ACF North’s Intellectual Engine Room—Gov. Sani

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has advised the Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF) to continue to serve as the intellectual engine room of the North by guiding governance, shaping policy, fostering dialogue and preserving unity.

The governor who gave this advice in his remarks as chief host at the 25th anniversary celebration of the ACF in Kaduna yesterday, also said the forum remained a vital platform  for the region’s  stability and advancement.

He promised to work with the ACF, the federal government under President Bola Tinubu,  sister states, development partners, civil society and the private sector to build a North that is secure, inclusive, prosperous and globally competitive.

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe at the occasion, revisited the courageous origin of the ACF from March 7, 2000 in Kaduna.

‘’As we celebrate this historic milestone, let us recommit ourselves to the founding ideals of the forum which are unity, justice, dialogue and the pursuit of collective progress.

‘’May the next 25 years bring even greater achievements, deeper cohesion and a stronger, more peaceful Northern Nigeria,’’ he prayed.

The governor expressed gratitude to President  Tinubu, whom he said was leading courageously and strategically, the drive to better secure Nigeria, promote national reforms and ensure the economic reengineering of the nation.

Speaking on Kaduna State, he said, ‘’Our administration has embraced a leadership approach rooted in inclusion, transparency, reconciliation, and citizen participation. These principles are rebuilding trust and deepening engagements across communities.’’

Governor Sani noted  that his administration was confronting  the security challenges in the state, using a combination of inclusive governance, community engagement and infrastructure development which is referred to as the Kaduna Peace Model.

‘’The Kaduna Peace Model recognises that peace is not enforced, it is engineered.  It is built through the equitable distribution of projects, participatory budgeting, human capital development and the deliberate redesign of public spaces to promote coexistence.

‘’It is anchored in the belief that design, planning, and governance are powerful instruments for social harmony,’’ he added.

The governor disclosed that calm had been restored across vulnerable communities through intelligence-driven coordination, robust support for security agencies, the empowerment of local institutions, and the integration of technology.

He said, ‘’Farmers have returned to their farmlands with renewed hope, supported by our programs in mechanisation, modern inputs, extension services and market access. Kaduna State continues to uphold its reputation as a food basket for the region.’’

He listed his government’s achievements in the health and education sectors as well as infrastructure development since he assumed office.

‘’We have upgraded secondary  hospitals, revitalised primary healthcare centers, and strengthened maternal and child health programs.  Our vision is a Kaduna State where no citizen is denied healthcare because of distance or poverty,” he said.