PGF honours Uba Sani for transformative leadership

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has received a Special Recognition Award from the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) for his outstanding leadership and commitment to youth empowerment, innovation, and inclusive development.

The award was presented at the official opening of the PGF Quarterly Meeting of Commissioners for Youth and Sports in APC-governed states, held on Thursday at the Stonehedge Hotel, Abuja.

Presenting the award, PGF Director-General, Mr. Folorunso S. Aluko, described Governor Sani as a “visionary, reform-minded, and people-driven leader” whose administration exemplifies the ideals of progressive governance. He praised the governor’s achievements in education, digital innovation, agriculture, industrialisation, and health, all driven by a transparent, data-informed approach.

Governor Sani was represented at the event by his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, who received the award and declared the meeting open. In her remarks, she described Kaduna as not just the host but a model of youth-focused and people-centred governance.

Highlighting key achievements, Governor Sani said the Kaduna Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (K-YEEP) has supported over 6,000 startups in less than two years. He also noted the impact of the Kaduna TechHUBs, which have trained young people in AI, cybersecurity, and robotics.

On sports development, the governor cited the Grassroots Sports Acceleration Initiative and the renovation of 18 community sports centres as evidence of the state’s commitment to youth development and national unity.

He commended the PGF Secretariat for enhancing state visibility and collaboration through innovations like the PGF Executive Briefs and Weekly Pulse publications in five languages. He also urged Commissioners to go beyond policy discussions and focus on measurable outcomes such as jobs created, businesses launched, and sports achievements.

In her welcome address, Kaduna State Commissioner for Youth Development, Barrister Gloria Ibrahim, emphasized the importance of taking concrete actions. “We gather not just for a meeting, but for a mission: to transform the narrative of youth development across our Progressive States,” she said.

She urged her counterparts to adopt Kaduna’s 70-20-10 model in youth empowerment—advocating 70% practical skills, 20% mentorship, and 10% theory—as a strategy for real impact.

The meeting brought together youth and sports commissioners from APC-controlled states to exchange ideas and align on strategies to deepen youth-focused governance across the country.