SIR: When Governor Uba Sani’s administration was inaugurated on May 29, 2023, the question on the lips of many people in the state is whether things would be different. The eight years of Nasir El-Rufai was dogged by controversies arising from his local governments reforms in which thousands of civil servants were sacked, demolition policies that witnessed the pulling down of many structures that were considered illegal, and above all, insecurity plaguing the state.
On Saturday, last week, the governor during a town hall meeting with stakeholders, raised an alarm that his administration inherited a huge debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from the previous administration, making it difficult for him to pay workers’ salaries. He explained that N7billion out of the N10billion federal allocation due to the state in the month of March was deducted to service the debt.
While the former governor, El-rufai deserves a pat on his back for the urban renewal programs spread across Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan towns, the loans he incurred to implement those projects need more explanation. With the state being insolvent, what will Uba Sani do to change this ugly narrative? Will Governor Uba Sani summon the ex-governor to explain how the loans were spent? Will he collect another loan or improve the state’s revenue generation?
Understandably, Governor Uba Sani’s disclosure has received heavy knocks from different angles. Notable among these is Bashir El-Rufai, the son of the former governor, who through his tweeter account countered the allegations against his father. He described Uba Sani as incompetent and being surrounded by incompetent aides. Other people wonder why it took Governor Uba Sani this long to reveal the true financial position of the state. Besides, he is being accused for facilitating the loans when he was the senator representing the state in 9th assembly.
The cold political war which is brewing in the state between El-Rufai and Governor Uba Sani should be tamed for peace, unity and development of the state. The APC stakeholders should quickly intervene, call the duo to a table and prevail on them to sheath their swords. Unless the festering impasse is fully resolved, their political allies may likely exploit the misunderstanding and fuel it to the dangerous level. This unhealthy development will slow the pace of socio-economic development of the state.
El-Rufai’s son blasts governor, aides as incompetent
Kaduna State governor Uba Sani and his predecessor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai appear to be set on a war path after the governor yesterday blamed the former minister for the huge indebtedness of the state.
Sani said in Kaduna that the financial crisis is so bad that government is finding it extremely difficult to pay salary.
But the ex-governor’s son,Bashir El-Rufai,said the governor and his aides have themselves to blame for the situation.
He claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that the governor and his aides were not just up to the task entrusted into their hands.
Sani told stakeholders at a town hall meeting that his administration inherited a debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from the El-Rufai government and paying back the debts takes a large chunk of the state’s monthly allocation.
He said the foreign exchange component of the debt is particularly burdensome as the state currently pays almost triple of the amount borrowed by the previous administration.
He said debt servicing alone gulped 70 per cent of the state’s allocation for March leaving it with only N3billion which,according to him, is N2.2billion short of the wage bill.
But he said his administration remained resolute in steering the state toward progress and sustainable development, as government has conducted a thorough assessment of the situation and is sharpening its focus accordingly.
“Despite the huge inherited debt on the state, till date, we have not borrowed a single kobo,” he said.
He said government remained focused on Safety and Security, Housing, Education, Healthcare, and Support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs),while also “prioritizing inclusive development by investing in human capital, stimulating the economy, and providing affordable housing.”
On security, the governor said the state has made a lot of progress through revamping of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS) by recruiting 7,000 additional personnel for the service, while over 100 operational vehicles and 100 motorcycles have been procured for distribution to KADVS and the federal security agencies working in the state.
In the area of education, Sani said apart from the establishment of several skills and vocational cities to address skills deficits in the state, government was working to reduce the number of out of school children in the state by 200,000.
This is being done with assistance from Kuwait,he said.
The four-year program which is scheduled to take off May or June 2024 is estimated to cost $62 million.
The money will go into building 102 new schools and renovating 170 existing ones.
He pleaded for the co-operation of the generality of the people ,saying: “our collective efforts are essential for Kaduna State’s progress.”
He added: “ We aspire to make rural living enjoyable and transform Kaduna into a premier business hub. Our ultimate goal is to rebuild trust and foster peace and harmony.”
A former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) who was part of the audience, called for efforts to address the security challenges facing the state.
He said no meaningful development could be achieved in the absence of peace and security.
He commended the governor for cutting cost of governance and asked all residents to eschew political, religious or ethnic differences and support the state government in overcoming the debt challenge.
In a remark, the Emir of Zazzau,Alhaji Ahmad Nuhu Bamali expressed optimism that the governor has what it takes to turn around the economy regardless of the present financial situation.
He pledged the support of all traditional rulers in the state to ensure the success of the administration.
El-Rufai’s son fires back
Moments after the news of the governor’s town hall meeting hit the streets,Bashir El-Rufai who is member of the House of Representatives, went on X (formerly Twitter) in obvious defence of his father.
In one of the reactions ,he said: “These guys have realised that they are wholly incompetent and the only way to mask the nonsense is to deflect. From a Governor that is always sleeping in Abuja to a litany of incompetent aides that were only rewarded for foolish political reasons.”
Two others came in quick succession:
His words: “The current administration in Kaduna is building a banquet hall for 7BN naira and is lamenting about debt left by the previous administration.”
“One would think that from all the FAAC allocations these unserious clowns have changed to dollars, debt would be the least of their problems.”
Persons familiar with the antecedents of Senator Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna State, readily attest to the fact that he is hardly ever deterred by challenges or adversities, no matter how daunting. Stories abound of his daring exploits as a young civil and human rights activist when successive military juntas held sway in Nigeria.
Sani’s can-do spirit and raw courage are matched only by his crisp intellect. In the 9th Senate, where he represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District for four years, his dexterity was all-too apparent. Sani conceptualised and sponsored 32 bills, including three seeking constitutional amendments to allow states to establish their own Police Force and State Police Service Commissions. Even more important, his bills were ranked as the most progressive bills by the very authoritative Nigerian legislative watchdog, orderpaper.com. Indeed, Sani had the singular distinction of being the only senator in the 9th National Assembly who had three of his bills assented to law by the then President Muhammadu Buhari.
Long before he won the gubernatorial election and assumed office as the Governor of Kaduna State, Sani knew that the job would be challenging given that he was bound to inherit the seemingly intractable problem of insecurity in the state. Also, Kaduna State, historically, contends with ethno-religious tension. Knowing the state so well, Sani was unfazed; he was thoroughly prepared for the job and committed to returning Kaduna to its long-acclaimed status as the pride and shining star of northern Nigeria.
Sani’s assumption of office as governor instantly brought relative calm to the hitherto tensed Kaduna State. In just a matter of days, the state started enjoying the dividends of peace, safety and security. What was the trick? Sani mounted the saddle with a clear, and measurable mission — to be a servant-leader, a unifier with his sights set on the economic empowerment of overwhelming majority of the citizenry irrespective of their places of abode, ethnicity or religious persuasions. His plans were easily understood and welcomed with relieve by the populace. The people quickly keyed into his agenda, which was unambiguous — an inclusive governance that is calibrated to leave no one behind.
Working very closely and relentlessly with the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the leadership of the nation’s Armed Forces, the Police and other security agencies, Governor Sani, very early in his administration, began deepening peace, safety and security across Kaduna State. The results of his efforts become instantly evident: The Kaduna-Abuja express way, once notorious for the nefarious activities of bandits and kidnappers, received a deserved respite and travellers, in their numbers, began plying the road regularly without fear or anxiety. The rail service between Abuja and Kaduna which was momentarily halted after a heinous attack that led to the abduction of several passengers, resumed in earnest. Previously traumatized farmers began returning to their abandoned farms. Even the worst critics (actually political opponents) of Governor Sani, till date readily affirm that Kaduna is a far safer place than he met the state on assumption of office in May 29, 2023.
For most residents of Kaduna State, the unfortunate security breaches in the state in recent days, notably the unfortunate abduction of innocent children from their school in the Kuriga community in Chikun Local Government Area, though deeply saddening, have not blighted the great work Governor Sani has been doing since he was sworn in to office. Rather, for keen observers, the latest acts of bandits in Kaduna State clearly signpost the desperation of the criminal elements whose days are clearly numbered. Given that Sani has, in less than one year in office, substantially made Kaduna State unattractive for criminal elements operating in the very vast forest that straddle all the states in the North-west of Nigeria. These cowards in their recent dastardly incursion into Kaduna State, chose very soft targets – innocent school children and their harmless teacher.
For the 16 days that the children were in captivity,Sani with the full and ceaseless support of President Tinubu worked very closely with the highest levels of the nation’s military, police and other security agencies to rescue and safely return the abducted persons to their respective homes.
From get-go, Sani’s resolve to get the children back to school was resolute and unequivocal. During this very trying period, the governor doggedly, albeit quietly, led the rescue efforts from the front. And in the numerous meetings he summoned and chaired, he repeatedly assured parents and all stakeholders that working very closely with President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police and heads of other security organisations, the abducted children would be speedily returned to their homes and their parents.
“I have no doubt in my mind that the efforts we are making with relevant security agencies and Mr. President are yielding good results that will become apparent to all very soon. Mr. President has been doing everything possible to ensure that our children return back home safely. I can say it here that Mr. President is determined. I discuss with him on a daily basis. In fact, sometimes the president calls me two to three times in a day to monitor situations here. The National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff, who is from Kaduna Sate and the Service Chiefs are putting in everything at their disposal. We are all resolute about the prompt and safe return of our children not only to their homes but back to school,” Sani assured.
In the early hours of Sunday, 24th of March, the prayers and tenacity of Sani with the full support of President Tinubu paid off. The 137 abducted Kuriga school children were released unharmed. The jubilation in Kaduna, nay, across Nigeria, was rapturous. Finally good has triumphed over evil. The people’s hope in government was rekindled, once again.
A very relieved Governor Sani announced the good news moments after: “In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released. Our special appreciation goes to our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for prioritising the safety and security of Nigerians and, particularly, ensuring that the abducted Kuriga school children are released unharmed.
“While the school children were in captivity, I spoke and met with Mr. President several times. He shared our pains, comforted us and worked round the clock with us to ensure the safe return of the children. Special mention must also be made of our dear brother, the National Security Adviser, Mal. Nuhu Ribadu, for his exemplary leadership. I spent sleepless nights with Mal. Ribadu fine-tuning strategies and coordinating the operations of the security agencies, which eventually resulted in this successful outcome.
“The Nigerian Army also deserves special commendation for showing that with courage, determination and commitment, criminal elements can be degraded and security restored in our communities. We also thank all Nigerians who prayed fervently for the safe return of the school children. This is, indeed, a day of joy. We give Almighty Allah all the glory.”
Giving further update on the rescue of the Kuriga school children, the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, confirmed that the school children were rescued from the bandits at Dansadau Forest in Zamfara State. “In the early hours of 24 March 2024, the military working with local authorities and government agencies across the country, in a coordinated search and rescue operation, rescued the hostages. The hostages are same persons that were abducted from the school at Kuriga in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State. These hostages were handed over to the Sokoto State Government. These efforts demonstrate the armed forces’ resolve to finding other innocent hostages and track down the terrorists that perpetrated these crimes.”
The released school children where eventually escorted by officers and men of the Nigerian Army from Sokoto to Kaduna where they were handed over to an excited Governor Sani at the Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna. The governor’s joy was unmistakable as he went about embracing and bantering with the school children immediately they arrived the Government House. He promptly instructed that the kids be cleaned up and given urgent medical and psychosocial attention before being handed over to their thrilled parents, who had already besieged the Government House to receive their children. Governor Sani, later in the day, hosted the now well-rested and freshened-up school children to a dinner in the Government House.
The formal handover of the rescued Kuriga school children to Governor Sani by the nation’s military and security agencies was done by the General Officer Commanding the 1st Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Maj. Gen Mayirenso Saraso. At the brief but emotional handover formalities, the GOC clarified that 137 students and a teacher were abducted from both the Government Secondary school and Local Education Authority Primary school in Kuriga (both schools share same vicinity).
“Through kinetic and non-kinetic efforts that were deployed under the guidance of His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, through the Office of NSA, the school children were rescued in Dansadau forest in Zamfara State. The 137 children were released and of this number six of them are in the hospital. But unfortunately, the teacher died in captivity. So, in all, 137 school children were abducted and the 137 children (76 females and 61 males) were rescued and are now being handed over to their parents through the Kaduna State Government,” the GOC said and thereafter handed over a list containing the names of the released school children to Governor Sani.
Sani, who once again showered encomiums on President Tinubu, the NSA and the nation’s military and security chiefs, was quick to caution against the politicisation of security matters, especially the release of the Kuriga school children. “When it comes to issues of security, please and please let us be careful. Politicising issues that border on security endangers lives. People who do not mean well are cooking up all sorts of conspiracy theories. The most important job of any responsible government is the safety and security of lives and properties of citizens. That is what the Federal and Kaduna State Governments have just done in the matter of the abducted Kuriga students. It is not time for conspiracy theories. Just like any other good father, I was informed that the children have been released and I was extremely happy and I have received them with immense joy. We are all relieved that they are back and we shall build on the experiences that we have garnered from the incident to consolidate on all on-going efforts to make every community in Kaduna safer,” Sani said.
Similar view was expressed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Muhammed Idris, shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday, 25th March. “Mr President and members of the Council were happy to note that, as promised by Mr. President, these children were reunited or have been rescued from the captors and in keeping with the commitment of Mr. President, no ransom was paid,” the Information Minister said
Idris further disclosed that FEC and the president had expressed their appreciation to the National Security Adviser (NSA), the security chiefs, and others who participated in the process that led to the freedom of the captives. “The Federal Executive Council and Mr. President are very grateful, to especially the National Security Adviser, the service chiefs, and all security agents, who participated diligently in ensuring that these kidnapped children are reunited with their families.”
Idris confirmed that the number of schoolchildren kidnapped was the exact number rescued as there was no information to the effect that any of them died or was held back by the kidnappers.
“There was a question or reports that 287 of these children were taken. What I can tell you is that there is no report that any of these kidnap victims either died or has been withheld. So, all those that have been taken, have been brought back in safety to their families. I can tell you that,” the minister affirmed.
Delivering Good Governance In spite of Adversity
Interestingly, while he worked round the clock with other stakeholders to secure the safe release of the Kuriga school children, Governor Uba remained firmly focused on governance and meeting his targeted goals in Kaduna State. If anything, the ugly incident brought out the best in him. In an audacious move that ‘shook’ Kaduna State and reverberated across the country, Sani on Monday, 18 March, 2024, flagged off the distribution of the second batch of palliatives to Kaduna State citizens and residents worth over N11.4 billion. The highest such intervention in one fell swoop, at least in recent times, by any state government in Nigeria.
Sani literally set a new national record on transparency, probity and accountability in the planning phase and the eventual distribution of the palliatives in the state. In a move that has been hailed by many as novel, prior to the distribution, the governor set up a high-powered Palliatives Distribution Committee charged with developing an implementation strategy/plan and executing the distribution of the palliatives in a “fair and even manner”. Members of the committee include the representatives of Organized Labour (NLC and TUC), Civil Society Organizations, Persons with Disability, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Traditional Institutions, Youth and Women Organizations, the Commissioner of Police, Director of DSS, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and officials of the Kaduna State Government.
“The broad-based and inclusive cunderscores our determination to ensure transparency and fairness in the palliatives’ distribution process. It is also a key step towards the effective monitoring of the distribution exercise to check diversion of palliatives meant for the people. The Labour/CSOs driven process will help strengthen and deepen engagement between the demand and supply sides of governance,” Governor Sani explained before astounding his people as he reeled out the long list of palliative measures to the jubilant populace.
“I am happy to inform you that today we are commencing the distribution of 128 trucks of rice and maize worth N3.4 billion to the poor, vulnerable and underserved citizens of Kaduna State. We are targeting 200,000 (two hundred thousand) households, approximately 1,000,000 (one million) persons,” he announced.
Recalling that a few days after his assumption of office, he signed an Executive Order on Financial Inclusion to address the exclusion of the poor, under-served and vulnerable from financial services and ensure that they benefit from social intervention programmes of Kaduna State and the Federal Government. Pursuant to the Executive Order, the Uba Sani administration set for itself the target of facilitating the opening of 2.5 million bank accounts for poor, vulnerable and underserved citizens of the state. Of this targeted number, two million bank accounts have been opened. The governor said that his administration was working assiduously to ensure that bank accounts are opened for the remaining 500,000 less privileged citizens of the state.
The immediate benefit of this Executive Order is that Kaduna State has become one of the few states in the country to have developed a credible Social Register for Cash Transfers. Given the effective implementation of the Executive Order on Financial Inclusion, especially the opening of bank accounts and development of a credible Social Register, previously excluded citizens are now able to benefit from Kaduna State and Federal Government’s social intervention programmes. Therefore, in the bid to tackle multidimensional poverty head-on and bring succour to the less privileged citizens of the state, Governor Sani released the sum of N4.2 billion for distribution in form of direct cash transfers, grants, fertilizer, farm inputs and implements to vulnerable households, smallholder farmers, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Persons with Disability, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), orphans, market women and youths.
“As I am speaking to you now, 9,800 poor and vulnerable households, including over 1000 persons with disability have started receiving alerts. They are receiving N50,000 (fifty thousand naira) each,” he said.
Highlights of Sani’s distribution of the second batch of palliatives worth N11.4 billion to Kaduna State citizens include: Over 128 food trucks of rice and maize – sent out to all the local government areas of the state for further distribution; about N3.3 billion approved for the payment of pension and gratuity; estimated 10,000 households to benefit from N50,000 per household direct cash transfer. Amongst them are 1,000 Persons With Disability; N500 million approved as revolving loan scheme for Kaduna State civil servants; estimated 7,500 SMEs to get between N100,000 to N1 million grants, depending on the size of the SME and farm machineries and equipment were distributed to over 5,000 farmers in the state.
The governor’s gestures were roundly applauded by a cross section of residents and citizens of the state. Speaking on behalf of Organised Labour in Kaduna, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Suleiman, commended the governor for releasing N500 million for the workers’ revolving loan scheme. The release of an additional N3.3 billion for pensioners, in addition to the N3.1 billion disbursed last year, the Labour leader said, is a testament to the governor’s concern for the welfare of both pensioners and active service members.
“Governor Sani’s government has shown uncommon transparency and sensitivity by including key stakeholders such as labour groups, People Living with Disabilities, market women, JNI and CAN in the Palliative Distribution Committee. Even at the local government distribution levels, these critical stakeholders are also involved. This is because of Governor Sani’s confidence in us and his will and zeal to see that these palliatives get to the most vulnerable,” Suleiman stated.
Governor Sani, who is a staunch believer in the combination of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in curbing banditry and other forms of criminality, is aggressively opening up rural and underserved communities across the state for development and access to economic empowerment. The governor has prioritized the construction of roads that are designed to link rural communities to centres of trade and commerce. The overarching plan is to harness the huge potentials in these underserviced communities, especially in agriculture and solid minerals and bring the people to the mainstream of development. Governor Sani believes that with the opening up of these underserviced communities, crime and banditry will be greatly reduced in Kaduna State.
In line with this goal to link communities in the state to development centres and opportunities, just two days before he distributed the second batch of palliatives, Governor Sani performed the groundbreaking for the construction of a 327 kilometres road linking College Road to Mashigi, stretching down to Eastern Bypass of Millennium City. The road will cut across Igabi, Kaduna North and Chikun Local Government Areas. The 327 kilometres road include the main road linking College Road to Millennium City and other feeder roads within the various districts.
The governor envisages that during the construction period, employment opportunities would be created for hundreds of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers in the state. When completed, the road will ease movement of people and goods. The flag-off of the construction of this road on the 16th of March, brought to 21 the number of roads Governor Sani has performed their groundbreaking across all the local government areas of the state since assumption of office. About 827 kilometres of roads are currently under construction in the state.
“We are ramping up our Infrastructural Development Drive. Our Rural Transformation Programme is being executed concurrently with upgrade of infrastructure in the urban areas. The new investments flowing into Kaduna State are being supported by infrastructure upgrades. We are determined to make Kaduna State a safe and secure business hub in the North and a choice destination for investors. We are putting Kaduna State on a sure path towards actualizing its God-given potentials,” Governor Uba Sani said.
The sophistication of bandits underscores the call for the establishment of state police, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said yesterday.
He lamented that the poorly-equipped men of the local security outfits cannot confront bandits who carry “sophisticated weapons”.
Kaduna is the hotbed of banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria with hundreds of abducted school pupils still in captivity.
Yesterday, the state Police Command through its spokesman, Mansir Hassan, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), confirmed the abduction of residents Dogon-Noma commiunity Kajuru Local Government Area.
The House of Assembly member representing Kajuru State Constituency, Usman Danlami Stingo, put the number of abducted villagers at 86. The claim could not be verified.
Although the state government had set up local security outfits to tame the raging insecurity sweeping across Kaduna and in some parts of the country, the situation remained worrisome.
Sani attributed rising wave of insecurity in his domain to the ill-equipment of the local security.
“Vigilance 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!” the governor said in a chat on a national television.
He added: “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 vigilance 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.”
The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Uba Sani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Governor of Kaduna State.
A five-member panel of the court, in a unanimous judgment on Friday, held that the appeal by Mohammed Ashiru Isah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was without merit.
Justice Tijjani Abubakar, who read the lead judgment, held that the appeal was unmeritorious, the appellants having failed to comply with the provision of Paragraph 18(1) and (3) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act 2022 in relation to the filing of pre-hearing notice at the tribunal.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen said on Friday, January 19, that the judgement of the Supreme Court affirming the victory of Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna was a confirmation of his popularity across the state.
The Speaker congratulated Governor Sani over his legal victory at the Supreme Court.
The apex court had on Friday affirmed Governor Sani as the duly elected governor of Kaduna state during the 2023 general elections.
Speaker Abbas said he had always known that Governor Sani’s popularity in Kaduna and the massive support given to him at the polls were organic and borne out of genuine love for him.
He expressed hope that Governor Uba Sani, a former senator for Kaduna Central, will now focus more on good governance of the state.
Speaker Abbas, who wished Governor Sani a successful tenure, urged the people of Kaduna to continue to support and pray his administration.
He called on the people of Kaduna State to continue giving Governor Sani massive support, noting that they should expect more dividends of democracy under the current administration.
President Bola Tinubu has felicitated the Governor of Kaduna state, Uba Sani, as he marks his 53rd birthday anniversary.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu lauded Governor Sani for his devotion to the nation, citing his role in the pro-democracy activities.
“President Bola Tinubu sends his felicitations to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State as he marks his 53rd birthday.
“President Tinubu celebrates the accomplished engineer and politician whose leadership odyssey has been one of sacrifice, dedication, and service to the people.
“The President commends the Governor for his devotion to the nation, from his early years as a pro-democracy activist, promoting the pristine elements of democracy, good governance, and national unity.
“President Tinubu extols the brilliance and excellence of the governor, who is both a mechanical engineer of high repute and renowned finance expert, recalling his efforts as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Financial Institutions, and now as governor.
“The President thanks the Governor for his unwavering support while wishing him many more years in good health, happiness, and strength in the service of the people of Kaduna State and Nigeria”, the statement said.
Leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Unions (TUC) and Pensioners union, have commended the Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani, for the timely release of N3.1billion as payment for the gratuity of retirees and death benefits to families of deceased beneficiaries under the Defined Benefit Scheme and the Contributory Pension Schemes.
In three separate letters from the NLC, TUC and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, the unions showered encomiums on the governor and the Kaduna state government for the proactive release of the funds especially in the face of current economic realities.
“We write to appreciate Your Excellency for the approval and release of N3.1 Billion for the payment of gratuity for retirees and death benefits for families of the deceased retirees. This honourable gesture will serve as an immediate intervention that will alleviate the suffering of both the retirees and the families of our fallen heroes that served our dear state diligently.” NLC stated in a letter signed by its state chairman, Comrade Ayuba Suleiman.
Similarly,the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Trade Union Congress also lauded Governor Sani for the release of the pension funds.
“You excelled as a Senator,by sponsoring bills that touched the lives of many Nigerians, and now you have gone ahead to set aside such huge amount of money for the payment of gratuity and death benefits, we the leaders of this great Union appreciate this gesture which will touch the lives of many Pensioners “ the letter from the pensioners union stated.
Also, the groups in their commendation letters while pledging their unflinching support to Governor Sani led administration, advocated for the constitution of the Board of the Kaduna State Pension Bureau to ensure total transparency.
They said: “For inclusiveness and to strengthen the judicial utilization of these funds even in the future, we are advocating for the constitution of the Board of the Bureau in accordance with section 20 of the Kaduna State Pension Reform (Amended) Law, 2020.”
The Kaduna state government in October 2023 approved the release of N3.1billion for the payment of gratuity to retirees and death benefits for families of the deceased under the Defined Benefit Scheme and the Contributory Pension Schemes.
According to the Kaduna State Pension Bureau, over 1,000 retirees and families of deceased beneficiaries are to benefit from the pension funds released as the verification exercise for the payment of the gratuity and death benefits has commenced in the 3 senatorial zones of Kaduna state.
The Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee, (MOC) of the Senator Uba Sani Unity Football Cup Competition 2023/2024, Tijani Babangida, has promised to deliver a first class football tourney in the state, even as Kaduna State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Mamman Lagos has urged the MOC to organize a befitting competition targeted at drawing talents from the grassroots across all the 23 Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.
The former Nigeria international stated this shortly after the MOC was inaugurated on Tuesday by Lagos, adding he appreciated the ministry for finding him worthy to lead the MOC, while also expressing confidence in the calibre of members that made up the committee. He maintained that members on the committee are drivers of grassroots football.
“I am so happy that the people serving in this committee are people who have been engaged in organizing grassroots football competitions and I am lucky to be their chairman,” Babangida said in his acceptable speech. “I want to assure His Excellency, the Governor of my state, that we would deliver a first class football competition that everybody will be happy with. I will bring my expertise and years of experience into organizing this event.”
Meanwhile, Lagos in his speech, said that Kaduna could not point out a topflight team again and that the competition has been organised to revitalize the grassroots football and ensure that talents discovered form the fulcrum of the team that will be formed at the end of the competition.
He charged the members of the MOC to put selfish interest aside and ensure the real talents are identified for the good of Kaduna State.
“You must organize a football competition that will serve as an avenue for recruiting raw talents from the grassroots; a competition we will be proud of,” Lagos told journalists during the inauguration of the MOC in Kaduna. “You should organize a competition that the people of Kaduna State will be happy and proud to associate with.
“It may interest you to know that youth and sports development form a critical part of the ‘SUSTAIN AGENDA’ of this administration, and Governor Uba Sani is committed to not just developing the youths through sports, but to the general youth empowerment through other economic activities in such a way that they will contribute positively to the development of the state,” Lagos stated.
