BY AVM IBRAHIM UMARU (RTD )DIRECTOR GENERAL SPECIAL SERVICES DIRECTORATE GOVERNMENT HOUSE, KANO
the grand tapestry of leadership, there are those who merely occupy positions and those who transform them into platforms for meaningful change. The current governor of Kano State, His Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf, stands tall among the latter, a lighthouse in the stormy seas of governance, illuminating the path towar progress, prosperity, and peace.
Since ascending the mantle of leadership on May 29, 2023, Governor Yusuf has been a master sculptor, chiseling away the rough edges of societal challenges to reveal a statue of hope and promise. Like a gardener tending to an expansive field, he has nurtured the seeds of development across education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic empowerment, ensuring they bloom into vibrant fruits for the people of Kano State.
Education has been wielded by his administration as both shield and sword against the darkness of ignorance. Like a sunrise over parched fields, he settled the outstanding National Examinations Council (NECO) registration fees left unpaid by the previous government, giving thousands of students renewed hope. With a bold In, he reduced school fees across all state-owned tertiary institutions by an impressive 50%, shattering financial barriers to education. Additionally, 7,000 Kano State students at Bayero University Kano received stroke financial support, a lifeline that eased the burden on countless families. As though crafting a stairway to the stars, the governor sponsored first-class students to pursue master’s degrees abroad, ensuring the state produces globally competitive intellectuals. These initiatives are not mere statistics but lifelines thrown to a generation yearning for opportunity, a ladder placed against the towering wall of financial constraints.
In the realm of healthcare, Governor Yusuf’s touch has been both gentle and firm. The once-neglected Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital, previously sold during the Ganduje administration, has been renovated and returned to its noble purpose—caring for the state’s youngest citizens. This act was not merely a physical restoration but a symbolic gesture, a phoenix rising from the ashes of neglect. Beyond mere renovation, the hospital now stands as a sanctuary of healing, its walls echoing with the cries of newborns and the sighs of relieved parents. Across the healthcare landscape, there has been a deliberate focus on enhancing facilities, ensuring availability of drugs, and empowering medical personnel to provide top-notch services.
The infrastructural landscape of Kano State has witnessed a renaissance. Roads that once stood as weary veins of commerce have been revived into bustling arteries of economic activity. Projects like the continuation of the Wuju-Wuju road and the Faculty of Engineering building at Yusuf Maitama Sule University stand as monuments to his dedication. Furthermore, the extension of 5 kilometres of roads in every local government area has woven communities closer together, fostering both connectivity and economic growth. Each road is more than just a stretch of asphalt; it is a bridge between dreams and opportunities, between isolation and inclusion. Streetlights now stand as glowing sentinels across Kano’s roads, pushing back the shadows of insecurity. These illuminated streets are more than just a means to an end; they are symbols of safety, pathways lit with hope and reassurance.
The revival of the Kano State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB) has brought about cleaner streets and healthier living conditions, a breath of fresh air—literally and figuratively. For a city as vibrant and populous as Kano, cleanliness is not a luxury but a necessity. The administration’s focus on sanitation is a testimony to its understanding that good governance is not always about grand gestures but about the consistent, unglamorous work of improving everyday life.
After an eight-year drought in tap water supply, Governor Yusuf has turned the tide. The taps now flow with life-giving water, a simple yet profound achievement that has transformed daily living for Kano’s citizens. In a land where water scarcity once cast long shadows over households, this accomplishment sparkles like morning dew on a sunlit leaf. Each drop tells a story—a story of perseverance, planning, and purpose.
Like a craftsman carving out opportunities from blocks of stone, Governor Yusuf has implemented skills acquisition and employment programs. These initiatives have provided citizens with the tools to build brighter futures, reducing unemployment and stimulating economic growth. Women and street hawkers have also been empowered, their economic contributions now a rising tide lifting the boats of local economies. There is a poetic justice in seeing individuals who once struggled to make ends meet now standing on firmer economic ground, their dreams once deferred now blossoming in the fertile soil of opportunity.
Security, often the backbone of development, has seen steady improvement. Reports of phone snatching have dwindled, and the streets hum with renewed confidence. Pensioners, long forgotten in the corridors of bureaucracy, now receive their full payments, allowing them to live with dignity. For years, these senior citizens carried the weight of the state on their shoulders; now, the state carries them in return. Families of deceased civil servants from 2018–2023 have been granted benefits, an act of compassion that speaks volumes. Behind every statistic lies a story of relief, gratitude, and renewed faith in governance.
The distribution of palliatives worth 1.6 billion naira to vulnerable citizens underscores the administration’s commitment to leaving no one behind. Like a shepherd gathering his flock, Governor Yusuf has ensured that the vulnerable and marginalized are seen, heard, and cared for. Beyond numbers and figures, these palliatives represent hope, offering struggling families a brief reprieve from the crushing weight of hardship.
In December 2024, Governor Yusuf was honored with the prestigious title of “Pillar of Nation Building” at the 2nd Nigeria’s Nation Builders Annual Award. This accolade is not merely a trophy on a shelf; it is a reflection of a leader who wears responsibility like a crown and wields power like a lantern. Such recognition does not come by accident; it is earned through relentless dedication, thoughtful decision-making, and an unyielding commitment to progress.
In a significant stride towards addressing the pressing issue of illicit drugs, substance abuse, and counterfeit pharmaceutical products, the Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Yusuf, has intensified its war against these societal vices. During a security briefing held on Wednesday, December 31, 2024, the Governor’s Office highlighted the administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health and security.
The briefing underscored the government’s multi-faceted approach, which includes strengthened enforcement measures, collaboration with federal agencies, community engagement, and public awareness campaigns aimed at eradicating the distribution and consumption of illegal substances and fake pharmaceuticals.
Through intelligence-driven operations, the administration has achieved remarkable successes, with significant seizures, arrests, and the dismantling of dangerous networks acting as a testament to its resolve. Like a vigilant guardian shielding its people, the government has stood firm against the tides of crime and insecurity, sending a clear message that the safety of Kano’s residents is non-negotiable.
The Governor’s Office applauded the collaborative spirit of security agencies, traditional institutions, and community leaders, likening their joint efforts to a fortress of unity against these pervasive threats. This proactive stance has reinforced Kano State’s position as a beacon of effective governance, public safety and security.
Governor Yusuf’s administration has not merely spoken of change but has acted decisively, turning promises into action and strategies into results. These achievements symbolise a firm resolve to protect citizens, ensure public health, and create a safer, more secure environment for all residents of the state.
As we celebrate His Excellency’s birthday, we honor not just the man but the vision he embodies—a vision of a brighter, better Kano State. May his leadership continue to inspire generations, and may his days be filled with the same joy and fulfillment he brings to the lives of countless citizens.
“A true leader is not one who travels the path alone but one who lights the way for others to follow.” Happy Birthday, Your Excellency!
