By Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has urged the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to continue serving as the “intellectual engine room” of Northern Nigeria.
He emphasized the importance of the ACF in guiding governance, shaping policy, fostering dialogue, and preserving unity.
His remarks were made during the 25th anniversary celebration of the ACF in Kaduna, where he served as the chief host.
The Governor pledged to collaborate with the ACF, the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, neighboring states, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to build a North that is secure, inclusive, prosperous, and globally competitive. He highlighted that the forum is a vital platform for the region’s stability and advancement.
Represented by his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, Sani reflected on the courageous origins of the ACF, which began on March 7, 2000, in Kaduna
. She stated, “As we celebrate this historic milestone, let us recommit ourselves to the founding ideals of the Forum: unity, justice, dialogue, and the pursuit of collective progress.”
The Governor expressed a hope that the next twenty-five years would bring even greater achievements, deeper cohesion, and a stronger, more peaceful Northern Nigeria.
He also thanked President Tinubu for his “courageous and strategic” leadership in securing Nigeria, promoting national reforms, and ensuring economic revitalization.
Focusing on Kaduna State, Governor Sani outlined his administration’s approach, which emphasizes inclusion, transparency, reconciliation, and citizen participation.
He affirmed that these principles are rebuilding trust and deepening community engagement.
He described how his government is addressing the state’s security challenges through a combination of inclusive governance, community engagement, and infrastructure development, which he terms the “Kaduna Peace Model.”
This model recognizes that peace is not merely enforced, but is cultivated through an equitable distribution of resources, participatory budgeting, human capital development, and a deliberate redesign of public spaces to promote coexistence.
“Peace is anchored in the belief that design, planning, and governance are powerful instruments for social harmony,” he added.
The Governor reported that calm has been restored in vulnerable communities through intelligence-driven coordination, robust support for security agencies, empowerment of local institutions, and the integration of technology.
He noted that farmers have returned to their fields with renewed hope, supported by initiatives in mechanization, modern inputs, extension services, and market access. “Kaduna State continues to uphold its reputation as a food basket for the region,” he asserted.
Governor Sani highlighted his government’s achievements in both health and education. “We have upgraded secondary hospitals, revitalized primary healthcare centers, and strengthened maternal and child health programs. Our vision is a Kaduna State where no citizen is denied healthcare due to distance or poverty,” he stated.
“Our commitment to education is unwavering. We are expanding enrollment, improving facilities, training teachers, equipping schools, and strengthening technical and tertiary institutions. Education remains the foundation of our long-term peace and development strategy,” he continued.
Lastly, he emphasized that infrastructure development is being delivered equitably across all 23 local government areas, with a strong focus on balancing the needs of both rural and urban areas. “Through these efforts, we are laying the foundation for a more secure, inclusive, and prosperous North,” concluded Governor Uba Sani.
