By Usman Usman Garba
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 14-member committee to oversee the formal handover of facilities at the School of Rural Technology and Entrepreneurship Development (SORTED), Rano, to the newly established Federal Polytechnic, Rano.
The inauguration was performed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim, at his office, following the approval of the committee by the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The committee is chaired by Prof. Shehu Usman Aliyu Rano of Bayero University Kano, while Dr. Nura Haladu, Director of the School for Rural and Community Studies, Rano, serves as Secretary. Makiyu Ali Nuhu, PAS/REPA, serves as Co-Secretary.
Other members are drawn from universities, polytechnics and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, bringing together expertise in education, physical planning, quantity surveying, building, architecture, administration and related fields.
Speaking during the inauguration, the SSG expressed appreciation to Senator Dr. AbdulRahman Kawu Sumaila and Right Honourable Kabiru Alhassan Rurum for their efforts towards the actualisation of the Federal Polytechnic, Rano, describing the development as a significant milestone for Kano State and the people of the area.
Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim clarified that the decision to establish the Federal Polytechnic at the traditional site of SORTED in Rano does not mean the termination of the School of Rural Technology and Entrepreneurship Development.
He explained that SORTED would be relocated to Sumaila, where it would continue its operations and pursue its mandate.
According to the SSG, following consultations and the efforts of the two federal legislators, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf considered it appropriate to constitute the committee to ensure an orderly, transparent and seamless process for the formal handover of the existing SORTED facilities in Rano to the Federal Polytechnic.
He expressed confidence in the calibre and experience of the committee members, stressing that their collective expertise placed them in a strong position to deliver a credible outcome within the stipulated timeframe.
The committee is mandated to conduct a comprehensive inventory and categorisation of movable and fixed assets at SORTED; determine the assets to be transferred to the new site and those to be handed over to the Federal Polytechnic; conduct a census of staff and students to facilitate relocation and planning; advise the government on an appropriate relocation timeline; ensure proper documentation of assets and items designated for handover; and undertake any other relevant tasks necessary for a smooth transition.
The committee is expected to complete its assignment and submit its final report to the government within three weeks of its inauguration.
Responding on behalf of the committee members, the chairman, Prof. Shehu Usman Aliyu Rano, expressed appreciation to Senator Sumaila and Right Honourable Rurum for their commitment towards the realisation of what he described as a long-standing aspiration for the establishment of a Federal Polytechnic in Rano.
He also commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for providing the leadership and support necessary for the development to become a reality, particularly at a time when, according to him, a people-oriented administration was at the helm of affairs in Kano State.
Prof. Shehu further expressed gratitude to the governor for the confidence reposed in the committee and assured that its members would deploy their experience and expertise to carry out the assignment diligently and deliver within the stipulated period.
The development reflects the Kano State Government’s commitment to expanding access to technical and vocational education, strengthening human capital development and ensuring the effective utilisation of public educational infrastructure in support of the state’s development objectives.
