The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has honoured Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State with a Special Recognition Award for his outstanding leadership and transformative governance. The award was presented during the official opening of the PGF Quarterly Meeting of Commissioners for Youth and Sports in APC-Governed States, held at Stonehedge Hotel, on Thursday.
PGF Director-General Mr. Folorunso S. Aluko commended Governor Sani for his steadfast commitment to progressive values, highlighting his impactful contributions to youth empowerment, innovation, and inclusive development. The award acknowledged his leadership in various sectors including education, digital learning, industrialisation, and agricultural modernisation.
The Forum praised Governor Sani as “a visionary, reform-minded, and people-driven leader,” noting his transparent and data-informed approach to governance. His efforts in fostering peace, unity, and economic inclusion were recognised as benchmarks for subnational governance in Nigeria.
“Governor Uba Sani’s contributions to the economic and social fabric of Kaduna have set a new standard for governance at the state level,” said Aluko, emphasizing the Governor’s achievements in sectors crucial to the state’s development.
Representing the Governor, Kaduna State’s Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe received the award. During her speech, she stressed the importance of practical solutions and policy realignment. Dr. Balarabe highlighted that the Kaduna State Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (K-YEEP) has supported over 6,000 startups in less than two years. Furthermore, the state’s TechHubs have empowered youth in fields such as AI, cybersecurity, and robotics.
Governor Sani also underscored his administration’s Grassroots Sports Acceleration Initiative and the renovation of 18 community sports centres, emphasising that these initiatives demonstrate his commitment to youth development and national unity.
The Deputy Governor called on Commissioners to shift from policy discussions to measuring the success of youth initiatives through tangible outcomes, including job creation, business launches, and community improvements. In her remarks, Kaduna’s Commissioner for Youth Development, Barrister Gloria Ibrahim, urged attendees to “forge actionable commitments that ensure no young person’s potential is shackled by their postcode.”
Barrister Ibrahim also proposed adopting Kaduna’s 70-20-10 model in youth empowerment strategies, which advocates for 70% practical skills, 20% mentorship, and 10% theory to create meaningful developmental outcomes.
