Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has expressed concern over the plight of the North and tasked northern political elites to prioritize the region's development. He made this appeal when the leadership of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation paid him a courtesy call at the Government House in Kaduna. The Governor emphasized the need for a common agenda to tackle the region's challenges, including out-of-school children, deficit in skill-based education, and inadequate healthcare delivery.
Governor Sani highlighted the alarming rates of maternal and child mortality in Northern Nigeria, as well as the high number of out-of-school children. According to UNICEF statistics, there are approximately 18 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, with 70% of them residing in Northern Nigeria. The Governor noted that his administration has made significant progress in returning children to school, with over 360,000 children enrolled in various schools out of 500,000 initially identified as out-of-school.
The Governor's administration has prioritized primary healthcare, focusing on the medical needs of the poor and rural dwellers. He emphasized that healthcare is a fundamental right, particularly for the less privileged and vulnerable members of society. Governor Sani also disclosed that the Kaduna State government has established an Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development, which has graduated over 4,000 artisans and tradespeople.
The Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development has campuses in Soba, Rigachikun, and Samarun Kataf, covering the Northern, Central, and Southern senatorial districts. The Institute focuses on practical skills in areas such as ICT, mechatronics, and renewable energy, linking education directly to employment, entrepreneurship, and emerging industries. Governor Sani announced plans to admit 32,000 students, with a capacity to train over 30,000 youths annually.
The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation is set to hold a summit on October 28, 2026, with the theme "Good Governance, Industry and Creativity, as well as Sustainable Development." Governor Sani will be the Chief Host and Special Guest of Honour at the event. The summit aims to bring attention to core issues of human capital development in the North.
Former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mua'zu Babangida Aliyu, led the delegation to Governor Sani and thanked him for allocating 50 hectares of land to the Foundation for the establishment of the Arewa Unity University. The Foundation's efforts to promote development in the North were commended by Governor Sani, who acknowledged the need for collective action to address the region's challenges.
Governor Sani's call for a united approach to regional development reflects a growing concern among stakeholders about the North's socio-economic challenges. The Governor's initiatives, such as the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development, demonstrate a commitment to addressing these challenges. The forthcoming summit is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss solutions to the region's problems.
Key points
- Governor Uba Sani tasks northern elites to focus on charting a development blueprint.
- The North faces challenges such as out-of-school children, deficit in skill-based education, and inadequate healthcare delivery.
- Kaduna State has established an Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development to address unemployment and enhance human capital development.
