Femi Fani-Kayode, former minister of Aviation, has described Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State as a divine gift whose emergence marks a new era of peace and inclusion after years of division and bloodshed.
Fani-Kayode made the remark at the Diocese of Kafanchan, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), during the 2025 Synod and 35th Anniversary celebration. He said the governor’s inclusive leadership style is helping to rebuild trust and restore unity in a state once known for ethno-religious crises and political discrimination.
“There was a time when all 17 security chiefs in the country were Muslims from the North, and Christians were openly discriminated against, especially in Kaduna State,” he said. “But with the coming of Governor Uba Sani, things have begun to change for the better. What he is doing should serve as an example to the rest of the country.”
The former minister, who described Sani as a close friend, said the governor’s leadership reflects divine intervention and the result of persistent prayers by Christians seeking justice and peace. “He is not an ordinary person. The governor you have today came as a consequence of prayer,” he added.
Recalling the Christmas Day massacre of December 25, 2016, in which more than 800 Christians were killed across four local governments in Southern Kaduna, Fani-Kayode described the incident as one of Nigeria’s darkest moments. He said victims were abandoned, hospitals shut down, and communities left in despair.
He noted that Christian traditional rulers were killed and their people treated “like filth,” adding that the ordeal strengthened the faith and resilience of the Christian community. “To be a Christian is not to be a second-class citizen or a slave,” he said. “We prayed for deliverance, and God sent Uba Sani as an answer to those prayers.”
Fani-Kayode also commended Governor Sani for taking deliberate steps toward unity, citing the creation of the Kaduna Elders’ Forum with Christian representation and efforts to bridge religious divides. He said killings in Southern Kaduna have stopped since Sani assumed office, describing the state as more peaceful and united.
He praised the governor’s humility and respect for all faiths, recalling a moment when Sani removed his cap during a church service as a sign of reverence. He urged Christians and Muslims to embrace reconciliation, saying, “If you lost a child during the time of terror, adopt a child from the other faith. In faith, we are one. The overwhelming majority of Muslims are decent, God-fearing people who wish to live in peace with everyone.”
Fani-Kayode lauded the people of Southern Kaduna for their resilience, patience, and enduring faith despite years of hardship, describing them as “extraordinary” and encouraging them to continue on the path of peace and forgiveness.
