Gov Yusuf: It’s not easy Governing Kano

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has highlighted the difficulties of governing the state, describing it as a "mini-Nigeria" due to its large population and diverse residents. The governor, speaking at the first annual security conference of the Institute of Security and Strategic Studies (ISSS), received an Award of Excellence in Security Governance.

Governor Yusuf's keynote address focused on the need for a resilient national security ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of innovation, intelligence, and community partnership in combating insecurity. The conference was themed "Building a Resilient National Security Ecosystem: Innovation, Intelligence and Community Partnership for a Safer Nigeria."

During his acceptance speech, Ambassador Ibrahim Waiya, who represented Governor Yusuf, emphasized the recognition as a call to action for security governance. He noted that the state government had implemented both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to address insecurity, including the training of 2,000 young individuals under the Neighbourhood Watch program and the deployment of these youths across all 44 local government areas to assist conventional security agencies.

Additionally, the Anti-Phone Snatching Corps and the Safe Corridor program were mentioned, aimed at encouraging young people involved in political thuggery and violence to surrender and embrace peace. Approximately 340 young men have been registered and profiled under Safe Corridor, with the government allocating over N500 million to the initiative.

Governor Yusuf acknowledged the challenges of governance in the state, stating that it was not an easy task due to Kano's significant population and its status as a cosmopolitan city that serves as a melting pot for various Nigerians. He further stated that the state's vast population and diverse demographics made it akin to a mini-Nigeria, making governance a complex undertaking.