Abu Umar 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Kaduna State Government’s Free Compressed Natural Gas Mass Transit Scheme, describing it as an example of a people-focused intervention.

 The president also noted that such interventions are required from subnational governments, to reduce transportation costs and ease the pressure on households.

In a post on his official X account, President Tinubu made “special mention” of Kaduna State’s intervention, noting that it demonstrates how the transition to cheaper domestic energy can  translate into tangible relief for ordinary citizens.

According to the president, the Kaduna State initiative  ‘’is more of what we need to see at the subnational level.’’’

The presidential commendation came against the backdrop of renewed efforts by the Federal Government and the 36 states to accelerate the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, to  achieve measurable reductions in transportation costs across the country.

It will be recalled that the President met with the Governors in August 27, where a coordinated action to ensure that Nigerians begin to experience substantial relief in their daily commuting expenses from October 1,  was resolved.

 An implementation committee was subsequently constituted under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, with the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, appointed to lead it.

The committee has been working with the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, state governments and other critical stakeholders, to identify  priority transportation corridors, determine appropriate interventions and establish the operational framework required for effective implementation.

The urgency of the initiative has been heightened by disruptions in global energy supplies, which have exerted fresh pressures on petrol and diesel prices, driving  transportation costs upwards around the world.

 The Federal Government noted  that  Nigeria cannot insulate itself  from upheavals in international energy markets, arguing   that the country’s abundant gas resources offer a credible pathway towards reducing its vulnerability.

The President has always reiterated that  a return to the costly petrol subsidy regime, would once again expose the Nigerian economy to fluctuations in international oil prices and consume resources required for development.

 The Federal Government however intends to support states that have embraced CNG transportation and help them expand interventions capable of delivering immediate and measurable benefits to citizens.

 Embracing the support, Kaduna State Government pioneered a  scheme that is  built around a fleet of 100 CNG-powered buses, which has recorded approximately 3.2 million passenger trips.

 According to reports, this support  has saved commuters more than ₦3.5 billion during its first year of operation,  establishing  it as one of government’s  most consequential  response to  fuel subsidy removal.

Responding to the President’s commendation, Governor Uba Sani expressed Kaduna State’s profound appreciation for the recognition and reaffirmed his administration’s determination to sustain policies that protect vulnerable households, widen access to essential services and place citizens at the centre of governance.

“We deeply appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this recognition and for his administration’s continued support to subnational governments in delivering meaningful interventions to our people.

“Kaduna State continues to set national benchmarks in critical areas; from tackling the challenge of out-of-school children and expanding vocational training and skills development to pioneering CNG mass transit.

“Kaduna remains the only subnational government providing FREE CNG mass transit rides to its citizens. With about 3.2 million passenger trips and over ₦3.5 billion saved by commuters in the first year alone, the scheme has become one of our most impactful interventions in cushioning the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

“Our commitment remains clear: to put people first, reduce the burden on vulnerable households and ensure that the dividends of governance reach ordinary citizens,” Governor Uba Sani stated.

The Kaduna Free CNG Mass Transit Scheme reflects the wider philosophy of  the Governor Uba  Sani administration, which is  that public policy must be judged not merely by the scale of government expenditure or the ambition of official pronouncements.

Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State, has described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a significant intervention that expanded access to higher education for Nigerian students.

This is contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mustapha Muhammad, issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Sunday.

The CPS quoted his principal as saying this at the 2nd and 3rd combined convocation ceremony of Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila.

According to Yusuf, the initiative provides students and their parents with greater opportunities to finance tertiary education and reduce financial barriers that could prevent qualified young Nigerians from pursuing higher education.

“May I also use this opportunity to extend our profound appreciation to the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, for its immense support to the education sector, particularly through the introduction of NELFUND.

“This important initiative provides students and parents with greater opportunities to finance education across Nigerian tertiary institutions and represents a significant step towards expanding access to higher education,” he said.

The governor urged the graduands to translate the knowledge and skills acquired during their academic journey into productive ventures and meaningful contributions to their communities, Kano State and Nigeria at large.

Yusuf also commended the management and staff of Al-Istiqama University for their contributions to the development of higher education in the state by providing young Nigerians with opportunities to pursue tertiary education.

He said investments in education constitute investments in the future, noting that a well-educated and skilled population remained essential to achieving sustainable development, economic growth and social progress.

The governor urged the graduands to uphold discipline, integrity and the values acquired during their academic journey, while using their education to contribute positively to society.

He further encouraged them to embrace innovation, entrepreneurship and lifelong learning that would enable them to respond effectively to contemporary challenges and contribute to the development of their communities.(NAN).

 Former Kaduna South Senator, Mr Danjuma La’ah, has emerged the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kaduna State for the 2027 general elections.

La’ah emerged winner of the party’s substitution primary conducted in Kaduna on Sunday after four aspirants contested the governorship ticket.

The returning officer of the primary, Dr Danlami Rukujet, announced the results, with La’ah securing 6,990 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Ibrahim Abdulkarim, who polled 530 votes.

Mohammed Sani Abbas came third with 402 votes, while Zariyi-Yusuf Madaki received 194 votes.

The primary was conducted following reported failure by party stakeholders to reach a consensus on a candidate.

In his acceptance remarks, La’ah thanked party members and supporters for their confidence and pledged to focus on preparations for the 2027 governorship election.

He said the emergence of the party’s candidate marked a new phase in its preparations for the election.

The Kaduna State Chairman of the party, Mr Modecai Ibrahim, said the NDC would base its campaign on issues and policies.

Ibrahim said the party would focus on presenting its programmes and policies to the electorate ahead of the election.

The emergence of La’ah adds the NDC to the list of political parties that have  governorship candidates in Kaduna State for the 2027 elections (NAN),