By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
KADUNA’s transformation from a conflict-prone region to a model of stability and development came into sharp focus on Thursday as President Bola Tinubu celebrated the state on his X handle.
The President, commissioning major infrastructure projects and endorsing Governor Uba Sani’s performance as a symbol of Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, expressed gladness at what he witnessed.
Tinubu’s one-day working visit was marked by the launch of a compressed natural gas (CNG) mass transit system, Nigeria’s second Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) of its kind alongside roads, hospitals, schools, and skills centres in the Rigachikun area of Igabi Local Government.
The projects are part of Kaduna’s strategy to bridge the rural-urban development gap.
Describing the Kaduna State Governor as “an agent of change, stability, love, unity, and progress,” the President praised Sani for shifting the state’s trajectory away from insecurity and stagnation towards peace and economic revival.
He noted a stark contrast between the current environment and the “tense and toxic” atmosphere he encountered during his 2022 campaign visit, particularly citing improved safety in historically volatile areas like Birnin-Gwari.
“I have it on good authority that you can move to Birnin Gwari today around midnight without fear of attack,” Tinubu remarked, crediting the state government’s focus on peacebuilding as the foundation for broader development.
Tinubu’s visit also served as a rallying point for All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, whom he commended for their show of unity and support for his administration.
Their presence, he said, reflected a shared commitment to inclusive growth and responsive governance.
Speaking at the Rigachikun commissioning site, Tinubu reiterated the federal government’s support for local development, stating,
“These projects reflect our shared vision of a Nigeria where no community is left behind. Development must reach the people across all senatorial zones of Kaduna.”
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Responding, Governor Uba Sani described the President’s visit as a morale booster that reaffirmed the synergy between federal and state efforts to improve lives at the grassroots.
“Our strategy is intentional,” Sani said. “We’re working to ensure that rural communities are not treated as afterthoughts. What you see here today is only the beginning.”
The unveiled projects reflect a pivot towards sustainable infrastructure, with emphasis on clean energy transportation, modernised healthcare, and expanded educational access.
The new CNG-powered buses are expected to reduce transport costs and carbon emissions while improving connectivity within and beyond the city.
Security was tightened during the President’s stopover, with personnel from the Nigerian Police, Civil Defence, and Armed Forces maintaining surveillance across major routes.
The presidential convoy attracted large crowds in multiple neighbourhoods, where residents lined the streets to witness what many described as a historic moment in the state’s development journey.
By midday, Tinubu had landed at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Kaduna and was received by top state officials, traditional rulers, and enthusiastic citizens waving flags and chanting support.
The President’s trip to Rigachikun and other engagements formed the core of his day-long tour before returning to Abuja in the evening.
The Kaduna visit followed similar engagements in Benue State, where the President led a high-level condolence mission.
Highlighting the back-to-back visits, Tinubu praised the unity among APC governors, stating that their presence at both events signals a commitment to healing, rebuilding, and national progress.
