Northern Govs Urged to Emulate Embattled Yusuf of Kano State 

Daji Sani in Yola

North East Youth Progressive Unions (NYPU) and the Coalition for Democratic Rights Group have called on governors from the North-east and by extension the entire northern governors to emulate the good work of the embattled Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State in the education and capacity building and appealed for justice in his case at the Court of Appeal.

The Chairman of NYPU, Mr. Kabir Hassan Sambo, said during a press conference yesterday in Yola, Adamawa State that the embattled Governor Yusuf within the last five months has paid for the tuition, feeding, and accommodation of 1001 post graduate students sent to India.

He further revealed that the governor 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.

Governor Yusuf has also procured and distributed education support materials to over nine thousand schools with over three million pupils benefited from uniforms, books, computers and other teaching/learning aids.

“These are some of the programs that we know will not only help develop Kano and its people, but will have a knock on positive effect in northern Nigeria as a whole. We, therefore, encourage Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to continue his giant strides in good governance.

“We are all human beings capable of rational reasoning. These strides in Kano have gotten the people of Kano excited. In actual fact the youth of Northern Nigeria have had their hope in the future development renewed. We really need all Northern Governors to emulate these steps by Kano and to prioritise education and human capital development.

“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!

“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 household were received and accommodated by the Kano State government, widows were trained on different skill acquisition, and orphans enrolled to various schools.

He said currently the banditry crises looming the north western part of the country, Kano State is at the forefront of receiving displaced persons and catering for their wellbeing. 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.

Sambo said that his organisation often played a crucial role in protecting democracy particularly young individuals who are passionate about social and political change in the context of Northern Nigeria,

“We focus on empowering young people through education, promoting civic engagement, and advocating for policies that enhance democratic values.

“We equally engage in activities such as monitoring elections, promoting transparency, and holding both the government and other institutions accountable for their actions in Northern Nigeria,” he said