Governor Yusuf and his Deputy displaying the Kano State Security Neighborhood Watch law (2025)

*Exco approves N33.45b for developmental projects

*State partners FG, Gates, Dangote Foundations to tackle poliovirus maternal mortality

*Cooperates with UK charity organisation to boost Islamic education

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

Kano state has established a state-owned security outfit to help security agencies combat crime and criminal activities across the state as the state Governor,  Engr.  Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Tuesday, signed into law the Kano State Security Neighborhood Watch bill (2025), passed last week by the state House of Assembly.

Governor Yusuf also signed into law the Kano State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (Amendment) bill (2025) and

Kano State Centre for Disease Control and Prevention bill, (2025).

The three laws were assented to by the Governor during a brief ceremony at Government House, Kano, attended by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, members of the state Executive Council and lawmakers.

A statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, indicated that the Governor assented to the bills at the commencement of the 25th Kano State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House.

In his remarks, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy and fostering the rapid socioeconomic development of the state.

He emphasised that the government remains steadfast in its efforts to initiate and implement policies and programmes aimed at improving the lives of Kano state citizens.

Governor Yusuf also expressed appreciation for the unwavering support and cooperation of the people, urging them to sustain the momentum to achieve the administration’s set goals.

Kano Exco approves N33.45b for developmental projects.

Kano State Executive Council has approved the sum of N33,455,431,626.56 for the execution of various development projects across the state.

Briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting, the Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, stated that the Council approved the settlement of 19-month allowances for 2,369 screened street sweepers under the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change at N426,420,000.00.

He added that the Council also approved N109,070,000.00 for the procurement and distribution of UTME/JAMB forms, including the screening, registration, and training of prospective candidates under the Ministry of Education.

Similarly, he noted that N284,122,002.61 was approved for the construction of a Model Primary Health Centre at Rimin Zakara in Ungoggo Local Government Area under the Ministry of Health.

The Commissioner further revealed that the Council approved the general repairs and renovation of physical structures at Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Shekara at N434,339,301.25, as well as the renovation of First Lady’s College, Magwan, at N893,109,270.55.

He explained that the Council also reviewed the contract rates for the construction of 8 units of 2-bedroom semi-detached houses, a gatehouse, and the renovation of the wall fence at Government House, Kano, with an approved sum of N90,725,980.96.

Additionally, he announced that N6,600,000,000.00 had been allocated for the implementation of 2025 State Constituency Projects, while N256,654,768.37 was approved for the ongoing renovation of the Deputy Governor’s Office at Government House, Kano.

He further noted that N160,000,000.00 was approved for the purchase of property at Ja’en Quarters, Gwale LGA, for conversion into a public school.

Comrade Waiya disclosed that the Council approved N378,000,000.00 for the procurement of nine Toyota Hilux vehicles to be used as operational vehicles by some agencies and Local Government Project Monitoring Committees in the three senatorial districts. He added that N9,760,888,878.39 was approved for the construction of seven rural roads and backlog rehabilitation intervention (Phase II) under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).

He further explained that N5,283,158,140.59 was allocated for the rehabilitation and asphaltic overlay of Sharada Road (Dan Agundi Interchange – Panshekara Underpass), while N3,423,002,893.84 was earmarked for the rehabilitation and asphaltic overlay of Murtala Mohammed Way (Club Road Roundabout – Bompai Road – Audu Bako Way – State Road Junction).

The Commissioner announced that the Council approved N5,220,690,390.00 for the construction of 1,000 units of two-bedroom prototype houses for free distribution to victims of flood disasters.

He added that N135,250,000.00 was approved to augment the cost of providing befitting accommodation for 2,500 intending pilgrims at the Holy Land (closer to Harami).

He also stated that the Council approved the splitting of the Ministry of Works and Housing into two separate ministries, namely the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Housing Development, to enhance efficiency in infrastructure and housing development.

Comrade Waiya informed journalists that the Council approved the training of 2,000 members of the Kano State Vigilante Group and the provision of uniforms for 6,000 members.

He revealed that the Council also endorsed the buy-back of 324 houses in the Kwankwasiyya, Amana, and Bandirawo Mega Cities from Pension Funds Trustees, allowing the government to resell them to interested buyers and recoup the funds.

He further stated that approval was granted for the procurement of food items for Ramadan feeding programmes and palliatives, which will be distributed to key stakeholders, interest groups, MDAs, CSOs, and NGOs.

The Commissioner disclosed that the Council approved the engagement of Messrs. Skipper T&D DAMC as consultants for the completion and subsequent operation of the Challawa 2x3MW and Tiga 10MW Hydro Power Plants, pending the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). He also announced that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had signed into law three bills passed by the State House of Assembly, namely the Kano State Metropolitan Transport Agency Bill, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Bill, and the Security-Watch Neighbourhood Law.

Comrade Waiya revealed that the Executive Council received and reviewed the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the End-Bad Governance Protest of August 2024, which investigated cases of breach of peace, destruction of public and private property, and loss of lives.

He also stated that, in recognition of his administration’s commitment to Kano State’s development, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf received six awards from various MDAs and NGOs. Similarly, he announced that the Governor presented awards to the top three winners of the 9th Edition of the 44 Young Kano State Scientists Competition, facilitated by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

The Commissioner assured the people of Kano State that the government remains committed to infrastructure development, economic growth, and social welfare, adding that the Executive Council will continue to make decisions that will positively impact the lives of the citizens.

Kano partners FG, Gates, Dangote Foundations to tackle poliovirus maternal mortality.

Also, Kano state Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has reiterated his administration’s commitment to partner with the Federal Government to eradicate poliovirus in Kano.

Governor Yusuf indicated readiness to collaborate with the Gates Foundation and Aliko Dangote Foundation to check the lapses in the fight against the virus.

A statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, on Wednesday, said the Governor committed while receiving the coordinating Minister of Health and Social Development and representatives of the two foundations on courtesy at the Government House, Kano.

Governor Yusuf, represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Alhaji Farouk  Umar Ibrahim, disclosed that the partnership becomes pertinent at a period when his administration is committed to improving the health population of Kano.

Governor Yusuf reminded that while the administration celebrates successes recorded within a short period of stay, he is not unaware of the challenges in the healthcare system, including polio and maternal and newborn mortality.

Yusuf vowed to redouble efforts on far-reaching immunisation programmes to capture missing children, strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers, and improve supply chain management to achieve overall goals.

He added that his administration has restored counterparts’ funding on routine immunisation to cover the zero dose inherited from the immediate past government and sustain investment in the Primary Health Care system.

Earlier, the Coordinating Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, applauded the state government’s investment in health and expressed readiness to collaborate with development agencies to eradicate poliovirus in Kano state.

Professor Pate hinted that despite the efforts, the resurgence of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus and fake finger marking of children during immunisation in campaigns in Kano is threatening the success recorded in the last 10 years.

He said the state government must ensure the proper selection of a working immunisation team and monitor the work closely while calling for the involvement of traditional leaders and relevant agencies to achieve total eradication.

The minister also indicated the commitment of the Federal government to support Kano with the supply of vaccines and provide emergency transportation and free treatment of emergency cases for pregnant mothers.

In his remarks, the President of Global Development of the Gates Foundation, Dr Chris Elias, reminded the gathering that the Foundation has signed an MoU with the Kano state government to help eradicate the polio virus and strengthen routine immunisation in 2012.

“We are now back to fight the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus 10 years after we had recorded the last case of wild poliovirus in Kano”,  said Dr. Chris of the Gates Foundation.

Kano govt partners with UK charity organisations to boost Islamic education

Moreover, the Kano state government has entered into a partnership with Muslim Charity for the United Kingdom (MCUK), a UK-based charity organisation, to boost Islamic education in the state.

This was revealed by the State Commissioner for Education, Dr Ali Haruna Makoda when he received a delegation from Muslim Charity For the United Kingdom in his office on Wednesday.

Dr Makoda emphasised that Governor Abba Kabir  Yusuf’s administration is committed to overhauling the education sector and welcomes partnerships that can help achieve this goal.

He disclosed that the Kano State Government has declared a state-of-emergency on education and introduced new initiatives to improve education quality.

Dr. Makoda, therefore, noted that the partnership comes at the right time and would improve Islamic education in Kano State, particularly Islamiyya schools.

He maintained that the state’s islamiyya schools system is favourable, with a dedicated board overseeing operations to ensure quality education, stressing that the engagement will focus on providing modern learning materials to enhance performance.

Dr Samira Abubakar Abdullahi, leader of the delegation, explained that Muslim Charity For the United Kingdom is already working in Nigeria, partnering with local organisations to support the education and health sectors.

According to her, the foundation assists in school renovation programmes, promotes educational development and provides health facilities.

” We are, therefore, at the ministry to discuss areas of collaboration and intimate the Honorable Commissioner about our activities,” she stated.

A Statement by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Ministry of Education, Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru, indicated that: “This partnership is a significant step towards enhancing Islamic education in Kano State, and the state government’s commitment to education is evident in its efforts to collaborate with organisations like Muslim Charity For United Kingdom.”