President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended Governor Uba Sani for repositioning Kaduna state as a beacon of hope and progress, as he commissioned several landmark projects during one day official visit to on Thursday.

The President, who declared Kaduna “a rising star in Nigeria’s development journey,” unveiled a 300-bed specialist hospital, 100 CNG-powered buses for public transport, an institute of vocational skills and training, and other infrastructure across the state.

In a major announcement, President Tinubu disclosed that the Federal Government has voted N100 billion for the Kaduna Light Rail Project in the 2025 budget, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to modern mass transit.

“From insecurity to inclusion, Kaduna is clearly on the rise,” Tinubu declared during a civic reception held in his honour at Murtala Square, Kaduna.

“Governor Uba Sani has turned challenges into opportunities and created a new atmosphere of unity, growth and hope.”

The President also used the occasion to announce a national honour—Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR)—to retired Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar for his patriotic service, noting his omission in the June 12 Democracy Day speech.

Highlighting Kaduna’s development strides, Tinubu described the newly commissioned Institute of Vocational Training as a model for national replication, and lauded the deployment of eco-friendly compressed natural gas (CNG) buses as a forward-thinking move that aligns with the Federal Government’s green energy drive.

Responding, Governor Uba Sani thanked the President for his consistent support, describing Tinubu as a leader whose vision has reshaped national priorities.

“Kaduna is no longer defined by fear. We are defined by infrastructure, education and productivity,” the governor said.

He disclosed that 535 schools earlier shut due to insecurity have reopened, while over 500,000 hectares of farmland previously abandoned are now active. He also revealed that the new CNG buses would be made free for students, civil servants and pensioners for the next six months.

Sani said Kaduna had constructed 79 roads spanning over 780km, built 62 new secondary schools, and renovated more than 1,000 classrooms.

He also announced a 50 percent reduction in tuition fees across state-owned tertiary institutions.

He urged Northerners to rally behind President Tinubu, noting that “this is the leader who stood by us when we needed it most.”

The President also commissioned the remodeled Panteka Market, now repositioned as Africa’s largest informal skills hub, housing over 38,000 artisans with internationally recognised certifications.

Former Vice President Namadi Sambo, who initiated the specialist hospital as governor in 2009, described its completion as a dream fulfilled.

“Kaduna had fewer than 3,000 hospital beds for over six million people. This hospital fills a critical gap,” he said.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, praised President Tinubu’s administration for restoring federal presence to the state.

He listed key projects such as the Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline (now 72% complete), the Ibadan-Kaduna-Kano railway, FMC Kafanchan, and University of Applied Sciences in Kachia as transformative interventions.

“These are not just projects—they are signals of inclusion and renewed hope,” the Speaker said.

Dignitaries at the event included several serving governors, the deputy Senate President, Emir of Zazzau Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, federal ministers, and thousands of residents who trooped out to show support.

The visit, observers say, signalled a new phase of federal-state synergy in Kaduna and reaffirmed President Tinubu’s resolve to deliver on infrastructure, education and economic reforms.