By Mufutau Ojo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Like the mythical Phoenix, Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, is rising from its ashes.
Only a shouting distance from the Kaduna International Airport, Tudun Biri, until December 2023, was an archetype of an agrarian community.
But on Dec. 3, 2023, this rustic community slipped into national consciousness when an accidental drone strike by the Nigerian Air Force hit it, killing some locals and destroying properties.
Today, more than two years later, Tudun Biri has become the very symbol of rebirth and renewal as residents gradually pick up the pieces of their lives.
This followed the rebuilding efforts unveiled by the Federal Government in partnership with the Kaduna State Government.
As the Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, puts it, the Tudun Biri experience represents the immense value of collaboration between the Federal Government and the sub-nationals in bringing succour to the people.
Maiyaki, who was addressing a group of visiting journalists led to Tudun Biri by the Presidential Media team, drew attention to the tremendous transformation of the community.
While the Federal Government constructed 134 housing units for the deceased persons and their families, the Kaduna State Government built essential infrastructure, including a six- kilometre road and a solar panel lighting system in the community.
It also established a Level 2 health facility to provide medical services as well as a skills acquisition centre for youth development among other initiatives.
New look Tudun Biri
This redefining of the relationship between the Federal Government and willing sub-nationals for mutual gain was the running motif throughout the recent visit of the Presidential Media Team to the North West Zone.
Through Kaduna, Kano and on to Dutse as well as the entire northern part of the country, the rallying cry has been partnerships, partnerships and more partnerships under the the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Indeed, the Federal Government only recently approved a welter of projects, including the Kaduna Light Rail Project, an ambitious transport initiative spanning some 30 kilometres.
Gov. Uba Sani ecstatically underlined the gains of his administration’s partnership with the centre.
“That Kaduna has been selected to lead this transformation, emerging as only the second state in the federation to embark on a light rail system, speaks to the confidence reposed in our vision and our capacity for execution.
“It is a testament to a leadership philosophy at the centre that recognises potential, rewards preparedness, and advances development without prejudice, ” Uba said.
The Kaduna-Kano- Katsina-Jigawa- Maradi Railway initiative is another signature project which explores the opportunities available when the Federal Government collaborates with federating units.
Ali Bukar, Resident Engineer in the Federal Ministry of Transportation, says the project has reached 60 percent completion stage across its two key corridors with an expected delivery period of December 2027.
According to him, the project is fully funded under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Infrastructure Funding Scheme.
The interchange flyover bridge in Tal-Udu, Gwale Local Government Area of Kano, the ongoing construction of concrete waterline from Kapin Chiri Dam in Garko Local Government of Kano South Senatorial District for irrigation farming are all landmark initiatives readily deepening the partnership between the centre and sub-nationals.
With more than double their allocations after the removal of fuel subsidy, there is cautious optimism that other states will latch on to this presidential initiative, drawing in its wake bountiful dividends of democracy.
Already, the surge in FAAC had led to a 500 percent increase in savings in the first quarter of 2025, with revenues from petrol savings rising from N154 billion to N836 billion.
States and local governments received 15.26 trillion in 2024, a leap from the N6.16 trillion in 2023.
It is instructive that for the first time in decades, the 2025 Appropriation Act allocated more to capital expenditure (N23.96 trillion) than to recurrent spending, reversing the trend where recurrent spending took up to 70 percent of the budget.
This trend is expected to continue as the nation approaches the 2027 general elections, a critical litmus test for all political actors across the nation’s federating units.
Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo
***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.
