Governor Uba Sani has attended the 2025 Christmas Carol organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Kaduna government, in fulfilment of his promise last year.
The event, attended by various Christian denominations, took place at the Umaru Yarádua Conference Centre, where prayers were offered, and songs were sung by different choristers.
It will be recalled that the Governor had attended last year’s Kaduna Unity Christmas carol at ECWA Goodnews Church, Narayi High Cost, where he promised to attend subsequent editions till the end of his tenure in office.
Speaking at the event on Sunday, Mr Sani stated that this was the third time he was sharing the ‘’sacred moment with the Christian family in our dear state’’.
He added, ‘’On each occasion, I was reminded with renewed clarity that faith remains one of the most enduring bridges to unity, healing, and
collective progress in our society.’’
The governor said that Christmas was not just the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ but “a season that speaks, gently yet powerfully, of love, sacrifice,
humility, compassion, and selfless service’’.
While appreciating religious leaders and the faithful across Kaduna, Mr Sani said that their prayers, counsel, and steadfast commitment to peace had played a vital role in sustaining stability in our state.
He added, “In moments of tension and uncertainty, you chose restraint over reaction, dialogue over division, unity over suspicion, and peace over provocation. These choices matter.”
The governor argued that these choices were shaping a more hopeful present and laying the foundations for a more secure and harmonious future for our people.
Mr Sani pointed out that hosting the Christmas carol symbolised openness, inclusion, and progress, maintaining, ‘’let Kaduna continue to stand as a model; a place where faith builds bridges, diversity fuels progress, and unity secures our shared future”.
He recalled that from his first day in office, on the 29th of May 2023, he made a solemn vow to serve as governor for all the people of Kaduna, without fear or favour, and irrespective of faith, ethnicity, or political affiliation.
According to him, that vow remains unbroken as he has committed himself to fairness, justice, equity, and inclusive governance.
Mr Sani also disclosed his scorecard across all sectors in his two and a half years as Kaduna’s number one citizen.
‘’In the first phase of our road infrastructure programme, we completed or advanced work on 85 roads covering a total of 785 kilometres. In phase two, we launched over 50 additional roads and bridges spanning more than 550 kilometres. Rural communities and long-neglected areas are now connected to markets, healthcare facilities, and urban centres,’’ he added.
The governor disclosed that before he assumed office, 12 local government areas had not benefited from a single kilometre of motorable road in over a decade.
He said, ‘’Today, by the grace of God and the collective support of our people, at least 18 local government areas are linked with modern, durable roads, with work ongoing to connect all 23 local government areas.”
The governor further said that his administration had upgraded 255 primary health care centres to level two status, the highest number achieved by any state in Nigeria.
According to him, this had brought quality healthcare closer to the
people, adding that ‘maternal and child health outcomes have improved
significantly, as pregnant women now access well-equipped and
adequately staffed facilities within their communities.
‘’A landmark achievement in this sector is the commissioning of a 300-bed specialist hospital named in honour of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,’’ he added.
Mr Sani maintained that agriculture, which contributes over 42 per cent of Kaduna’s gross domestic product, is receiving one of the largest budgetary allocations in its history.
He said that his government inherited an agricultural budget allocation of less than one per cent in 2023 but has consistently allocated over ten per cent to the sector in the last two years.
(NAN)