By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

Kaduna — The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has applauded the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, for his strong commitment to the state’s development through a strategic partnership with the World Bank.

In a statement issued by its President-General, Yerima Shettima, the AYCF commended the governor for initiating and supporting eight major projects under the World Bank framework, with a total investment portfolio of $885 million.

Shettima described the collaboration as a major stride in addressing critical developmental challenges across key sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and social welfare.

He noted that during a recent visit by Mr. Ousmane Diagana, the World Bank’s Regional Vice President for Western and Central Africa, Governor Sani laid out a visionary roadmap for the implementation and expansion of these projects.

“We applaud the governor’s recognition of the transformative role the World Bank has played in Kaduna State, particularly through initiatives like the Adolescent Girls’ for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme, and the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme (NG-CARES),” Shettima stated.

He emphasized that the projects have not only fostered sustainable development but also created opportunities for youth empowerment. He further commended the governor’s initiative to explore new areas of World Bank support, such as the Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) Project and the Resilient and Accessible Microfinance (RAM) Project.

“As stakeholders in the future of Kaduna, we recognize the importance of public cooperation in ensuring the success of these initiatives,” Shettima said, urging citizens to actively engage with and support the government’s development agenda.

He also praised Mr. Ousmane Diagana for acknowledging Governor Sani’s leadership and the effectiveness of Kaduna’s partnership with the World Bank, describing it as a reflection of the state’s development potential under capable leadership.

The AYCF reaffirmed its support for Governor Sani and called on residents, community leaders, and stakeholders to unite in supporting the state’s progress.

“Together, we can ensure that the benefits of these projects are maximized, leading to a brighter and more prosperous future for all citizens of Kaduna State,” the statement added.