Gov. Abba K. Yusuf @61

By IBRAHIM ADAM

Exactly 61 years ago, a leader with an enviable knack for leadership quality was born. Kanawa celebrates the epitome of quality leadership that’s spearheaded with expertise and selfless zeal to stand among peers. Governor Abba’s enviable knack of offering solutions to lingering issues that almost rewrote the history of Kano, his penchant for policy and institutional reforms, and his selfless commitment to meeting his campaign promises have earned him a modicum of respect from the people of Kano and Arewa in general, and this tells you that Kano is fortunate to have him as the captain that spears Kano to the promised land.

It is not a hidden fact that when Gov. Abba K. Yusuf assumed office as the Executive Governor of Kano State, he embarked on stupendous projects to revive education, health, agriculture, the economy, and infrastructural development in Kano State.

In the education sector, apart from providing free meals, uniforms, and writing materials for students in public schools, Gov. Abba approved the general rehabilitation of all primary and secondary schools across the state. His government ensured that SSCE (WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB) fees were waived for all Kano indigenes in government-owned schools. He approved the payment of registration fees for Kano State students at Bayero University. He also slashed 50% of tuition fees at Kano state-owned tertiary institutions for Kano state indigenes.

His administration reopened the 26 tertiary institutions that were established by the erstwhile administration of Sen. Kwankwaso and closed by that of Ganduje. Among them are the School of Nursing Madobi, the Tourism and Hospitality Institute, the Informatics Institute, the Security Institute, the Sport Institute, the Livestock Institute, and many more.

Gov. Abba sponsored 1001 students for foreign MSc scholarships to India and Uganda to study in various fields, with the expectation that upon graduation, the students would return to Kano to contribute to the education and health sectors of the state.

Gov. Abba vigorously stopped the unnecessary deductions from the salaries of civil servants and retirees and embarked on paying 20,000 naira to workers and 15,000 to pensioners for 6 months as a palliative to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

While putting smiles on the faces of civil servants, Gov. Abba flagged off the settlement of the backlog of gratuity and death benefits for pensioners with a whopping sum of N6 billion, benefiting no fewer than 6,000 pensioners in the first phase of the settlement program.

Among the beneficiaries were relatives of deceased civil servants who collected the death benefits of their deceased relatives who died while serving the state as civil servants. The targeted beneficiaries were those who retired or died in active service between 2016 and 2019.

In another move to ensure food security, Gov. Abba purchased and distributed assorted grains worth about N1.6 billion to residents as part of the palliative measures adopted by the state government.

In infrastructural development, Gov. Abba Yusuf laid the foundation for a three-layer interchange bridge at the Dan Agundi junction and a cloverleaf overpass bridge at the Tal’udu roundabout, both in Kano metropolis.

N27 billion worth of major projects were initiated to reduce traffic congestion, ease travel, beautify the city, control pollution, and develop infrastructure in Kano City.

His government also embarked on the completion of the 5-kilometer road across the 44 local governments of Kano State and the mighty Wuju-Wuju road.

He also awarded the reconstruction of Unguwar Dabai, Yan Awaki, and Yan Allo roads, along with a general renovation of roads within the commercial city of Kano State.

In the health sector, Gov. Abba confiscated and renovated Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital, a facility that was abandoned and had its equipment stolen by the administration of Ganduje. The hospital now offers free treatment for general pediatrics, surgery, immunization, nutritional services, research, and training.

He also renovated the emergency units of Murtala Muhd Hospital, Skin Hospital Bela, Nuhu Bamalli Hospital, and many other health facilities in the state.

These initiatives were in addition to the constant supply of pumped water and the Mass Wedding Initiative, a testament to Gov. Abba’s administration’s dedication to promoting cultural traditions and social cohesion while providing couples with a memorable and cost-effective way to formalize their unions.

Happy 61st birthday, boss and mentor!