By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, has called for a renewed commitment to national unity and transparent g
By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna
Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, has called for a renewed commitment to national unity and transparent governance, urging leaders across all levels to honour electoral promises and foster closer engagement with citizens.
Speaking at a two-day interactive programme organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Governor Sani delivered a rousing address that both assessed progress and outlined future pathways for development across the North.
The theme of the conference, “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government Citizen Engagement for National Unity”, set the tone for a critical reflection on the performance of political leadership, especially since the 2023 elections.
“Electoral pledges are not campaign rhetoric to be conveniently forgotten after votes are tallied,” Governor Sani said. “They are solemn covenants — expressions of aspiration, hope, and obligation.”
The Governor praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the North, describing his administration’s impact as “bold, tangible, and transformative.” While acknowledging the deep-rooted nature of many of the North’s challenges from insecurity and poverty to education deficits Governor Sani emphasized that the current administration should not be blamed for decades of systemic neglect.
“Blaming President Tinubu, who has been in office for just two years, for the problems that have been festering for over 20 years, is unjust and politically misleading,” he declared.
Recalling the state of insecurity that gripped Kaduna when he assumed office in May 2023, Governor Sani outlined what he called the “Kaduna Peace Model” — a strategy combining proactive security operations, community engagement, and institutional collaboration.
“We prioritised peace, reinvigorated our security agencies, empowered local vigilance groups, and engaged communities with empathy and humility,” he said. As a result, the notorious Kaduna-Abuja highway has seen a significant decline in criminal activity, and previously abandoned communities have come back to life.
He credited the progress to coordinated efforts involving the Federal Government, security agencies, and local stakeholders, particularly praising the role of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and the Minister of Defence.
Governor Sani highlighted financial inclusion and education as critical pillars of sustainable peace and development. Drawing on his background as former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, he spoke of initiatives integrating over 2.5 million vulnerable residents into the financial system with the support of international partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“Financial inclusion is more than numbers — it is about dignity,” he said.
On education, the governor described the North’s out-of-school children crisis as a “humanitarian emergency,” and cited new investments in infrastructure, teacher training, and incentives to keep children in school. He applauded President Tinubu’s student loan programme and the federal push for vocational and digital skills development.
Governor Sani lauded Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for bringing long-overdue infrastructure projects to life, including the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway and rail corridors connecting Kaduna to Kano and beyond.
On agriculture, he claimed that no Nigerian president in history had supported subnational agricultural transformation as extensively as President Tinubu, pointing to Kaduna’s shift from subsistence to agribusiness.
“Farmers now benefit from solar irrigation, mechanised tools, and climate-smart innovations that are transforming rural livelihoods,” he said.
The Governor’s speech concluded with a reminder that governance cannot be the task of a few individuals in Abuja.
“Governance must evolve into a collaborative enterprise of many… This forum is not ornamental; it is catalytic,” he asserted, referencing Sir Ahmadu Bello’s legacy of visionary, inclusive leadership.
Governor Sani called on Northern leaders to move beyond rhetoric and deliver real change, stating: “Let this conference be remembered not for the rhetoric, but for the resolve it kindles.”
He reaffirmed Kaduna’s commitment to rebuilding institutions, completing long-abandoned projects, and expanding opportunity for all — not just the privileged.
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