Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has donated brand new buses to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Kaduna Branch, and other key professional institutions in the state as part of efforts to strengthen their operations and address mobility challenges.
The presentation of the vehicles was made in Kaduna, with the Governor describing the beneficiaries as critical institutions whose contributions remain vital to the development and progress of Kaduna State.
Among the beneficiaries of the Governor’s intervention are the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and Kaduna State University (KASU).
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Governor Sani said the intervention was informed by the important roles played by the organisations and institutions in democracy, justice, healthcare, education, security and public service delivery.
He said his administration would continue to support institutions whose activities contribute significantly to the development of the state.
On the Nigerian Bar Association, Governor Sani particularly commended the Kaduna Branch, describing it as “one of the most vibrant branches in the whole of Nigeria.”
The Governor praised the branch for its contributions to the administration of justice, promotion of the rule of law and protection of the rights of underserved and underrepresented citizens.
He said the donation of the bus was intended to support the operational activities of the NBA Kaduna Branch and enhance its capacity to effectively serve both its members and the wider public.
Receiving the vehicle on behalf of the NBA Kaduna Branch, the Branch Chairman, Barrister Baba Lawal, expressed appreciation to Governor Uba Sani for the gesture.
Lawal said the donation would significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the branch and enhance its ability to serve its members and contribute more effectively to the administration of justice and protection of citizens’ rights.
He commended the Governor for recognising the important role of the legal profession in the development of the state and for responding to the mobility needs of the branch.
Governor Sani also presented a bus to the Nigerian Medical Association, commending the association for its collaboration with his administration in improving healthcare delivery across the state.
He said the vehicle would enhance the mobility of doctors and other healthcare professionals and facilitate the activities of the association.
The Governor further disclosed that the bus donated to the Nigerian Correctional Service would assist in addressing transportation challenges, particularly the movement of inmates to courts, healthcare facilities and other official engagements.
According to him, his administration had visited the Kaduna Correctional Centre twice this year and observed the level of infrastructure decay and other challenges confronting the service.
He said the government had commenced interventions aimed at addressing some of the challenges identified, adding that the provision of the vehicle was part of broader efforts to improve the operational capacity of the Correctional Service.
At the Kaduna State University, Governor Sani said the intervention was also part of his administration’s commitment to strengthening the institution.
He recalled that the state government had worked with the university management and the National Universities Commission to address accreditation challenges, while the 50 per cent reduction in tuition fees had contributed to increased enrolment.
The Governor also described the Nigerian Union of Journalists as a critical institution in sustaining democracy, recalling the significant role journalists played in the struggle for the return to civil rule, with some losing their lives during military dictatorship.
Receiving the bus on behalf of the NUJ Kaduna State Council, Chairman Comrade AbdulGafar Alabelewe disclosed that journalists had requested the vehicle about six months ago during a Ramadan Iftar with the Governor.
He described its delivery as a major milestone for the union, noting that the last similar gesture from the state government was about two decades ago.
Alabelewe assured the Governor that the bus would be deployed responsibly to facilitate journalists’ movement to assignments across the state, while the media would continue to hold government accountable and set the agenda for development.
He also conveyed the appreciation of NUJ President, Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, and disclosed that the union would, at the Governor’s convenience, confer on him the position of Grand Patron of the NUJ in Kaduna State.
The Vice-Chancellor of KASU, Professor Abdullahi Musa, described the donation to the university as historic and thanked Governor Sani for his generosity and commitment to the institution’s development.
The representative of the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, also appreciated the Governor for the donation, saying the vehicle would address a major operational challenge facing the Kaduna Command.
He assured the state government that the bus would be properly maintained and deployed strictly for the purpose for which it was donated.
The donation to the NBA Kaduna Branch is expected to provide significant logistical support to the branch, particularly in carrying out its professional, administrative and public-interest activities across the state.
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