By Hussaini Ibrahim Sulaiman
The Kano State Commissioner for Higher Education, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has challenged any individual or state government in Nigeria to prove that they allocate 31per cent of their total annual budget to education, apart from Kano State.
Comrade Gwarzo, who also serves as the Deputy Governor of Kano State, made this challenge while interacting separately with the management of Northwest University and the Kano State College of Advanced and Preliminary Studies (KACEPS) as part of his familiarization tour of institutions under his ministry.
Alhaji Aminu Abdussalam reaffirmed Governor Abba Yusuf’s commitment to prioritizing education above all other government policies and programs, emphasizing its importance.
He commended both institutions for their academic and infrastructural achievements and encouraged them to continue strengthening their efforts. He stressed that academic institutions play a crucial role in addressing socio-economic and political challenges, serving as pillars for both government and society.
“Don’t stay silent; if you see something, say something for the betterment of the state and society,” Comrade Gwarzo emphasized.
Addressing the students, he urged them to remain dedicated to their studies, uphold discipline, persevere, maintain a visionary focus, and embrace entrepreneurship.
Comrade Gwarzo, who was a student at KACEPS 53 years ago, recounted how he and his peers formed the Gwarzo Development Association, which advised the state government at the time to establish skills acquisition centres. This initiative led to the creation of four regional centres in Kano, Hadejia, and other locations.
The Deputy Governor assured that the government remains committed to supporting state-owned institutions, striving to elevate them to global standards.
Additionally, His Excellency congratulated the Vice-Chancellor and management of Northwest University for the university’s remarkable progress within a short period, despite numerous challenges.
University and College Leadership Respond
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Northwest University, Professor Mukhtar Atiku Kurawa, highlighted key achievements of the university, including:
-The National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation process,
-Administrative progress,
-Financial management,
-Staff and student welfare, and
-The status of ongoing projects.
Professor Kurawa noted that the university commenced operations with only three professors but now boasts over twenty professors and more than 7,000 students. He emphasized that the university is now globally competitive but also outlined some key challenges and appealed for government support.
In his remarks, the Provost of KACEPS, Professor Sanusi Yakubu Ahmed, congratulated the new commissioner on his appointment and provided a comprehensive overview of the college’s activities, programs, and pressing challenges that require government intervention.
Finally, the Honourable Commissioner rounded off the familiarization tour with a site visit to the institution’s facilities, promising government intervention to address major challenges, particularly ongoing projects.