real crime is his resignation from the APC, and joining the SDP.

    According to the former Governor: “Our colleague and versatile former commissioner during the El-Rufai Administration – Mallam Jafaru Sani has been abducted in Kaduna by Uba Sani’s kidnapping gang claiming to be the police, this afternoon!

    “Ja’afaru was remanded in prison custody by a magistrate without any police first information report or charges by the State Ministry of Justice.

    “On inquiry, we have learned that Jafaru is being charged with money laundering – a federal offense that neither the State Judiciary or even the Police have jurisdiction to adjudicate or investigate. 

    “Jafaru’s real crime is his resignation from the APC, and joining the SDP – and having been proposed by he as the replacement ministerial nominee representing Kaduna State in August 2023. 

    “The tactics are similar to those used against another colleague of ours – Bashir Saidu when he was abducted on the 31st of December, 2024, and kept in captivity for 50 days before he was released on bail!

    “The ignominious role of some henpecked and compromised magistrates and high court judges in the Kaduna State judiciary remains a source of great concern to us. 

    “We are watching and waiting as no condition is permanent, and there will be accountability for all decisions and actions, one day, soon. 

    “Allah Ya Isa! Allah ya Tsine ma su.”