Adeola Ajakaiye in Kano
The Nigerian subregional state of Kano says it will place the pillars of its economic rejuvenation and investors’ attractiveness on agriculture and commerce.
The state, which is controlled by the New Nigeria`s People Party (NNPP), said it is planning to massively leverage on the huge potential of the state in the areas of agriculture and commerce, to drive this economic quest.
To this end, the administration intends putting the 22 water dams that are currently underutilized in the state, to work, which will enable vast agricultural resource that the state is endowed with, to become a source of value generation to the state’s economy.
Baffa Bichi, secretary to the state government (SSG), gave this hint in a lead presentation on the policy direction of the Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf led administration in the state, at a 3-Day in-house training workshop for information officers, and media aides, organised by the Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, which opened Monday in Kano.
According to the SSG, the new administration resolved to focus on agriculture, and commerce, because studies conducted have identified the two sectors, as low hanging fruits that can be harvested for the quick rejuvenation of the economy.
“I am happy to be with you here today to acquaint participants in this very important workshop of the policy direction of what we have come to know as the AKY administration in the state. This administration has seven key policy directions.
“The first policy focus of the administration is Human Capital Development, and under this policy emphasis will be on scaling up development activities in the higher, and basic education sub-sector, and our second policy direction is about general wellness of the people of the state.
“The third policy focus of this administration is achieving Food Security for the people of the state, and in doing this, we intend transforming agriculture practices in the state into the business that generates employment, and steady income for the state.
“Some of the specific activities we intend to embark upon is, working with the appropriate federal agencies in a way that the dams in the state would be deployed for massive food production, as well as livestock, and fishery development. This we plan to see translate in massive jobs for our people, which is another policy objective of the government.
“Other policy goal of the administration is to ensure making Kano a very clean city, where the waste that are being evacuated would be converted into wealth creation for the people. We have the belief that a clean and beautiful Kano will be an attraction for investors, and it would also impact commercial activity, which the state is known for.
“It is very clear that for Kano to return to the economic vitality which is known for the administration will have prioritized agro-business development and reinvent the commercial activity,” the SSG stated.
Bichi enlisted the participants to deploy their professionalism and skills and experience in enlightening the citizens so that they can support the administration in the realisation of the policy goals.
In his address, before declaring the workshop open, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was represented by his deputy, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, said that the current administration would continue to invest in human resource development and capacity building through workshops, and short-, medium-, and long-term trainings for the state workforce.
“Permit me also to state that the theme of the workshop ‘Effective Information Dissemination in a Digital Era: The Roles of Information Officers’ is indeed very apt, timely and relevant, particularly, considering the ever-increasing sources of information in the mainstream and the new media and the disturbing persistent trend of creation and dissemination of fake news.
“While, this workshop continues with various educative presentations from the distinguished knowledgeable and experienced resource persons, I urge you all to listen with rapt attention, participate actively and use the knowledge gained to improve the discharge of your responsibility for the good of all,” the governor advised.
