By Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has congratulated former governor of the state and former senator, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, on his 70th birthday, describing him as a distinguished statesman whose contributions to governance, peacebuilding and rural development remain relevant to Kaduna State.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Governor Sani said Makarfi devoted a significant part of his life to serving Kaduna State and Nigeria, describing his tenure as governor between 1999 and 2007 as an important chapter in the state’s history.
The governor said Makarfi demonstrated that effective leadership was not merely about exercising authority but also about listening, building bridges, accommodating differences and promoting consensus.
“Makarfi demonstrated that leadership went beyond exercising authority. It involved listening, building bridges, accommodating differences, and finding common ground,” Sani said.
According to him, Makarfi’s commitment to dialogue, inclusion, respect for diversity and accessible governance helped strengthen community relations during a challenging period in Kaduna’s history.
Sani also noted that the former governor’s acceptance across ethnic, religious and political divides reflected the impact of his years in public service.
He said Kaduna State’s ongoing efforts to promote peace, security, inclusion and economic prosperity were part of a broader development process shaped by the contributions of successive administrations.
Makarfi’s rural development legacy
Governor Sani further linked Makarfi’s legacy to his administration’s ongoing emphasis on grassroots development.
He said the Makarfi administration invested in key sectors, including agriculture, primary healthcare, education and rural infrastructure, which he described as priorities that remain central to the state’s current rural transformation agenda.
“Just as Makarfi’s government prioritized rural communities, our administration is now investing in rural roads, healthcare centers, school rehabilitation, and agricultural support to uplift grassroots communities,” the governor stated.
Sani described Makarfi’s development approach as relevant to addressing the needs of ordinary citizens across Kaduna State.
City Boy Movement celebrates Makarfi
The Kaduna State chapter of the City Boy Movement (CBM) also congratulated Makarfi on his 70th birthday, describing him as a democratic icon and a pillar of rural development.
In a statement signed by its State Director of Media and Communications, Hon. Victor Mathew Bobai, the group said Makarfi’s tenure as governor was marked by calmness, wisdom and maturity.
“His tenure was a defining period during which he demonstrated calm, wisdom, and uncommon maturity. He strengthened institutions, promoted peace, and established a foundation for public service that continues to benefit the state,” the group said.
The CBM also highlighted Makarfi’s contributions beyond Kaduna State, noting that he served as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and played a prominent role in national politics, including his tenure as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Caretaker Committee.
The group commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for recognising Makarfi’s contributions to national development, saying such recognition demonstrated the importance of statesmanship and national unity beyond partisan politics.
Governor Sani described Makarfi’s decades of public service as an inspiration to younger generations, saying his career demonstrated how public office could create a lasting legacy when anchored on humility, courage and commitment to the common good.
He prayed for good health, renewed strength, wisdom and many more years of fulfilment for the former governor in his service to humanity, Kaduna State and Nigeria.
Makarfi served as Kaduna State governor from 1999 to 2007 and later represented Kaduna North Senatorial District in the National Assembly. He also served as chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
