The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, consider the reopening of the county’s borders for the importation of foodstuff to alleviate the suffering of the Nigerian masses.
The appeal was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, shortly after receiving the Controller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, at Government House in Kano.
Yusuf lamented that the rampant price hike in the country’s commodities caused critical conditions of hunger and starvation.
“We appreciate the President’s intervention on the ongoing national food initiative, which he considers Kano the host for, believing that the programme will cushion the effects of food scarcity if implemented,” he said.
According to the Governor, another immediate intervention that can make food available and affordable to our teaming population is for the Federal Government to consider reopening the borders and allowing free importation of commodities.
During the meeting with the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in his office, Governor Yusuf emphasized the prevalent hardships faced by the populace, particularly during the sacred month of Ramadan, underscoring the necessity of opening the borders to alleviate their distress.
He also expressed satisfaction with the Customs Service’s initiative to commence the distribution of food items to the citizens of Kano amidst the prevailing hardships and hunger experienced by many, urging the Customs Service to ensure that this benevolent act reaches those most affected.
Furthermore, the Governor assured the Customs Service of his unwavering support in all aspects, particularly those that would yield positive outcomes for Kano and Nigeria.
In his remarks, Adeniyi reiterated the significance of fortifying the bond between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Kano community, emphasizing the Service’s more profound commitment to collaboration and mutual understanding.
He pledged to implement policies to refine business processes and foster stakeholder engagement.
While interacting with various stakeholders in Kano, CG Adeniyi also stated that the Service had made comprehensive arrangements to address the current challenges of food scarcity and hardship in Kano by distributing essential food items to the state’s residents.
