Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has delivered a powerful message of unity and shared humanity during the 2025 Christmas carol service held in the state capital. The event, which took place on Sunday, was organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in partnership with the Kaduna State Government.
A Commitment to Unity and Shared Faith
Governor Sani's attendance fulfilled a promise he made at last year's edition, held at the ECWA Goodnews Church in Narayi High Cost. He pledged then to attend every subsequent carol until the end of his tenure. Speaking at the Umaru Yar'adua Conference Centre, the governor noted this was his third time sharing in what he called a "sacred moment with the Christian family in our dear state."
He emphasised that faith serves as a crucial bridge to unity, healing, and collective progress in society. Governor Sani reflected that Christmas is not merely a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ but a season that powerfully communicates love, sacrifice, humility, and compassion. "These virtues transcend religious boundaries and speak directly to our shared humanity," he stated.
The governor asserted that his presence was a matter of personal choice, conviction, and commitment to all citizens. He praised religious leaders and the faithful across Kaduna for their role in sustaining peace, highlighting their choices of restraint over reaction, dialogue over division, and unity over suspicion during tense moments.
Governor Sani's Scorecard: Roads, Health, and Agriculture
Using the platform, Governor Sani provided a detailed account of his administration's achievements over the past two and a half years. He reaffirmed his inaugural vow to serve all people of Kaduna State without fear or favour, irrespective of faith, ethnicity, or political affiliation.
In infrastructure, his administration has made significant strides:
- Completed or advanced work on 85 roads covering 785 kilometres in the first phase.
- Launched over 50 additional roads and bridges spanning more than 550 kilometres in the second phase.
- Connected rural and long-neglected areas to markets and healthcare.
A notable achievement is linking at least 18 local government areas with modern roads, up from 12 LGAs that had not seen a single kilometre of motorable road in over a decade before he took office. Work is ongoing to connect all 23 LGAs.
In the health sector, the administration has upgraded 255 Primary Health Care Centres to Level Two status, reportedly the highest number by any state in Nigeria. This has improved maternal and child health outcomes. The governor also commissioned a 300-bed Specialist Hospital named after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Prioritising Agriculture for Economic Growth
Governor Sani highlighted agriculture, which contributes over 42% to Kaduna State's GDP, as a major priority. He revealed that his government inherited an agricultural budget allocation of less than 1% in 2023 but has consistently allocated over 10% in the last two years.
This allocation has been increased to about 12% in the 2026 budget, surpassing the target set by the Malabo Declaration. This shift aims to move the sector from subsistence to sustainability. He also thanked President Tinubu for selecting Kaduna as the pilot state for the Nigeria-China Poultry Project, calling it a vote of confidence in the state.
In his closing remarks, Governor Sani stated that hosting the Christmas Carol symbolises openness, inclusion, and progress. He urged that "Kaduna continue to stand as a model; a place where faith builds bridges, diversity fuels progress, and unity secures our shared future."
