2 yrs of unparalleled leadership: Gov uba brings govert closer to indigenes, exceeding expectations – Tom Garba

2 Yrs of Unparalleled Leadership: Gov Uba Brings Govert Closer to Indigenes, Exceeding Expectations – Tom Garba

“… Governor Sani is a moral compass, a father figure, and a steady voice. Kaduna is rising, and under Uba Sani’s unparalleled leadership, its future burns brighter than ever.”

By Emmanuel Kwada

In the vibrant heart of Northern Nigeria, Kaduna State is undergoing a transformative renaissance under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Governor Uba Sani. His two years in office have redefined governance, bringing government closer to the people and surpassing expectations with a focus on human capital development, security, and inclusive growth.

Tom Garba, a proud son of Kaduna State and publisher of TGNews, has passionately lauded Sani’s achievements, describing them as a beacon of hope for millions. “Governor Sani’s leadership is not just about laying bricks and mortar; it is about building lives, restoring hope, and securing a prosperous future for millions of Kaduna’s citizens,” Garba declares.

Kaduna has long been a cradle of intellectual and cultural heritage, but under Governor Sani’s stewardship, it is now a trailblazer in educational transformation. Garba, reflecting on the recent KADA EduPACT International Summit 2025, held from July 9 to 11 at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Centre in Murtala Square, calls it “a defining moment in Kaduna’s journey.”

This groundbreaking summit united global and local stakeholders, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), UNICEF, the World Bank’s AGILE initiative, the Islamic Development Bank, Save the Children, the Malala Fund, and Miva University, to forge a homegrown education model tailored for Kaduna’s future.

Governor Sani, as the summit’s chief host, delivered a stirring message: education is Kaduna’s “smartest economic and security strategy.”

His administration’s unwavering commitment to harnessing education to combat poverty, unemployment, and insecurity has struck a chord with stakeholders worldwide.

The summit’s theme, “Strategic Visioning for Educational Transformation: Developing the Kaduna State Education Model,” captured Sani’s bold vision for a resilient, inclusive, and technology-driven education system.

As Garba notes, the KADA EduPACT framework, unveiled at the summit, stands on six robust pillars: equitable access, quality teaching and learning, sustainable financing, digital innovation, gender inclusion, and a resilient, well-monitored education system.

“These are not mere promises but are backed by concrete achievements. Sani’s administration has invested ₦500 million in Kaduna State University (KASU), securing accreditation for 40 new academic programs, strengthening higher education.

“A historic 40% tuition cut across state-owned tertiary institutions has sparked a surge in enrollment, ensuring financial barriers do not deny any child an education.”

The summit also confronted the scourge of out-of-school children, which Sani has called “a stain on our collective conscience.”

Through the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) Project, Kaduna has constructed or rehabilitated over 1,000 classrooms, commissioned 62 new secondary schools, distributed 1.48 million instructional materials, and provided nearly 31,000 two-seater desks. Real-time digital dashboards now monitor enrollment and completion, showcasing Sani’s data-driven approach, which Garba praises as “a masterstroke in governance.”

Stakeholders at the summit proposed a Kaduna State Education Reform Council to streamline policies and championed a ₦440 billion investment plan to reposition Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

This initiative aligns curricula with industry needs, transforming schools into hubs of economic empowerment. The integration of almajiri children into vocational programs and the removal of barriers like compulsory uniforms and PTA levies further exemplify Sani’s inclusive vision. Garba emphasizes, “Sani is ensuring no one is left behind.”

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, hailed Kaduna’s policies as a national model, while the British Deputy High Commissioner, Gill Lever OBE, reaffirmed the UK’s support through the PLANE program.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General also praised Sani’s leadership, a testament to Kaduna’s global recognition. “This is the Kaduna we’ve always dreamed of,” Garba asserts, crediting Sani’s vision for this educational revolution.

Governor Sani’s impact extends powerfully into healthcare, where his collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered transformative results. Speaking through his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, a medical doctor, Sani has consistently praised WHO’s role in advancing public health and strengthening health systems.

Garba highlights this partnership as “a game-changer,” noting its success in improving immunization coverage, enhancing disease outbreak prevention, and fortifying surveillance systems across Kaduna.

Sani’s reforms have expanded access to primary healthcare, improved maternal and child health services, and strengthened disease surveillance architecture. His commitment to universal health coverage shines through in his pledge to deepen WHO collaboration and reach underserved communities.

“Kaduna State is committed to investing in the health and well-being of our people,” Sani declared, a statement Garba describes as “a promise kept.” The results are tangible: Kaduna’s healthcare system is more resilient and equitable, with significant strides in polio eradication and disease control.

Security is a cornerstone of Sani’s governance, and his non-kinetic approach has made Kaduna safer and more harmonious.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, recently commended Sani’s inclusive government, stating, “Since you came on board, Kaduna State has been more peaceful.” Garba echoes this, crediting Sani’s support for the Nigerian Army and strategic coordination with security forces.

Sani’s administration has prioritized dialogue, community policing, and the recruitment of over 7,000 personnel for the Kaduna Vigilance Service. Interfaith forums, youth peace initiatives, and community reconciliations have replaced suspicion with unity.

The domestication of the Open Government Partnership Action Plan for 2024 and 2025, a pioneering move in Nigeria, has institutionalized transparency and citizen engagement. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during a recent visit, marveled at Kaduna’s transformation, a sentiment Garba shares: “Sani has turned Kaduna into a model of peace and progress.”

While Sani’s administration has invested heavily in rural roads, schools, and hospitals, his true legacy lies in human capital development. The Kaduna Economic and Financial Inclusion Summit (KEFIS) amplified his inclusive growth agenda, while investments in vocational institutes in Soba, Zangon Kataf, and Igabi, alongside the upgrade of Panteka Market—Africa’s largest informal skills center—are empowering thousands of youths. “This is leadership that transforms lives,” Garba asserts.

Sani’s human-centered approach aligns with global aspirations, as Bill Gates noted: “By unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity.” Kaduna is firmly on that path, guided by a leader who measures success in lives changed.

Tom Garba, publisher of TGNews and a proud son of Kaduna, is inspired by Sani’s unwavering commitment. His recognition as an Icon of the Fourth Republic by OrderPaper Nigeria reflects his legacy as a lawmaker and governor.

The KADA EduPACT Summit, WHO partnership, and security achievements are beacons of hope for a state once mired in challenges. “Governor Sani is a moral compass, a father figure, and a steady voice,” Garba writes. Kaduna is rising, and under Uba Sani’s unparalleled leadership, its future burns brighter than ever.