Youths under the aegis of North-East Youth Progressive Union and Coalition for Democratic Rights Group have called for the stability of Kano State, which is the centre of commerce, and the need for the court to validate the victory of Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf in the 2023 governorship election in the state.
The youths also challenged governors in the North to copy Governor Kabir-Yusuf’s template of poverty alleviation and human capital development which they described as practical and impacting.
The North-East youth groups made the call yesterday in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, during a press conference.
Recall that the Kano State Government under the watch of Kabir-Yusuf has reactivated an education-for-masses policy which was introduced by former governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The policy provides opportunities for free basic education, and local and foreign scholarships with over 1,001 meticulously selected postgraduate students already departing for studies in India from last week.
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Speaking, the Chairman of the groups, Dr Hassan Sambo, expressed worries over the huge disparity in educational opportunities between North and Southern parts of the country.
He, therefore, called for the immediate replication of Kano’s educational transformation agenda in the region faced with diverse socioeconomic challenges.
Sambo said, “It is worthy of note that Kabir-Yusuf within the last five 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 a 50 per cent discount on their fees.
“Furthermore, he has reopened 26 Skills acquisition institutes for training and empowerment of residents of Kano State. We need all Northern Governors to emulate these steps by Kano and to prioritise education and human capital development.”
Highlighting the political and economic importance of Kano to other parts of the North, the North-East 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 youths 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 youths noted that “We are not unmindful of the role Kano State played as the centre of commerce and political activities of Northern Nigeria both in the past and present, it is, therefore, necessary for the northern political gladiators to play politics that will bring succour 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 in different skill acquisition, and orphans enrolled in various schools.
“Banditry has bedevilled the North-Western part of the country and Kano State is at the forefront of receiving displaced persons and catering to 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,” the youths demanded.
