History was made on May 29th 2023, when Senator Uba Sani was sworn in as the 6th democratically elected Governor of Kaduna State since the return of democracy in 1991.
Governor Sani, along his deputy Dr. Hadiza Balarabe wasted no time in trying to implement his campaign promises, insisting on running an all-inclusive government, where no one will be left behind, as his policies and programmes have been designed with the people in mind, especially in the grass root areas.
Since he assumed office, Governor Sani’s led administration, believes that by initiating projects and policies at the grassroots, involving the communities, in what the Government is doing through engagement, governance can cover significant grounds.
Therefore, in assessing this present administration, one year in office, one can say that Governor Sani has tried to live up to his campaign promises of putting the people first and the Rural Transformation Agenda.
Soon after the assumption of office, the Governor convened a meeting with the 23 Local Government Chairman, and their ward councillors in the state, where he tasked them with pinpointing essential infrastructure and proposing economic interventions in their respective areas.
He expressed concern over the high poverty rate in rural communities, stressing his commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to alleviate poverty and bring about rural development.
A hallmark of the Governor Sani-led administration is the introduction of participatory governance, whereby he meets regularly with renowned elders from both the southern and northern regions, intimating them about government policies and also seeking their support to foster equity, peace, and unity in Kaduna State. So far, the elders are happy with the steps taken by the Governor. He also chairs the quarterly inter-religious Harmony Committee, actively engaging with religious leaders to promote understanding and collaboration.
Governor Uba Sani has welcomed a diverse mix of political figures, individuals from all regions, representatives of the two major religions, advocates of different ideologies, and anyone making meaningful contributions.
Talking about security, Governor Sani within the short period in office, has laid a solid foundation towards restoring peace and security in Kaduna State.
For many years, Kaduna has been fatigued by lingering insecurity that has resulted to the loss of several lives, displacement of citizens and disruption of socio-economic activities.
A new chapter unfolded under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani who began a journey towards reclaiming the peace that eluded the people of Kaduna.
In an effort to secure his people and ensure a peaceful and United States, Governor Sani’s administration has invested in technology for security and law enforcement agencies. He is also engaging with the Federal Government to ensure the deployment of more troops to frontline locations.
He also rallies heads of security agencies by building a strong collaboration with them and holding regular meetings, all in an effort to tackle contemporary and emerging challenges in Kaduna.
Through these interactions, Governor Uba Sani aims to identify areas where the state government can offer support, recognizing that unity and peace are key to eradicating criminal elements from Kaduna.
In a clear demonstration of his administration’s commitment towards degrading bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements in Kaduna, Governor Sani in February 2024, signed the State Security Trust into law.
Praising the military’s dedication to the fight against, insecurity, he emphasized the need for cooperative structures to address the menace.
He called for heightened vigilance, and unveiled plans for establishing Forward Operating Bases, solidifying his commitment to securing Kaduna.
Additionally, he has procured security patrol vehicles for security agencies to enhance their operations under OPERATION FUSHIN KADA
The 2024 budget for rural transformation and inclusive development in Kaduna State serves as a guiding commitment between the government and its people. Emphasizing agriculture, regional rural and economic development, security, infrastructure, and human capital development, these priorities take centre stage in the draft appropriation bill.
In December 2023, the Umaru Musa Yaradua Conference Centre hosted a gathering of representatives from Civil Society organizations, professional bodies, local governments, religious organizations, and tribal associations. Their collective insights contributed significantly to shaping these crucial documents.
With a proposed recurrent expenditure of N139 billion, while the capital expenditure is set at N318 billion, the governor presented the 2024 draft budget of N458 billion to the Kaduna State House of Assembly for consideration.
He says the priorities of the 2024 estimates are on education, and healthcare these two have the highest allocation in the budget.
Significantly, in record time, Governor Uba Sani signed the 2024 budget on December 22, 2023, four days after it was presented to the legislature, a first in the history of Kaduna.
Governor Uba Sani has also performed several groundbreaking ceremonies.
The journey commenced with the symbolic flagging off of a 21.7-kilometre road intricately weaving its way through Anchau and Gadas–Palla in Kubau and Ikara Local Governments. This road project aims to alleviate transportation challenges faced by 32 communities upon completion.
Another groundbreaking event for an 18-kilometre road was performed by the Governor linking Sanga Local Government to Jema’a Area Council. The road from Gwantu through Kiban will provide forward and backward linkages for farmers and markets, and reduce post-harvest losses, cost of transportation and travel time.
Likewise, zone 2, witnessed it share of groundbreaking projects with the flagging off of two rural roads – a 35 kilometer road that will be constructed from Gadan Gayan through Gwaraji to Kujama Junction, linking Igabi and Chikun Local Governments in Kaduna Central Senatorial Districts.
Similarly, a 6-kilometre college road will be constructed in Sabon Tasha from the signboard through Juji, connecting the Eastern bypass.
Kaduna State – the political capital of the North and a famous centre of learning lacks a spacious hall of international standard to host global summits, in bridging that gap, Governor Sani started the construction of a state-of-the-art banquet hall at the government house that will cater to the needs of national and international conferences including hosting of high profile events.
Pushing further his infrastructural Development Agenda, Governor Uba Sani flagged off the construction of 15 major roads, totalling 327 kilometres.
The roads will not only connect communities but also spur economic growth and development.
The project kick off at the Dual Carriage Bridge linking College Road to Mashigi, extending down to the Eastern Bypass of Millennium City, a pivotal point in the project.
There is also the Nurus Siraj Unguwan Dosa New Extension Layout, which is about 3,400 hectares of land.
It’s a comprehensive effort aimed at enhancing the lives of residents across eight districts, in the three local government areas of Igabi, Kaduna North, and Chikun.
As part of efforts to rebuild Tudun Biri, the Kaduna village bombed in error by the military Army drone in December 2023, Governor Uba Sani flagged off the construction of a 5.5-kilometre asphalt road.
In alleviating the pains of the people, Governor Uba Sani’s administration has spent 11.4 Billion Naira on the second phase of palliative distribution.
The commencement of distribution signified a comprehensive approach to tackling poverty at its core.
The Palliatives Distribution Committee, comprising representatives from various sectors, ensured transparency and fairness in the distribution process.
128 trucks loaded with rice and maize will be distributed to provide hope for over one million citizens.
Fertilizers, tractors, and various other forms of assistance tailored for small holder farmers as well as the release of pensions and gratuities for retired civil servants and their families aim to provide much–needed relief.
The governments initiative providing revolving loans aims to empowers entrepreneurs, driving the growth of small businesses and revitalizing the economy.
In the face of mounting insecurity, socio-economic challenges, high poverty level and rural infrastructural deficit, Governor Sani by signing the first Executive Order on Financial Inclusion in July 2023 and flagging off his Rural Transformation Programme, has shown that he was fully prepared for the job. Through the executive order, over One Million underserved and vulnerable people particularly in rural communities have been captured under the state social intervention programmes.
Not leaving housing out in his plans for the people, the Governor inspected the mass housing for the less privileged at Millennium city in Kaduna. He expressed satisfaction with the steady progress witnessed so far. The housing project initiative was spearheaded by Qatar Charity following an agreement with the Governor Sani administration months ago.
All projects under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani are currently being executed – from the Northern part of the state to the Southern part. Residents commend the pace of work, most especially in the rural areas.
Indeed, bridging the infrastructural gap between urban and rural areas is a strong pillar of the Rural Transformation Agenda manifesto, a covenant between the Kaduna State Government and its citizens, so far the governor has kept his promise of rural transformation.
In a state once marred by religious tension and intolerance, Governor Uba Sani emerged as a beacon of hope, committed to fostering religious harmony in Kaduna.
Before Governor Sani’s tenure, Kaduna State grappled with inter-religious tensions.
To address this, he established a Quarterly Inter-Religious Harmony Committee, uniting leaders from diverse faith, such as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Kaduna State Chapter.
Governor Sani provided updates on initiatives combating issues like poverty and out-of-school children, emphasizing his commitment to partnering with religious leaders for peace and development.
Part of his activities, commemorating his one year in office, Governor Uba Sani has also performed the ground breaking and remodelling of the Panteka Market. The Market was razed down by fire. The remodelling fulfils, the Governor’s promise to rebuild the market through Public – Private Partnership.
Upon completion, the market will emerge as Northern Nigeria’s largest artisan technology hub, boasting state-of-the-art facilities.
The Governor also performed the groundbreaking ceremony of Sunagrow International Oil Ltd. A Soya refining plant, along the airport road. The plant boasts an impressive capacity of producing 500,000 litres per day, marking a significant investment in Kaduna State’s economy.
Similarly, he performed the groundbreaking for the reconstruction of the 1.4km water intake road, stretching from Patrick Yakowa Way to Maigero Junction.
In just one year of being in office, the investment drive of the state has improved significantly, with a total investment of $89,323,104 from May 2023 to date of this amount $81,540,943 has already been realized, while $7,789,160.60 is announced in the pipeline. These investments have led to an increases in IGR and the creation of 20,976 direct and indirect jobs which benefits the local communities.
Indeed, the wind of good governance is blowing across the length and breadth of Kaduna State. Irrespective of tribal or partisan lines, the citizens are happy and have already joined the transformation train of Governor Sani as he pilots the affairs of the state to greater heights.
 Asabe Ndoma
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