@ubasanius Amin. Allah ya daura ka kan makiyan ka yabaka kariya daga sharrin su. Ya shirye yaron chan Danganye mara ilimin addini meyiwa manya rashin kunya idan yabugu.
Haters are those with low self-esteem. They don’t believe in themselves; so they try to put other people down in a sick way to lift themselves up. Don’t let their criticism and negativity distract you from your goals in life.
I had the honour today of declaring open the maiden Kaduna State Social Protection Summit with the theme "Rethinking Social Protection Systems: Building Integrated Systems for Comprehensiveness and Financial Inclusion.”
The summit which is holding at Yar'Adua Conference Hall, Murtala Square, Kaduna was organized to showcase to the world what we are doing in Kaduna State in the area of Social Protection. It will also be devoted to sharing experiences in the implementation of social intervention programmes and fashioning effective strategies for fighting poverty and addressing food insecurity.
Since we assumed office in May 2023, we have placed high premium on bringing succor to the poor, vulnerable and the underserved in Kaduna State. We have been carrying out pro-poor measures to bring needed relief to our citizens. Few days after I took the oath of office, I signed an Executive Order on Financial Inclusion to address the exclusion of the poor, under-served and vulnerable from financial services and ensure that they benefit from social intervention programs of Kaduna State and the Federal Government. The aim is to empower people with tools like savings accounts, credit, insurance, and digital payment options, enabling them to participate in the formal financial system, manage their finances, and build economic resilience.
We set for ourselves the target of facilitating the opening of 2.5 million bank accounts for poor, vulnerable and underserved citizens of Kaduna State. Through our efforts, 2 million bank accounts have been opened. We are working assiduously to ensure that bank accounts are opened for the remaining 500,000 less privileged citizens of Kaduna State. I also signed into law the State Social Security Bill and the Kaduna State Social Investment Programmes Bill which created an agency to coordinate all national and sub-national social protection interventions in the State.
We have developed a credible Social Register for Social Intervention Programs. Because of the effective implementation of the Executive Order on Financial Inclusion, especially the opening of bank accounts and development of a credible Social Register, our previously excluded citizens are now able to benefit from Kaduna State and Federal Government's social intervention programs.
I have given approval for the design of 3 Flagship Social Protection Programmes and would seek the collaboration of national and international development agencies to effectively implement them. The programmes are as follows: (i) Kaduna State Universal Child Grant Programme (ii) Ultra-Poor Graduation Programme for Women in Rural Areas, and (iii) Kaduna State Old-Age Social Pension Scheme for the Informal Sector
We have impacted on the lives of our citizens through our social protection programmes, but challenges remain. We must continue to refine our processes and come up with creative and innovative strategies to pull our citizens out of poverty. We require support and cooperation of national and international development agencies to improve the delivery of basic services for the poor with focus on health, education and social protection. We also need support to implement programmes on financial inclusion and literacy for the poor and vulnerable, humanitarian response focusing on internally displaced persons (IDPs), improving peace, safety and security, and improving fiscal sustainability and integrity of public finance/expenditure.
I would like to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of the following partners to the progress so far made in bringing succor to the poor, vulnerable and underserved in Kaduna State: the World Bank, Save the Children International, GAIN, and UNICEF. I also appreciate the efforts of our indigenous Kaduna Social Protection Accountability Coalition for co-organizing the Social Protection Summit with the Kaduna State Government, and for their dedication to the wellbeing of all residents of the State.
Today, I visited our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to update him on our progress in the areas of security and human capital development. I also seized the opportunity to thank Mr. President for his commitment to the speedy completion of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road, the Eastern Bypass in Kaduna, the construction of Mando-Birnin Gwari Road and Kafanchan-Kwoi road. He promised to give us all the support needed to stabilize Kaduna State and address our key developmental challenges.
I had the honour of receiving in audience today the 43rd General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Maj. Gen. MLD Saraso. He was in Sir Kashim Ibrahim House to formally inform me of his new posting, identify with the vision and efforts of our administration in the area of security, and to unveil his programme aimed at ensuring a safe, secure and peaceful environment in Kaduna State.
I applauded the new GOC for his proactive steps since his arrival in Kaduna. He has been able, in the last one month, to assist in stabilizing the security situation in Kaduna. He played a key role in efforts at securing the release of the Kuriga school children. I assured the GOC of our commitment to strengthening our existing partnership.
I also seized the opportunity of the courtesy visit to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his commitment to winning the war against terrorism, banditry, insurgency, and other forms of criminality. We shall continue to partner with security forces to degrade criminal elements laying siege to our communities. Securing our communities is key to revamping agriculture and addressing poverty. We are in discussion with neighbouring states to fashion a common approach to fighting insecurity and addressing developmental challenges. No state can work in isolation.
Senator Uba Sani,
Governor, Kaduna State.
April 30th, 2024.
Today, I had the honour of hosting another meeting of the Northern States Governors' Forum chaired by H.E. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya. The meeting deliberated on critical issues affecting Northern Nigeria, assessed various models of State Policing, and took presentations and report from the Technical Committee on the New Nigeria Development Company NNDC), Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) and World Bank Team, Executive Committee and Board of Trustees of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), and the Coalition of Northern Group on the security in Northern Nigeria.
The Forum expressed deepest sympathy and collective support to the Governments and people of Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Plateau and Zamfara States over the unprecedented security challenges currently affecting the States and resolved to stand in solidarity with them during these difficult times. While expressing concern that the region currently bears the burden of having the highest number of out of School Children in the World, the Forum committed itself to invest massively in education and skill development, health care and social services in order to address the menace.
In view of the expected role of the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) in the revitalization of the economy of Northern States, the Forum resolved that members should study the Technical Committee's Report on NNDC for consideration at the next meeting of the Forum. While noting that climate change, unsustainable agricultural practices and population growth poses significant challenges to the region, the Forum resolved to adopt holistic approach that promote environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture and responsible resource management to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people and preserve the national heritage of generations yet unborn.
The Forum commended the Federal Government under the dynamic, focused and courageous leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR which has demonstrated total commitment to winning the war against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
Senator Uba Sani,
Governor, Kaduna State.
April 30th, 2024.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum remain resolute towards addressing issues affecting the Northern Nigeria. Some issues deliberated at the meeting include; State Policing, Out-of-school children, Healthcare, Agriculture, Revitalization of the northern economy amongst others.
Ya Allah! In Your infinite mercy, we ask for Your forgiveness of our sins. Give us the strength of faith, the reality of hope, the joy of charity, the contentment of a happy heart. Grant us good health, reward every little good deed we do in multiples and guide us in the right path, path of those whom You have favored. Ameen.
JUMA’AT MUBARAK