Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has taken a swipe on the Federal Government’s distribution of N500 billion through the Bank of Industry to support small-scale industries across the country’s geopolitical zones.
Yusuf at meeting with representatives from the Kano Cooperative Society at the Government House on Thursday evening alleged that the distribution was heavily skewed.
The governor represented by his Deputy, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, disclosed that Lagos State received 47 per cent of the allocation, followed by the South-South Zone with 17%, and other regions receiving significantly lower percentages.
In a statement the deputy governor’s spokesman, Ibrahim Shuaibu, on Friday reiterated that the administration’s primary goal is eradicating poverty in Kano state.
He described the distribution mode as “unfair, unconstitutional, and illegal”. He called on relevant authorities and members of the National Assembly to rectify the situation and take appropriate action against those responsible.
The statement said the state government would support Cooperative Societies in their efforts to alleviate poverty and regain their influence.
Yusuf announced that the state government would engage cooperative societies in designing poverty eradication and sustainable development programs.
The meeting was held as part of activities to commemorate the 2023 International Day of Cooperatives.
The governor in the statement emphasized the importance of Cooperative Societies as vehicles through which citizens can improve their lives and contribute to the overall development of their community and the nation.
‘’President of the Kano Cooperative Society, Musa Aikawa, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, emphasized the significance of cooperatives in enhancing the lives of their members, ‘’the statement said.
‘’He disclosed that the state has over 2.8 million cooperative members, primarily consisting of young people.’’
‘’Aikawa requested the intervention of the state government to develop strategies for reducing the high rate of unemployment in the state.’’
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Solid Minerals, Mairo Danbatta, encouraged the youth to embrace cooperative business ventures as a means of progress and reducing unemployment in Kano.
The meeting was attended by several dignitaries, including government officials and representatives from educational institutions related to cooperative activities in Kano.