Kaduna marks Independence anniversary with prayers as contractors welcome payment plan

Kaduna State has begun activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary with prayers for peace, stability and economic prosperity. The special prayers were held at the Sultan Bello Mosque after Friday prayers. Secretary to the State Government AbdulKadir Mu’azu Meyere, other senior officials and Muslim worshippers attended.

The mosque’s Deputy Chief Imam, Abdullahi Aliyu, led the prayers. He asked for wisdom and guidance for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani as they manage the affairs of the country and the state. Aliyu also urged political leaders and citizens to uphold trust, truthfulness and integrity.

He said those entrusted with authority would be accountable for how they exercised their responsibilities and applied the resources placed in their care. Separately, the Chairman of the Contractors Association of Kaduna State, Ahmed Baba, praised the governor for introducing a monthly payment arrangement to settle verified debts inherited from the previous administration. Baba spoke after a meeting between state government officials and the association’s leadership.

He said the arrangement would enable the government to clear verified liabilities systematically and reduce the burden on contractors who had completed work for the state. He said contractors working on projects awarded by the current administration had not been owed since Sani’s government began. Baba described the payment plan as encouraging for the construction sector and urged contractors to maintain quality and deliver projects on time.

Commissioner for Information and Culture Ahmed Maiyaki said an inter-denominational church service would be held at Living Faith Church, Barnawa, on Sunday. The anniversary activities are scheduled to culminate in an official parade at Murtala Mohammed Square on October 1, with Governor Sani expected to preside.