Housing development: Kano government to partner with Federal Mortgage Bank

 

*Kano Information Ministry partners with reformative centre to fight drug abuse, thuggery

 

*Students exchange programme: Kano conveys 588 students to 15 northern states

 

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

 

Kano State Government has reiterated its commitment to partner with the Federal Mortgage Bank for housing development in the State.

This was made known by Kano State Governor, Alhaji  Abba Kabir Yusuf, when he received the Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank and his entourage, who called on him in his office.

In a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, quoted the governor stressing the need for a working relationship with the bank, given the state’s strategic position as the second most populous in the country, with a rapid increase in the population and the need for conducive and habitable shelter for its citizens.

” Kano State Government has always been at the forefront of development, and housing is a critical aspect of the growth. We recognise the importance of accessible and affordable housing in enhancing the quality of life of our citizens”, Governor Yusuf said.

The Governor added: “Our administration believes in a collaborative approach between the government and agencies like Federal Mortgage Bank, and other stakeholders essential to achieving our goals”.

Earlier speaking, the Bank’s Managing Director,/ Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Shehu Usman Osidi, said he visited the governor to introduce himself and his management team with a view to chatting about ways of collaboration between the bank and the Kano government.

Alhaji Shehu Usman Osidi said the bank was established to assist Nigerians, especially lower and middle-income earners, to acquire affordable and decent houses.

He appreciated Kano State Government, saying, “We commend the recent decision by Kano State Government to return its Civil Servants to the National Housing Fund Scheme, which is a testament of responsive governance and dedication to improving the welfare of workers in ensuring that they have access to decent and affordable shelter”.

Alhaji Shehu Usman Osidi spoke extensively on ten housing projects financed by the bank in various locations of the state, amounting to N6.8 billion, to assist in solving the shelter deficit in Kano.

He assured the bank readiness for stronger collaboration in housing development to achieve the set goals.

 

Kano Information Ministry partners with reformative centre to fight drug abuse, thuggery

Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government to the fight against drug abuse and thuggery among youths through strategic partnerships and public enlightenment campaigns.

The Commissioner stated this while receiving the Coordinator of the Kiru Reformative Centre, Ms. Cheryl Aminta Kwagga, who paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry, as part of her stakeholders’ engagement efforts.

Comrade Waiya welcomed the collaboration, describing the visit as both strategic and timely.

“You have come at the right time. I am currently leading a stakeholders’  coordinating committee on the project that seeks to address the issues of thuggery and other related ugly practices.

“We are already working towards engaging organisations like the Kiru Reformative Centre,” Waiya said.

The Commissioner disclosed that the project he leads, code-named “Safe Corridor: The Kano Model,” has recorded significant achievements in engaging the wayward youths towards becoming patriotic citizens.

According to Waiya,  plans are underway for their transformation through rehabilitation and empowerment to become productive members of society.

“We have profiled hundreds of youths who are ready to abandon the dangerous path of self-destruction caused by thuggery and drug abuse. They are now willing to repent and become useful to themselves and the society,” he added.

The Commissioner further revealed that a comprehensive action plan is being finalised and will soon be unveiled to the public.

He explained that the plan includes targeted programmes and engagement strategies to eliminate the root causes of youth involvement in crime.

He assured the visiting Coordinator of the Ministry’s full support and collaboration, emphasising that, “drug abuse remains a major catalyst for crime, including thuggery and other social vices.

“The Ministry will work closely with your Centre to provide the needed enlightenment and public sensitisation required to reform our youth.”

In her remarks, the Coordinator of the Kiru Reformative Centre, Ms. Cheryl Aminta Kwagga, requested the Ministry’s partnership in creating awareness and public sensitisation on the Centre’s activities aimed at reforming youths.

She acknowledged the strategic role of the Ministry in engaging the public and expressed the need for collaboration in addressing the menace.

“This battle must be fought together, especially by leveraging the Ministry’s vast experience in media and information dissemination to reach our communities,” she said.

Ms. Kwagga explained that her visit to the Ministry was part of a broader stakeholders’ engagement drive to mobilise institutional support and resources.

According to her, “the Kiru Reformative Centre is committed to addressing the root causes of drug abuse and thuggery through rehabilitation, advocacy, and community-based interventions.”

 

*Students exchange programme: Kano conveys 588 students to 15 northern states

 

Kano state government has conveyed 588 students schooling in Kano to 15 northern states under the Students Exchange Programme (SEP) initiative.

The students who comprised males and females were conveyed to their respective states for the commencement of the 3rd term 2024/2025 holiday.

A statement signed by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Kano State Ministry of Education, Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru, revealed that the affected Students were transported to Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, and Taraba states.

According to the statement, students of Yobe, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Gombe, Borno, Niger, Plateau and Kwara were also conveyed safely to their respective states.

Kano state is among the 17 northern states participating in the SEP, aimed at promoting unity and understanding of cultural background among the member states.

The statement added that, “the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Ministry, Auwal Muhammad Mustapha, revealed that  Kano State Government under the leadership of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf had provided the necessary logistics for the smooth conveyance of the students.

” His Excellency, the Governor, is giving us all the financial support to make our work easier and ensure that the students are transported to their respective states safely.”

Auwal Mustapha further commended the state Commissioner of Education, Dr. Ali Haruna Makoda, for ensuring that the exchange programme is giving all the needed support in view of its importance in promoting unity among the northern states.

The Statement further noted that,  “the cooperation given by parents and other relevant stakeholders to make the students’ exchange programme more beneficial are appreciable.”