AS Nigeria marked its 65th Independence Anniversary, Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, rolled out his administration’s scorecard, highlighting what he described as “landmark achievements” recorded in the past two and a half years despite prevailing economic challenges in the country.
Governor Yusuf made this known at the Independence Day celebration held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, in a speech released by his spokesman, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa made available to News Point Nigeria.
He reassured citizens that his government remains firmly committed to fulfilling its people-oriented campaign promises across critical sectors including education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, social welfare, and workers’ welfare.
Governor Yusuf disclosed that his administration has surpassed the UNESCO benchmark, devoting nearly one-third of the state’s 2024 and 2025 budgets to education.
6,000 new teachers have been recruited, with 2,000 volunteer instructors absorbed into permanent service.
A 50% reduction in tuition fees for state-owned tertiary institutions has been approved.
The government has also paid examination fees for thousands of students and revived the foreign postgraduate scholarship programme, benefiting over 2,000 students.
The Governor announced that Kano has now exceeded the Abuja Declaration benchmark on health funding.
Over 500 new health professionals have been recruited.
A Kano State Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KNCDC) has been established.
Free caesarean section services are now available for pregnant women across the state.
To strengthen food security, the administration distributed ₦1 billion worth of free fertilisers to over 52,800 smallholder farmers.
A ₦16 billion irrigation project was launched at Jakara Dam.
The Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) has already supported more than 477,000 farmers, far surpassing initial expectations.
Governor Yusuf highlighted massive investments in urban renewal: 17 dilapidated roads in Kano metropolis have been rehabilitated and ₦27 billion has been committed to major interchange projects.
Operations at the Tamburawa Water Plant have been restored, with new pumping machines procured to boost water supply.
The Governor revealed that: a ₦2.3 billion livestock entrepreneurship programme has been launched, 7,158 goats were distributed to 2,386 women across 44 LGAs and 1,130 graduates have been equipped with start-up kits for self-employment.
Thousands of small business owners received ₦50,000 each as start-up capital.
Addressing the plight of workers and retirees, Governor Yusuf stated that his administration has begun clearing a ₦48 billion backlog of unpaid pensions and gratuities, with ₦27 billion already disbursed.
He also assured the prompt and regular payment of salaries and pensions, describing workers’ welfare as a “non-negotiable priority.”
Governor Yusuf assured Kano citizens that his administration will consolidate on current gains while working toward sustainable development and improved livelihoods for the people.
“We remain focused on good governance, transparency, and accountability. Our mission is to build a Kano where peace, progress, and prosperity are assured for every citizen,” he declared.