By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna The Secretary to the Kaduna State Government (SSG), Dr. Abdulkadir Meyare, has declared open a two-day capacity-bui
By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna
The Secretary to the Kaduna State Government (SSG), Dr. Abdulkadir Meyare, has declared open a two-day capacity-building retreat for Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs) to the Executive Governor of Kaduna State.
The retreat, organised by the Office of the Chief of Staff, is designed to strengthen the capacity of political appointees, enhance teamwork, and improve coordination within the administration. It also aims to advance the Rural Transformation Agenda of Governor Uba Sani, with a focus on effective governance and sustainable human development across all sectors.
Over the course of the two days, participants will engage in workshops, strategy sessions, and collaborative planning exercises geared towards aligning priorities, improving service delivery, and accelerating developmental outcomes across communities in Kaduna State.
Declaring the retreat open, Dr. Meyare charged the participants to see their roles as pivotal to the success of the administration, urging them to demonstrate commitment, discipline, and innovation in delivering on the government’s mandate.
Dignitaries present at the opening ceremony included the Head of Service, Mrs. Jummai Bako; Chief of Staff, Sani Laiman Kila; Commissioner of Sports, Prof. Benjamin Kumai Gugong; Commissioner of Business Innovation and Technology, Hon. Patience Fakai; Commissioner of Youth, Barr. Gloria Samuel; Commissioner of Information, Ahmed Maiyaki; Special Adviser on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Mr. Fabian Okoye; and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibraheem Musa.
The prestigious global innovation competition, organised by the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) in partnership with UKALD Management Consultancy, attracted more than 3,000 participants from across Nigeria, with only 105 finalists advancing to the grand finale.
Al’amin’s winning innovation, Interface Africa, is a pioneering clean-energy platform that connects solar providers, financiers, and end-users to expand access to affordable and sustainable power. Through its flagship initiatives — GreenPay and a network of trained field agents known as NasPoints — the platform has powered thousands of homes, supported small businesses, and contributed significantly to carbon emission reduction across the continent.
The innovation also secured a £1.5 million investment from UK-based firm Pure Climate Solutions to expand its reach across Africa.
Governor Uba Sani described Al’amin’s victory as “a monumental achievement and a source of pride for Kaduna State and Nigeria.” He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering science, technology, and innovation as vital instruments for inclusive growth and youth empowerment.
“This victory reaffirms the creative strength and global potential of Kaduna’s youth. We are building an innovation-driven economy that rewards ideas, nurtures talent, and delivers opportunities for our people,”.
Governor Uba Sani stated, “From classrooms to global stages, Kaduna’s young people are shaping Africa’s innovation future.”
The Governor further highlighted several of his administration’s key reforms — including the establishment of the Kaduna Innovation and Technology Council, the Smart Schools and Digital Learning Programmes, the launch of three Vocational and Skills Development Institutes in Rigachikun, Soba, and Samaru Kataf, and the provision of STEM scholarships for outstanding students — as deliberate policy actions designed to nurture creativity and technological advancement.
Governor Sani also commended Shamsuddeen Jibril, another Kaduna innovator, whose locally developed AgroDrone Crop Doctor, designed for crop spraying and monitoring, impressed global judges and secured partnership agreements with Teesside University (UK) and UKALD Management Consultancy.
Leading the Kaduna delegation to the London event, Professor Usman Abubakar Zaria, Director-General of the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA), described the achievements as a testament to Governor Uba Sani’s visionary leadership and sustained investment in education, innovation, and youth development.
He attributed the State’s strong showing at the international competition to the Governor’s timely support, sponsorship, and unwavering commitment to empowering young innovators to compete and excel on the global stage.
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