66th Independence: Kaduna prays for Nigeria as contractors praise Uba Sani’s debt payment plan

Kaduna State Government has undertaken activities ahead of Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary with special prayers for peace, stability and economic prosperity, as contractors commended Governor Uba Sani for introducing a monthly payment plan to settle verified liabilities inherited from the previous administration.

The special prayers were held at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna after the Friday congregational prayer, with the Secretary to the State Government, AbdulKadir Mu’azu Meyere, other senior government officials and Muslim faithful in attendance.

The prayers, led by the mosque’s Deputy Chief Imam, Malam Abdullahi Aliyu, focused on the peace and stability of Nigeria and Kaduna State.

The cleric prayed for divine wisdom and guidance for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in steering the affairs of the country and the state respectively.

Imam urges leaders to uphold integrity

Mr Aliyu also urged political leaders and citizens to uphold trust, truthfulness and integrity, saying these values were essential to national development.

He reminded leaders that political offices and worldly power were temporary and that those entrusted with positions of authority would be accountable for how they discharged their responsibilities.

“God tests us with trust, our wealth, our families, and the positions He has given us, whether big or small, to see how we will manage them—whether or not we will act with honesty, truthfulness and fairness,” he said.

The Deputy Chief Imam said the obligation to uphold trust and honesty applied to both governance and commercial activities.

He added that while those who uphold trust could be elevated in this world, betrayal of trust carried serious consequences.

“No matter how long a person lives, he will leave everything behind, and only his good deeds will accompany him to the grave,” he said.

Contractors hail Uba Sani’s payment plan

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Contractors Association of Kaduna State, Ahmed Baba, has commended Governor Uba Sani for introducing a monthly payment arrangement to settle verified debts inherited from the previous administration.

Mr Baba spoke after a meeting between senior state government officials and the leadership of the association in Kaduna.

He said Mr Sani inherited substantial liabilities but had demonstrated that government was a continuum by taking steps to settle outstanding payments owed to contractors who executed projects for the state under the previous administration.

According to him, the monthly payment arrangement would enable the government to systematically clear verified inherited liabilities while reducing the financial burden on affected contractors.

“Despite inheriting a huge burden of outstanding liabilities, His Excellency has demonstrated true leadership. He has made it clear that government is a continuum and that contractors must not suffer for their service to the state.

“The monthly payment structure that the Governor has approved is a lifeline to many of our members,” he said.

Mr Baba also said contractors handling projects awarded by the present administration had not been owed since the inception of Mr Sani’s government.

He described the development as encouraging for the construction sector and pledged the association’s support for the administration’s infrastructure development programme.

He urged contractors to maintain quality and ensure timely delivery of projects across the state.

Independence activities

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, said the special prayers were part of activities lined up to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.

He said an inter-denominational church service would be held at Living Faith Church, Barnawa, on Sunday, with the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, James Kanyip, representing the governor.

According to him, the activities will culminate in an official Independence Day parade at Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna, on Thursday, October 1, to be presided over by Governor Uba Sani.