From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
The Business Day Women in Leadership Summit has awarded Governor Uba Sani the Leadership and Inclusion Award for prioritizing inclusion as an economic strategy rather than charity.
The award ceremony, attended by government officials, industry leaders, and women professionals, was organized in partnership with Brooks and Blake and The Conversationalists in Lagos.
This year’s summit theme is ‘Give To Gain: Power, Purpose, and the Economics of Inclusive Leadership.’
The summit highlighted that ‘Governor Uba Sani has adopted a forward-thinking approach, viewing gender inclusion as a key driver of economic change, not just rhetoric.
‘’In a country where gender policies are often symbolic, Kaduna now stands out as an example of what can happen when inclusion becomes part of governance,’’ the summit noted.
Organizers stated that ‘what sets Governor Sani apart is his clear, principled, and pragmatic vision. His administration boldly declares that excluding women is both a social injustice and an economic inefficiency that harms Kaduna.’
Mrs. Patience Fakai, the Commissioner of Business, Innovation, and Technology, accepted the award on behalf of the Governor. She said the summit’s theme ‘speaks directly to the core of sustainable development today.’
‘’It reminds us that leadership involves responsibility—the duty to create fair, inclusive, and empowering systems for everyone,’’ she added.
Governor Uba Sani reaffirmed that his administration has adopted inclusion not as a slogan but as a core principle guiding policy and action.
‘’We believe no society can achieve lasting peace or economic growth if large segments of its population, especially women and young people, are excluded from opportunities,’’ he said.
He explained that ‘this belief guides our focus on developing human capital, reforming institutions, and empowering the economy.’
The governor mentioned Kaduna’s ongoing efforts to expand access to education while improving its quality, with policies aimed at increasing enrollment and retention of girls.
He emphasized that educating women is not just an ethical goal but also an economic necessity.
Our Arewa Ladies-4-Tech program, in partnership with Data Science Nigeria, trained over 5,000 women and girls in AI and digital skills, which we are proud of.
‘’Many participants have secured remote jobs internationally, supporting themselves and their families,’’ he shared.
He also announced that his administration has established a N5 billion Women Economic Empowerment Fund in the 2025 budget to support women entrepreneurs.
Further, his government’s Financial Inclusion Program, through an Executive Order in 2024, brought 2 million underserved people, mostly women, into the banking system to access social interventions.
Governor Uba Sani revealed that his government’s “A Kori Talauchi” poverty reduction scheme has supported nearly 4,900 women with livelihood packages.
‘In skills development and job creation, we are investing in innovative programs that prepare our youth, including young women, with future-ready skills.
‘Through partnerships and tech-driven initiatives, we aim to build a workforce that is competitive, resilient, and inclusive,’ he said, noting that the Kaduna State Institute for Vocational Training and Skills Development (KD-IVTSD) has three campuses across three districts for wider grassroots outreach.
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