ENVIOUS of developmental strides in Kano State, youth under the aegis of North East Youth Progressive Union and Coalition for Democratic Rights Group have challenged Governors in the North to copy Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s template of poverty alleviation and human capital development which they described as practical and impacting.
The Northeast youth groups made the call on Wednesday in Yola, Adamawa State capital, where they converged for a press conference
Recall that Kano State Government under the watch of Governor Yusuf has rebirth an education-for-masses policy started by former Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, which provides opportunities for free basic education, local and foreign scholarships with over 1,001 meticulously selected postgraduate students already departing for studies in India from last week.
Speaking, the Chairman of the groups, Dr. Kabir Hassan Sambo, expressed worries over huge disparity in educational opportunities between North and Southern part of the country, advocating for the immediate replication of Kano’s educational transformation agenda in the region faced by diverse socioeconomic challenges.
Dr Sambo said: “It is worthy of note that Governor Yusuf within the last 5 months has paid for the Tuition, Feeding, and Accommodation of 1001 Post Graduate students to India. He has also paid the Senior Secondary school examination fees (NECO) for 57,000 students, Tuition fees of 7,000 students at Bayero University, and tertiary institution students in Kano are now granted 50% discount on their fees. Furthermore, he has reopened 26 Skills acquisition institutes for training and empowerment of residents of Kano State.
“We really need all Northern Governors to emulate these steps by Kano and to prioritize education and human capital development.”
Highlighting the political and economic importance of Kano to other parts of the North, Northeast youth said, “we are aware that the Tribunal sacked this man that has renewed the hope of the youths in Northern Nigeria. As with the youth in Kano, the Northern youths are watching the appeal process. There must be Justice. Justice is the bedrock of democracy and if the judicial system fails the people, then democracy is in jeopardy!”
Further, the youth noted that, “We are not unmindful of the role Kano State played as the center of commerce and political activities of Northern Nigeria both in the past and present, it is therefore absolutely necessary for the northern political gladiators to play politics that will bring succor to the people and not otherwise”.
“Let us not easily forget also, the role played by the Kano State government to the people of north east during our trying times, the time of Boko Haram, when our people were displaced. Thousands of households were received and accommodated by the Kano State Government, widows were trained on different skill acquisition, and orphans enrolled in various schools.
“Banditry has bedeviled the Northwestern part of the country and Kano State is at the forefront of receiving displaced persons and catering for their well-being. It is on this premise that we call upon all stakeholders to treat with caution and allow democratic principles to prevail for the sake of our people in the North,” youth demanded.
