Northern youth assembly condemns calls to relocate Kano’s digital innovation park to Kebbi

The Northern Youth Assembly (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) has condemned the call by some groups that President Bola Tinubu should relocate Kano’s Digital Innovation Park to Kebbi State. 

The group in a statement by Aliyu Mohammed and Hafiz Garba, its President and Secretary respectively, on Wednesday said while the call for increased investment in Kebbi State is valid and a welcome development, it is however crucial to consider several factors before thinking on some significant projects undertaking. 

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“Although, it is essential to ensure that all States in Nigeria, including those from Northern Nigeria receive equitable development opportunities. Kano’s existing infrastructure, human resources, and strategic location make it an ideal hub for a project such as: Digital Innovation Park. 

“This facility is strategically situated, and can effectively serve the entire northern region, fostering and supporting innovation and economic growth, not only for Kano State but as well for the entire Northern States.

“It is important to note, necessary infrastructures for the striving of investments such as Digital Innovation Park is critical, and therefore situating the facility in Kano was not a coincidence but an action which was carefully well thought and executed.  

“Relocating the park to any other State would not only increase additional costs but also cause delays, hindering the region’s progress in digital innovation. It is more realistic to make renovation on the existing foundation in Kano, than starting the project all over again somewhere 

“Kano State holds historical and strategic importance as a commercial hub in Northern Nigeria, with established transportation networks, including a fully functional international airport and major road links, Kano State is therefore well-positioned to host the Digital Innovation Park. The location of Kano State ensures accessibility and connectivity amongst all other States of the Northwest, which are critical to a successful operationalization of such an initiative.

“Kebbi State is equally in the position to benefit from some laudable projects which are so deserving and peculiar to the State, such as investment in rice farming, which the previous Government provided so much to the State more than other States in the North. 

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“It is against this backdrop, we are of the opinion that, thinking about relocating the NCC Digital Centre from Kano to Kebbi State, is either a joke, or an act of mockery or a calculated deception meant to mislead Kebbi State GOVERNOR, OR THE good people of Kebbi. 

“We wish to specially beseech the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a matter of urgency directly for the commencement of a renovation work, at the NCC Digital Centre in Kano as soon as possible. Kano State deserves to have this project, considering its population size, electoral value and strategic location.”