President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, commended Governor Uba Sani for his leadership in Kaduna State, promoting peace and progress.

Speaking at a grand reception in his honour, held at Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna, Tinubu described Sani as an “agent of change, stability, love, unity, and progress.”

The President also corrected his omission of the former military governor of Kaduna State, Col Dangiwa Umar (retd), in the June 12, 2025 democracy honours list, by conferring him with the Commander of the Federal Republic.

“Let me use this opportunity to correct an omission. One of those people that I missed out on in the June 12 address at the National Assembly is Col Dangiwa Umar (retd). Today, let me correct that by honouring him with national recognition of CFR,” Tinubu said.

The President said under two years, Sani had transformed Kaduna State from a “toxic, uncontrollable environment to a state of life, progress, and development.”

Tinubu expressed his gratitude to Sani for his good work, saying, “I say thank you, my comrade. I am pleased to be back here in Kaduna State.”

He commended Sani for his efforts in promoting peace in the state, noting that it had enabled the government to channel resources effectively towards development.

“I remember when I came for campaigns, we had to go to Birnin Gwari with a battalion of security.

“I have it on good authority that you can move to Birnin Gwari today around midnight without fear of attack,” Tinubu said.

He further praised Sani’s people-oriented development agenda, which included establishing critical sectors to develop the minds of youths and provide them with skills and opportunities to excel.

“Today, I have seen an example of people-oriented commitment development agenda in the governor who has established not only critical sectors to change and develop the minds of our youths leaving schools as well as providing them with skills and opportunities to excel,” Tinubu said.

The President noted that he had a long-standing connection with Kaduna State, having worked with many distinguished sons and daughters of the state throughout his journey in politics, business, and the pursuit of democracy and fundamental rights.

The President highlighted upcoming projects, including the light rail project, which, he said, would be implemented in collaboration with the state government.

“Don’t forget the fact that the light rail project is there on our focus, we are going to do it, and we will do it together,” Tinubu said.

He also mentioned plans to launch a comprehensive agenda on skills development and food sovereignty, known as the “Raise Hope Agenda.”

Tinubu expressed gratitude for the warm reception he received from the government and people of Kaduna State, describing himself as a “lucky person” to have worked with Sani.

“I am overwhelmed by the warm reception by the government and the people of Kaduna State. I am particularly impressed with the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in this state,” Tinubu said.

He concluded by stating that Kaduna State was rising again, adding that his administration would continue to support the state’s development agenda.

Tinubu was given a rousing welcome to Kaduna on Thursday, as he inaugurated projects embarked upon by Sani.

The President inaugurated several key projects in Kaduna State, including a 300-bed Specialist Hospital, 100 Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses, and the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development.

The political situation in the state has, however, changed from what it was in 2023 when he came for the campaign.

The former governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has since dumped the All Progressives Congress and now spearheading the coalition movement to oust Tinubu from office in 2027.

His successor, Sani, has remained with Tinubu’s camp, bolstering his chances in 2027 in the state.

Speaking during the visit, Sani lauded the President for his leadership in restoring hope to the North and reclaiming the region from fear and insecurity.

Sani described Tinubu as “a statesman whose vision is reshaping Nigeria” and “a leader whose commitment to Northern development is unquestionable.”

According to him, Tinubu’s leadership has brought about a new era of peace and development in Kaduna State.

The governor highlighted the progress made in Kaduna State since Tinubu took office, saying, “When we came in, Kaduna was under siege — plagued by insecurity, fear, and economic stagnation. But we refused to be broken.”

He added, “Today, peace has returned, roads are open, schools have reopened, and farmlands are green again.

“From Giwa to Godogodo, from Birnin Gwari to Kajuru, Kaduna is no longer defined by fear.

“Joint task forces now patrol our roads. Commerce is booming again. We are exporting livestock from Birnin Gwari to Lagos daily — something unthinkable a year ago,” Sani said.

The governor noted that the 100 new buses would be offered free to workers, students, and pensioners for the first six months.

He also highlighted the achievements of his administration, saying, “In just two years, Kaduna has bounced back from the brink. We have built 62 new secondary schools, upgraded 1,049 classrooms, constructed 79 roads spanning 780km, and slashed tuition in state tertiary institutions by 50 per cent.”

He also unveiled the remodelled Panteka Market, which he described as “Africa’s largest informal skills hub.”

Sani credited Tinubu’s support for the launch of the Kaduna Peace Model, an initiative that combines community engagement with security operations.

He said over 500,000 hectares of abandoned farmland had been reclaimed, and 535 schools reopened in areas once overrun by terrorists.

The governor urged northerners to rally behind Tinubu, stating, “This President has embraced the North, stood with us in our darkest hour, and is leading us into the light. We must never forget. We must back him all the way.”

He pledged to deepen governance reforms, attract more investment, and consolidate Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We have distributed over 600 truckloads of fertilisers and thousands of implements free to farmers. We are not just building roads and hospitals — we are building a future where every Nigerian child can dream again,” Sani said.

The event was attended by governors of Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, Imo, Kebbi, Jigawa states, deputy governor of Sokoto, ministers, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, top government officials, traditional rulers and political leaders.

Also speaking at the event, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said the people of Kaduna State had no alternative to President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

He noted that the President has given a lot to the north-western state “in very practical terms”, through the initiation of a wide range of federal infrastructure projects that directly impact the people of the state.

Noting that Kaduna State continues to play a key part in the country’s socio-economic development priorities, Abbas said Tinubu’s visit reflected a leadership that engaged directly, listened attentively and responded with action.

“Mr President, Kaduna has long been at the centre of Nigeria’s national conversation, politically, economically, and historically.

“In the 2023 presidential election, the APC received about 30 per cent of the valid votes cast in the state. While that outcome is significant, it leaves room for growth.

“Therefore, on behalf of our governor, our party, and our communities, I assure you that Kaduna is determined to do more.

“Our goal is to double that margin and secure at least 60 per cent of the vote in 2027. This is not merely a political ambition; it is a coordinated objective backed by a united political structure and a population that believes in your leadership,” he said.

He also commended the President for the reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Federal highway, which he said was flagged off in April and reinforced by substantial budgetary approval from the Federal Executive Council.”

He said, equally significant was the ongoing $2.8bn Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline project, which has reached a 72 per cent completion rate as of the end of the first quarter of 2025.