Femi Oyelola
The Northern Christian Youth Professionals have commended Governor Uba Sani for restoring peace and unity in Kaduna State, describing his administration’s security initiatives as a model for the entire North.
The group made the commendation on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Sule Shu’aibu, SAN, in Kaduna.
Speaking during the visit, the National Chairman of the group, Mr. Isaac Abrak, said the Northern Christian Youth Professionals is a coalition of Christian professionals from the 19 northern states working to improve living conditions and promote inter-religious harmony.
“We pride ourselves on the fact that it was not difficult for us to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2022, the Muslim-Muslim ticket. On the 1st of February, 2022, we came out clearly and declared support because it is in line with what we set out to achieve,” Mr. Abrak said.
He said the group’s core goal is promoting inter-religious harmony, noting that division in the past had led to the “back-pedaling of our development in the state, and also in the North.”
Mr. Abrak commended the Commissioner and the governor for the improved security situation in the state.
“Honorable Commissioner, I like to commend you for all the things that you have been doing to secure our state under the leadership of our amiable governor, Senator Uba Sani, who has made it very, very clear that security is his top priority,” he said.
“I was coming from Abuja this morning, and we were driving with ease. No fear. People even stop on the road to buy snacks and have conversations. Sir, a few years ago, you couldn’t do this. Birnin Gwari is a thing of pride,” he added.
He attributed the progress to unity, saying, “Governor Uba Sani has been able to unite Kaduna people, especially along religious lines.”
Mr. Abrak also lauded the establishment of the *Peace and Reconciliation Council* and the commencement of training for the *Kaduna State Forest Guard* on June 5.
He disclosed that the Northern Christian Youth Professionals were the lead advocates for the revitalization of the Forest Guard, noting that President Tinubu had promised to do so in his manifesto.
“We started our advocacy on the day the Tinubu-Shettima Campaign was flagged off in Jos. When the President issued the directive last March to establish the armed Forest Guard, we continued to make the calls. So when we saw ‘Kaduna State commenced training,’ we were very, very excited,” he said.
The group further recommended the recruitment of more Forest Guard personnel from frontline local governments such as Lere, Kauru, and Zangon Kataf, citing the *Mahanga Forest Belt* that runs through the areas as a major flashpoint.
On state policing, Mr. Abrak said Governor Uba Sani deserves credit for championing the bill both in the Senate and as governor.
“Everybody knows that our governor is the first person to stand up on the floor of the Senate and push for state policing. Today we have a bill amended by the National Assembly waiting for state assemblies,” he said.
He urged citizens to support the re-election of both President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani to consolidate the gains.
“Let us encourage our people that if we do not support their re-election, somebody else can come and decide to dissolve the Forest Guard and the state police. These agencies are recruiting people from the villages.
Mr. Abrak also presented a plaque awarded to the group by the National Orientation Agency in recognition of its work in promoting national unity.
In his response, Dr. Shu’aibu expressed delight at the interface.
He described Governor Uba Sani as a leader who believes in democracy and does not discriminate.
“Within a period of just less than two years, he’s been able to turn around the security situation in the state for the better. The principle of all-inclusivity has been at the bedrock of his governance structure,” the Commissioner said.
“Whether you are a Christian, whether you are a Muslim, the youth, religious leaders, traditional institutions, he brings everybody on board.
That is why today we can boast that we can go to sleep with our eyes closed. Since he came in, we’ve not had any communal or religious crisis,” Dr. Shu’aibu added.
He said the governor treats every resident as an indigene of Kaduna and has delivered development in both urban and rural areas.
“I can assure you that what we have seen so far will be the tip of the iceberg if, by your prayers and cooperation, he comes back in 2027.
We are the ones who are now indebted to him. Come 2027 February, we should be able to say, please come back again,” he said.
Dr. Shu’aibu assured the group of government support and pledged to convey their recommendations to the governor.
