Kano Seeks Stronger Ties With UK In Education, Health, Agric. Sectors
Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Tuesday solicited for stronger synergy between the state and United Kingdom to further strengthen education, health and agriculture sectors.
He stated this when he received the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Miss Catriona Liang, who paid him a courtesy call at Government House, Kano.
A statement issued by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Abba Anwar and forwarded to Solacebase assured that the state is ready to always see that interventions are supported by the state, owning them and make sure that they are sustained.
According to the statement, in the education sector, he made reference to the recently implemented free and compulsory primary and secondary schools education policy, explaining that, “Just recently we came up with this policy, which we know is a heavy loaded policy statement. Which needs all hands on deck.”
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“We all believe that with the right education, these issues of insecurity and joblessness would come to pass. We also understand that education is a right to each and every citizen. That is why we have a Law in place that whoever fails to take his child or children to school is committing an offence.”
Ganduje urged the United Kingdom to give a helping hand in propelling and supporting this noble programme, that would address the issue of out-of-school children with all seriousness and determination.
“The issue of the integration of the Almajiri system into our conventional education system is another task that must be accomplished. That is why we are also taking this matter very seriously,” he said.
He further reveals that, at the level of Northern Governors Forum, they discussed the issue of Almajiri phenomenon, emphasising that, “We have some thorough discussions at the Northern Governors Forum about the movement of Almajiris in the hands of their teachers. We are planning to see how we can control such movements. All we need is a controlled situation.”
While in the area of healthcare delivery system, the governor mentioned efforts by the state-directed towards primary healthcare delivery system, noting that many feats achieved in the area, under issues like primary health care system under one roof and many other areas in the sub-sector, which culminated into the recent 2020 Primary Health Care Kano Summit.
“In the area of agriculture I am informing you that, apart from making sure that we maximize our production, we are doing our best to also see that farmers get all the necessary support to do well on their farmlands. From good and people-oriented Agric policies to provision of quality seeds, other implements among others,” he mentioned.
In her remarks Ambassador Liang commended the state government for the interest in human development, saying that, “We are commending the governor for his efforts in human development. This is very encouraging. It is noteworthy to understand that we are strengthening our ties with African states.”
She said “We are also looking at agriculture, the mainstay of your state economy. Ours is to always strengthen our ties. It is known that Kano state has a long-standing relationship with our country,” she said.
After disclosing an upcoming project tagged “Mutual Accountability” she said the project would be mutually beneficial to both parties adding that “Areas that we want to strengthen our relationship with African states, are that of governance, human development and economy.”
