Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has criticised the federal government’s allocation of N500 billion through the Bank of Industry, intended to support small-scale industries across the country, labelling the distribution as “unfair, unconstitutional, and illegal.”
Governor Yusuf expressed his concerns during a meeting on Friday, July 14, 2023, with representatives from the Kano Cooperative Society at the state government house.
His deputy, Comrade Aminu Gwarzo, represented him.
According to a statement issued by Ibrahim Shuaibu, the press secretary to the deputy governor, Lagos State received 47% of the allocation, followed by the South-South Zone with 17%.
The other regions were left with significantly smaller shares of the fund.
The Kano governor took issue with this distribution, calling on relevant authorities, including Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, to rectify the situation and take action against those responsible.
“Governor Yusuf pledged his commitment to assist co-operative societies in their efforts to combat poverty and regain their influence, emphasizing the importance of such societies as vehicles for improving citizens’ lives and contributing to their community and nation’s development,” the statement read.
The governor also announced plans for the state government to work closely with cooperative societies in designing sustainable poverty eradication and development programs.
There are also plans to establish committees that will review the activities of Cooperative Desk Officers in each Local Government Area, with additional officers introduced to major markets to support cooperative activities.
Musa Hassan Aikawa, President of the Kano Cooperative Society, who was representing the delegation, echoed the significance of cooperatives in improving members’ lives.
With over 2.8 million cooperative members in Kano State, primarily young people, Aikawa stressed the need for intervention from the state government to develop strategies for reducing the high unemployment rate.
The meeting was attended by several dignitaries, including government officials and representatives from educational institutions related to cooperative activities in Kano State.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Solid Minerals, Haj. Mairo Danbatta, expressed solidarity with the cooperative movement and urged the youth to embrace cooperative business ventures to progress and reduce unemployment in Kano State.