President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday commissioned a range of landmark projects in Kaduna State and conferred the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on retired Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, whom he described as a fearless defender of democracy during Nigeria’s military rule.
Tinubu declared Kaduna a model of peace and progress in Northern Nigeria, praising the leadership of Governor Uba Sani and acknowledging the state’s transformation
across critical sectors.
He said Governor Sani had elevated Kaduna from a tense and divided state to one now known for security, infrastructure growth, and youth development.
The President, while speaking at Murtala Square during the inauguration of projects, said he was happy to return to a state that holds strong political and democratic memories for him.
He described Uba Sani as “an agent of change, stability, love, unity, and progress,” adding that his performance was visible across the state—from road construction to education and social welfare.
Tinubu said Kaduna was now on the rise again and promised that the federal government would work with the state to sustain its progress.
He noted that peace had returned to previously volatile areas like Birnin Gwari and declared that security remains the bedrock of development.
He assured residents that the federal government would support Kaduna’s Light Rail project and other initiatives in health, agriculture, and human capital development. He said Kaduna’s investment in vocational training would serve as a national model for youth empowerment.
Tinubu used the visit to correct an omission from his June 12 Democracy Day address by announcing a CFR honour for Col. Dangiwa Umar.
He said the retired military officer deserved national recognition for his unflinching defence of the June 12, 1993, mandate and democratic principles during military rule.
The President described Col. Umar as one of the few who risked everything for democracy and said his contributions would never be forgotten. Col. Umar, who once governed Kaduna State under the military regime, resigned from the army after opposing the annulment of the 1993 presidential election and later founded the Movement for Unity and Progress.
Governor Uba Sani, in his remarks, hailed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and thanked him for the federal government’s continued support.
He said Kaduna had reclaimed over 500,000 hectares of farmland, reopened previously shut markets and schools, and launched strategic education and healthcare reforms.
He added that under his administration, Kaduna had witnessed a revival of community trust, rural investment, and social harmony.
Sani praised Tinubu’s leadership and said the President’s commitment to youth development, skills acquisition, and job creation had reignited hope across Nigeria. He said Kaduna would continue to serve as a benchmark of good governance under Tinubu’s mentorship.
President Tinubu commissioned several signature projects during his visit. These included a 300-bed specialist hospital, 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to boost Kaduna’s urban transport network, a 24-kilometre Kafanchan Township Road and Tudun Biri Road, and a 22-kilometre rural access road linking Kauru and Kubau Local Government Areas.
He also inaugurated the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development located in Rigachikun, Soba, and Samarun Kataf, as well as the Vocational and Skills Training Centre in Tudun Biri.
The event drew a high-powered delegation of dignitaries including former Vice President Namadi Sambo, Major General Zamani Lekwot (Rtd), the Emir of Zazzau, Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and governors of Lagos, Jigawa, Ekiti, Kwara, Imo, and Ogun states.
Also, Uba Sani named a newly completed specialist hospital after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in recognition of his leadership, dedication to national development, and commitment to the health sector.
The state-of-the-art facility comprises nine dedicated wings, including maternal and child health, radiology and imaging, intensive care, and special care units.
Speaking during the commissioning, Governor Sani revealed that the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority had granted approval for the establishment of a cancer treatment and nuclear medicine centre within the hospital premises.
He, however, appealed to President Tinubu for federal support to actualise the critical health infrastructure.
