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In a direct rebuttal to recent comments by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former governor and presidential candidate, former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has strongly defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to Northern Nigeria, asserting that the region has not been neglected under the current administration.
Dare stated unequivocally: “Senator Kwankwaso, you are wrong. Northern Nigeria is not left behind. President Tinubu has the North covered.”
As evidence, Dare provided a comprehensive list of major Federal Government interventions and projects currently underway across Northern Nigeria.
These include significant investments in infrastructure, agriculture, health, energy, transport, and climate resilience, many of which are already operational or in advanced stages of development.
Infrastructure and Road Projects
Flagship transport projects include:
The Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway
The Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway
Extensive rehabilitation and construction of over 30 critical roads and highways across the region, including the Zaria–Funtua–Gusau–Sokoto Road, Kano–Maiduguri Dual Carriageway, and Dikwa–Gamboru–Ngala Road in Borno State.
Agriculture and Climate Resilience
Dare highlighted agricultural and environmental programs worth hundreds of millions of dollars:
A $158.15 million Agricultural Value Chain Programme across nine Northern states.
The Kolmani Integrated Development Project in Bauchi and Gombe.
The ACReSAL project, a $700 million World Bank–backed initiative targeting the restoration of 1 million hectares of degraded land in the semi-arid North.
Revitalization of large-scale irrigation systems, including the Kano River Project.
Healthcare Expansion
In health, the Tinubu administration has seen the expansion or establishment of over a dozen major federal health facilities:
University Teaching Hospitals in Zaria, Jos, Sokoto, and Bauchi.
Federal Medical Centres in Yobe and Katsina.
1,000 Primary Healthcare Centres revitalized across the North.
Energy and Transportation
Major energy initiatives include:
The Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline project (614 km).
The Gwagwalada Power Plant in Abuja.
The planned ABIBA Solar Power Station in Kaduna State.
Rail transport has also seen renewed momentum:
The Kaduna–Kano and Kano–Maradi Rail Lines (combined over 480 km).
The Abuja Metro Line Rehabilitation and the proposed Kaduna Light Rail System, with ₦100 billion allocated for urban transit.
Trade and Strategic Corridors
Strategic trade connectivity projects include the Trans-Sahara Trade Route, linking Southern Nigeria through the North to neighboring countries, boosting regional commerce.
Environmental and National Programmes
National agencies such as the Great Green Wall and NEWMAP have received fresh mandates and funding to combat desertification and erosion in the North.
Dare concluded that these efforts demonstrate “undeniable commitment” by President Tinubu’s administration to the development of Northern Nigeria. He emphasized that the scale and scope of these projects, delivered within just two years, are unmatched in recent history.
“These are not promises. These are facts on the ground. Northern Nigeria is not being left behind,” Dare affirmed.
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