United Nations Women, an agency of the world body, has decorated Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as a global ‘HeforShe champion’ for his supportive policies on women.
UN Women is the UN organisation that delivers programmes, policies, and standards that uphold women’s human rights and ensure that every woman and girl lives up to her full potential.
The body said the Governor has made Kwara a gold standard for gender mainstreaming in not just Nigeria but in the world, adding that the award, especially the lapel pin tacked to his chest, means that the Governor is now a UN Women ambassador anywhere he goes to in the world.
Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Government House, Ilorin, said the Governor merits the global honour for his exceptional dedication to gender inclusion, women empowerment, and overall development, as has been recorded in Kwara in the last five years.
An initiative of the Governor, the administration had in 2021 enacted a Gender Composition Law, which mandates Kwara to have at least 35% gender representation in all public sector appointments
Eyong said Kwara is a shining example for giving women their fair share of representation in governance.
“Kwara State is a very important state to women, and one of the reasons the state is important to us is because of what you have done in the state. We are here to thank and congratulate you for all that you’ve been doing over the years for gender equality, women empowerment and overall development,” she said shortly before decorating the Governor with the UN Women badge.
“You have made Kwara state a shining example in that regard. We are here to recognize you as a UN Women Global HEforSHE Champion. We learnt that in your first term in office, we had a female majority cabinet. And we’ve learnt that we now have a 50/50 cabinet in the state.
“We also learnt that the majority of the appointments that you make go to women and youth. Those are real progressive moves that you are doing. You have created a favourable environment for gender equality and women empowerment by passing affirmative action into law. These are parts of the reasons we chose Kwara.”
Eyong requested AbdulRazaq to speak with his colleagues at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to equally adopt 35 per cent affirmative action on gender inclusion, noting this will stimulate the federal government to adopt the policy.
She said they were partly in Kwara to inform the Governor about the UN Women’s advocacies on issues and programmes affecting women, such as a training on low cost biogas technology that she said is targeted at easing cooking for women.
“Low-cost biogas is a technology that has so many advantages for our women. With low-cost biogas technology, women can produce their own cooking gas. And that will mean that they don’t need to buy charcoal, kerosine, or cut firewood,” she said.
Eyong said the biogas programme is due for launch in Kwara next month, while similar initiatives will also be flagged off in the state ahead of any other states owing to its strategic importance to the UN Women.
She requested the Governor to consider another legislation that gives women more access to public sector contracting process as a form of economic empowerment, saying 90% of government’s contracts go to enterprises owned by men while women struggle with just 10%.
She also requested the Governor to rally the political establishments to support women for elective positions.
They were received by the Governor with the First Lady Ambassador Mrs Olufolake AbdulRazaq; Commissioner for Women Affairs Bosede Olaitan Buraimoh; Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology Damilola Yusuf Adelodun; Commissioner for Water Resources Usman Lade; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties Alhaji Abdulrazhaq Jiddah.
The Governor thanked the organisation for the honour, which he said will encourage him and others to do more.
AbdulRazaq said he has no regrets appointing women to key positions because “they have done so well.”
“I thank you for the award as a Global HeforShe champion. It encourages us to do more. If you see what is going on in other states you could see we have to put on a lot of energy in it to achieve what we have been able to achieve and will continue to achieve,” he said.
“When we came in 2019, there was no single elected female official in Kwara State. By the time we crossed over to 2023, we have five members in the State House of Assembly. It was a deliberate advocacy, and we hope to make more progress in the next elections.
“By and large, we are crushing the stereotype that ‘women can’t do this, women can’t do that, no one should vote for women’. I think we are getting to a stage where what matters is the performance and what you do for the people, not your gender. The women we have put into public offices do not disappoint us. They are doing very extremely well.”
The Forum of Chiefs in Nigeria has advised Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to respect the Federal High Court order and vacate the Kano Emir’s Palace immediately.
The Forum said the court’s decision, delivered on Tuesday, is final and binding, adding that it is essential to prioritise peace and stability in Kano State.
In a statement jointly signed by its President, Chief Ameh Adaji, and Secretary General, Chief Danladi Etsu, the Forum noted that a king cannot reign without the support of the people and that illegally occupying a palace, as Sanusi is doing, is unacceptable anywhere in the world.
They said forceful eviction by security agents would be a last resort, and hence urged Sanusi to avoid any actions that may lead to embarrassment, violence or unrest.
The chiefs further called on Sanusi to lead by example as a former custodian of culture and tradition by respecting the law of the land and vacating the palace.
“The Forum of Chiefs in Nigeria, the umbrella body of lower grade traditional rulers in the country, has urged Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to vacate the palace with immediate effect as ordered by the Federal High Court,” the statement said.
“His insistence on occupying the palace despite the court order is not only a violation of the law of the land but also a mockery of the revered ancient throne of Kano.
“As a former royal father, Sanusi should prioritize the peace of the state above self-aggrandizement. He should also know better than to be an unwilling tool in the hands of desperate politicians on a vendetta.
“As a Muslim, Sanusi should know that it is only God that gives and takes power. He has had his turn as an Emir and should stop trying to sneak back into the palace through the back door. The former Emir should accept the will of God because the will of the people is the will of God and the law is the interpretation of the will of the people.
“Sanusi has made the Kano emirship a laughing stock in the committee of emirates. Already, Kano is on the verge of a breakdown of law and order because he refuses to obey the law. The former Emir should peacefully vacate the palace to protect his family’s legacy and the rich heritage of Kano.
“We hope that he would heed the voice of wisdom and vacate the place as ordered by the court of law and save Kano from impending anarchy. The people of Kano are already enduring excruciating hardship in the state, and it would be inhumane for Sanusi to deprive them of peace too.
“We call on the police and other relevant security agencies to compel Sanusi to vacate the palace if he continues to flout the court order. Illegally occupying the palace against the will of the people and the rule of law is not acceptable anywhere in the world. The government must take urgent drastic steps to ensure peace and stability in Kano State.
“We urge the peace-loving people of Kano to remain law-abiding despite the provocations from those who are bent on undermining the people and the law of the land. All hands must be on deck to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order in the commercial nerve centre of the North and Nigeria’s most populous state.”
History is not always written by the victors. Historical narratives are sometimes dominated by the villains who make the loudest noise and have the platforms. Empress Wu expanded the Tang dynasty, reopened China’s Silk Road, and funnelled government’s funding into social services for the poor and the vulnerable. But she made the mistake of letting others tell her story when she left her epitaph blank. In place of her great legacies, those who found her rule unbefitting and at odds with their narrative gave her a new identity: ‘she killed her sister, slaughtered her brothers, murdered her emperor, and poisoned her mother. Both gods and humans hate her’.
Even as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration expended more than N15bn to clear many years of salary, promotion arrears and gratuities, and faces up the daunting task of bridging the infrastructure gaps in basic schools such as fixing classrooms in more than 605 locations, it is commonplace to hear apologists of the past regimes saying nothing good has happened in the last five years. The idea is to talk down the gains of the past five years in the hope that history may forget or disregard how far Kwara has come since the old order was ousted. It is truthiness. Shouldn’t people of good conscience then take the ‘good trouble’ of preserving history?
Kwara has turned the corners for positive reasons, while pending deficits progressively get good attention on a sustainable basis. The administration is five years old today, with Governor Abdulrazaq overwhelmingly winning re-election last year.
The state is emerging from a backwater civil service state to a go-to place for tech-enabled basic education, conferencing, tourism, and entertainment hub and north central economic powerhouse as the Governor ramps up work on the country’s largest garment factory, sugar factory film studio, innovation hub, visual arts centre, international conference centre, revenue house, the industrial park at Eiyenkorin and agroprocessing zone, and the legacy Kwara Hotel. He has built new dental and eye care centres, modern intensive care units, and newly-equipped hospital wards. And he maintains the bits he inherited. Numerous agric programmes are ongoing to support farmers and boost food security.
The massive garment factory is now operational, even if not officially launched yet. So has the Gbugbu international market. The sugar factory film studio is already receiving industry veterans, while the visual arts centre prepares to host dignitaries from across Nigeria to an event that would grab national headlines. These are facilities built to give Kwara a comfortable share of the multimillion dollar industry and redirect its economy. Power of dream. The international conference centre, equipped with a choice hospitality facility, and the Kwara hotel are to complement the dream.
Investments in the education and health sectors have yielded huge returns. Within the first 43 weeks of introducing KwaraLEARN, literacy and numerical levels have peaked, amid 30% rise in basic public school enrolments, while learning deprivation has dropped to 56.3% by the end of the 2022/2023 school calendar, down from 73.4% before the programme. In the primary health sector, the state wears the crown for its best immunisation services in the north central, earning some $500,000 from the UNICEF to scale up its efforts. Access to potable water and sanitation facilities has never been higher in the state. Today, the Jebba waterworks is being launched. It was built from scratch.
Under AbdulRazaq, Kwara is now accredited to have a university teaching hospital, thanks to its consistent investments in human capital, improved welfare, and modern equipment. The implementation of 100% CONMESS and CONHESS for doctors and ancillary workers in the health sector — along with similar welfare packages in other areas — is a watershed as governments struggle to keep competent manpower.
A process has commenced to open up the Owu Fall, the highest waterfall in the west Africa subregion – the same way he constructed the 11-kilometre Osi-Obbo Aiyegunle road, linking Kwara to Ekiti State borders with asphalt road for the first time. He had also given the iconic 79-year-old Esie Museum, a pioneer tourism centre in Nigeria, its first asphalt road.
The first term served to stabilise Kwara for growth; the second half consolidates and expands the gains. Ilorin is shedding its old features. With its hinterlands dotted with interlocked roads, old road networks are undergoing massive upgrades, with new flyovers (Tunde Idiagbon Bridge and Unity Flyover) changing its landscape, reducing travel time, and beautifying the capital city. The Wahab Folawiyo Road (Unity Road) now has the quality and aesthetics that you can find in major capital cities on the continent. In a few months from now, Ahmadu Bello Way and Sulu Gambari Road will join the league, adorning Ilorin with astonishingly scenic roads for residents and visitors to behold!
No fewer than 30 inner roads (including the 4.7km Yebumot-Adeta-Oloje, which is due for commissioning today) are in various stages of completion within the capital city, while dozen others are being constructed or rehabilitated in the Kwara hinterlands, such as the 13km Ile Ire District road, Ora township road, first post-colonial Orisa Bridge (Oro Ago), Igbaja township road, newly awarded Arandun-Esie-Oro, Omu Aran-Oko, Ajase-Oke Iya, among others. In the north, the government has facilitated the 128-kilometre Bode Saadu/Kaiama/Kosubosu road, which has since started and is, alongside 74.3km Bacita-Shonga-Lafiagi, 37km Okuta-Kenu-Teberu, and 42.5km Eiyenkorin-Afon-Offa-Odo Otin, valued at over N400bn. Upon completion, the Bode Saadu road will redefine the travel history for travellers from the capital city or other areas to Kaiama and some parts of Baruten axis of the state.
This is apart from such projects like the Emir Palace Road/erosion control at Dumagi, Ketu road in Baruten, Malete Youth Farm-waterworks road in Moro, Bukka Adena bridge in Kaiama. On top of these are the 84.7km rural roads, which are underway across the state.
Scanty regard for building regulations, increasingly weak and old infrastructure, as well as population growth have taken a toll on Ilorin, with its original master plan (drawn up in the 1970s) long discarded. Abdulrazaq is restoring sanity with the new Ilorin City Master Plan, a component of which has made provisions for a decent extension of the capital town. It is called the Ilorin Smart City Project, which is due for unveiling today, May 29. It is modelled after New Delhi and Washington DC in its compliant with UN prescriptions for sustainable living. Without jeopardising our culture and tradition as Africans.
The administration’s progressive programmes are supported by appropriate policy frameworks for sustainability. Its six month maternity policy, announced on May 29, 2023 and about the third in Nigeria, complements its investments in basic education and healthcare as women in civil service are given the opportunity to expose their children to exclusive breastfeeding without a fear of losing their job or salaries and other perks. His education programmes are now being supported by the Education Trust Fund. The Fund, due for launch soon, is a platform to bring in philanthropists and private sector players to support government’s efforts to make education more inclusive and accessible. To save the colleges of education from collapse, the Governor has inaugurated the process to upgrade them in phases to allow for sustainability. These big dreams, intentional and ambitious, are well-articulated in the state’s sustainable development plan 2020-2030. And so is the 20,000-hectare smart city.
Kwara’s leading position as a bastion for gender inclusion is supported by the Kwara State Gender Composition Law, which mandates the state to have at least 35% of either gender in public appointments. Described by the United Nations (UN) Women as ‘a shining example that should be emulated by the federal government and other states’, the gender law is the first of its kind in Nigeria.
In youth empowerment, the state is the gold standard. Governor Abdulrazaq is surrounded by a team of brilliant young people who are, at the same time, willing to learn from older, more experienced people.
So it is in the sports sector. In April, the government approved the turnaround of the indoor sports hall for the first time since 1991. That complements the many facilities the Governor has added: the largest squash racket centre in Nigeria with eight courts and a new table tennis arena that accommodates many players at a go, among many others already done or are in the greater Kwara plan.
This will not only attract national and international championships to the state, with its trickle down effects on the economy, but it also offers a strategic platform to wean young people off violent crimes, drug, idleness, and other anti-social behaviour. The objective is to transform the sprawling Kwara State Sports Complex from a den of the underworld to a haven of recreation for the state’s active, talented youths.
If one attempts a mental analysis of what the Governor is doing across the state, what one sees is the emergence of a new economy anchored around hospitality, creativity and entertainment, agribusiness, entrepreneurship, innovation, and tourism — a dream clearly supported by the race to build the right human capital and an efficient health care system, among others.
Governor AbdulRazaq has steered Kwara away from the violent politics and thuggery of the past, making it one of the most peaceful states in the country, while at the same time supporting different state and federal institutions to achieve their mandates and redirect the energy of youths to hard work, digital skills, and legitimate earnings.
These, ladies and gentlemen, summarise the impressive scorecards of Governor Abdulrazaq as he marks the first of the four years in the last lap of his administration. The right story about him is that he is a fine gentleman who refocuses Kwara for a greater tomorrow. He remains committed to his lofty agenda, without rubbishing the legacies of the founding fathers of the state. As he steps forward to higher callings, the nation acknowledges and speaks well of his humility, patriotism, and vision.
• Rafiu Ajakaye is Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday charged youths to make informed decisions in their pursuit of personal development, and be guided that whatever their decisions are will impact on the larger society.
Speaking in Ilorin at the 1st Kwara Adolescents and Youth Intellectual Summit 2024, the Governor noted that the demography is most significant for the country considering their numerical strength, asking them to always engage in productive ventures.
“As you move from adolescence to youth and full adulthood, I want you to make informed choices and take full responsibility for who you want to be and the kind of country you would like to call your fatherland.
“That is why this conference is about empowering tomorrow, transforming perspectives, healing minds, and shaping governance,” the Governor said through Commissioner for Water Resources Usman Yunusa Lade who represented him.
“Whatever decisions you make about education and personal development, hard work and honesty, ethical values, protecting family name, and productive use of your time will determine who you become tomorrow and whether our country will be greater than it is.
“As digital natives, we admit that you understand technology and you want to make the most use of the opportunities it offers. Make your virtual communities more conducive for all to coexist, devoid of bullying and other toxic behaviours. Importantly, please note that there is life outside of the new media. Explore the physical world where things are more real and the veils behind the screens are nonexistent”.
Graced by the Kwara First Lady Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, lawmakers and Cabinet members, the summit was themed: “Empowering Tomorrow, Transforming Perspectives, Healing Minds and Shaping Governance”. It featured several segments of high interests including lectures and technical sessions.
The programme was organised by the Ministry of Youth Development and the Office of Special Adviser on Youth Engagement, Hon Muhammed Attairu.
AbdulRazaq enjoined the younger persons to shun drug abuse, violent crimes or membership of secret cults, and negative obsession with or misuse of social media.
He commended the Commissioner for Youth Development Nafisat Musa Buge and her team for putting the programme together, while also thanking other personalities that contributed to its success.
“I want you to take time to reflect on the theme of this conference. Create a mutually supportive circle of friends. Multiple ethical opportunities exist on the internet or social media. Grab them. Explore agriculture. Learn from one another. Seek help when you need it, and take bold steps to become a better person who will be known and remembered for their positive accomplishments. You can do it!,” AbdulRazaq added.
Amb Mrs. AbdulRazaq assured the youth that her office will continue to promote programmes that will assist them to realize their potentials and become instruments of positive changes.
“As you evolve as adolescents and youth I enjoin you to stay true to your dreams and aspirations, being a generation that grew up in the digital age, with access to more information and connectivity than ever before, use this as a positive tool to give you unique perspective and set of skills that will be invaluable,” she said.
Buge said the conference was to encourage the creativity, ingenuity and freedom of youth, and to provide an enabling environment and structure for self expression, self analysis and self actualization.
“The state of our youth remains the best indicator of a healthy or disintegrated society. It is also recognized that the youths are the cornerstone of the Nation and are particularly sensitive, energetic, active and potentially productive,” she said, thanking the Governor for investing in youth.
Hon. Israel advised the youth to be focused and determined while pursuing their dreams, citing what he had gone through as student and a former member of the Nigerian Children Parliament.
“If you are focused and determined, no matter the challenges, you will get there and the sky is the beginning of your success”.
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations and Kogi Youths under the aegis of the Kogi Youth Renaissance Movement (KYRM) has appealed to international communities to intervene in the ongoing case against the immediate past governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja recently, the convener coalition of civil society group, Ayanwale Idris, and the national coordinator, Kogi Youth Renaissance Movement (KYRM), Dr. Ben Uguche, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure a fair and impartial investigation and avoid media trials and propaganda.
The groups emphasised the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting the legal process.
They encouraged all parties involved to allow the justice system to run its course and avoid taking actions that could undermine the integrity of the legal process.
They also expressed optimism that with patience and dedication, the truth will be revealed, and justice will be served.
The atmosphere was very convivial even when the interactions were frank, deep and very elevated. It was the inaugural meeting of the North – West Stakeholders of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) hosted and chaired by the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, in his capacity as the Coordinating Governor of the North-west zone, reputedly the political hotbed of the country.
The very strategic meeting was attended by key political leaders and decision makers in northern Nigeria, notably; the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Umar Ganduje; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, governors of states in the North-west of the country, ministers, former governors, presidential aides, National and state Assembly members, several other party stakeholders drawn from the North-west zone. The meeting, which held at the Yar’Adua Conference Hall of the iconic Murtala Square, Kaduna, took a critical look at the state of the party in the North-west, activated its internal dispute resolution mechanism to resolve pending issues, and charted the pathway to a more formidable zonal structure that will ensure victory for the APC in future elections.
Even more important, this crucial meeting afforded political leaders and stakeholders of the ruling APC in the North-west, the opportunity to introspect about the first one year of the APC administration under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. Upon robust deliberations, the northern political leaders commended the president for tackling Nigeria’s numerous challenges “with courage and uncommon commitment”. The leaders at the meeting resolved to continue to support President Tinubu’s administration to address current and emerging challenges. The position of the North-west leaders was contained in a communique issued on Sunday, May 19, and read by the host, Governor Uba Sani.
The communique said in part: “In view of Mr. President’s undiluted support and assistance to the North-west, stakeholders called for continued support for President Tinubu’s administration as he strives to steady the ship of the Nigerian state; the meeting commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfast commitment to the fulfilment of his campaign promises to the Nigerian people; the meeting noted the decisive steps so far taken by the president in tackling Nigeria’s multitude of security and developmental challenges, and the far-reaching reforms he has initiated to reflate the economy and combat soaring inflation; the meeting observed that Mr. President’s Development Agenda has positively impacted the North-west zone, especially in the areas of human capital development, agriculture, education, poverty alleviation, and infrastructural development.”
Governor Sani was in April this year, inaugurated by the National Chairman of APC, Dr. Ganduje, as the Coordinating Governor of the North-west. According to the party Chairman, Gov. Sani’s duties largely entail: the coordination of the governors of the North-west to always identify with, and participate more in the activities of the party; to initiate periodic interface between the governors of the North-west zone and the leadership of the party; liaise with the party on prompt processes for genuine reconciliation of aggrieved party members in the North-west zone; mobilize governors of the North-west zone to effectively and physically participate in party activities within and outside the zone; consult with governors of the North-west zone on issues that will further enhance the progress and unity of the party within the zone; and assist the party on Resource Mobilization within the North-west zone.
In an era of positive disruptions, Senator Sani is rapidly earning his strips as a master of the game in the nation’s political ecosystem. Beyond the strong political undertone of the North-west stakeholders’ meeting, it was not lost on most discerning persons at the gathering that Kaduna State under the leadership Sani has, in just one year, fully regained its place as the leading light of northern Nigeria in practically all facets. In fact, Kaduna is back!
Kaduna was once revered, even deified as the all-powerful capital of northern Nigeria; home to northern political, military, religious and business leaders whose words were unwritten codes by which Nigeria was governed. Kaduna was prodigious and was intensely coveted by all persons of northern extraction. But over time, Kaduna’s power, allure and claim to the leadership of northern Nigeria ebbed considerably due to several factors. Most notable and far-reaching being the speedy rise of ‘neighbouring’ Abuja, the Federal Capital of Nigeria; recurring ethno-religious crises in the state; the decline of the local economy which led to the erosion of the middle class and the rise in the number of the urban poor; and of course, the outright shutting out of rural communities from the mainstream of governance and administration by successive state governments leading to the congestion of the urban centres, especially Kaduna city and Zaria.
Infrastructures in Kaduna city became overstretched and began decaying. In their hundreds, thousands of out-of-school children began roaming the streets of the city, becoming prime targets for mischievous persons who easily lured them into such ant-social vices as robbery, banditry and other forms of criminality. Insecurity completely robbed the once prosperous state of its shine. Kaduna urgently needed help.
Senator Sani assumed office on May 29, 2023 as the governor of the state, very conscious of the challenges and boldly assured the citizens that he was poised to fix Kaduna and restore the dignity and honour of the state as the power house of northern Nigeria. In the last one year, Senator Sani who has a firm grasp of the issues, has tenaciously been walking the talk.
From the onset, Governor Sani was determined to deploy indelible and sustainable solutions to mitigate and eventually curb the hydra-headed problem of insecurity in the state. His preferred option turned out to be a deft combination of kinetic and non-kinetic solutions to stem a seemingly intractable problem. “What are the factors that have bred insecurity and banditry in Kaduna and other states in the North-west? Hopelessness, lack of education and lack of economic prosperity. Over 85 per cent of the people in the North-west are either not educated or are financially excluded,” Senator Sani said a few weeks after he was sworn in as governor. “No matter how much we talk and try to bring about peace, safety and security, if we don’t look at the area of good governance, we will never put to an end to the problem of insecurity in Northern Nigeria in particular,” the governor posited. “In the North-west, there is so much poverty; and if we don’t address the poverty by opening up our rural areas, supporting our farmers and increasing productivity, we will not address the problem of insecurity,” he added.
The governor lamented the huge number of out-of-school children in the North-western parts of the country, especially in Kaduna State. “In Kaduna State, we have over 600,000 out-of-school children. This is unacceptable and we, in fact, view the situation as a ticking time bomb.”
With his job clearly cut out for him, Governor Sani went to work pretty quickly and the results of his efforts became instantly evident: Following an enhanced collaboration between the Kaduna State Government and the leadership of the nation’s Armed and Security Forces, the Kaduna – Abuja express way, once notorious for the nefarious activities of bandits and kidnappers, received a deserved respite and travellers, in their numbers, are now plying the road regularly without fear or anxiety. The rail service between Abuja and Kaduna, which was momentarily halted after a heinous attack that led to the abduction of several passengers, resumed in earnest. Even more important, previously traumatized farmers began returning to their abandoned farms.
Senator Sani was the first state governor, among his contemporaries, to visit and personally take his internal security masterplan to the NSA, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chiefs of Army, Naval and Air staff respectively. The governor’s concerted efforts did not go to waste as the leadership of the Armed Forces saw reasons with him and accepted to set up more Forward Operation Bases in Kaduna State.
In the same regard, Governor Sani, got traditional, community and religious leaders across the local government areas of the state involved in tackling security issues. At regular security meetings with these leaders, Governor Sani kept all stakeholders properly informed about the direction of his government and what the leadership of the nation’s Armed Forces and other security agencies required of them. The governor, being a keen listener, customarily used the opportunity of the security meetings to take contributions from the traditional and community leaders on how best their communities can be secured. These meetings are paying off handsomely as security has now truly become ‘everyone’s business’ in Kaduna State.
Beyond the huge logistics support for the Armed Forces, the police and other security agencies, Governor Sani has since rejuvenated the Kaduna State’s Vigilante Service (KADVS). He beefed up the Service with 7,000 able-bodied persons who were trained by the Nigeria Police Force and he has also procured assorted security assets for the rebooted Service. The screening and recruitment of personnel into the KADVS were done in collaboration with critical stakeholders, notably local government chairmen, traditional and religious leaders. Other than complementing the efforts of the Armed Forces and other security agencies, Governor Sani said he was additionally motivated to recalibrate KADVS to become a job provider for a number of the teeming population of able-bodied young adults in the state. More like killing two birds with a stone.
To enhance the much-needed funding for the several security initiatives his administration is undertaking, Governor Sani signed into law, the Kaduna State Security Trust Fund Bill that empowers the administration to set up a Trust Fund to provide financial support to the efforts being made towards degrading incidences of banditry, abductions and other criminal activities. The new law repealed Kaduna State’s Security Trust Fund Law No. 22, of 2018. This law setting up the Trust Fund made adequate provision for the private sector to play a prominent role in the management of the Fund in collaboration with critical stakeholders in the security sector.
Governor Sani is a staunch believer in the decentralization of policing in Nigeria. The governor’s long-running advocacy to alter Nigeria’s constitution to enable states to establish and run their respective police force or service, as is the case in most developing and developed countries of the world, is well documented. It is on record that as a vibrant lawmaker in the nation’s 9th Senate, Senator Sani sponsored series of bills seeking the alteration of the constitution to accommodate State Police and State Police Service Commissions. Indeed, these bills scaled the requisite hurdles in the Senate and were referred to the 9th National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Constitutional Amendment. Their enactments into law suffered mainly due to the apparent lack of national consensus or political will at the time, to have the 36 states of the federation establish their respective police outfits. Governor Sani remains at the forefront of renewed quest to have states own and run their police force or service.
However, Governor Sani’s dogged resolve to radically degrade insecurity in Kaduna State was tested, albeit most dastardly, by daredevil bandits who on March 7, 2024, abducted a number of school children from the LEA Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga community, in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
For the 16 days that the children were in captivity, Governor Sani, with the full and ceaseless support of President Tinubu, worked very closely with the highest levels of the nation’s military, police and other security agencies to rescue and safely return the abducted persons to their respective homes.
“In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released. Our special appreciation goes to our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for prioritising the safety and security of Nigerians and, particularly, ensuring that the abducted Kuriga school children are released unharmed,” a relieved Governor Sani announced in the early hours of Sunday 24th of March and added that the 137 abducted Kuriga school children were released unharmed. The jubilation in Kaduna and across Nigeri, was rapturous. Good triumphed over evil. The people’s hope in government, especially in President Tinubu and Governor Sani as well as the nation’s security forces were rekindled, once again.
Interestingly, the unfortunate abduction incident at the Kuriga community school sparked off an infrastructural revolution of sorts in Kaduna State. The incident afforded Governor Sani a fuller view of the dilapidated state of most of the public schools in Kaduna State and he instantly launched a massive rehabilitation, reconstruction and construction of schools across the 23 local government areas of the state. With his sights also set on drastically reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state, Governor Sani’s first year in office has seen a focused allocation of resources towards a series of strategic actions in the education and human capacity building sectors. These actions include: the construction of over 2,326 new classrooms – providing space for over 98,040 pupils; provision of over 30,742 two-seater desks, accommodating 61,484 pupils, to promote learning in a comfortable and respectful environment; installation of hygienic toilets and hand pumps for clean drinking water in schools; renovation of 707 classrooms; distribution of over 34,000 pieces of furniture for both pupils and teachers and the reduction of tuition fees across all state-operated higher education institutions. Similarly, Governor Sani’s administration has in the last one year established a number of schools of basic education across the state. He has also approved the establishment of another campus (annex) of the Kaduna State College of Education Gidan Waya in Hunkuyi, Kudan LGA to expand access to tertiary education.
To safeguard the schools from the nefarious incursions of bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements, the Kaduna State Government has designed and is currently implementing a unique Safe School Programme aimed at strengthening safety and security in primary and secondary schools across the state, through collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force. Critical components of the Programme include the massive fencing of public schools; merging of schools deemed to be prone to the activities of bandits with much safer schools; establishment of Security and Safety Response Committees with membership drawn from schools and communities; Deployment of Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVS) to schools; Provision of emergency line to schools; Security Awareness Training for School Managers, teaching and non-teaching staff and School Based Management Committee members; Construction of Muster Points in schools; training on identification of Early Warning Signs and the construction of Watch Towers in schools.
Equally noteworthy is the fact that under Governor Sani, the Kaduna State Government is partnering with Google to train 5,000 women and girls in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and entrepreneurial application of digital technologies in efforts to promote digital inclusion and leverage technology for economic growth. Even then, the governor has approved the release of N205 million for merit and need-based scholarship disbursement to university students.
Governor Sani’s administration is primed to bring sustainable development to every nook and cranny of Kaduna State. He has however prioritized the opening-up of rural and underserved areas of the state. “The central policy thrust of our administration is rural transformation. We are committed to revitalizing our rural economies through massive infrastructural development,” Governor Uba Sani said.
Pursuant to this goal, in September 2023, Governor Sani flagged off the 21.7-kilometre road, linking Anchau and Gadas-Palla Road in Kubau and Ikara Local Governments. The road was conceptualized and designed to address the transportation challenges of 32 communities. A month later, the governor flagged off the construction of a 10.2-kilometre feeder road, stretching from Dan Makwarwa to Hunkuyi. Late last year, in December to be precise, Governor Sani flagged off roads, drainages and culvert construction across the eight local governments in Southern Kaduna. The projects are spread across Jaba, Zangon Kataf, Kagarko, Sanga, Kaura, Kauru, Kachia and Jema’a Local Governments.
Similarly, on December 31, 2023, Senator Sani performed another groundbreaking event, for an 18-kilometre road construction, linking Sanga Local Government to Jemaá Area Council. The road, from Gwantu, through Kiban, is projected to provide forward and backward linkages to farmers and markets, and reduce post-harvest losses, cost of transportation and travel time. The governor also flagged of a 35-kilometre road from Gadan Gayan, through Gwaraji to Kujama Junction, linking Igabi and Chikun local governments, in Kaduna Central senatorial districts.
Indeed, the governor is deploying massive road network to interconnect the state. A good example of such huge investment is the 327 kilometres road linking College Road to Mashigi, stretching down to the Eastern Bypass. The road is designed to cut across Igabi, Kaduna North and Chikun Local Government Areas. The governor flagged off the construction of this road on the 16th of March. Over 827 kilometres of roads are currently under construction in the state.
“We are ramping up our Infrastructural Development Drive. Our Rural Transformation Programme is being executed concurrently with upgrade of infrastructure in the urban areas. The new investments flowing into Kaduna State are being supported by infrastructure upgrades. We are determined to make Kaduna State a safe and secure business hub in the North and a choice destination for investors. We are putting Kaduna State on a sure path towards actualizing its God-given potentials,” Governor Sani said.
Speaking of inflow of investments, Governor Sani has exceedingly excelled on this score. An example is the proactive collaboration between the Kaduna State Government and the Kuwait Fund. The Fund is currently supporting Kaduna State with $28 million to return several out-of-school children back to school.
Also, under the aegis of the Qatar Sanabil Project, Qatar Charity has also commenced the construction of 500,000 housing units for less privileged residents of Kaduna State. The Mega Economic City project was officially inaugurated by Governor Sani and Qatar’s Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Ali Bin Ghanem Al-Hajri, in Kaduna in August 2023.
Essentially, the project aims to improve the living conditions of underprivileged families in the state. Aside from the construction of the housing units, Qatar Charity is undertaking an array of interventions and empowerment programmes for the less privileged across Kaduna State. These programmes, many of which have commenced, include scholarships for orphans and children of the poor, distribution of sewing machines, welding machines, irrigation pumping machines, salon kits, and drilling of hundreds of boreholes across the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State.
Beyond the very strong ties between Kaduna State and the humanitarian organization, Qatar Charity, during a two-day visit to Qatar alongside President Tinubu in March this year, Governor Sani secured firm commitments from a number of industrial and business concerns to invest in Kaduna. Most remarkable of the lot is the world-famous Qatar’s CGK Global, a waste management company, which agreed and indeed announced its resolve to establish a state-of-the-art hydrogen plant in Kaduna State, with a total investment of $350 million.
The governor stressed the importance of the trip: “We held fruitful meetings with investors in the areas of solid minerals, agriculture, energy, and infrastructure development. CGK Global, a waste management company with capacity to generate hydrogen and electricity, wants to set up a plant in Kaduna with the possible injection of $350 million,” Sani said and added that Abu Dhabi-based companies — Masdar and Taqa — have also shown interests in partnering with Kaduna State for power and gas infrastructure.
Governor Sani’s sustained efforts at attracting investments has also been bearing fruits in the mining sector with the completion of a gigantic new Lithium Processing Plant in Kaduna, a partnership between the Kaduna State Government and Ming Xin Mineral Separation Nigeria Ltd. The facility has initial capacity of 1500 metric tonnes per day. The completed processing plant is Phase 1 of the project. The capacity of the plant will be doubled in the Phase 2 of the project.
On Monday, May 13, 2024, Governor Sani performed the groundbreaking for the construction of the $50 million Soya Bean Oil Refining Plant by Sunagrow International Oil Ltd at Kutungare, Igabi LG of Kaduna State. When completed, the $50m Soya Bean Oil Refining Plant will have a production capacity of 500,000 litres per day.
The Kaduna State Governor has equally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hebei Province of the People’s Republic of China for exchanges and cooperation in various forms in the fields of economy, trade, solid minerals, science and technology, energy, transportation, agriculture and infrastructure to promote common prosperity and development. According to the governor while inviting investors to the state, “there is a steadfast guarantee that your investments in Kaduna State will be nurtured by a robust policy framework and unwavering support”.
For the first time in a long while, farmers in Kaduna State are gearing up for bountiful harvests this year. Aside the fact that the state government in conjunction with security agencies are making it safer for them to return to their farms, Governor Sani’s administration has been distributing farm inputs and agro-processing machines to thousands of beneficiaries across the state under the Tallafin Noma (A Koma Gona) scheme. The beneficiaries received quality seeds, bags of NPK and urea fertilizers, agrochemicals, power tillers, vegetable grinders, and knapsack sprayers with PPE.
Following the efforts of Governor Sani in advocating for support for farmers affected by the Ginger Blight disease outbreak in the Southern parts of Kaduna, President Tinubu directed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to allocate N1.6 billion to the affected farmers with the aim of minimizing future losses and maintaining the vital role ginger production plays in Nigeria’s food security and overall GDP contribution. The Ginger Blight Epidemic Control Taskforce Support Initiative was launched in Kaduna State. The initiative is aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s Ginger status and bringing massive economic prosperity not only to Kaduna State but Nigeria as a whole. The recovery component is being implemented through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADFUND).
But it is not just farmers that are smiling in Kaduna State under the leadership of Governor Sani. In their numbers, citizens and residents of the state benefitted from the two tranches of palliatives distribution in the state. In an audacious move that took many by surprise, Senator Sani on Monday, March 18, 2024, flagged off the distribution of the second batch of palliatives worth over N11.4 billion. The highest such intervention in one fell swoop, at least in recent times, by any state government in Nigeria.
Since assuming office, the governor has revved up health delivery, nudging up allocation of 15% of the state budget to healthcare. In the last one year, the administration has distributed assortment of state-of-the-art medical equipment to the 290 upgraded Primary Healthcare Centres across the state and operationalized ultra-modern Mobile Medical Trucks to provide integrated health services to remote and underserved communities.
The governor has also inaugurated a Women and Children Centre for vulnerable women and children to facilitate access to a range of services including medical, legal, psychosocial, and counselling support.
As Governor Sani rejuvenates Kaduna, it is not entirely surprising that in the last one year, he has enjoyed a very cordial working relationship with the state’s House of Assembly. So far, the governor has signed five bills passed by the House into law. These include: Development of Tech Enabled Startups & other related matters; The Repeal of Kaduna Investment and Promotion Agency (KADIPA) Law 2015 and the enactment of KADIPA Law 2023; Amendment of Fines and Penalties Provisions Law and Provision of Public Health & other related matters.
The governor of Kaduna State is one of the few governors in the country that enjoy very chummy relationship with the workforce in the state. The truth is that labour leaders in Kaduna State actually regard Senator Sani, who is a seasoned human rights and pro-democracy activist, as one of their own. They fondly call him ‘Comrade Governor’ and readily attest that he regularly consults and takes useful advice from them.
Governor Sani has in the last one year also enjoyed huge support from religious leaders in the state. The leadership of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have repeatedly confirmed this fact. For a state that was once notorious for divisive politics and ethno-religious crises, Kaduna State has since turned over a new leaf under Governor Sani. Though a devout Muslim, Senator Sani enjoys huge support and following from the large Christian population in the state. During Christmas festivities last year, Governor Sani received huge applause when he attended Kaduna Unity Christmas Carol organised by the Kaduna State chapter of the CAN. The event was held at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), English Service, Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna city.
Addressing the congregation, Governor Sani said that his government will develop every part of Kaduna State, without giving ethnic or religious consideration to siting of development projects. “One of the most important agenda of our government is to ensure that we carry our people along. Human capital development is the most important thing. I try to make it clear to the people of Kaduna State that we are not concerned with any religious or ethnic differences. We are one family and we are going to work together without segregation or discrimination,” Governor Sani told the congregation.
It must however be mentioned that Governor Sani has achieved this much in his first year in office in spite of the huge debt burden he inherited. The debt burden, though scorching and almost debilitating, is not slowing down Governor Sani’s avowed commitment to return Kaduna to winning ways. No wonder the governor signed the Kaduna Mutual Accountability Framework (KaMAF) between the Kaduna State Government and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The Kaduna Mutual Accountability Framework (KaMAF) aims to improve coordination between the Donor Community and Kaduna State, and support the delivery of the Kaduna State Development Plan 2021 – 2025.
A coalition of civil society groups has commended Niger Governor Umar Bago for what they described as his exemplary leadership and remarkable achievements in various sectors, particularly in agriculture and infrastructural development.
The North Central Transformation Ambassadors, at a press conference in Abuja, praised Governor Bago’s administration for its commitment to transforming the state’s economy and improving the lives of citizens.
Convener of the group, Dauda Yakubu, said the Governor’s innovative approach to governance has made Niger a model State in the north-central region.
Yakubu added that the Governor has brought about a new era of development and prosperity in the entire zone, highlighted by his transparency, accountability and integrity.
”Since assuming office, Governor Bago has hit the ground running, taking governance to unprecedented heights. His few months in office have been nothing short of remarkable. Beyond mere enthusiasm, he has translated his vision into tangible action, expending extraordinary energy to address long-standing challenges that had plagued the state for years,” the statement said.
”Governor Bago’s leadership has been marked by a clear vision and goal for a “Transformative Niger”, by being focused on providing social amenities, sustainable economy, good governance, and urban renewal. One of the most remarkable facets of Governor Bago’s leadership, which has distinguished him as a singular exception among his peers, is his unwavering dedication to infrastructure development.
”As the empirical evidence now attests, roads that were previously inaccessible have undergone significant rehabilitation, thereby establishing vital connections between remote communities and substantially enhancing the ease of movement for residents. This strategic emphasis on infrastructure has not only augmented connectivity but has also catalyzed economic growth and measurably improved the overall standard of living for the populace of Niger State.
“His unrelenting commitment to progress and development has yielded concrete and tangible outcomes that have positively impacted the lives of the people in Niger State, leaving an indelible mark on their well-being and prosperity. From infrastructure to social welfare, Governor Bago’s administration has consistently demonstrated an unshakeable resolve to prioritize the welfare and prosperity of Nigerlites, thereby setting a new paradigm for exemplary leadership.
”It was astounding to the North Central Transformation Ambassadors in learning of his actions towards the fuel subsidy removal. In response to the fuel subsidy removal, Governor Bago’s administration awarded a contract for the purchase of 200 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to provide free transportation to students and at a subsidized rate for civil servants. This initiative has alleviated the burden of transportation costs for the citizens, especially students and civil servants, demonstrating the governor’s commitment to the welfare of the people.
”Furthermore, Governor Bago has prioritized education and healthcare, recognizing these sectors as crucial pillars for the advancement of any society. His administration has invested significantly in revamping educational institutions, ensuring that the youth of Niger State have access to quality education and the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.
”His exceptional endeavors in the realm of security have also garnered considerable attention. Governor Bago’s innovative community-centric approach has yielded phenomenal results over time, effectively mitigating the youth restiveness that once imperiled Minna.
”Furthermore, Governor Bago has consistently demonstrated unwavering support for agriculture and rural development, recognizing the pivotal role they play in empowering local communities and ensuring food security. It’s no news anymore that Niger State has attracted over a billion dollars in Agric business investments since the inception of his administration in 2023.
“Through strategic investments in agricultural infrastructure and provision of support to farmers, his administration has significantly bolstered the agricultural sector, thereby stimulating economic growth, fostering a sense of pride and self-sufficiency among the people of Niger State, and contributing substantially to the state’s food security.”
The group further said Bago’s leadership has brought hope and renewed confidence to the people of Niger State, urging him to continue his good work.
While calling on other Governors to emulate Bago’s leadership model, which they described as “people-centred and development-oriented” Yakubu called on Nigerlites and indeed the entire north-central to continue to support the governor.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) support group and the Youths Wing Mobilisation Vanguards have dissociated their supporters from alleged orchestrated recall moves against Senator Sahabi Yau Kaura representing (Zamfara North).
The groups described the moves as political blunders orchestrated to destroy party unity and stability in the zone and State in general.
Speaking to newsmen on Sunday, leaders of the group, Alhaji Ashiru Tukur and Engr Garba Shafi’i said the rumour was the handi work of some miscreants on mission to destroy APC unity in the State.
”We disassociate ourselves and our good party members from the four local governments of Shinkafi, Kaura Namoda, Zurmi and Birnin Magaji from this political blunders orchestrated to destroy our unity and stability in the zone and state in general.
”The move is a huge joke taken too far. It is a nurtured plan to destabilize our common interest, unity and the existing political understanding within the party. All these are intended to create indiscipline and confusion in APC Zamfara state,” the groups alleged.
It further alleged that the sponsored campaign of calumny against Senator Kaura was a dirty job involving some jobless and non-party members to bring mischief and instability to the Senatorial zone.
”The recall propaganda was orchestrated to create political tension and instability when he understands that Senator Sahabi Yau as a calm, honest and focused politician cannot go so low to be fighting him in the public.
”All the accusations levelled at Senator Yau are unfounded, propaganda, mischief and lies to tarnish his image and good work legislative duty he is doing to the good people of his constituency and nation in general,” the groups argued.
They stated Sen. Sahabi Yau has displayed best of character, discipline and good leadership styles to his zone including concern and care to the issue of developmental projects, peace and political cohesion of people of Zamfara North senatorial zone.
According to the group, empowerment support programmes executed by Sen Yau have reduce the challenge of poverty and assisted tremendously in improving people wellbeing.
”The Senator ensured financial support for medium scale businesses and creating job opportunities to teeming youths of the senatorial district, including women and the vulnerable.
”The gesture have reduced burdens of life and created a new way of life. He distributed millions of naira as palliatives that include foodstuffs, clothing and built many schools and donated teaching materials to uplift the standard of education in the area.
”Projects included improved hospital services, roads, provision of water, scholarship and support to the fight against insecurity issue, Senator Sahabi Yau has made it mandatory in supporting the welfare of the generality of people of Zamfara state,” groups said.
They added the Senator secured employment for no fewer than 100 youths from the zone at the FMC, FUG, NBAIS, NITT and other federal agencies to improve the living condition of his people.
”We witnessed the construction and commissioning of many hospitals in Katuru, Billashi, B/Magaji, Kaura and many other towns.
”He also rehabilitated and provided hospital materials that include beds, drugs and other facilities in all the 46 wards Primary health care of his constituency and donated 10 ambulances to hospitals in Moriki, Zurmi, Dankade and some other towns,” the leaders added.
They noted that apart from initiating and completing solar street lights in all the four local government headquarters and some selected towns, Senator Sahabi ensured the construction and completion of many roads including Kaurar Namoda to Yankaba, Kwanar Guiwa to Sakajiki and Shinkafi to Shanawa respectively for smooth movements of people, goods and services.
”Sen. Sahabi Yau also sponsored the construction of a feeder road from Nassarawa-Godel to Cigama that have a strategic important in reducing and easing much transportation for rural dwellers, a project abandoned for two decades,” the group said.
The group assured their loyalty and support to Sen. Sahabi Kaura and leadership of the party in Zamfara state and advised youths in the state to be careful of the certain characters of political elites that are putting them as tool of propaganda because they are on their payroll to achieve their selfishness and destruction agenda.
The Kano Traders Association has urged Governor Abba Yusuf to comply with the Federal High Court’s order restraining the Kano State Government from repealing the Kano Emirate Council Law 2019.
The association, in a statement by its leader, Usman Auwal Nagode, emphasised the importance of respecting the rule of law and urged all arms of government to work together in harmony to ensure peace, stability, and progress in the state.
The traders commended the judiciary and security agencies for upholding the rule of law and ensuring peace returns to the state.
They also praised President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to the separation of powers and his role in maintaining peace in Kano State and the country at large.
The statement read, “On behalf of the Kano Traders Association, we urge the Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusif, to respect and comply with the Federal High Court orders. This is crucial to avoid causing further hardship to the people of Kano State, who have already suffered enough.
“We commend the judiciary and security agencies for upholding the rule of law and ensuring peace returns to the state. Our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu, has demonstrated a commendable commitment to the separation of powers and has played a vital role in maintaining peace in Kano State and the country at large. We appreciate his efforts and exemplary leadership.
“We emphasize the importance of respecting the rule of law and the need for all arms of government to work together in harmony to ensure peace, stability, and progress in the state. Let us work together to build a better future for the people of Kano State.”
In a rare show of solidarity, Islamic scholars and clerics in Kano State have commended the judiciary and security agencies for their efforts in maintaining peace and order in the Kano Emirate crisis.
The scholars and clerics praised the judiciary for its prompt intervention in the crisis, which they said helped to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the state.
They made this known in a statement jointly signed by Khalifa Sheik Lawi Atiku Sanka, Khalifa Nal Abdulkadir Ramadan, Prof Abdullahi Pakistan, Mallam Yusuf Ahmad Gabari, Mal Lawan Abubakar Triumph, Sheik Mal Mohd Bakari, Imam Usaini Yakubu Rano, Imam Jamilu Abubakar and Professor Ibrahim Muazzam Maibushira.
The Islamic leaders also hailed the judiciary over its judgement halting the dissolution of the Kano Emirate and subsequent reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido as Emir of Kano.
“On behalf of the Islamic Scholars and Clerics (Ulamas) of Kano State, we express our heartfelt appreciation for the crucial role played by the judiciary and security agencies in maintaining peace and stability in Kano State. We commend them for upholding the rule of law and ensuring a return to peace in the state,” the statement said.
“We urge the Executive arm of Government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusif, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly to exercise caution and refrain from making decisions that may jeopardize the state’s stability and exacerbate the suffering of the people of Kano State, who have already endured enough due to previous negative decisions and misguided policies.
“We are particularly grateful to the judiciary and security agencies, who have been the last hope for the people, standing strong and protecting the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We commend our patriotic President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu, for his unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and separation of powers, and his vital role in maintaining peace in Kano State and the country at large. We appreciate his efforts and exemplary leadership.
“We emphasize the importance of respecting the rule of law and the need for all arms of government to work together in harmony to ensure peace, stability, and progress in the state. Let us work together to build a brighter future for the people of Kano State, where justice, peace, and prosperity reign supreme, and where the rights and dignity of all citizens are upheld and respected.”
