Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, Tuesday inaugurated the first phase of the Qatar Sanabil Project comprising houses, a school, a clinic, and a shopping mall for victims of banditry across the state.
The governor declared that the project was not just about handing over keys but about “returning dignity and rebuilding lives torn apart by violence” to victims of banditry.
Sani, who spoke during the commissioning ceremony in Kaduna, described the gesture as “one of the most consequential moments” of his life, not as a politician but as a human being moved by the plight of people who had suffered unimaginable losses due to years of insecurity across the state.
“Standing amidst these newly completed homes, hand-in-hand with the brave families who have endured unimaginable loss, I make this declaration with conviction: this is the most consequential moment of my life — not as a Senator, not as a Governor, but as a human being,” Sani said.
According to him, the project represents more than structures or infrastructure but is a “solemn act of healing, a vow honoured, a covenant fulfilled.”
He stressed that the families receiving the houses had been victims of the bloodshed, kidnappings, arson, and displacement wrought by bandits in Kaduna State over the past decade.
“What we commemorate today is not simply a ceremony. It is a solemn act of healing. A vow honoured. A covenant fulfilled,” the Governor stated, his voice laced with emotion.
“This is our way of telling every widow, every orphan, every displaced soul affected by the cruelty of banditry in this beautiful state: ‘You are not forgotten. You are seen. You are honoured. We are rebuilding with you.’”
The Qatar Sanabil Project, a partnership between the Kaduna State Government and Qatar Charity, is aimed at restoring dignity to victims through a combination of mass housing, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
The Governor revealed that the first phase, commissioned on Tuesday, would directly benefit families affected by the wave of violent attacks that ravaged communities across Kaduna.
He noted that alongside the houses, a fully-equipped school had been built to ensure access to free education for children of affected families, while a clinic would provide essential healthcare services to the same communities.
In addition, Governor Sani disclosed that the state government, through the same initiative, had provided empowerment tools, including cargo bikes, tricycles, grinding machines, salon kits, and welding equipment, to enable widows, unemployed youths, and displaced persons to regain their livelihoods and achieve economic self-sufficiency.
“We understand that sustainable rehabilitation must include pathways to productivity. True empowerment lies in enabling people to stand on their feet with pride and purpose,” he declared.
He explained that the partnership with Qatar Charity goes beyond the superficial concept of philanthropy but rests on shared values of solidarity, dignity, and justice for the vulnerable.
“This collaboration is not merely about bricks and mortar — it is about restoring dignity, expanding opportunity, and building communities where hope thrives.
“With these housing units and a model economic city, we are laying the groundwork for a future where every citizen has access to decent shelter, healthcare, education, and a means of livelihood,” he said.
Governor Sani noted that the project, when fully completed, would impact over 500,000 vulnerable and underserved citizens across Kaduna State through its dual components of an Economic City and mass housing.
He praised the Qatar Charity Foundation for its unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes across the globe, noting that Kaduna State was proud to associate with an organisation that shares its values of transparency, accountability, and impact-driven development.
“I want to specially commend Qatar Charity for their extraordinary commitment to the principles of global solidarity. Your interventions — from boreholes to scholarship programmes, from irrigation machines to health centres — are changing lives, not just in Kaduna, but across the world. This is not charity in the conventional sense. This is a partnership. It is justice rendered through compassion,” he said.
Governor Sani did not fail to acknowledge the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he described as steadfast in his commitment to securing Kaduna State.
“I hereby express my deep and sincere gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his unwavering commitment to ensuring a safer Kaduna State. His steadfast support and visionary leadership have significantly contributed to the ongoing development and progress of our state,” he added.
He equally acknowledged the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his pivotal role in stabilising Kaduna’s security landscape through collaborative efforts under the Kaduna Peace Model, a homegrown initiative that seeks to foster peace through dialogue, security reinforcement, and community engagement.
“My sincere gratitude also extends to the Honourable Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and all other security agencies for ensuring peace and stability in Kaduna State,” Sani said.
The Governor expressed gratitude to Ambassador Ali Bin Ghanem Al-Hajri, the Qatari envoy to Nigeria, whose steadfast commitment he said played a pivotal role in making the Qatar Sanabil Project in Kaduna a reality.
“My administration, and indeed Kaduna State as a whole, owe Ambassador Ali Bin Ghanem Al-Hajri a huge debt of gratitude. But for your dogged commitment and sincerity of purpose, we would probably not have achieved this monumental project. May Almighty Allah reward your kindness and friendship,” he stated.
He also lauded Sheikh Hamdi Abdu, the Country Director of Qatar Charity in Nigeria, for his diligence and commitment towards ensuring the successful implementation of the project.
Looking ahead, Governor Sani assured the people of Kaduna that the commissioning marked just the beginning, with more homes, schools, health centres, and other life-changing projects expected in subsequent phases.
“Let me assure all citizens of Kaduna: this is only the beginning. Phase One is a foundation. Phase Two and beyond will build upon it. More homes will rise. More schools will welcome students. More clinics will offer care. More boreholes will flow. More families will reclaim dignity. This journey of reconstruction will be unrelenting,” he added.
