Kaduna Emerges Among Top 15 at NASENI InnovateNaija Awards Kaduna State has emerged among the top 15 states recognised at the 2026 NASENI InnovateNaija Innovation Challenge, with its representative, Abdulrahaman Bin Umar, an English Language undergraduate from Anchau, receiving a N2.5 million prize for his SmartFarm innovation. Bin Umar was among the 15 state champions selected from more than 1,300 competitors across Nigeria for developing technology-driven solutions to local challenges. His SmartFarm innovation, a drone capable of spraying up to 11 hectares of farmland in one hour, is designed to provide affordable and efficient agricultural support to smallholder farmers. In a show of support for young innovators, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, matched NASENI’s N2.5 million prize, bringing Bin Umar’s total startup grant to N5 million. Speaking at the ceremony, held on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, who represented Governor Sani, congratulated the winners and described the programme as more than a competition. She said the initiative represented “a renaissance of Nigerian ingenuity,” stressing that the wealth of modern nations was increasingly measured by the creativity and knowledge of their people rather than only by their natural resources. Balarabe said InnovateNaija had created a pipeline for national prosperity by identifying, refining and accelerating innovative ideas across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT. She noted that the programme was helping to bridge the gap between raw talent and the resources needed to compete in the global market. According to her, Kaduna State remains committed to digital inclusion and innovation as tools for rural transformation and youth empowerment. She urged investors to see the innovators not merely as startups, but as potential pillars of Nigeria’s emerging economy. The awards ceremony featured winners across four categories: Future Makers, NASENI Inter-Agency Innovation Award, NASENI Intra-Agency Award and InnovateNaija. A total of N250 million was presented to winners. Adaeze Ruth Akpagbula of Abia State won the top InnovateNaija prize of N100 million for Smart Poultry, while Ondo State’s Oluwatoyin Ogundeji and Katsina State’s Aminu Saleh Jino won N30 million and N20 million respectively. Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Ude (SAN), said Nigerian ingenuity remained central to the nation’s prosperity, noting that science, technology and innovation were critical to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

GOVERNOR SANI PAYS CONDOLENCE VISIT TO BABA-AHMED FAMILY Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani today visited the Baba-Ahmed family in Kaduna to offer condolences following the death of Malam Nafiu Baba-Ahmed. Malam Nafiu was a respected legal practitioner, Islamic scholar, former senior banker, and Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria. During the visit, the Governor offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Describing the late Malam Nafiu as an elder brother and statesman, Governor Sani said he considered himself a member of the family. He prayed that Almighty Allah would forgive the deceased, grant him Jannatul Firdaus, and give the family the fortitude to bear their loss.

A STRATEGIC LEAP TOWARDS 2027! In a monumental display of visionary leadership and unity, His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani, is hosting a high-level strategic engagement with all 255 Ward Councillors across Kaduna State. This pivotal meeting underscores a bold, forward-looking roadmap aimed at deepening grassroot development while solidifying a robust strategy to ensure a resounding victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani, and all All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the upcoming 2027 elections. The Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Muttaqa Rabe Darma, the Special Adviser to the President on Political and Other Matters, alongside other senior government officials at both the state and federal levels, were also in attendance Key Highlights of the Engagement: - Grassroots Alignment: Synergy between state executive leadership and local council representatives to drive impactful governance directly to the people. - Unanimous Endorsement: In a historic move, the Council of Councillors unanimously passed a Vote of Confidence on President Tinubu, Governor Sani, and the entire APC leadership. - Unwavering Commitment: The 255 councillors solemnly pledged their full dedication to mobilizing grassroots support and delivering victory across all wards in Kaduna State.

The Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, is receiving the management team of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners on a courtesy visit at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House. The union, led by Deputy National Chairman Comrade Chief Abdullahi Onu Usman, is at the Government House to express its deep gratitude to His Excellency for the prompt and consistent payment of pension arrears and gratuity. Just last week, the Governor released ₦3.959 billion to clear pension arrears, gratuity, and death benefits for retirees and families of the deceased. This brings the cumulative amount his administration has paid so far to ₦21.455 billion, benefiting 9,683 people. Speaking during the visit, the pensioners remarked that Governor Uba Sani has written his name in gold in their hearts. They highlighted that under his leadership, pensioners now receive their payments at the same time as active civil servants, well before the month ends. They recalled how, in the past, local government pensioners had to wait up to two weeks after state pensioners received theirs. Today, that story has changed; every pensioner in Kaduna State gets paid at the same time, before the month runs out.